1. World Religions
Unit 4

2. WHAT IS Religion? Religion: a unified system of beliefs
A supernatural power or creator
Sacred animals, objects, people, etc.

3. What is Religion continued…
Religion is a very sensitive subject and can cause extreme passion among its believers.
Armed Conflicts can arise between competing religions, which can boil over to Countries fighting wars.
EXAMPLE: Israel Vs. the Middle East

4. The Sociological Study of Religion
Involves looking at set of meanings attached to a world that’s beyond human observation
How can we find evidence for something that we cant see?
Therefore, sociologists avoid the spiritual side of religion and focus on the social aspects of religion that can be observed.

5. What is Led Zepplin really saying in the song “stairway to heaven?”
TABLE TALK
What is Led Zepplin really saying in the song “stairway to heaven?”
Discuss how songs, poems, hymns, etc. connect us to a religion?

6. Major World Religions
Judaism- Concentrated in Israel, America, & Europe
Founded by Abraham
Followers are called Jews
Holy Book is the Torah
Oldest Monotheistic Religion

7. Major World Religions
Christianity- Concentrated in North America, South America, & Europe
Based on Judaism
Founded by Jesus Christ
Holy Book = The Bible
Roman Catholic, Protestant, & Eastern Orthodox are all called Christians

8. Major World Religions Islam- Concentrated in the Middle East & Africa
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad
Followers are called Muslims
Holy Book = the Quran / Koran
Believe in One God = Allah
Some similarities to Judaism and Christianity

9. Major World Religions Hinduism- Concentrated in India
Oldest world religion
Concentrated in India
Believe in many Gods
Believe in the Caste System
Strive to achieve dharma
Which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality.

10. Major World Religions Buddhism- Concentrated in Asia & Indonesia
Based on Hinduism
Founder Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Goal is to reach Nirvana
Clarity into the nature of reality, no more suffering  
Existence is endless because individuals are reincarnated over and over again
There is no belief in a personal God.

11. Table talk
List some facts about a religion that you learned today that is different from your own religion or one that you already knew about?