1. The Major Religions of the World

2. List all of the RELIGIONS of the world that you can think of.
How Many Do You Know?
List all of the RELIGIONS of the world that you can think of.
WORLD RELIGIONS

3. We will study these…. Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Islam
Confucianism

4. What are the characteristics of a religion?

5. What is a Religion?
Religion – an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, practices and worship that centers on one or more gods

6. Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Mono – “one”
Poly – “many”
Theism – the belief in god
What do these terms mean?

7. Timeline info…

8. Note-Taking Format Important Text and Places Important People Symbols
Rituals and Celebrations
General Information

9. World Religion Populations

10. World Religion #1
Judaism

11. Judaism 14 million people world wide
1st “monotheistic” religion in history
The Torah, or Jewish holy book, teaches the basic laws of Judaism

12. Judaism
The universal symbol of Judaism is the Star of David, the emblem of King David who ruled the Kingdom of Israel from 1000 – 962 BC

13. Ritual, Worship & Celebration
At age 13 Jewish children enter into the religious community
Bar Mitzvah – Men
Bat Mitzvah - Women
House of Worship
The Synagogue
Leadership
Religious services are conducted by a rabbi (“teacher”)

14. Ritual, Worship & Celebration
Many Jews make the pilgrimage to the “Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
Built in the 2nd century BCE
Remains of a temple that had stood for close to 500 years
Destroyed by the Romans
Thought to be the most sacred of places
Temple itself was thought to be the place where God resides on earth.
Praying at the Wailing Wall signifies being in the presence of the Divine

15. The “Wailing” Wall

16. Ritual, Worship & Celebration
What is “Kosher”
Strict dietary laws
Forbids the eating of “unclean” animals such as pigs or shellfish
Dictates how certain foods should be prepared
Important Jewish holy days include:
Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover

17. Review Questions & Homework
What is the holy book of Judaism?
What is the role of rabbi in Jewish tradition?
What does the term “kosher” refer to?
Define and explain:
Chanukah
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Passover

18. World Religion #2
Christianity

19. History of Christianity
Founded c.33CE in Palestine
Founded by Jesus and his followers
Jesus is believed to be the messiah
The most important symbol is the Cross
Symbols the death of Jesus
Currently, main locations are:
North America
South America
Europe

21. Christian Population throughout the World
                                                 
Christian Population throughout the World

22. Christianity Facts Over 2B followers…largest religion in the world
Major Sects
Roman Catholic (RCC)
Eastern Orthodox (EO)
Protestant
House of Worship
Church or Chapel
Leaders of the Church
Hierarchy of priests and Pope (RCC) and (EO)

23. Christianity Beliefs Sacred Text Important Rituals & Worship Practices
The Bible (Old and New Testament)
Important Rituals & Worship Practices
The Seven Sacraments
Baptism & Communion are two examples
Major Holidays
Easter and Christmas
Belief in God
One God (a trinity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

24. Canterbury Cathedral, England

25. The Cathedral of The Resurrection of Christ
in Saint Petersburg

26. Review Questions
Why is Jesus Christ central to the Christian religion?
What do Christians hope to achieve by following the teachings of Jesus Christ?

27. World Religion #3
Hinduism

28. Hinduism Third largest religion in the world
Over 800 million followers
One of the oldest surviving religions
Formulated by 1500BCE
Basic principles are found in The 4 Vedas – sacred writings
Priests are called Brahmins
There is no one “leader” or “founder”
It is the major religion of India

29. Early Hinduism Polytheistic Religion
Thousands of deities
One universal spirit – Brahman
Three Major Gods
Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva
Reincarnation – passing through many lives to reach the Brahman
Karma – consequences of how a person lives
The soul never dies but is continually reborn

30. Hinduism Beliefs God in Hinduism is the Supreme Being
Everywhere, all-knowing, and all-powerful
The purpose of life is to obtain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation
People reach true enlightenment and happiness when they free themselves of earthly desires

31. Hinduism Information Rituals Worship at home and in temples
Temples can have multiple shrines to gods
Worship as individuals and families, not as a congregation

32. Hinduism Information Sects Shaktism Vaishnavites Shaivites
Shakti – supreme Goddess
Vaishnavites
Vishnu – the Preserver
Shaivites
Shiva – the Destroyer
Reform Hinduism
Monotheistic & more “western”

33. Hinduism Information Celebrations Diwali Festival of Holi
Hindu New Year
Festival of Holi
Triumph of good over evil
Pilgrimage to the Ganges River in India
Hindus believe the river has healing powers

34. Hinduism Review
According to Hindu beliefs What is the importance of the Ganges River in India?
What are the three main gods of Hinduism?

