World Religions

Influence of World Religions in the Contemporary World

Five World Religions

• • Five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization.

What are some characteristics of the five major world religions?

Monotheism

• Began in Palestine with the Jews • Abraham is the founder of: – Judaism – Islam

Monotheism

• • Begun by Abraham about 2000 BCE Common Beliefs: – God created the universe – God continues to govern the universe – The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai and must be followed

Judaism

• • • • Monotheism Ten Commandments of moral and religious conduct Torah: Written records and beliefs of the Jews Founder: Abraham

JUDAISM

• • • • • Followers are called Jews Believe that God made a covenant with Abraham and his people (Israelites) Adherents are worldwide, but most are in Israel Holy book is the Torah (= the first five books of the Old Testament of Christian Bible) Worship in a Synagogue

Christianity

• • • • • • • Monotheism Jesus as Son of God Life after death New Testament: Life and teachings of Jesus Establishment of Christian doctrines by early church councils Worship in a church Holy Book: Bible

Islam

• • • • • • Monotheism Muslim name for their God is Allah Muhammad, the prophet Holy Book: Qur’an (Koran) Mecca and Medina Started his religion in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This is the holiest city in Islam.

ISLAM

• • Muslims worship in a mosque Muslims must follow the Five Pillars of Islam: – Stating the Faith – Prayer 5 times/day facing Mecca – Charity to poor – Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Fast during Ramadan

Buddhism

• • • • Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path to Enlightenment Spread of Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia, resulting from Asoka’s missionaries and their writings

Buddhism

• Basic Tenets of Buddhism – The world is full of suffering – Meditation is our only escape – Nirvana is the ultimate goal – Follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

• • • • • • • •

Right Understanding Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

Images of Buddha

Polytheism

• • • Polytheism is the worship of more than one god.

May accept gods from other religions Choose your favorite god!

Hinduism

• • • Many forms of one god Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma Karma: Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences

Polytheism

• Hinduism – From India around 1700 BCE – No single founder – 3 rd largest religion – Holy Book: Rig Veda – Brahman is the source of all divinity (holiness) – Believe in reincarnation (soul is reborn many times based on Karma).

Caste System Good Karma OK Karma Bad Karma Untouchables

VISHNU

Hindu Gods

SHIVA BRAHMA

Essential Understanding and Question • • Five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization. These religions are found worldwide, but their followers tend to be concentrated in certain geographic areas. (pp. 700-714) Where are the followers of the five world religions concentrated?

Geographic Distribution of World’s Major Religions • • • • • Judaism: Concentrated in Israel and North America Christianity: Concentrated in Europe and North and South America Islam: Concentrated in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Hinduism: Concentrated in India Buddhism: Concentrated in East and Southeast Asia

Contemporary Political issues…ethic/religious conflicts • • Developed and developing nations face many challenges. These include migrations, ethnic and religious conflicts… What are some challenges faced by the contemporary world?

Ethnic and Religious Conflicts

• • • • • • Middle East – Muslim infighting (Sunni vs. Shi’a), Muslims (Arabs) vs. Jews (Israel), Strict vs. moderate, Muslims vs. Christians (United States) Northern Ireland – Protestants vs. Catholics Balkans – Serbs, Bosnians, and Croats fight one another for land (their own nation) 1990s

Ethnic and Religious Conflicts

• • • • Horn of Africa – Consists of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Drought, disease, and piracy has been a problem in this region.

South Asia – Consists of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, et al… India and Pakistan have a history of disputes and with the war on terror Afghanistan and Pakistan are in the news.