2.  The teachings of Jesus are rooted in Judaism.  The Zealots made up a branch of Judaism that was formed to overthrow the Romans.  Paul of Tarsus is credited with establishing Christian churches throughout the eastern Mediterranean.  Over time, bishops in Rome felt that the Roman bishop, or pope, should be recognized as the head of the entire church.  Christianity was finally allowed in the Roman Empire when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313.

3.  Where the founder sat and meditated was the Bodh Gaya  The central truths of Buddhism were the four noble truths.  A series of steps that lead to enlightenment and salvation is the Eightfold Path.  The founder of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama

4.  A basic tenet of Hinduism is the belief that everything in the world is an aspect of Brahman.  The concept of karma is best described as the sum effect of one’s actions during life.  In Hinduism, a person’s dharma, or set of spiritual duties and obligations is based on their class and station in life.  The sacred texts of Hinduism include the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

5.  Muhammad was raised by his uncle and grew up to become a merchant in the city of Mecca.  Muhammad reported that the angel told him that Allah was the one and only true and all-powerful God.  Most Muslims were polytheistic.  The five Pillars of Islam include a profession of faith, five daily prayers, charity for the poor, and making the journey to Mecca.  The record of Muhammad’s behavior and teachings is known as the Sunna.

6.  The Hebrews' religion was known as Judaism.  Accounts of the Hebrews’ early history appear in five sacred books called a Torah.  The Hebrew people made a covenant, or a solemn agreement, to follow God’s law.  In a journal known as the Exodus, the Hebrews made their journey to Mecca.  According to Hebrew history, Moses was chosen by God to receive a collection of moral laws known as the Ten Commandments.  The Hebrews believed the land of Canaan was promised to them by God.  Israel's first king was a man named Saul, chosen for his military leadership.  Shortly after the death of King Solomon, Israel’s Twelve Tribes formed two kingdoms. One was called Israel and the other was called Judah.  Unlike most other ancient peoples, the Hebrews practiced Monotheism, belief in only one god.  Written by early Jewish scholars, the Talmud contains explanations and interpretations of the other sacred texts.