Transcript Countries with large Christian Populations

World Religions
Christianity
Christianity Video
World Population
2.1 B
Countries with large Christian Populations
Rank
Nation
Number
Percent
1
USA
224,457,000
85%
2
Brazil
139,000,000
93%
3
Mexico
86,120,000
99%
4
Russia
80,000,000
60%
5
China
70,000,000
5.7%
6
Germany
67,000,000
83%
7
Philippines
63,470,000
93%
8
United Kingdom
51,060,000
88%
9
Italy
47,690,000
90%
10
France
44,150,000
98%
Origins
• Developed in Judea (now Israel), located in
the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean
Sea sometime around the year 30 CE.(AD)
• currently the most popular religion in the
world based on the number of worshippers
found throughout the world.
• While this monotheistic religion developed
from Judaism, there are several key
differences in its teachings
• Through its missionary activity Christianity
has spread to most parts of the globe.
founder
• Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples
who helped spread his teachings.
• Jesus was executed on a cross as a
criminal by the Romans
• according to Christian teaching
afterwards rose from the dead
before ascending to heaven.
Abraham’s family tree
Sacred Texts
• The Holy Bible, consisting of
both the Old Testament (The first
half of the Christian Bible, that describes the
creation of the world, the history of ancient
Israel, the Ten Commandments, and
contains the Psalms and the prophetic
books. Also is the Hebrew Torah.)
and the New Testament (The
second half of the Christian Bible. It
describes the life and teachings of Jesus
Christ, as well as other Christian teachings.)
Major Beliefs
• Belief in the existence of one God, creator of
the Universe, who is all powerful.
• Belief in the fact that humans are made in the
image of God.
• Belief that God, who is the righteous judge, is
gracious and merciful.
• Belief that Jesus is the son of God, the
Messiah (According to the Hebrew Bible, an anointed
king who will lead the Jews back to the land of Israel
and establish justice in the world. According to the
Christians, the Messiah was Jesus Christ) and will
come again to judge the living and the dead.
• Belief in the Trinity (Formed by the Creator (Father),
Redeemer (Son), and Sustainer (Holy Spirit). Christians
believe that these three entities are all part of a single
higher power)
Major Beliefs
• Belief in justification by faith – through belief in
Jesus as the Son of God, and in his death and
resurrection, Christians can have a right
relationship with God whose forgiveness was
made once and for all through the death of
Jesus Christ.
Christianity vs. Judaism
Because Christianity evolved from Judaism,
there are certain concepts that these two
religions share:
• both Jews and Christians subscribe to the
Ten Commandments found in the Book
of Exodus.
• prophecies of Jewish prophets contained
in several books of the Old Testament
stated that God would send a savior, or
messiah, to the people of Israel.
• Judaism clearly states that this event has
not yet occurred, Christians believe that
Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God,
sent to redeem the world of sin.
Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make yourself any graven image
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your
God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You shall not commit murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not witness falsely against your
neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house or
anything that is your neighbor's
Everyday Practices
• Christians are expected to attend
church services regularly, usually on
Sundays and holy days such as
Christmas and Easter.
• Christians take part in sacraments,
which are religious practices such
as baptism, and receiving
communion or Eucharist, in which
bread and wine are shared together,
just as Jesus did with his followers
before his death .
Christian Festivals
• Christmas – celebration of the birth
of Jesus Christ
• Easter – commemoration of
Jesus's death and his rising from the
dead – most important festival on
Christian calendar
• Lent - the period of six weeks
leading up to Easter. It starts on Ash
Wednesday and climaxes during
Easter Week. It lasts a total of 40
days, not including Sundays.
Place & Language of worship
• Christians practice their faith in
temples usually referred to as
churches
• Language: vernacular
Spiritual leader
• Priests and ministers are Christian holy
men and women who are charged with
conducting religious services and
serve as a spiritual guides for the
community.
• Deacons, nuns, and monks are people
who have dedicated their lives to
Christian service.
Divisions
• Eastern Orthodox
• Roman Catholic
• Protestant / Churches of the Reformation