Belief Systems: Global AIS Regents Overview

Hinduism Animism Shintoism Buddhism Confucianism Taoism Christianity Islam Islamic Fundamentalism Judaism Expansion of Religions DBQ Practice

Animism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Africa Holy Text None Main Beliefs Worship spirits of nature (trees, animals, etc.) Worship their ancestors How the belief affected the cultures Great respect for nature

Shintoism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Japan Holy Text None Main Beliefs The spirits of “Kami” exist in all things, including the Japanese Emperor (who was seen as god-like) How the belief affected the cultures Great respect for the natural world Especially respect toward past Emperor

Hinduism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Caste System India (stayed in India) Holy Text Vedas Main Beliefs Reincarnation—one’s soul is reborn into another until perfection is reached Karma: behavior (thoughts and actions) of a Hindu Caste System Social order influenced by Karma Organized Indian society by jobs

Buddhism Place of Origin No Holy Text Main Beliefs India (moved out of India because it couldn’t compete with Hinduism) Spread across the east by missionaries No Holy Text Main Beliefs Four Noble Truths: to end suffering, end desires End suffering by following the Eight-Fold Path

Taoism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs China Holy Text Tao Te Ching Main Beliefs Follow the way of nature Accept the things you cannot change How the belief affected the cultures Don’t challenge the natural process Accept things as they come

Confucianism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs China Holy Text Analects Main Beliefs 5 relationships (father  son, older brother  younger brother, husband  wife, ruler  subject, friend = friend) How the belief affected the cultures Great deal of respect for parents, elders, country

Judaism Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Middle East Jerusalem is their holy city. Diaspora: scattering of Jewish people during the 1st century AD. Holy Text Torah First five books of the Old Testament Main Beliefs One God: Monotheism God will send a Messiah (savior) to them someday How the belief affected the cultures Try to follow God’s laws (the 10 commandments) so the Messiah will come

Christianity Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Middle East Jerusalem is their holy city. Official religion of the Holy Roman Empire Holy Text Bible New and Old Testament Main Beliefs One God: Monotheism Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Jesus is the Messiah How the belief affected the cultures Simple rules won many converts to Christianity

Islam Place of Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Middle East Their holy city is Jerusalem. Often spread by military conquest. Holy Text Qur’an (Koran) Main Beliefs Five Pillars of Faith: recite, pray, charity, fast, pilgrimage One God: Monotheism Follow Allah in all things above everything else Mohammed is the Messiah who spread the word of Allah How the belief affected the cultures Religious laws of Islam are so important that they often become the political laws of the nation

Islamic Fundamentalism A movement of some Muslims to focus on a strict interpretation of laws and customs Often oppose “modern” culture Terrorism: used against western nations that interfere with their culture Islalmic Jihad, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda

Expansion of Religions Missionaries Went to colonies and “savage” countries to “save the natives” Trade Military Conquest Conquerors convinced or forced natives into their beliefs Explorers Taught their beliefs to native people in new lands

August 2010 DBQ Practice

Assignment Complete the document Mrs. Hurd gives you. Make sure you include OUTSIDE INFORMATION Write in COMPLETE SENTENCES NO PRONOUNS! Outline the essay as a class

DBQ Question Historical Context Task Throughout history, the spread of belief systems has influenced social, economic, and political developments in many regions. These belief systems include Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism Task Select two belief systems mentioned in the historical context and for each Discuss how the belief system spread to a specific region or regions Discuss how the belief system influenced a region or regions socially, economically, and/or politically