Download Religions of the World

Religions of the World - an overview
Monday February 8, 2016
What are the major religions of the world?
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Sikhism
Confucianism*
Shinto
CAN WE ALL GET ALONG?
Which ones do you
know?
How has religion
shaped culture?
How have different
religions treated each
other?
They are (clockwise):
Pentagram (Wicca and
others)
Wheel of Dharma
(Buddhism)
Star of David (Judaism)
Omkar (Hinduism)
Chalice (Unitarian)
Ying and Yang (Daoism)
Cross (ChristianReformed)
Star and Crescent (Islam Ottoman)
Questions to ask and answer to yourself
Which religious tradition do you know the
least about?
The most about? What do you know about
this religious tradition, and how do you know
it?
Do you have friends or relatives who are part
of a religious tradition other then your own?
Categorizing Religions:
- Ethnic vs. Universal
1. Ethnic: the religion of a particular people
or culture (e.g., Judaism, Shinto, Hinduism) (tend to be
localized and do not actively seek
converts)
2. Universal: a religion which sees its
message as true for all people (e.g., Christianity, Islam,
Buddhism) (have spread throughout the
world and tend to be very large in
population, have actively sought converts
from many cultures)
Categorizing Religions:
- Western vs. Eastern
Western: Religions
that developed west
of the Urals (e.g. in
the Near East and
Europe):
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Eastern: Religions
that developed east
of the Urals (e.g., in
India, China and
Japan)
Far East
India
– Hinduism – Shinto
– Buddhism – Confucianism
– Sikhism
Western and Eastern Religions in
Contrast:
Western/Christian
Eastern/Hindu
Time:
Linear/Singular
Cyclical/Repeating
Ultimate
Reality:
Monotheistic
(one personal god)
Poly- or non-theistic
(many gods or impersonal)
Afterlife:
Disembodied (one life then Embodied (many lives Judgment, heaven or hell) Reincarnation)
The Human
Condition:
(problem)
Solution:
(liberation)
Sin (separation from
God due to bad deeds)
avoid, eliminate, or
overcome sin (salvation)
Ignorance & Karma
(impurity of soul caused
by good and bad deeds)
elimination of ignorance
& karma (moksha)
Western and Eastern Religions in
Contrast:
Western/Christian
Encounter
With God:
Mediated
through:
God is heard (texts)
Prophets (messengers
of God, bring God to people)
God revealed in the world
Revelation/
through miraculous
Enlighten- historical & relational
ment:
Events (supernatural)
Eastern/Hindu
God is seen (images)
Gurus (personal spiritual
guides, bring people to truth)
Gods revealed in nature;
abstract truths revealed to
the mind through wisdom
& philosophical ideas
Hinduism
One of the world’s oldest faiths concentrated in South
Asia; Hindus; established 5,000 years ago.
Holy texts: Vedas
Center of the Faith is in Varanasi, India on the Indus
River
Caste System
defines place usually based on profession,
Karma; Destiny is usually fixed; Cycle of life, death, rebirth…
Hindus may believe in one god or many gods:
Brahman,
Shiva,
Rama,
Vishnu: COMPLEX-Individualized
Believers believe in “Reincarnation”
Ethnic religion: localized
Buddhism
Friday January 30,2015
Offshoot of Hinduism; Buddhists; established 2,500 years ago
near Nepal border
Holy texts are Sutras/Vedas
Faith centered near Sarnath, India; Founded by Siddhartha
Guatama also called the Buddha
Rejected the Hindu idea of Castes
Correct way of living in order to reach Nirvana;
Karma-Destiny not fixed
Believers believe in “Reincarnation”
Buddhists may believe in one god or many gods
4 Noble Truths
Noble eightfold path
4 immeasurables
Spread into SE Asia/China along “Silk Routes”
(Universal Teachings)
Sikhism
1500’s – attempt to unify Hindu & Islam
Monotheistic
NW India region of Punjab
Sikh diaspora (dispersal)
Never cut beard or hair, wear turbans
Militant; war w/Mughals (Muslims)
Sikhism preaches a message of
Devotion and remembrance of God at all times,
truthful living,
equality of mankind
denounces superstitions and blind rituals.
A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was
founded over 500 years ago
The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people
worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion.
Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus
enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and other books
Sikh at the
Golden Temple
of Amritsar,
Punjab.
Sikhism
Sikh at the Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab.
http://www.religionfacts.com/sikhism/
Monday February 2, 2015
Belief systems in China
Confucianism Emerges during Warring States Period (403 -221 B.C.E.) between
Zhou / Han
Trying to understand the chaos of period, Confucius concludes Mandate of Heaven
was lost due to poor behavior of the emperor and his subjects.. His plan for
reestablishing Chinese society to order emphasized the importance of harmony, order,
and obedience established through 5 basic sound relationships.
Emperor / subject: Emperor must be responsible in caring for subjects and subjects
must obey him
Father / son: Father takes care of son and son obeys father
Older brother / younger brother: Older brother cares for younger, and younger
obeys older brother
Husband / wife: Husband cares for wife, who in turn obeys him
Friend / Friend: Mutual care and obedience where equality
is assumed
-
Superior man exhibits ren (kindness),
li (sense of propriety) and xiao (filial piety,
loyalty to family)
