Download U2 L5 Religions II

Religions II
Monotheistic Religions
Objectives
• Describe evolution of major monotheistic
religions
• Analyze common beliefs between systems
• Explain how monotheistic religions moved
around world
• Explain influence of secularization
• AZ SS C2 PO2
Thinker
• What happens after you die?
• How do you know?
Monotheism Basics
• Monotheismthe belief in one
God, who
controls the
universe, the
lives of humans
and decides the
fate of their
souls.
Roots of Monotheism
• Several regions experimented with
monotheism in ancient times
• Sumerian Suenism
• Egyptian Atenism
Suenism*
• Suen was Moon God of
City of Ur in Sumeria
around 2000 BCE
• Abraham of Ur, patriarch
of Jews, Christians and
Muslims, would have
been familiar with
Suenism
• Beliefs could have given
root to Atenism during
Hebrew slavery in Egypt
Atenism*
• Founded as a reform movement
by Pharaoh Akhenaten of Egypt,
about 1353 BCE
– Nefertiti was his wife
– Tutankhamen his son
• One God (Aten) to replace
Egyptian pantheon
• Several interesting theories about
Atenism exist:
– Judaism evolved from Atenism
among Hebrew slaves
– Moses was taught about Atenism
by royal tutors
– No direct evidence to support
these theories at this time
•
O sole god, like
whom there is no
other! Thou didst
create the world
according to thy
desire, Whilst thou
wert alone: All
men, cattle, and
wild beasts,
Whatever is on
earth, going upon
(its) feet, And what
is on high, flying
with its wings. The
countries of Syria
and Nubia, the land
of Egypt, Thou
settest every man
in his place, Thou
suppliest their
necessities…
–
Hymn to the
Aten
Modern Monotheistic Faiths
• Dominant form of religion in the world
• Gradually become more “universal” in
accepting people regardless of ethnic group
Judaism-#
• Torah written down by
Moses of Egypt, around
1300’s from earlier Hebrew
oral tradition worshiping
YHWH (yah-wey)
• Since destruction of
Solomon’s temple in 70 CE,
Jewish worship has
emphasized ritual
observance and intensive
study of Torah and Talmud
• Jewish identity through
mother’s family, very little
conversion
Modern Judaism
Zoroastrianism-#
• Gathas recorded by
Zoroaster of Persia in 600’s
BCE
• Ahura Mazda encourages
humans to turn away from
“not life” choices to avoid
hell
• Fire Represents Purifying
Light
• Almost all followers are
Persian/Iranian ethnicity
Modern Zoroastrianism
Worldwide Population Figures
All rounded figures are approximate.
Country or
Region
India
Iran
1855 1
1976 2
1941
145,544
7,158+
114,000
20,000
Pakistan
19903
77,000
25,000
5,000
20064
2004-5
2,800
69,600
24,000
69,000
20,000
2,100
1,800
Singapore
4,500
Hong Kong
Kenya & Africa
150
200
80
? 100
Afghanistan
10,000
Azerbaijan
2,000
Persian Gulf
2,200
USA
Canada
Britain
Australia
2,000
6,500
4,500
5,000
10,800
5,300
5,000
11,000
6,000
6,500
75
300
2,500
2,700
45
840
1,000
127,000+
137,000
New Zealand
Total
152,694+
134,000+
131,000+
Christianity
• Founded by Jesus of
Nazareth as reform of
Judaism
• Gospels written to Jews,
Epistles to Gentiles
• Acceptance of Jesus’
divinity, self-sacrifice,
resurrection are critical
to belief, heaven
• Spread by conquest and
missionaries across
Roman trade routes into
Europe, Africa and Asia
Modern Christianity
Islam
• Founded by Muhammad of Mecca
as reform of Judaism &
Christianity
• Quran fixes earlier
misunderstandings
• Spread by conquest and
missionaries along trade routes in
Asia, Africa and Europe
• Performance of Five Pillars assures
Allah’s acceptance into heaven
–
–
–
–
–
Iman=Faith in Allah
Salah=5 prayers a day
Zakat=Charity to poor
Sawm=Fast during Ramadan
Hajj=pilgrimage to Mecca
Modern Islam
Side by side4 billion faithful
Sikh
• Founded by Guru
Nanak of Punjab about
1500CE
• One God, but humans
may be re-incarnated
as necessary
• Have been subject of
“anti-Muslim”violence
in USA since 9/11/01
– Arizona 9/12/01
– Wisconsin 8/5/12
Modern Sikhism
Summary
• 20 words