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Cultural Diversity Unit
Why?
A responsible citizen understands the various cultural
histories and influences that affect our lives, our nation,
and our world today
Concepts:
“Culture”
“Monotheism”
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
“Polytheism”
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Animism
% of Religious Followers of World Population
Source: Encarta Encyclopedia
A more detailed pie chart is found here: Major Religions
In numerical form, major religions (2005 Estimates):
Christianity:
2.2 Billion
Islam:
1.4 Billion
*Nonreligious: 1.1 Billion
Hinduism:
950 Million
Animist:
400 Million
Asian Trad:
394 Million
Buddhism:
376 Million
Judaism:
16 Million
The two fastest growing major world religions are Islam (2.9%) and
Christianity (2.3%).
“Monotheism”
From the Greek:
“monos” = single
“theos” = God/god
“ism”
= belief/view
3 Major Monotheistic Religions with a basic belief of one God
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
*All 3 religions trace roots to Abraham; they are also known as the
“Abrahamic Religions”
Map of Religions
Abrahamic – Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Dharmic – Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Judaism
*Judaism is one of the first recorded monotheistic religions*
% of Followers:
Less than 1% (lowest of major religions)
Locations:
Israel, followers are also found in parts of
Europe & the Americas
When “founded”?
Approximately 2000 BCE by Abraham,
according to the Hebrew Bible; Again, this
point was the story of Abraham’s sons Isaac
and Ishmael (Arab and, later, Muslim nation)
Religious Symbol:
Star of David
Deity:
Yahweh (God)
Holy Book:
The Torah; meaning “instructions” or “law”. It
consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy. Reading
of the Torah. The Torah is written in Hebrew.
Jewish believers believe that the Torah was
revealed to the prophet Moses on Mt. Sinai.
Holy Days/Seasons: Yom Kippur (Day of Repentance)
Hannukah (Festival of Lights)
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Passover (Moses’ freedom from Egyptians)
Place of Worship:
Jewish believers worship at a synagogue.
Rabbis are leaders of synagogues.
Holy City:
Jerusalem, Israel (remember this…)
Basic Beliefs:
1. One personal God (Yahweh) who protects, loves,
and cares for his people, but also holds them
accountable to the law.
2. Prayer and studying the Torah are equally
important
3. The Ten Commandments are core of Jewish Law
Laws set down are foundation of all
western law today
*Out of the original beliefs of Judaism came both Christianity and Islam*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Christianity
Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodox
*Christianity is rooted in Jewish traditions and law*
% of Followers:
Approximately 33% (highest of major religions)
Locations:
North & South America and Europe, mainly
When “founded”:
1st century (0-100) A.D.
Diffusion of Christianity: Map 1; spread by Paul first (started the
first community of churches) during the time of the Romans, later
by Byzantines and during the Crusades
Religious Symbol:
Cross
Deity:
The “Trinity” - God/Jesus/Holy Spirit
God = father
- same deity as Jews believe
(Yahweh)
Jesus = son
- descendent of Issac
- Lived from ~ 0-33 BCE
- Christians believe Jesus was sent
by God to earth
Performs many miracles in the
name of God, claims to be God on earth;
arrested by Romans after Jewish leaders
accuse him of treason (as shown in the
Passion of the Christ) Jesus is crucified
on a cross and then rises from the dead
and ascends into heaven, promising to
come back.
- Regarded as a prophet by
Christians (and Muslims); more
historical evidence Jesus existed
than that Julius Caesar existed;
- Jesus’ life is documented in the
first four books of the New
Testament of the Bible (gospels).
Holy Spirit = spirit
Third part of the Trinity
Holy Book:
The Bible; Contains the 5 books of the Torah
and 61 others for a total of 66 books as the
spoken word of God to various prophets
before Jesus (Old Testament) and after the
birth of Jesus (New Testament).
Holy Days/Seasons: Christmas (birth of Jesus)
Holy Week/Good Friday (death of Jesus)
Easter (Jesus rises from death)
Pentecost (Birth of Christian Church)
Ascension Day (Jesus ascends to Heaven)
Place of Worship:
Christians worship at churches. There are
many different denominations/types of
Christianity. Each has its own style of
worship/church/service. Pastors and priests
are leaders of churches.
Holy City:
There is not one specific holy city in the
Christian faith. Some important cities
include: Jerusalem (because of the Jewish
tradition and near where Jesus was
crucified), Bethlehem, Israel (birthplace of
Jesus), and Vatican City, Italy (where the Pope
lives).
Basic Beliefs:
A “creed” is a statement of beliefs;
Christians have a number of creeds that
summarize the basic beliefs of the faith
1) Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead (hell).
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
2) Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Islam
*Islam is also rooted in Jewish traditions*
% of followers:
About 21% (second-most of major religions)
Locations:
Middle East, North Africa, & Indonesia;
Muslims also live across much of Europe and
North America.
When “founded”?
622 A.D. according to the Qur’an
Diffusion of Islam:
Map 1
Religious Symbol:
Crescent Moon and Star (though it was
adopted during the spread of Islam). This
symbol is found on many flags in Arab
countries.
Deity:
Allah (Arabic word for “God”). The greatest
prophet, Muhammad. Muslims believe that
any physical depiction of Muhammad is
greatly disrespectful. Islam also has many
other prophets, including Moses, Abraham,
Isaiah, & Jesus.
Holy Book:
The Qu’ran/Koran; Muslims believe the Quran,
in its original Arabic, is the literal word of Allah
spoken to Muhammad over a period of 23
years. It is organized in 114 suras/chapters.
Holy Days/Seasons: Ashura (celebrates Noah leaving the ark and
Moses’ freedom from the Egyptians)
Ramadan (month-long season of fasting)
Al-Hijra (Muslim New Year; Muhammad’s
journey to Medina)
Place of Worship:
The Mosque; Domes and minarets are
common features; Clerics are leaders of
mosques.
Holy Cities:
Mecca, Saudi Arabia (holiest site designated
by Allah; Muhammad’s birthplace; pilgrimage
site)
Medina, Saudi Arabia (Muhammad’s home
after revelations)
Jerusalem, Israel (where Muhammad
ascended to heaven)
Sunni - caliphs
Shiite - descendents
The Five Pillars:
Shahadah:
Salat:
Zakat:
Ramadan:
Hajj:
declaring that “There is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet”
praying five times per day toward Mecca
giving of alms/offering to distribute among
poor
fasting during the month of Ramadan
pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime