1. { Religions of the World September 17, 2012

2. A. monotheism - The belief in one god. B. polytheism - The belief in many gods. Mono = one Poly = many Theism = belief in god (or gods) Religion Religion

3. 1. Christianity33% 2. Islam21% 3. Hinduism14% 4. Buddhism6% 5. Sikhism.36% 6. Judaism.22% Major World Religions NOTES: As of 2005. This list includes only organized religions and excludes more loosely defined groups such as Chinese or African traditional religions. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.adherents.com.

4. 1. Judaism 2. Christianity 3. Islam Largest Monotheistic Religions

5. Judaism  Oldest of Southwest Asian religions –3200 years old  Monotheistic  Followers called Jews  Basic laws and teachings come from a book called the Torah (first five books of Christian Bible)  Religious center is in city of Jerusalem in Israel

6.  Evolved 2,000 years ago from the teachings of Judaism in Southwest Asia  Monotheistic  largest religion with 2 billion followers Christianity

7.  Based on teachings of Jesus Christ  Christians believe he is the Son of God  Teachings are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible  Three major groups are Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox

8. Islam Islam  Originated in Southwest Asia in 613 A.D.  Monotheistic  Based on the teachings of Muhammad  Followers are called Muslims and worship God, who is called Allah in Arabic

9.  Holy book is called Qur ’ an  Two major divisions of Islam are Sunni and Shiite

10. Bell Ringer: Vocabulary Define the following terms in your notes: -Jewish Diaspora -Resurrection -Apostles -Sunnah -Abraham * -Jesus Christ * -Muhammad *

11. Judaism Origin & background: It originates from the ancient Hebrew people. It’s the 1 st monotheistic religion in the world. The main laws and teachings of the religion come from the Torah (the 1 st 5 books of the Hebrew Bible) According to the Torah, Abraham (the father of the Hebrew people) was chosen by God (Yahweh) to move his family from Mesopotamia to Canaan. This was the beginning of the Hebrews. Another key figure in Judaism was Moses. -According to the Torah, Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt sometime between 1300-1200BC. (The Exodus). -After the Exodus Moses was given the Ten Commandment by God.

12. The 10 Commandments became the foundation for civil & religious law for Judaism. Observant Jews follow many strict laws and rituals that guide daily life and the ways they worship. Followers worship in a synagogue (place of worship). Today about 14 million people (Jewish people) practice Judaism. Most of these Jewish people live in Israel & the United States. Judaism has influenced both Christianity & Islam.

13. Christianity Christianity is based on the Gospels, life & teachings of Jesus, ancient Hebrew law, and the death of Jesus. These teachings can be found in the Christian text called the Bible (Old & New Testaments). The first 4 books are called the Gospels The Gospels are written by followers of Jesus and his teachings. Some were actually disciples of Jesus who later became known as Apostles. Peter, the first pope and one of the first apostles. The rock on which the church was built

14. Why was Christianity so appealing to so many people allowing it to spread quickly? It embraced all people (men, women, rich and poor)Open to all people Gave hope to the powerless. Appealed to those upset with the extravagances of Rome. Offered a personal relationship with God. Promised Eternal Life. Goal- Heaven

15. Islam Background: The followers of Islam are called Muslims. The word Islam means “submission to the will of Allah”. They believe in one God “Allah”. The religion was founded by Muhammad in A.D.610 They also accept the prophets of Judaism (Abraham) & Christianity (Jesus Christ). Muslims follow the practices & teachings of the Qur’an (Islamic Holy Book), which Muhammad said was revealed to him by Allah.

16. Five Pillars of Islam Islam is a direct simple faith, stressing the need to obey the will of Allah. This means following the 5 Pillars of Islam. 1.Belief (believing there is no deity but the One God, and Muhammad is the messenger) 2.Prayer (performing the prescribed prayers 5 times daily) 3.Charity (giving parts of one’s wealth to the poor, “giving alms”) 4.Fasting (refraining from food or drink from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan) 5.Pilgrimages (making at least one pilgrimage to Makkah or Mecca in one’s lifetime. This journey is called the “Hajj”). The goal of Islam is to reach Paradise.

17. Shari’ah   A set of practical laws to regulate their daily lives.   It is based on scholars interpretations of the Quran and the examples set by Muhammad in his life.   It regulates all aspects of Muslim life: family, business, government, and moral conduct. Today:   As of 2000 there were 1.1 billion followers of Islam.

