The Major Religions of the World

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

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

What are the characteristics of a religion?

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

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

Timeline info…

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

World Religion Populations

World Religion #1 Judaism

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

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

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”)

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

The “Wailing” Wall

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

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

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: North America South America Europe

                                                                               

Christian Population throughout the World                                                   Christian Population throughout the World

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)

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)

Canterbury Cathedral, England

The Cathedral of The Resurrection of Christ in Saint Petersburg

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

World Religion #3 Hinduism

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 4th largest religion in the world today Over 300 million followers Mainly found in China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia

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

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

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

The Dalai Lama – The present spiritual leader of Buddhism

Current Population of Worldwide Buddhism

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?

World Religion #5 Islam

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)

Muhammad

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

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

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

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

The Kaaba Mecca, Saudi Arabia                                 

Blue Mosque Istanbul, Turkey

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

World Religion #6 Confucianism

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

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

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

Chinese ceremony honoring Confucius

“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.”

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?