Transcript PPT World Religions

World Religions (WR)
Learning Objectives
• Understand what religion is.
• Understand that religion is a personal choice in America.
• Understand the earliest origins of religion in World
History (WH).
• Understand religion’s significant impact on societies in
WH .
• Identify the world’s five largest and most influential
religions and one ethics system practiced as a religion.
• Identify significant events in WH influenced by religion.
• Identify ongoing debates concerning religion that may
impact future WH.
World Religion (WR)
What is Religion?
Religion is an organized collection of beliefs,
cultural systems, and world views that relate
humanity to spirituality, and to the
supernatural. Many WR have narratives,
symbols, and sacred histories that are intended
to explain the meaning of life and/or to explain
the origin of life or the Universe. Religion is a
dominate force in the world affecting many
aspects of there life including how they
behave, who they marry, how they spend their
money, what they wear, etc.
World Religions (WR)
Religion is a personal choice!
Religion is a very personal choice that should be
respected without prejudice. Religion is based on
faith, something that cannot be proven with
100% evidence. Atheism, the choice to have no
religion in an individual’s life should also be
respected.
World Religions (WR)
Where are the earliest origins of religion in WH?
Most respected archeologists advocate the theory
that the Neanderthals societies practiced the
earliest forms of religion in animal worship as
evidenced in cave drawings almost 400,000 years
ago.
Neanderthal
cave drawing of
half man and
half animal
deity.
World Religions (WR)
How does religion influence world societies?
* Morals…….principals of right and wrong
* Ethics……..rules of individual conduct
* Laws……….a rule or restriction enforced by authority
* Lifestyles…individual choices concerning eating,
sleeping, living, etc.
World Religions (WR)
The Five Largest World Religions?
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism Buddhism Judaism
Confucianism..not a religion in the traditional
sense, rather an ethical system.
World Religions (WR)
Christianity
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Largest religion in the world with 2+ billion followers .
The symbol of Christianity is the cross.
The founder is Jesus Christ.
The holy book is called the bible.
Leadership is Priests, Pastors, Ministers, Monks, Nuns.
Three largest Christian religions are Catholic, Protestant, and
Eastern Orthodox.
* Christians believe there is only one God.
* Christians believe Christ entered the world and died to save
man from sin.
World Religions (WR)
Islam
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Second largest religion in the world with 1.6 billion followers .
The symbol of Islam is the Crescent Moon.
The founder is Muhammad.
The holy book is called the Qur’an.
There is no clergy, leadership is the Imam who lead prayer.
The two largest sects are the Sunni and Shi’a Muslims
Muslims believe they achieve salvation by following the five
pillars of Islam and living a just life.
* Five pillars are faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage to
Mecca.
World Religions (WR)
Hinduism
* Third largest religion in the world with 850million followers .
* The symbol of Hinduism is the Aum.
* There is no recognized founder of Hinduism.
* There is no holy book, rather the religion is guided by sacred
texts.
* Leadership is provided by gurus, holy men, and Brahmin priests.
* Hindus believe the soul never dies, but is continually reborn.
* Hindus believe to achieve happiness they must free themselves
of earthly desires.
* Hindus believe freedom from earthly desires comes from a
lifetime of worship, knowledge and virtuous acts.
World Religions (WR)
Buddhism
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Fourth largest religion in the world with 340 million followers .
The symbol of Buddhism is the wheel of life.
The founder of Buddhism is Buddha.
There is no holy book, rather the religion is guided by sacred
texts.
Leadership is provided by Buddhist monks and nuns.
Buddhists believe the soul never dies, but is continually reborn.
Buddhists believe happiness is achieved by eliminating
attachment to worldly things.
Buddhists happiness is achieved by following the noble
eightfold plan; right views, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood,
effort, mindfulness, concentration.
World Religions (WR)
Judaism
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Fifth largest religion in the world with 16 million followers .
The symbol of Judaism is the Star of David.
The founder of Judaism is Abraham.
The holy book of the Jewish religion is the Hebrew Bible (Torah)
Leadership is provided by Rabbis
Jews believe there is only one God who watches over all
people.
* Jews believe God loves his people but holds them accountable
for their sins.
* Jews believe people serve God by studying the Torah and living
by its teachings.
World Religions (WR)
Confucianism
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Not traditionally a religion, but an ethical system.
The symbol of Confucianism is the yin and yang.
The founder of Confucianism is Confucius.
The holy book of Confucianism is Analects in five classics.
There is no clergy in Confucianism.
Followers believe strong order, harmony and government are
based on strong family relationships.
* Followers believe respect for parents and elders is important
for well ordered society.
* Followers believe education is important to the welfare of the
individual and society.
World Religions (WR)
Significant World Events Influenced by WR
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The Crusades
The Thirty Year War
Spanish Inquisition
The Holocaust
The Arab- Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973
9/11 Attack on New York City
Among literally thousands of historical events.
World Religion (WR)
Religion’s Influence on Future WH?
* Religion is believed to have the most impact on
human behavior that will lead the world.
* Religion’s impact on WH has and can be
expected to repeat itself if unaltered.
* If the carnage and atrocities of previous WH is to
be avoided in the future, than education led
by tolerance will have to prevail.
* Understanding religion is the key to promoting
its highest principle..Love!
World Religions (WR)
A Final Wrap Up of WR and Questions
Religion has been and continues to be
one of the most significant aspects of
human behavior that has and will
continue to influence and shape World
History. The five primary religions of the
world are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Buddhism and Judaism. Confucianism is
a system of ethics practiced as a religion
by millions. How will you treat
individuals of other religions and beliefs?