18. HinduismVedasUpanishadsCasteAtmanDharmaKarmaBrahminsBrahmanMokshaReincarnationBuddhismBuddhaEnlightenmentNirvana Bell Ringer: Vocabulary

19. Hinduism One of the World’s oldest religions Mostly ethnic religion concentrated in India Polytheistic

20.  Offshoot of Hinduism, developed about 263 B.C. in India  Polytheistic  Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (aka the Buddha) Buddhism

21.  Rejects Hindu caste system  Promotes the correct way of living in order to reach an enlightened spiritual state called nirvana

22. Origins of Hinduism:   Aryan + Indus People = Indian Civilization. The most important product of this merger was the introduction of Hinduism.   The religion of Hinduism is based on the ancient Aryans religious beliefs. What we know about these beliefs comes from the Vedas (a collection of hymns & religious rituals).   The Vedas are the oldest Hindu sacred text. Hinduism

23.   The Vedas were memorized & delivered as long hymns or songs by priest speaking Sanskrit (ancient Aryan language.)   The Vedas were passed down from generation to generation in oral form and were not written down for hundreds of years. Hinduism

24.   Hinduism is the religion of most Indian people.   Early Hindu believers believed in a great universal spirit called Brahman.   Upanishads - an explanation of Vedas that is in depth and breaks them down as well.   They believed each person had a soul or inner self called Atman.   The soul could be reborn over and over again into different forms. This is called reincarnation. Hinduism

25.   Reincarnation - the belief that Atman (inner soul) can be reborn over and over into a higher or lower form.   Much of this is based on Karma.   Do good deeds? Move up a caste.   Do bad deeds? May move down in the caste system.   The divine law of dharma, rules karma: the law requires that a person perform the duties or responsibilities of their particular caste. If you do your duties (good dharma & live with good karma) one will be reincarnated into a higher caste. Hinduism

26. Caste System = Social class or social order of Indian civilization Brahmin - highest level of the caste (priests) It was also brought in by the Aryans. Early on there were only 4 castes & one group outside the caste system called the outcastes or untouchables. Eventually many more castes developed usually tied to one’s job. Hinduism

27.   Almost 800,000,000 people worldwide practice Hinduism   Known as the world’s oldest organized religion (dating back to 1500 BC)   It is polytheistic, but today followers primarily worship Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) & Siva (the creator & destroyer). Hinduism Today Hinduism

28.   Goal of Hinduism is  Moksha   Reached highest level of enlightenment   Released from reincarnation   Merged with the spirit of Brahman Hinduism

29.   Origins: Buddhism originates in India around 528 BC when Siddhartha Gautama (aka) Buddha established the concepts and methods for reaching enlightenment.   Founder of Buddhism: Siddhartha (Buddha). Buddhism

30.  Born into nobility around 563 BC in northern India  Son of a wealthy prince = sheltered, comfortable life  No understanding of the harshness of life  Left home – saw death, sickness, & suffering  Wanted to understand pain & suffering by seeking wisdom  Age 29 – left family to wander seeking wisdom & understanding to human suffering Siddhartha (Buddha) Buddhism

31.  Tried different methods while seeking wisdom Fasting & strict discipline Fasting & strict discipline Ate 1-7 grains of rice a day Ate 1-7 grains of rice a day Could see his backbone through stomach Could see his backbone through stomach Decided this might not be the best way Decided this might not be the best way Meditation Meditation Meditated for days before discovering true path to enlightenment Meditated for days before discovering true path to enlightenment Took a new name: Buddha “Enlightened One” Took a new name: Buddha “Enlightened One” Buddhism

32.  Believed in reincarnation  Dependent upon the life a person leads  Good = rewarded; Evil = punished  Salvation/Enlightenment attained by knowing and following:  “4 Noble Truths”  “Eightfold path” or “Middle way” Teachings of Buddha Buddhism

33. 1. 1. Everything in life is suffering and sorrow. 2. 2. The cause of suffering is people’s selfish desires. 3. 3. The way to end suffering is to end desire. 4. 4. The way to end desire is by following the 8-fold path. 4 Noble Truths Buddhism

34.   This is a path to enlightenment. Each step must be mastered along the way. When you reach the end and finally become enlightened you will find “Nirvana”   Nirvana - The goal of Buddhism (is a perfect spiritual peace where one is released from the cycle of reincarnation.) Eightfold Path/Middle Way Buddhism

35. There are about 350 million followers of Buddhism. Buddhism Today

36.  Combines elements of Hinduism and Islam  Founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469- 1538)  Preach the way to enlightenment and God. and God.  Strict monotheism  the brotherhood of humanity  reject idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste. Sikhism The Khanda -- the Sikh symbol

37. Confucianism background- Took root in china during a time of civil war. Developed by Confucius due to the Rulers loss of the “Mandate of Heaven”- the Chinese belief that a ruler’s power stemmed from divine authority. Beliefs- Confucianism is less a religion than a philosophy and a way of life. Central ideas- Stress Civic Responsibility, provides people with an ethical system to follow based on five basic relationships. The most important being parent and child- filial piety. His main goal was to influence government through his teachings

38. Geographical distribution of prevailing organized religions throughout the world: 3 http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm