Download Social Movements

WORLD
RELIGIONS
GR7 World History
CHRISTIANITY
Origins – founded by Jesus Christ in 30
A.D., in Israel
Approx 2 billion followers - Catholics,
Protestants and Eastern Orthodox (Greek
and Russian Church)
Holy text is called the Bible
Symbols
CHRISTIANITY
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Monotheistic - One God
Holy Trinity – God the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit
Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ
who died on the cross for our sins so that
we may have everlasting life (John 3:16)
JUDAISM
Origins – religion of the Hebrews or
Jewish people, 1300 B.C., in Israel
Approx 14 million followers
Holy text is called the Torah
Symbol
JUDAISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Monotheistic - One God (Yahweh)
Obey God’s commandments & live ethically
Focus is more on this life rather than life
after death
Temple service is on Saturdays; eat only
Kosher foods; no consumption of pork
Holidays – Hanukah, Passover, Yom Kippur
ISLAM
Origins – founded by Muhammad in 622
A.D., in Saudi Arabia
Approx 1.3 billion followers – Sunni and
Shiite
Religious text is called the Qur’an
Symbol
ISLAM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Monotheistic – god is called “Allah” in
Arabic
Humans must submit to the will of god to
gain paradise after death
Must follow the Five Pillars (faith, prayer,
alms, pilgrimage, fasting)
Holidays – Ramadan and Hajj
BUDDHISM
Origins – founded by Siddharta Gautama
(the Buddha) in 520 B.C., in India
Approx 360 million followers
Religious text is called Pali Canon
Symbols
BUDDHISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Polytheistic – purpose is to avoid
suffering and gain enlightenment through
reincarnation
Purpose is personal spiritual development
and deeper insight into the true nature of
life through meditation, mantras (chants)
of devotion to deities (gods)
Holidays – New Year (February) &
Vaishakha Festival
HINDUISM
Origins – in the Indus Valley (Pakistan)
around 1500 B.C.; there is no founder
Approx 900 million followers
Religious text is called Reg Vega
Symbol
HINDUISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Polytheistic – universal eternal soul which
is present in everything
Their existence is a cycle that include
birth, death and rebirth (reincarnation)
that is governed by karma (your works)
Holidays – Festival of Lights and Diwali
CONFUCIANISM
Origins – founded by Confucius in 551-479
B.C., in China
Approx 5-6 million followers
Famous writings called Analects
Symbol
CONFUCIANISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Non-theistic (no belief in God); human
nature is focus
Purpose of life is to fulfill one’s role in
society with propriety (proper behavior),
honor, honesty, politeness and loyalty to
family and nation
Holidays – Confucius birthday (Sept 28th)
SHINTOISM
Origins – founded by , in Japan
Approx 3-4 million followers
Important historical texts called Kojiki
records
Symbol
SHINTOISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Non-theistic – way of the gods
Belief that everything contains “kami”
(god or spirit) thus should be worshipped
including mythological creatures, spirit
figures and human ancestors
Holiday – Harvest Festival
TAOISM
Origins – founded by Lao-Tze in 550 B.C.,
in China (also called Daoism)
Approx 20 million followers
Important text called Tao-te Ching
Symbol
TAOISM
Basic Beliefs and Philosophy
Non-theistic –
Belief that they are born in a state of
purity, imperfect but capable of seeking
the Tao and doing good
Purpose is to seek inner harmony and
peace through the Tao, then revert back
to a state of non-being
Holidays – Chinese New Year, Lantern &
Dragon Festivals