Philosophical system based on obedience
to emperor and patriarchal family structure for social order
Confucianism
Good government dependent on moral officials (junzi) practicing benevolence,
humanity, virtue, to guide their behavior as public officials. Ignoring it meant loss of
mandate
Duty to family and community applies to all persons & subordination of personal interests to
the broader needs of others
“A man who committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it is committing
another mistake.”
“Before you embark on a journey of revenge…… dig TWO graves.”
“Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”
Major Beliefs and Teachings:
BeliefsBeauty in heart = beauty in character
Beauty in character = harmony in home
Harmony in home = order in nation
Order in nation = peace in world Righteousness
Teachings They learn from the book of six classics, which contains poetry,
songs, history, changes, annals, and rites
Their supreme beings are Confucius and Shang-Ti
Shinto
Shinto started out in Ancient Japan
around 500 BC.
The word Shinto comes from the
Chinese words “Shin Tao” (Way of the
Gods).
The origins of Shinto are lost to history.
The ancient Yamato tribe became the
leaders of Japan around 8th Century AD
and made Shinto the official religion of
Japan.
Traditional religion of Japan
Worship of nature & ancestors
Complex set of deities – inc. Emperor
Major Beliefs
Most Shinto stories involve the
“Kami” (God).
One important story involves a divine
couple named Izanagi & Izanami who
gave birth to the Japanese islands as
well as the main deity in Shinto,
Amaterasu, who was the Sun
Goddess (central Kami).
The imperial family are considered
the direct descendents of her and
thus are considered the religious
leaders of Shinto.
Tuesday February 3, 2015
JUDAISM
Judaism: Monotheistic religion based in Covenant
(agreement) with God: God would provide for them
as long as they obeyed him. (“Chosen people”)
Ten Commandments: rules for relationships
among humans and with God
Belief as Chosen people, hence did not seek converts
and limited its growth.
Influence on other major religions like Christianity,
Islam, makes it a significant “root religion’ Belief in
coming of Messiah to restore Jewish kingdom
Judaism
Oldest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated in Israel;
Jews; established 3,500 years ago
Holy text is the TaNaKh; Torah- first five books
Center of the faith is Jerusalem at the remains of a past
temple called the Western Wall
Star of David, Ten Commandments; Torah, Menorah
God of Abraham and Moses - first of the interrelated
monotheistic faiths of SW Asia
Judaic faiths- Reform (Modern) , Orthodox (Traditional)
Believers believe in a “Heaven”
Judaism predates Christianity – it is the
foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it
Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the
Apostles
Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything
more than a good and wise man who lived and
died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their
messiah
The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He
would be a political figure who restores the
Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on
Earth
Jews are not concerned about salvation and the
“world to come”
Christianity
Second oldest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated
in Israel; Christians, established 2,007 years ago.
Holy text is the Bible (Old Testament/New Testament)
Center of the faith is Jerusalem at the point of Jesus’ execution and
burial- Church of the Holy Sepulcher outside the walls of ancient
Jerusalem
Cross or Crucifix
God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; believers believe Jesus is the
son of God
For Christians, the story of the Jews is the Old Testament
Christian faiths- Catholic (Vatican City-Rome), Orthodox(Constantinople), Protestant, Lutheran, Baptists and others
Believers believe in a “Heaven”
Christianity Theological Beliefs
1.
2.
3.
One God in Three Persons (Trinity):
Father / Almighty / Creator
Son / Jesus / Christ / Savior / Lord
Holy Spirit / Giver of Life
World & Humans:
created by God, in God’s image, with free
will; originally good, but corrupted by
sin/death;
Church, Salvation, :
community of believers; body of Christ;
resurrection of the body; eternal life
Christianity Theological Beliefs
Sin and Evil are realities in our
existence.
The Bible is the Holy Book that records
God's revelation.
All believers are promised life
everlasting.
The leader of Christianity was Jesus,
and the followers was his 12 disciples.
Peter
Philip
James
James
Thomas
Simon
John
Bartholomew
Thaddaeus
Andrew
Matthew
Judas Iscariot
ISLAM
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2016
Founded Mecca 622 CE by
Muhammad
Visited by the angel Gabriel
while meditating, decides he is
last of the prophets and true
god Allah spoke to him through
Gabriel. Later insisted all other
gods were false. Followers,
Muslims, people who have
submitted to will of Allah.
Muhammad moved to city
renamed Medina (City of the
Prophet)
Five Pillars of faith are duties
to practice to show submission
to will of God
1.Faith: Declaration of one God Allah
and Muhammad as his messenger
2. Prayer: 5 times a day facing
Mecca
3. Alms: charity to the poor tax
4. Fasting: Month long Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage: One hadj to
Ka’aba in life
1. The Shahada (Faith)

