Transcript THE FIVE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS by Kim Roberts University School Johnson City, TN MOVIE – 1:36

THE FIVE MAJOR WORLD
RELIGIONS
by
Kim Roberts
University School
Johnson City, TN
MOVIE – 1:36
WORLD
RELIGIONS
The Three Monotheistic
Religions
JUDAISM
ISLAM
CHRISTIANITY
What does monotheistic
mean?
Definition:
The belief in one deity (god).
Spain
North Africa
ALL THREE MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS ORIGINATED IN
THE MIDDLE EAST
JUDAISM:
The Faith of the Jewish People
JUDAISM
Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people.
It dates back to approximately 1900 BCE (Before
Common Era). This religion is based on the
establishment of a covenant between God and
Abraham. The patriarchs (fathers) of this religion
were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses was
another important figure who led his people (the
Israelites) from Egypt toward the land called “the
promised land” (today where Israel is located).
The Jewish people have an extensive history.
One of the most important events in Judaism
was the creation of the temple during
Solomon’s reign.
By 63 BCE the Roman Empire extended
into the area once controlled by the Jewish
people. Because they no longer had home rule
or control, the Jewish people anticipated
(longed for) the arrival of their Messiah. They
believed the Messiah would be a political savior
who would lead them against the Roman
invaders and restore independence to their
homeland.
In approximately 3 BCE a Jewish man by the
name of Jesus was born. Some Jews considered
him the promised Messiah. Others rejected him.
After the crucifixion of Jesus, followers of Jesus
became known as Christians and broke away from
Judaism. Jewish loyalists continued to reject Jesus
as the Messiah. Today, the Jews still anxiously
await the arrival of their Messiah.
During the years from 63 BCE until 70 CE
(Common Era), the Jewish people began to revolt
against the Roman invaders. In 70 CE, the Romans
defeated the Jews and destroyed their magnificent
temple in Jerusalem, their holy city.
The Jewish people were prohibited (forbidden) from
entering the city of Jerusalem. Actually, the Jews
were totally driven out of the region, and were forced
into other areas of the world (diaspora). Because the
temple was destroyed, the Jews began to create local
centers of worship called the synagogue. Today, the
most holy place to the Jews is a site called the Wailing
Wall, or the Western Wall. It is the basement wall of
the once magnificent temple that was destroyed by the
Romans in 70 CE. Next you will see a picture of the
Wailing Wall, located in the city of Jerusalem in Israel.
Jewish boy kissing
the holy Wailing Wall
(also Western Wall).
The Wailing Wall is
located in Jerusalem,
the capital city of
Israel. It is all that
remains of the holy
temple destroyed by
the Romans in 70 CE.
In the 1930’s and the 1940’s, Adolph Hitler and
the German Nazi party organized the horrific
Holocaust, the attempted extermination of all Jews in
Europe. Over 6 million Jews were killed in one of the
world’s greatest examples of racial and religious
intolerance.
At the end of World War II, Germany lay in ruins.
With the defeat of Hitler and Nazism, the horrible truth
of the Holocaust came to light. The United Nations
decided to grant the Jewish people their own nation,
Israel. This country was carved out of land occupied
by the Arab Palestinians. It is land that was once part
of the Israeli homeland. On May 18, 1948, Israel
become an independent nation.
The most conservative of Jewish people are referred
to as Orthodox Jews. They usually follow the Jewish
law very closely. They are also quite strict about
observing the Kosher dietary laws. Therefore, they do
not eat pork. Additionally, they keep dairy and meat
food products separate in their homes, and they do not
eat these types of foods together at the same meal.
Most Orthodox parents choose their child’s spouse.
Also, these Jewish people tend to live together in
communities. The Orthodox Jewish men continue to
dress in black suits, to allow their beards and side
locks to grow, and to keep their heads covered at all
times with a yarmulke. Next is pictured examples of
Orthodox Jews.
Basic Facts of Judaism
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monotheistic (belief in one God) religion
Jews do not accept Jesus as Messiah
Sabbath: sundown Friday to sundown Saturday
Texts: Torah (first five books of the Bible),
Talmud
Some Jews follow dietary laws called Kosher laws
(DO NOT EAT PORK)
Place of worship is Synagogue
Israel is only Jewish country in world (established
in 1948 by United Nations)
The Orthodox Jews are the most conservative of
Jewish people
• Annual festivals include: The Passover, Yom
Kippur, Hanukah
• Boys reach Bar Mitzvah on their 13th birthday and
girls reach Bat Mitzvah on their 12th birthday.
