Major World Religions SOL WHII.15

Warm-up: How have the five world religions had a profound impact on culture and civilization?

What are some characteristics of the five major world religions?

Monotheism

  Belief in only one God Three monotheistic religions  Judaism   Christianity Islam

JUDAISM

    Semitic Religion Based on the history of Hebrews (who were an ethnic group from the Fertile Crescent) Hebrew God=Yaweh Holy Text=Torah

JUDAISM HISTORY

       Hebrews originated in Mesopotamia around the Fertile Crescent Abraham—covenant with God From there they went to Canaan or Palestine Forced to Egypt—enslaved Moses leads from slavery Return to Palestine (present day Israel)– believe God promised land to them David was king who united Hebrew tribes

JUDAISM-BELIEFS

      Hebrew beliefs=religion of Judaism Monotheistic Basis=laws that governed daily life Ten Commandments Rabbis Diaspora

JEWISH INFORMATION

   Belief in the messiah Mitzvoth Branches of Judaism   Orthodox Conservative

JEWISH RITUALS

     Circumcision Bar/Bat mitzvah Death=usually no cremation or embalming Funeral w/in 1-2 days in wooden casket Kippah or Yamekah

JEWISH HOLIDAYS

    Chanukah Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Passover

Where in the world can we find Judaism?

 Concentrated in Israel, Europe, North America and the Middle East

CHRISTIANITY HISTORY

    Emerged from the Roman Empire Emerged as a result of Jesus (Son of God) Life of Jesus=Gospels (1 st Testament) 4 books of New Christianity began as a sect of Judaism

CHRISTIANITY--Jesus

   Jesus-the messiah Disciples Moved to Jerusalem

Similarities/Differences in Jesus’ teaching and Judaism SIMILARITIES    Monotheistic Ten Commandments Laws of Moses DIFFERENCES  Jesus is the Son of God     Jesus is the Messiah Jesus could provide salvation and eternal life for believers Preached forgiveness Christians belief in Trinity

JESUS’ LIFE

       Feared by Jewish priests Feared by Roman leaders Betrayed by a disciple Arrested by Romans Tried by Pontius Pilate Condemned and Executed by Crucifixion Paul—spread Christianity

Where in the world can we find Christianity?

 Concentrated in Europe and the Middle East

Warm-up:

 Why are the cities of Mecca and Medina important to Muslims?

ISLAM

    Arabian Peninsula-major trade route Mecca—market and location of the Kaa’ba Monotheistic Religion Medina

Muhammad’s Life

      Successful merchant Married Kadejah/raised by an uncle At 40-met angel Gabriel in a cave while meditating Was told to spread the word of God or Allah Islam—submission Muhammad and followers were forced to leave Mecca

Muhammad’s Life (cont.)

    In 622, journey to Medina—hijra 1 st year of Muslim calendar In 630,returned to Mecca—destroyed statues in kaa’ba Spread by caliphs

Religious Principles

        Monotheistic religion God is called Allah Holy Book=Koran (Quran) Judgment Day Five Pillars Jihad Harsh penalties for crimes No pork or alcohol

Five Pillars

     1. Declaration of Faith 2. Daily Prayer 3. Alms 4. Fasting 5. Hajj

DIFFERENT SECTS

 Sunni Muslims  Largest group     Traditional path Islamic leader DOES NOT need to be a direct descendant of Muhammad Elect caliphs based on ability Entire Islamic community to be judged on the Day of Judgment

DIFFERENT SECTS

 Shi’ite Muslims   Believe that only descendants of Ali should lead Islam Believe that the Imam is the only person that can guide a Muslim to salvation

RITUALS AND RITES OF PASSAGE     Celebration of birth Men and women usually do not mingle together Polygamy—up to 4 wives Death is marked by simplicity

Where in the world can we find Islam?

 Located in parts of Asia, Africa, and southern Europe

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Monotheistic Religions

Monotheistic Religions

HINDUISM

     No single founder No single text Religion based on compilation of many beliefs and many people Hundreds of gods and goddesses—Many forms of one deity (God) Numerous ways to worship

BASIC BELIEFS

        Polytheistic (some consider it monotheistic?) Important gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva Gods can be in human or animal form Believe in atman Ultimate goal is to reach moksha Reincarnation Dharma—duties Karma—Knowledge that consequences All life is ranked

CASTE SYSTEM

     1. Brahmans 2. Kastriyas 3. Vaisyas 4. Sudras 5. Untouchables

Principles of Hinduism

          Vedas and Upanishads Nonviolent River) Pilgrimage Name ceremony for new baby Ear piercing ceremony Hair cut Rite of passage ceremony Marriages are arranged Cremation at death

Where in the world can we find Hinduism?

 Located in India and part of Southeast Asia

Buddhism

       Grew out of Hinduism—spread of Buddhism from India to China as a result of Asoka’s missionaries and their writings Founder = Siddartha Gautama Gautama was a Prince Sheltered in a castle—in luxury He left the castle and saw suffering Meditated beneath a fig tree (48 days) Realized causes of suffering—became known as Buddha-”Enlightened One”

Buddhism

    4 Noble Truths Eightfold Path Nirvana Reincarnation

Similarities and Differences of Buddhism to Hinduism  Similarities   Honesty Charity   Kindness Nonviolence  Differences   No formal rituals No polytheism   No god Just a spirit of the universe

Buddhism

   Followers established monasteries/convents Birth ceremony Dalai Lama—most sacred religious leader within Buddhism

Where in the world can we find Buddhism?

 Located in East and Southeast Asia (China)

Hinduism/Buddhism

Create a Map

  Using the map provided please identify the world religions Color code your map using colored pencils

Location of the World’s Major Religions