Transcript World Religions


Abraham – made
covenant with God
• Shared with Judaism and
Islam
Israelites – Abrahams
followers who were
ancestors of the Jewish
People
 Jewish lands fell to
Babylonians

• Diaspora – spread of
Jews across the world
 Torah
and Talmud –
Key religious texts
• Ten Commandments
were handed to Moses
by God
 Monotheistic
 Sabbath
– day of rest
and prayer
• Usually Saturday
 Judaism
also stresses
the importance of
equality and social
justice.
 The
Diaspora helped spread the ideas of
Judaism.
 Synagogues helped maintain the Jewish
culture
 The principle of monotheism influenced
Christianity and Islam.
 The emphasis on ethical conduct
influenced the development of law in
many lands.

Focus on life &
teachings of Jesus
Christ
• Jesus is considered the
Son of God
12 Apostles – in charge
of spreading the word
of Jesus
 Jesus, killed &
resurrected 3 days
later
 Adopted by Roman
Empire


Holy Bible
• Old & New Testaments

Trinity – Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit
• Still considered
monotheism
Sinners can achieve
salvation
 Sabbath – Sunday
 Many practice
Communion and
Baptism

 Currently
largest religion in the world
 Spread due to missionaries, wars, and
imperialism
 Christian churches were/are very
powerful in World History and politics
• Crusades
• Renaissance Europe
• Social Issues (Poverty, Human Rights, Abortion)
Muhammad – Angel
told him he was the
prophet of Allah (God),
and he must spread the
word
 Mecca – Holy Shrine to
Allah and Muhammad
 After much struggle,
Islam became the
dominant religion in
the Middle East

Qur'an – Holy Text
 Recognize Abraham,
Moses, and Jesus
 Monotheistic
 Holy Day - Friday
 Five Pillars
1. Acknowledge Allah
as one and only God
2. Pray 5x toward Mecca
3. Charity
4. Fast during Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca,
if possible

1
Billion Followers
 Generally respectful of Christianity &
Judaism
 Very
influential in Middle Eastern
Culture
• Shari’ah Law – Islamic Law adapted in many
Muslim countries
Origins go back to
ancient times in India.
 No clear starting point
or founder.
 Developed over
centuries by drawing
from India’s religious
and cultural traditions.
 Defines Social Classes

 Polytheistic
 Reincarnation
 Dharma
– set of
values and norms to
fit one’s social
position
 Karma –
Consequences of
one’s actions on
reincarnation
 Hindu
beliefs are deeply woven into
Indian society.
 Hindu ideas and practices are followed
around the world.
• Yoga – Hindu tradition adopted around the world
 Based
on teachings of
Siddhartha Gautama
 Nirvana – a state of
happiness and peace



Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
1. Right understanding: Deeply
understand the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right purpose: Live a life of
selflessness, love, and
nonviolence.
3. Right speech: Be careful and
truthful in what you say.
4. Right action: Do not kill, steal, lie,
or hurt others.
5. Right livelihood: Earn a living in
ways that do no harm.
6. Right effort: Promote good
actions and prevent evil actions.
7. Right mindfulness: Be aware of
but not attached to your emotions,
thoughts, or feelings.
8. Right concentration: Focus your
mind with practices such as
meditation.
 Became
leading
religion in Southeast
Asia, Central Asia,
China, Korea, and
Japan.
 Elements such as
nirvana and
meditation have
spread across the
world
 How
many ways has
religion impacted
the world?
• Art
• Music
• Politics
• Gender Roles
• Human Rights
• Wars
• Peacemaking
• Economy
• Charity
• Literature
• Education