They are recognized as adults and are expected
to follow the Jewish commandments and laws.
• Jews believe the Messiah will arrive in the future.
• Holiest site in the world is The Wailing Wall (the
Western Wall) in Jerusalem, Israel
• The flag of Israel is patterned after the Jewish
prayer shawl. It is white with blue stripes on each
end. The Star of David is in the middle.
The Jewish Book
of Psalms
Notice it is written in
Hebrew, the language of
the Jewish people.
Hebrew reads from right
to left. Pictured is Psalm
110 from the Old
Testament.
MOVIE – 30 MINUTES
CHRISTIANITY:
Followers of Jesus Christ
CHRISTIANITY
Christian history is very similar to Judaism up
until the point of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jewish followers view Jesus as merely a man.
On the contrary, Christians believe Jesus to be
the promised Messiah.
(Christos is Greek for Messiah)
Christians follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
Their holy literature consists of both the Old
Testament (considered sacred by Jews, also) and the
New Testament of the Bible. The New Testament is
the life and teachings of Jesus, and includes writings
of Paul and other early Christians. Therefore, the
New Testament is not followed or accepted by Jews.
Next you will see an example from the New Testament
of the Bible.
A passage
from the New
Testament of
the Bible.
Luke, chapter
two, tells of the
birth of Jesus,
the Christian
Messiah.
According to the New Testament, Jesus
was born in Bethlehem, in present day Israel.
Today, a church sits on the site where
experts believe Jesus was born. The name
of the church is the Church of the Nativity.
Thousands of Christian pilgrims make the
pilgrimage to this holy site every year.
Jesus lived his life preaching and
teaching in this region, known as Israel today.
Therefore, the Middle East is considered the
birthplace of the Christian religion.
Pictured is the inside of the Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem. The star represents the site where Jesus was
born.
Jesus was crucified approximately 30
A.D. (anno domini) by the Roman
occupying authorities in Jerusalem.
Christians believe Jesus was
resurrected three days following his
crucifixion. A church has been
constructed over the site where
Christians believe Jesus was crucified,
died, and buried. The Church of the
Holy Sepulcher is the holiest site to
Christians.
The Church of the Holy
Sepulcher is located in
the city of Jerusalem.
Here, Christians believe
Jesus was crucified and
buried, and then was
resurrected on the third
day. They believe Jesus
is one part of the Holy
Trinity (1) Father
(2) Son
(3) Holy Spirit
The spot inside of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where
experts believe Jesus was crucified
Note: this is an icon
Pictured is the
inside of the
shrine dedicated
to Jesus. This is
the spot believed
to be where
Jesus was
buried and
resurrected.
Christianity is the most practiced religion in the
world today. There are approximately 1,200
formal Christian organizations in North America
alone. However, there are three primary divisions
in Christianity. They are:
• Roman Catholic
• Protestant
• Eastern Orthodox
Basic Facts of Christianity
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monotheistic (belief in one God) religion
Jesus is considered the Messiah
followers are called Christians
belief in the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
text: New and Old Testament of the Bible
most practiced religion in the world
place of worship is called a church or
cathedral
• the holy day (Sabbath) is Sunday
• holiest site is the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher in Jerusalem, Israel
• no dietary laws
• originated in the Middle East (in present day
Israel)
• holy days include: Christmas, Easter
• three major division:
– Roman Catholicism
– Protestantism (examples: Presbyterian,
Baptist, Methodist, etc.)
– Eastern Orthodox
ISLAM
Muslims, Believers of Allah
ISLAM
Islam is the youngest of the five major world
religions. It was founded in Medina in present day
Saudi Arabia around the year 622 CE (Common
Era). The founder of this religion was the person
considered the great Prophet, Muhammad.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
Because Muhammad was born in Mecca
(Makkah), it is considered the holiest city to
followers of Islam. Mecca is located in the
country, Saudi Arabia. Thousands of Muslims
make the pilgrimage, or Hajj, to see the holy
Kaaba in Mecca. It is a shrine covered in
black and gold velvet. Muslims recite prayers
to Allah, their God at Kaaba. Pictured next is
the holy shrine, Kaaba, in Mecca. Thousands
of Muslim pilgrims are pictured with the
shrine.
Medina
Mecca
Muslims believe that at the age of 40, Muhammad was
visited by the angel Gabriel in Mecca. Muhammad
developed the conviction (belief) that he was ordained
