Download Belief Systems

Belief Systems
What are belief systems?
• Belief systems are organized ways to view the world
• Typically include a moral code, or way to live life
• Religions are belief systems with a god(s)
• Monotheistic- one god
• Polytheistic- more than one god
Nature Religions
• Each of these religions focuses on living in harmony with nature and nature
spirits (making them polytheistic)
Animism
• Began in Africa and
the Americas
• Everything has a
spirit
• Communicate with
dead ancestors
Shinto
• Began in Japan
• Kami- ancient
gods/nature spirits
• Shrines are marked
by Tori Gates
Taoism
• Began in China
• Contemplate Tao“the way”
• Balance of Yin and
Yang
Hinduism
• Started in India
• Founded through cultural diffusion from the Aryans
• Main Ideas:
• Polytheistic
• Goal is to unite with Brahman (unifying spirit)
• Reincarnate to get closer to Brahman
• Dharma- moral duty
• Karma- good gets good, bad gets bad
• Caste System
• Ganges River is sacred
Buddhism
• Started in India, but moved to Southeast Asia
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
• Main Ideas:
• No god
• Goal is to reach Nirvana (enlightenment)
• Reincarnation to try to reach Nirvana
• Four Noble Truths- life is suffering because of desire
• Eightfold Path- how to end desire and reach Nirvana
Confucianism
• Started in China
• Founded by Confucius
• Main Ideas:
• No god
• Five Relationships- everyone has a position that must
be respected to keep order in society
• Ruler to ruled
• Father to son
• Older brother to younger brother
• Husband to wife
• Friend to friend
• Filial Piety- respect for elders
Judaism
• Started in the Middle East, practiced worldwide
• Founded by Abraham/Moses
• Main Ideas:
• Monotheistic
• 10 Commandments
• Holy book is the Torah (Old Testament)
• Diaspora- Jews were forced to leave Israel
and searched for a place to practice
Christianity
• Started in Israel, currently practiced worldwide
• Founded by Jesus (the Messiah)
• Main Ideas
• Monotheistic
• 10 Commandments
• Holy Book- the Bible (New Testament)
The primary difference between
Judaism and Christianity is that the Jews
do not thing the Messiah has come
Islam
• Started on the Arabian peninsula, currently practiced worldwide but
primarily in the Middle East
• Founded by Muhammad
• Main Ideas:
• Monotheistic- Allah
• Five Pillars of Faith
• The Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca
• Sharia Law
Other Belief Systems
• Legalism
• China- based on the idea that humans are evil and harsh punishments
are needed to keep order in society
• Humanism
• Renaissance Europe- focus on humans/individuals and life on earth
instead of on God and Heaven
Review
The Ten Commandments and Five Pillars of Wisdom are
similar in that they
1. established a class structure for society
2. are guidelines for living
3. consist of prayers for salvation
4. promise a happy and easy life
Review
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are similar in that they
all
1. place great value on having many statues and
images of holy people
2. believe in Mohammed as the Prophet of God
3. are monotheistic in belief
4. require their members to settle in the Holy Land
Review
Hinduism and Buddhism are similar in that both
religions
1. practice a belief in many gods
2. provide followers with a rigid social caste system
3. stress attainment of a better life through
spiritual rebirth
4. look to the teaching of one person for their basic
beliefs
Review
The terms Brahma, dharma, and moksha are most
closely associated with which religion?
1. Judaism
2. Islam
3. Hinduism
4. animism
Review
• Showing respect for parents
• Maintaining family honor
• Honoring all elders
Which term is most closely related to these three
actions?
1. nirvana
2. animism
3. filial piety
4. hadj (hajj)