35. World Religion #4
Buddhism

36. Who is the Buddha? Founder-Siddhartha Gautama (c.520BCE)
Known as the Buddha or “enlightened one”
Present spiritual leader -Dalai Lama
Head of Buddhist Church
4th largest religion in the world today
Over 300 million followers
Mainly found in China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia

37. Buddhist Beliefs
Purpose of life is to escape the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation) and attain nirvana
Nirvana – a state of wisdom
All living things can be reincarnated
Animals can possibly be reborn into humans
How to achieve Nirvana?
Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Key to happiness was detachment from all worldly goods and desires

38. Buddhism Information Worship Practices Rituals
Meditation – deep thought & reflection
Offering of gifts of food, flowers, or candles
Rituals
Importance of the lotus flower
Believer can blossom while rooted in the impurity of the world

39. Buddhism Information Major Buddhist Sects Theravada Mahayana
As close as possible to Buddha’s teachings
Mahayana
More accepting of the changing world

41. The Dalai Lama –
The present spiritual leader of Buddhism

42. Current Population of Worldwide Buddhism

43. Buddhism Review
According to the Buddha, how does a person achieve happiness and fulfillment?
Why do Buddhists take special care as to not kill a living being?

44. World Religion #5 Islam

45. History of Islam Founded in 622CE Two Major Sects (split c.650CE)
Founded by Muhammad in Saudi Arabia
Muhammad is considered to be a prophet
A messenger of Allah (God)
Two Major Sects (split c.650CE)
Sunni
Shi’a (or Shiite)
Leader of Muslim community must be a descendant of Muhammad’s son-in-law (Ali)

46. Muhammad

47. Islamic Beliefs Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Charity Fast
Allah is the one true God
Prayer
Five times a day
Charity
Giving to the poor
Fast
During Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca

48. Islamic Beliefs One God – Allah
Believe in all the prophets of Judaism and Christianity
Holy Celebrations
Id al-Fitr
End of Ramadan Fasting
Eid al-Adha
End of Islamic calendar

49. Islamic Beliefs Sacred Text Religious Law House of Worship
Qur’an (Koran)
Hadith
Religious Law
Sharia
House of Worship
Mosque
Leaders of the Religion
imams

50. Islam Facts Second largest religion in the world Month of Ramadan
Over 1 billion followers
Month of Ramadan
Muslims fast during the day
Most important day is the “Night of Power”
The night that the angel Gabriel 1st spoke to Muhammad
Major Areas in the World
Middle East
SE Asia

51. The Kaaba
Mecca,
Saudi Arabia
                                

52. Blue Mosque
Istanbul, Turkey

55. Islam Review What is the most important night of Ramadan? Why?
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

56. World Religion #6
Confucianism

57. Confucianism
No churches, no leaders, and no rules stating that practitioners cannot be a part of another religion
Founder-Confucius
A Chinese philosopher and teacher who devoted himself to spreading his ideas of effective government and personal behaviors

59. The Confucian Ethical System
Way of Life
Belief in living a moral life
Exercise good personal behavior
Government should serve the people honestly
Social/Civic responsibility are essential
Filial Piety
Honor deceased family as well as teachers

60. …being completely obedient to one’s parents wishes during their lifetime.

61. Chinese ceremony honoring Confucius

62. “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.”
The Golden Rule
“Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.”

63. World Religions/Ethical Systems
The purpose of this unit was for you to analyze the following point:
With the vast influence the world religions have/had on most human beings; what would the world be and have been like without them?