a Prophet. He began to preach to the people to turn
from their polytheistic (belief in many gods) beliefs.
The Jews and Christians rejected his message.
However, through military action, Muhammad became
the most powerful leader in the Middle East. Today,
believers are found from West Africa to the Philippines.
Many followers do not view Islam as a new religion,
but as the same faith taught by the ancient prophets,
Abraham, David, Moses, and Jesus (who is not
accepted as Messiah, but is considered a Prophet).
Muslims believe Muhammad is the last of the
Prophets. Therefore, he is considered their great
Prophet.
Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the
world.
Muslims strictly follow the Islamic Five Pillars.
They are:
* shahada (statement of faith)
* salat (prayers)
* zakat (charitable giving)
* sawm (fasting during Ramadan)
* hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
Muslims pray five times a day. In addition, they
are required to face Mecca during their prayer.
They usually pray on small carpets called prayer
mats. In a city where the majority of the
population is Muslim, a speaker system notifies
Muslims of the five times during the day when
they are expected to pray. This Muslim chant is
termed “The Call to Prayer”. It is usually recited
in Arabic. In addition to daily prayer, Muslims
also read the Islamic holy text, the Qur’an, as
they worship Allah. Next you will see a page
from the Qur’an.
A page from
the Islamic
holy text, the
Qur’an. The
Qur’an is
written in
Arabic, which
reads from
right to left.
The left
column
translates the
Qur’an into
English.
Muslims may either pray in their homes
or they may attend a mosque. A mosque is
the place of worship for the Islamic faith. Their
holy day is Friday.
According to the Qur’an, Muslims may
not eat animals that have died from disease,
strangulation, or beating. Only animals that
have been slaughtered by a proper ritual are
considered to be edible. The Qur’an forbids
Muslims from eating pork or drinking alcoholic
beverages. Muslims are also required to fast
from sunrise to sundown during their holy
month, Ramadan.
There are three places considered holy to
Muslims. Of course the holiest site to them
is Mecca, the birth of their great Prophet,
Muhammad. Medina is the second holiest
site because it is the location where Islam
was founded. Both of these sites are
located in Saudi Arabia. On the contrary,
the third holiest site is found in the city of
Jerusalem in Israel. It is called the Dome of
the Rock. Muslims believe Muhammad
ascended to heaven from this spot. Pictured
next is the beautiful Dome of the Rock.
THE DOME OF THE ROCK
Jerusalem, Israel
Notice the intricate tiles
on the walls. Muslims
of the 600’s were well
known for their math
skills. These tiles are
in various geometric
shapes. The Dome of
the Rock is considered
a mosque, the Islamic
place of worship.
The Dome of the Rock is situated directly behind the
Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
There are two primary divisions of Islam:
(1) Sunni Islam - this is largest form of Islam.
Sunni Muslims account for about 80 percent of the
world’s Islamic population. Saudi Arabia is home to
a large number of Sunni Muslims.
(2) Shiite Islam - this is a smaller branch of Islam.
Only 20 percent of Muslims follow Shiism. Most of
these followers are centered in the country Iran.
Next is pictured a map indicating where Saudi Arabia and
Iran are located.
Iran
Saudi Arabia
THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
FACTS OF ISLAM
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monotheistic (belief in one God) religion
started by Muhammad approximately 600 CE
Muhammad is considered the great Prophet
followers are called Muslims
second largest religion in the world
Jesus is accepted as a Prophet, but not the
Messiah
• Muslims pray 5 times a day
• Muslims face Mecca (Saudi Arabia) when they
pray
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the holy text is the Qur’an (also Koran)
place of worship is called a mosque
Sabbath day in on Friday
Muslims are not allowed to eat pork or drink
alcohol
many Muslim women are veiled (they must keep
their heads covered)
the largest branch of Islam is Sunni
the majority of Shiite Muslims are found in Iran
Holy sites include: (1)Kaaba in Mecca, (2)Medina,
(3)Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
Ramadan is holy festival (fast from sunrise to
sunset)
MOVIE – 4 Minutes
The Polytheistic
Religions
Hinduism
Buddhism
What does
polytheistic mean?
Definition:
The belief in many gods or
goddesses.
HINDUISM
The Hindus of India:
a polytheistic belief
HINDUISM
The word, Hinduism, is derived from the
Persian word for Indian. Hinduism does not
have a single founder or a religious
organization. This ancient religion can be
traced back to the Indus River valley
civilization around 4000 to 2200 BCE (before
