The Major Religions of the World

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

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

We will study these….  Judaism  Hinduism  Buddhism  Christianity  Islam

World Religion #1 Judaism

 14 million people world wide  1 st “monotheistic” religion in history  The Torah, or Jewish holy book, teaches the basic laws of Judaism  Established over 3,000 years ago  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

Ritual, Worship & Celebration  At age 13 Jewish children enter into the religious community with a bar or bat mitzvah  The Synagogue is the Jewish house of worship and services are conducted by a rabbi (“teacher”)  Many Jews make the pilgrimage to the “Wailing Wall” in Jerusalem, which was built in the 2 nd century BC.  Some Jews follow strict dietary laws called “Kosher”, which 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, and Passover

The Western “Wailing” Wall

Review Questions  On a separate sheet of paper, which will be collected: Answer questions 9 & 10 on page 715  Answer “Primary Source” questions 1 & 2 also on page 715. Just record the letter answer on your paper.

World Religion #2 Christianity

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: – Europe – North America – South America

Christian Population throughout the World

Christianity Beliefs  Sacred Text – The Bible (Old and New Testament)  Important Rituals & Worship Practices – Baptism & Communion are two important rituals (sacraments)  Major Holidays – Easter, Christmas, Lent, Advent  Belief in God – One God (a trinity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

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)

Canterbury Cathedral, England

Review Questions  On the same sheet of paper where you answered the Judaism questions: Answer questions 3 & 4 on page 715.

World Religion #3 Hinduism

Hinduism  Third largest religion in the world  Formulated by 1500BCE  Based on basic principles are found in 4 Vedas – sacred writings  Priests are called Brahmins  There is no “leader” or “founder”  Practiced mostly in India

Early Hinduism  Polytheistic Religion – Thousands of deities (are all part of the one supreme being) – 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

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

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 – Yoga

Hindu Celebrations  Celebrations – Diwali 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

Review Questions  Page 715 answer questions 5 & 6 on your review questions page

World Religion #4 Buddhism

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  4 th largest religion in the world today – Mainly found in China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia

Buddhist Beliefs  Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path  The only way to the truth is to give up all desires  Purpose of life is to escape the cycle of rebirth and attain nirvana – Nirvana – a state of wisdom  Reincarnation

Dharma Wheel

Buddhist Worshipping  Worship Practices – 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

The Dalai Lama – The present spiritual leader of Buddhism

Current Population of Worldwide Buddhism

Review Questions  Page 715 questions 1 & 2

World Religion #5 Islam

History of Islam  Founded in 622CE – 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 – Shia (or Shiite)

Muhammad

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

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

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

The Kaaba Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Blue Mosque Istanbul, Turkey

Review Questions  Page 715 #’s 7 & 8

World Religion #6 Mormonism

 The Church of Ladder-Day Saints (LDS) – Followers are known as Mormons  Founder-Joseph Smith – Translated a sacred history of the Americas, known as the Book of Mormon in 1830

The Mormon Church  Way of Life – Belief in prophets (Gordon B. Hinckley) – God (Father), Christ (Son), & the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals – Must give up alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea – Must give 10% of income to church – House of Worship: Temple or Church

San Diego Mormon Temple San Diego, California

Salt Lake Temple Salt Lake City, Utah

The Mormon Church  Sacred Texts – The Book of Mormon, the Christian Bible, Doctrines & Covenants  Current Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah  To Achieve Salvation : Faith and works…works are emphasized (missionary)  Today there are more than 12 millions followers, half outside the US