Five Major World Religions and Philosophies Origins, beliefs, and locations

What are the five major religions? Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism Hinduism

Where did the five religions originate ? Buddhism and Hinduism both originated in India

Where did the five religions originate ? Christianity and Judaism originated in Jerusalem/Palestine (Israel)

Where did the five religions originate ? Islam originated in Saudi Arabia (Mecca/Medina)

What were the Location of the major religions in 1500? Judaism – Europe and the Middle East Christianity – Europe and the Middle East Islam – Parts of Asia, N. Africa and south eastern Europe Hinduism – India and parts of Southeast Asia Buddhism – East and Southeast Asia

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Location of Major Religions in – Judaism – Israel and North America – Christianity – Europe, North and South America – Islam – Middle East, Africa and South East Asia – Hinduism – India – Buddhism – East and Southeast Asia

What are the characteristics of Hinduism? Origin –India Founders –Aryans Beliefs –Henothesitic- Belief in many forms of one God (Brahma) – Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma –Karma: Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences –Caste System- social status that you are born into you can not move up only down Sacred Texts –Vedas and Upanishads Spread –Spread along major trade routes

What are the characteristics of Buddhism? Origin –India Founder – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Beliefs –Four Noble Truths –Eightfold Path to Enlightenment Sacred Texts –Sutras and Tripataka Spread –Asoka’s missionaries and their writings spread Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia.

What are the characteristics of Judaism? Origin –Jerusalem Founder –Abraham Important Prophet –Moses Beliefs –Monotheism- Belief in one God (Yahweh) –Ten Commandments of moral and religious conduct Sacred Text –Torah, which contains the written records and beliefs of the Jews –Ten Commandments, which state moral and religious conduct Spread of Judaism –Exile- when being forced to live outside of Palestine/Israel –Diaspora- establishing Jewish communities outside of Palestine/Israel

What are the characteristics of Christianity? Origin: –Jerusalem (Had its roots in Judaism) Founder: –Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah and his disciples Conflicts – Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of Roman Empire and that the government/empire came before God Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity –Monotheism –Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God –Life after death Sacred Text –Old Testament and New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians (Bible) Doctrine –Christian doctrines established by early church councils (Trent and Nicaea) Spread of Christianity –Popularity of the message –Early martyrs inspired others –Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire

What are the characteristics of Islam? Origin –Mecca and Medina (Arabian Peninsula present day Saudi Arabia) Founder –Muhammad, the Prophet Beliefs –Monotheism: Allah (Arabic word for God) –Five Pillars of Islam- Faith, Prayer, Pilgrimage, Charity, Fasting –Acceptance of Judeo-Christian prophets, including Moses and Jesus Sacred Text –Qur’an: The word of God Spread of Islam –Across Asia and Africa and into Spain –Geographic extent of first Muslim empire

Confucianism- Humans can be taught to be good. K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) 551 B. C. E.-479 B. C. E. Public order comes from “jen” or humane behavior between people. Superiors should govern well Inferiors should obey Shu—reciprocity and chung—doing one’s best

Social Order and Confucius Rule of reciprocity promoted both order and disorder—presumably an evil ruler or an ineffective husband could be disobeyed. She accepts some subservience and humility but also believes in the balance of Yin/Yang— not the dominance of Yang

Taoism- Humans are born good Based on ideas of Lao Tzu Tao—the way of heaven—unity Balance of yang (maleness—cold, heaven) and yin (femaleness, warm, earth) Government should guide people, not rule them. Harmony w/ nature

Legalism- Humans are born evil Founded by Hsun Tzu ( B. C. E.) People are evil and must be controlled through harsh laws. Reward good deeds, punish bad deeds severely. Utilitarianism—meant that government would encourage agriculture over other pursuits Rule of Law—law is supreme—and law is standard in entire real (two ideas that persist in Chinese state)