Common Era). Therefore, of the five major
world religions, Hinduism is the oldest.
Although Hinduism is found in small pockets
throughout the world, it is primarily centered in
the country India. Next is a map indicating
where India is located.
China
India
Africa
Indian Ocean
The Indus
River Valley:
the origin of the
religion of
Hinduism
INDIA
There are hundreds of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Hindus believe that the god, Brahma, is the creator.
They believe Vishnu is the god who preserves the
new creations. The destroyer, the god Shiva,
alternates between compassion towards humans
and the destruction of them. Hindus actually
believe that all their gods are forms of the main
god, Brahma. Hindus believe that one should
strive to live a moral life. Karma is the
accumulated sum of good and bad deeds. They
also believe in the concept of reincarnation, the
cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Therefore, a
Hindu believes his karma will determine the kind of
life he will live in the next life.
Hindus also believe in the caste system, also called
the varna system. Although officially illegal in India,
the caste system still dominates Indian culture. An
Indian Hindu is born into a certain class, or jati.
There is no way to improve one’s class, or jati.
There are five castes. They are:
(1) Brahmins: priests, professionals, academics
(2) Kshatriyas: military, rulers, administrators,
soldiers
(3) Vaishyas: farmers and merchants
(4) Shudras: artisans, peasants, servants
(5) Harijan: outcasts or untouchables
The closer to (1), the better life a Hindu lives.
Caste System
Brahmins
Untouchables
A Hindu believes if he has lived a good life, his
karma will ensure him a higher caste, or jati, in
his next life. If he has not lived a good, moral life,
a Hindu believes he may be reborn to a lower
caste, possibly even an animal. Members of the
lowest caste, the untouchables, live a miserable
life of poverty. Often they are not even allowed to
live within the city limits, but instead live in
shanties on the outskirts of town. They are
allowed to do only menial work such as picking
up trash on the streets.
Untouchables
India is considered a developing country.
Many of her citizens live in extreme poverty.
Pollution is a problem in many of the more
urbanized areas. Raw sewage (including
human excrement, industrial waste, and trash)
is funneled into the rivers and streams. This is
a real problem in India, especially in the
Ganges River. This river is considered very
holy, and Hindu followers bathe in this river on
a daily basis. However, because of the raw
sewage floating in the Ganges River, bathing
in the waters is a health hazard. Such rituals
spread disease.
Pictured are
Hindu pilgrims
bathing in the
holy Ganges
River.
Because it is
extremely
polluted, this
ritual
promotes the
spread of
dangerous
and lifethreatening
diseases.
Facts about Hinduism
• a polytheistic religion (belief in many gods)
• originated in the Indus River Valley between
4000 BCE and 2200 BCE
• the major religion in India today
• holy texts: Bhagavad Gita & Upanishads
• Hindus believe in the god, Brahma, as the
creator
• most Hindus believe and follow the caste
system
• Hindus believe in reincarnation (cycle of birth,
life, death, and rebirth); it is a person’s karma
that determines what happens to him after
death. One must follow dharma (moral duty)
• Hindus consider the Ganges River in India to
be sacred, or holy
• Hindus bathe in the Ganges River on a daily
basis (the Brahmaputra is also holy)
• when a Hindu dies, his body is cremated
(burned to ashes)
• the ashes of a dead Hindu are spread into the
Ganges River
• Yoga originated in India
MOVIE – 6 minutes
BUDDHISM
The desire to reach Nirvana
BUDDHISM
Buddhism was founded in northern India in the
500’s BCE (Before Common Era) by the
Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. He left his
children and wife to seek truth, which at the
time was an accepted practice. He assumed
the title, Buddha, because he felt he had
reached enlightenment. The Buddha taught
that mankind is seeking a life free of
attachments to desires and material goods.
This state of enlightenment is called Nirvana.
Buddhists do not believe in a god, the need for a
messiah (or savior), the power of prayer, or an
eternal life in a heaven or hell after death. They do
believe in reincarnation, the cycle of birth, life, death,
and rebirth. According to the Buddha’s teachings, a
person continues the cycle of reincarnation until he
breaks his attachment of worldly material goods. At
this point reincarnation ends and the person has
reached nirvana. Buddhism rejects the caste
system and gods of Hinduism.
Buddhism is practiced in areas all over the world.
However, east Asia has a large number of
Buddhists.
East Asia is primarily Buddhist
Buddhists do not worship a person or a god.
Instead, they follow a system of meditations and