The testimony.

The declaration
of faith:
There is no god worthy
of
worship except God,
and
Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
1
2. The Salat (Prayer)

2
The mandatory prayers
performed 5 times a day:
* dawn
* noon
* late afternoon
* sunset
* before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug


The call to prayer by the
muezzin in the minaret.
Pray in the mosque on Friday
3. The Zakat (Alms-Charity)

Almsgiving
(charitable
donations).

Muslims believe
that all things
belong to God.

Zakat means both
“purification”
and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your
income.
3
4. The Sawm (Fasting)

Fasting during the
holy month
of Ramadan.

Considered a
method of selfpurification.

No eating or
drinking from
sunrise to sunset
during
Ramadan.
4
Eid Mubarak
End of the
Ramadan holiday.
5. The Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

The pilgrimage to
Mecca.

Must be done at
least once in a
Muslim’s
lifetime.

2-3 million
Muslims make the
pilgrimage
every
year.
5
SPREAD OF ISLAM
Where did it spread after Muhammad’s death?
Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe (Crusades) and Southeast Asia
How is Muslim government set up?
Caliph (successor or deputy selected by leaders of umma) rules
caliphate 1st caliph was Abu-Bakr, close friend of Muhammad, followed by 3
successive caliphs who had known the Prophet and were rightly guided by the
Qur’an and memory of Muhammad. They had conquered land from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Indus River by middle of 8th century
What factors contributed to the spread of Islam from 622 to the
middle 8th century?
Religious zeal
Well-disciplined, organized armies and tactically superior
commanders
Weakness of Byzantine and Persian empires
Treatment of conquered peoples. Forbid forced conversions (many
converted voluntarily) so people allowed to retain their religions. viewed Jews and
Christians as monotheistic with written codes like Muslims (people of the book)
The Spread of Islam
The Crusades Impact
ISLAM
Youngest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated
in the lands of modern Saudi Arabia and Israel;
Muslims; established 1,400 years ago
Holy text is the Qu’ran or Koran
Center of the faith is :Mecca at the Kaaba in the Great mosque
of Mecca,
Medina “City of the Prophet”
Jerusalem
Clothing is very important to observant Muslims (Modest attire)
Abaya,
Hijab,
Burqa
The Hijab (Headscarf)
Muslim Clothing Debate
ISLAM
God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and believers
believe Mohammed is the messenger of Allah
For Muslims, Christians and Jews are the people of
the Book;
Symbol used by some may be the use of the
crescent moon and star
Islamic faiths- Sunni and Shiite (Shia) and
others
Believers believe in a “Heaven”
The Dome of the Rock Mosque in
Jerusalem
Islamic Split *
(Important in today’s world)
What led to a split in the caliphate?
Muhammad’s son-in-law’s death (murdered by rivals) triggers civil war
leading to family known as Umayyads taking control
What two groups emerged in this division and what were their
contentions?
Sunni - Most Muslims accepted Umayyad’s rule, believing caliph
should be selected by leaders of Muslim community (umma) Sunni
