Religions

Judaism Monotheistic: One all-powerful God Holy Book: Torah Founder: Abraham – Founding Date: Origin: Israel Other important figures: – Moses (led people out of Egypt and founded nation of Israel) – King David (First important king of Israel) – King Solomon (wisest king)

Central Beliefs One all powerful God who created the Universe and the world Israelites: God’s chosen people to bring the Word of God

Different Sects: Orthodoxy: More Conservative Hasidism: More mystical Reform: More liberal Historical Sects: – Pharisees – Sadducees – Essenes

Christianity Monotheistic Holy Book: Bible – (Old Testament: Jewish Torah, New Testament: Collection of writings giving more “complete” picture of God’s word Founder: Jesus Christ Origin: Israel Other Important Figures: – 12 Apostles (original followers of Jesus) – Saints (St. Paul) – Martin Luther – John Calvin

Central Beliefs Fulfillment of Jewish Holy Scriptures and prophecy Jesus Christ son of God and Savior of world Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) Very pacifist religion

Sects Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodoxy – Greek – Russian Protestantism – Lutheranism – Calvinism – Baptist – Evangelism

Islam Monotheistic Holy Book: Quran – (Incorporates Bible in holy texts {and Torah in Old Testament} Refers to Christians and Jews as “People of the Book” Founder: Muhammad Important Historical Figures: – Abu Bakr, Muwawiyah I, Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan Mehmed II

Sects: Sunni: belief that the Caliph (religious leader) can be anyone worthy of job – 97% of Muslim world Shia: belief that the Caliph must be a descendant of Muhammad – 3%, mostly in Iran and Central Asia

Central Beliefs Same God as Christianity and Judaism Islam is the fulfillment of the Scriptures according to Abraham (founder of Judaism) Jesus 2 nd most important prophet (not son of God)

Hinduism Polytheistic Holy Book: Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana Founder: Unknown

Central Beliefs Many Gods all incarnations of one all- powerful God Vishnu Caste System: levels of society all people are born into (reincarnation to go to next level) Religion of India

Buddhism No God, Spiritual Holy Book: Sutra Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Important Historical Figures: – Ashoka

Central Beliefs Spiritual Movement where there is no central divine figure Four Noble Truths: – 1. All life is suffering – 2. We suffer because of desire – 3. The only way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire – 4. The only way to eliminate desire is through the Eight-Fold Path

8 Fold Path

Confucianism No God: Philosophical Movement Holy Book: Analects Founder: Confucius

Central Beliefs Maintain society and make sure that everyone is in their proper place – Like Caste System: but, you can change your position based on merit – VERY Patriarchal: Women must be taken care of by first father, then husband, then son Heaven: its real, but don’t worry about it, be concerned with the NOW

Daoism No God Founder: Lao Zi

Central Beliefs Must be in Harmony with the Dao (the Path, or “Way) Wu-wei: action through inaction (nature will take care of itself)

Zoroastrianism Two Gods: Dualism – Good vs. Evil – Ahura Mazda (Good) – Ahirman (Evil) Holy Book: Zend Avesta Founder: Zarathusra

Paganism Pagani: Latin for “countryside” – Kind of like “redneck” Biased term, generally used for people who had not converted to Christianity Term for any people who maintain their traditional religion and have not converted to a mainstream global religion