spiritual exercise based on the Buddha’s
teachings.
There are five rules Buddhists must follow:
(1) not to kill
(2) not to steal
(3) not to lie
(4) abstain from sexual misconduct
(5) avoid drugs and alcohol
Today, there are approximately 300 million
Buddhist followers world-wide.
Although there is no holy day for
Buddhists, most do visit a Buddhist
temple on a weekly basis.
Buddhist temples usually display a
statue of the Buddha. Next is
pictured several Buddhism temples
found in Japan. Most people in
Japan do practice Buddhism.
Asakusa, the Buddhist Temple in Tokyo, Japan
The giant
Buddha of
Kamakura,
Japan
The architectural
style known as the
Pagoda is
synonymous with
Buddhism.
According to popular
Japanese legend,
the Buddha’s bones
are enshrined at the
top of this Pagoda,
found in Tokyo,
Japan.
The
magnificent
Golden
Pavilion
Buddhist
Temple in
Kyoto, Japan
A Buddhist Temple Book
A Buddhist priest signs a Temple book.
Facts About Buddhism
• Buddhism is considered a polytheistic
religion.
• Buddhism originated in northern India in
the 500’s BCE.
• It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama,
the Buddha.
• Gautama is also known as “The
Enlightened One”.
• Buddhists believe in reincarnation.
• Nirvana is the point at which
enlightenment is reached.
• Buddhism is mostly practiced in Asia.
• Although there is no Sabbath, or holy
day, most Buddhists do visit a Buddhist
temple often.
• Buddhism rejects gods and varna
system of Hinduism.
Movie – 7 minutes
SHINTO
The unique religion
found in Japan
East Asia
Most all of the
people of Japan
practice both
Buddhism and
Shintoism.
Followers of Shinto
are found almost
exclusively in the
country of Japan.
Shinto is an
ancient religion
that has been
passed to children
from ancestors.
Japan
(an archipelago)
SHINTO
Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion
which started approximately 500 BCE (before
Common Era). The Shinto religion has no real
founder, no written scriptures, and no body of
religious law. It does, however, have an
organized priesthood.
In Shintoism, there is the belief in several
gods and goddesses. It is, therefore, considered
polytheistic (belief in many gods).
Ancestors are revered, and even
worshipped. Human life and nature are both
considered sacred. An example of this
sacred belief is origami, the Japanese folk art
in which paper is folded into beautiful shapes.
The paper is never cut out of respect for the
tree spirit that gave its life to make the paper.
Japanese creation myths and legends
are contained in two ancient Shinto texts, the
Kojiki and the Nihonshoki.
The Japanese people have created shrines at
which to practice their Shinto beliefs. The
symbol for a Japanese Shinto shrine is below.
A torii, the symbol for a Shinto gate
or shrine
Practically all followers of
Shintoism live in Japan.
Therefore, it is considered
primarily a Japanese religion.
Pictured next is a Japanese
torii. You will also see a
Japanese Shinto priest.
Shinto Priest
CONFUCIANISM
CONFUCIANISM
The First Teacher in Chinese thought
was a man named Kongfuzi, or Confucius.
He was born in 551 BCE (Before Common
Era) in China. During the time Confucius
lived, China was in great chaos. Violence
and moral decay were rampant, and this
greatly upset Confucius. His philosophy was
political and ethical, not religious. He taught
that humans should follow the way, or the
Dao. Two main aspects of Dao were
humanity and duty.
He believed that humans should be
concerned with others, not themselves. He
also believed in a work ethic. Additionally, all
humans should have compassion and
empathy for others.
The teachings of Confucius were not
widely accepted during his lifetime. After his
death, though, his ideas became widely
practiced throughout China.
DAOISM
DAOISM
Daoism was a system of ideas, or
philosophy, developed by Laozi. He was
also known as the Old Master. He lived in
the 600s BCE. Like Confucianism,
Daoism was not widely practiced until
after Laozi’s death. Actually, whether or
not he existed is not known for certain.
He believed it was important not to
interfere with nature. He taught that
humans should learn from nature.
According to Daoism, also called
Taoism, all should strive for harmony. In
order to achieve harmony, the forces of yin
and yang must be in balance. Yin represents
peace, coldness, and darkness, while yang
represents the opposite – fury, heat, and
light.
Daoism was widely practiced by
peasants in China. They believed they
should not try to improve their life if it meant
interfering with the delicate balance of
nature.
WORLD RELIGION
SIMILARITIES
Can you think of several ways all of these
religions are similar?
• They all explain the creation of the
world in some way
• They all explain how a person
should live his life
• They all explain what will happen to
a person when he dies
The World Religions
Note Page