means “followers of Muhammad’s example” Majority of Muslims the
masses lower classes/less educated
Shi’a (Shi’ites)- believed that the caliph should be a relative of the
Prophet and rejected Umayyad’s authority. Minority of Muslims BUT
usually upper class/more educated
Although united by religion the caliphate fragmented politically.
 The Sunni and the Shiite have a rivalry that has been on for more
than 1500 years. This rivalry was suppose to be about religion, but it
has turn into a political fight for power. The conflicts have increased
in this last century.
 In Gaza strip the terrorist group of Hamas that is form by the Shiites,
receive money from Iran to fight Israel.
 The political group (terrorist?)named Fatah, is form by Sunni. Is an ally
with the country of Syria
 In Iraq the rivalry between Sunni and Shi’a or Shiite is a serious
problem .
 Concern in the “West”: Shiites have the largest amount of
petroleum, and we don’t know what they will do with all that
money they can have.
 Lebanon has another terrorist group form by Shiites in its south
called Hezbollah, and Iran is supporting them financially.
Distribution Sunni/Shia
Muslim Culture in NYC
The Islamic Center, New York City
Animistic
Generally used in traditional societies
Often belief in the divine forces of
nature
God of the Sun, Moon, Wind, etc.
Usually in remote areas of the world
such as the Amazon river Basin,
Indigenous peoples of North America,
Aboriginals of Australia, and others
Sometimes also referred to as Pagans in
some cultures
Ethnic
Religions that have
strong territorial and
cultural group identification,
usually one become a member by birth or
by adoption of a complex lifestyle and
cultural identity,
Cultural Landscape
Christian structures
Roman Catholics – cathedral is literally the
house of God, so the focal point and large
Protestant Structures
Buildings are
merely a place
to assemble
Amish & Mennonite
Islamic Mosques
Imposing, but not sanctified, a place of
gathering
Hinduism
Usually
dedicated to one
deity
Varanasi on the
Ganges River is the
holist city in
Hinduism and is over
3,000 years old. As
the sun rises each day
worshipers come to
the ghats (steps) to
perform rituals, such
as washing
themselves, drinking
the river water, and
making floating
offerings.
To die here is to be
released from the
cycle of life -- from
reincarnation and
reborn. If possible,
Hindus want to die
here, and then be
burned on one of two
funeral ghats -which are clearly
identified by the large
piles of firewood.
www.uwec.edu/.../India/India/Varanasi-ghats.htm
Baha’i
Are building
temples around the
world to emphasize
the universality of
the religion
For the N. American
continent
India
Buddhism
Not designed
for
congregational
worship
Todaiji Temple
Nara period, constructed 745
Shintoism
Not designed
for
congregational
worship
The Nachi Shrine is a Shinto/Buddhist multiplex. Indigenous
practices of Shinto gradually incorporated imported
practices of Chinese Buddhism. The syncretic history of
Japanese religion can be seen in the evolving architecture
of sacred spaces
World Religions Today
Summary Questions
What did you find most interesting or
surprising?
What did you find most confusing?
What would you like to know more
about?
Why? Why? Why?