1. WORLD RELIGIONS

2. WHAT IS RELIGION Helps explain the physical world Spiritual dimension—Based on faith Difficult to define

3. COMMON IDEAS Supreme Power—Usually created the world and beyond description

4. COMMON IDEAS Soul—Inner spark which is separate from the body--Immortal

5. COMMON IDEAS Worship—Honoring God or Gods

6. COMMON IDEAS Prayer and Meditation—Giving praise or thanks or asking help

7. COMMON IDEAS Important life events—Birth, Adulthood, Marriage, Death

8. COMMON IDEAS Monks and Nuns—Stricter rules of behavior

9. COMMON IDEAS Festivals—Remind believers of their faith at certain times of the year

10. COMMON IDEAS Sacred Places—Have spiritual quality--pilgrimage

11. FUNCTION Trying to make sense of human experience Force which held communities together Code of behavior Reduce Fear Use stories, symbols and art to gain deeper understanding

12. IMPACT OF RELIGION Religion and the state—Often were organized along religious lines

13. POWER Leaders have sometimes used their power for personal gains

14. REFORMERS Many individuals have tried to change things for the better

15. WAR Many rulers have encouraged their people to go to war appealing to their religious views

16. PERSECUTION Usually exists in smaller religious groups in a society--scapegoats

17. SEPARATISM Some religious groups prefer to live separately to keep traditions intact

18. WOMEN Traditionally had a very low status

19. EDUCATION Almost all promote learning to study the Holy books Often conflict with science

20. ART Inspire religious faith—helped teach illiterate people key beliefs Way to teach illiterate people

21. MUSIC AND DANCING Express feelings and emotions Meditation Tell stories

22. ARCHITECTURE Special building to worship Focal Point of towns and villages