Name the three monotheistic religions:
Judaism
Christianity
____________________, ______________________,
_______________________
Islam
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one God
Monotheistic is the belief in ______________________.
All three monotheistic religions originated (started) in
the Middle East
___________________________.
Judaism
1. ______________
- the faith of the Jewish people

1900 to 2000 BCE
Dates back to _______________________________

Israel
The “promised land” was in ______________________.

Romans
The _________________
controlled the Jewish people by 63 BCE
(before Common Era).

The Jews awaited the _________________ who would be a
political
_______________
savior.

Jesus
________________
is considered just a man to the Jews, but is
considered the “Messiah” to Christians.

The Romans destroyed the holy _____________________ in 70 CE
(Common Era).

synagogue
Today, a place of worship is called the ______________________
for
the Jews.
Messiah
Temple
 The holiest site in the world for the Jewish people is the
Wailing Wall
_____________________
Jerusalem
in _______________________.
It is the
basement
wall of the destroyed Temple
________________________________
 The Holocaust occurred in (years)
_______________________________________.
1930’s and 1940’s
 How many Jews were killed?
6 million
__________________________________________
Israel
1948
 The country _______________
was created in __________________
by the
United Nations
______________________.
 Conservative Jews are called
Orthodox Jews
_________________________________.
 They have dietary (food) restrictions called
Kosher Laws
_________________________
and they do
pork
not eat _______________________.
sundown Fri. to sundown Sat.
 The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) is __________________________.
and Talmud
 Holy texts =Torah
______________________________
2. CHRISTIANITY
 Christian history closely resembles the history of the
_______________
Jewish
(Judaism) religion.

Christians consider Jesus to be the
Messiah
_______________________________.

Holy texts = ___________________________________
Old & New Testament of Bible

Christianity began in the _______________________________
region.

Middle East
Church of Holy Sepulcher
The holiest site to Christians is ________________________ because
Jesus was
crucified,
buried, resurrected at this spot (according to
_________________________________________________________
Christians)
___.

Christians believe in the Holy Trinity:
(1)
______________,
(2) _________________,
(3)
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
____________________

In terms of followers, Christianity is _______________among
the five
first
world religions.
The major divisions of Christianity are:

Protestant
Roman Catholic
(1)__________________,
(2) _____________________,
(3)
___________________
Eastern
Orthodox
monotheistic

Christianity is a _____________________ (belief in one God).

church or cathedral
The Christian place of worship is a _________________________.

The holy day (Sabbath) is Sunday
_________________________.
3. ISLAM

Muhammad
Islam was founded by ___________________________,
the Prophet
in
Medina
______________
present Saudi Arabia
in ___________________________(in
the Middle
East).

Muslims
Followers of Islam are called _____________________.

The holiest site to Muslims is __________________________
and the
Kaaba in Mecca
trip (pilgrimage) to here is called the __________________.
hajj

How do Muslims view Jesus?______________________________
as a Prophet
second
 Islam ranks as the ____________________ most practiced religion.
 Muslims pray _______
5 times daily, facing __________
Mecca as they pray.
Qu’ran
 Holy text: ________________________
mosque
 The place of worship is a _______________________.
 The Islamic holy day is on _____________________________.
Friday
 What type of meat are Muslims prohibited to eat?
pork
_______________________
Sunni
 Most Muslims practice the ______________________division of Islam.
 What do many Muslim women do as a sign of
wear veil or cover head
modesty?______________________
4. HINDUISM – a polytheistic religion

many
What is a polytheistic? Belief in _____________________
gods/goddesses.

The roots of Hinduism can be traced back to what area?
Indus River Valley
_______________________

4000 to 2200 BCE
What dates?_______________________________

India
Hindu
The country ______________
practices mostly the ___________
religion.

Hindus believe the creator god is calledBrahma
__________________.

For a Hindu, living a moral life means a person has good
karma
________________.

The cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth is called
reincarnation
_____________________.

Caste System
The _______________________
consists of 5 jatis (levels) which
determine the quality of life for someone living in India.

Ganges River
What river is considered holy to Hindus? _____________________

bathe
Hindus _______________
daily in the water of this polluted river.

Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads,
Holy text: ____________________

Hindus _________________ the bodies of deceased believers.
cremate
Vedas
5. BUDDHISM – a polytheistic religion

Gautama in (region)
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha
____________________
_______________in
(date)
northern India
450 BCE
___________________.

The state of enlightenment that Buddhists strive to reach is called
___________________.
Nirvana

reincarnated
A Buddhist believes he is ______________________
when he dies.

Asia
What part of the world is primarily Buddhist? east
______________
(not one of the major 5 religions)
6. Shinto

Shintoism is mostly practiced in the country of
Japan
________________________.

Shinto is a religion that believes in many or numerous gods. Therefore, it
is
polytheistic
_________________________.
7. Confucianism
* The creator of Confucianism was ____________
Confucius
China
from (country) ___________.
* During his lifetime, China experienced great
chaos
_____________.
* Instead of religious, his philosophy focused on
political
_____________
& ____________
issues.
ethical
humanity
* Two main aspects of Dao were __________
& _________.
duty
8. Daoism
* Daoism, also called Taoism, was a philosophy
Laozi
created by ____________.
* Humans should not interfere with ________.
nature
harmony
* What should all strive for?
yin and ___________
yang
* The forces of __________
must be in balance.