Download SOL 2 World History II World Religions

Unit on Major World Religions
1500 A.D. and Today
SOL. 2-The student will demonstrate an
understanding of the political, cultural, and
economic conditions of the world about 1500
AD by
c) describing the distribution of major religions.
SOL. 14-The student will demonstrate
knowledge of the influence of Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism,
Confucianism, and Hinduism in the
contemporary world by
a) Describing their beliefs, sacred writings,
traditions, and customs;
b) locating the geographic distribution of
religions in the contemporary world.
Judaism
Origins of the Jewish Faith
• “Founder”-Abraham
• Told to leave homeland of
Mesopotamia by God.
– Old Testament
recognizes Abraham’s
faith in God.
• God made covenant with
Abraham that would be
father of many nations.
Map of Present-Day Mesopotamia
Sacred Writings of Jewish Faith
• The Hebrew Bible is made up of 39
shorter works written over a thousand year
period.
– It is divided into 3 categories
• Torah
• Prophets
• Books of Writings
Torah
• The main text is the Torah.
– Torah literally means “teaching” or “instruction” in
Hebrew.
– The Torah consists of the first 5 books in the Old
Testament
• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
• The 10 Commandments are found within the
Torah. (Exodus 20: 1-17).
– These form the basis for all of the Jewish laws to
follow.
Basic Beliefs of Judaism
•
There are 3 main ideas to understand
about the Jewish religion:
1. Monotheism- “ethical monotheism”
2. Lawfulness- God makes the laws.
3. History- God is leading the Jewish people to
accomplish His purposes for them.
Basic Beliefs of Judaism
• The Jewish people have a strong sense of
community. They are commanded to love each
other and serve each other.
– Sense of community is derived from a shared
past.(common experience).
– The Torah commands them to resolve conflicts
among themselves with the laws that were given to
Moses.
• They believe in the absolute power of God.
– People should love God with all their heart, soul,
strength.
What do Jews believe about
God?
• Holy- set apart, from another world
• Personal- He speaks to his people and
communicates his will (Old Testament)
• Loyal- He wants what is best for his people.
• God establishes covenants with his people. If
they do their part, God’s promises ALWAYS
come true, according to the Hebrew Bible. This
is how Abraham was rewarded.
Israel
Symbols/Sacred Ceremonies in
Judaism.
• Yamika
• Sidelocks
• Menorah- most
recognized Jewish
symbol.
• Star of David- Main
symbol of Judaism.
• Jews worship in a
synagogues and
Saturday is their day of
worship.
Christianity
Origins of Christianity
• Christianity began in the Roman Empire with
the teachings of Jesus approximately 2000 years
ago.
• Early followers were Jews who believed Jesus fit
the criteria of the Messiah.
– According to Jewish prophecy, the Messiah was to
come establish his kingdom on earth.
– Jesus claimed that he would have his kingdom in
Heaven, which many Jews did not agree with. This is
the main difference between Jews and Christians
today. Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah;
Christianity does.
Teachings of Jesus
• Jesus expanded on the Old Testament. He
gave his followers a new outlook on old
beliefs.
– Consequently, he is a “foundational figure”
rather than a “founder” of this religion.
Life of Jesus
• The 4 Gospels in the New Testament give biographies of
Jesus’ life.
• He was Jewish and well-educated.
• He gathered followers by teaching and performing
miracles.
• In Jerusalem, at the Passover, he was arrested, tried, and
executed as a threat to the Roman authorities.
• Christians believe that he rose from the dead after a
short period of time, and went to Heaven to establish a
kingdom for his followers.
Spread of Christianity
• Soon after Jesus’ death, Christianity spread quickly
through the Roman Empire.
• They were persecuted, originally, because Rome saw
them as a threat.
– Christians saw God as the ultimate authority, not the
state.
• Constantine was the first Christian emperor of Rome.
– After seeing a vision of a cross, he converted to
Christianity in 312 A.D. He made Christianity the
official religion of the Roman empire.
• Eventually, the Holy Roman Empire was created
• By 1500, the unsuccessful Crusades were finished and
Christianity was about to enter a new era.
Sacred Writings
• The Bible.
– Composed of the Old and New Testaments.
• The New Testament contains Jesus’ teachings
and because his life is considered more
important, Mosaic Law (Torah) is no longer
necessary.
• Christians believe that the Bible is divinely
inspired.
– The Apostle Paul’s letters make up ¾ of the New
Testament.
– His letters, and the rest of the New Testament, give
new instructions to believers on how to live.
Beliefs of Christianity
• God is the creator of the world. Evil is in the
world because He allowed it, not because He
caused it.
– Christians’ ultimate purpose is to serve God.
• Jesus was the son of God. He was an example on
how to live. Human, humble, kind.
– Death-punishment for sins of humans, necessary to
get to Heaven.
• Miracles prove Jesus’ deity.
Symbols
• Jerusalem is the holy
city.
– Christians worship in
churches on Sunday.
• Cross/Crucifix
• Fish
• Angels
Symbols
• Cross/Crucifix
• Fish
• Angels
Symbols
• Cross/Crucifix
• Fish
• Angels
Islam
Origins of Islam
• Muhammad-Founder
– Born in Mecca in 570 A.D.
• At age 25, he married and began to pray more
frequently in the hills of Mecca.
• 610 A.D.-began to receive images and messages.
– This troubled him, so he went to a friend for advice. His
friend told him to give these messages to the people of
Mecca.
Origins of Islam
• Messages claimed that the Old Testament had been
misinterpreted and Muhammad was to correct this.
– This made him a prophet in the eyes of many.
• Messages were spread orally and, after his death, put on
paper. (632 A.D)
Muhammad
• Today, Muhammad is remembered for his natural
virtue and integrity.
– He was an ideal family man, the leader of humanity, and
the finest man who has ever lived.
• He did not claim to work miracles, though. The
Koran was his only miracle.
Islam Sacred Texts
• Koran
– Gives detailed rules for living.
– It is the final product of
Muhammad’s message put
into writing.
• There are over 6000 verses and
114 sections called “suras.”
– The suras are arranged in
descending order of length.
5 Pillars of Islam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his
one true prophet.
A believer should pray five times/day.
Give to the poor.
During Ramadan, fast from dawn to dusk.
A believer should make a pilgrimage (hajj)
to Mecca at least once during a lifetime, if
possible.
Other beliefs of Islam
• Allah is above all humans. Beyond human
understanding.
• Allah’s mercy outweighs anger. He is closer to
the individual than their jugular vein.
Symbols
• Long black gowns and small
hats. Gowns are white if have
made the pilgrimage.
• Women-head-coverings, and
ankle-length dress.
– Symbols of devotion to faith.
• Rings, pendants, bracelets with
Arabic writings.
• *Star and Crescent Moon (main
symbol of Islam).
• *They meet in Mosques on
Fridays.
– There is no clergy to lead service,
just religious scholars
Hinduism
Origins of Hinduism
• No specific founder. Deep history of
religious traditions, but uncertain origins.
Sacred Texts
• Vedas- “wisdom” or “vision”. Writings
transmitted orally over many years.
Beliefs of Hinduism
• Polytheistic-many gods. All gods together
make up one spiritual reality.
• 3 main gods:
– Brahma- creator
– Vishnu- sustainer
– Shiva- destroys
Beliefs of Hinduism
• Life is a series of endless cycles of birth
and rebirth.
– Life governed by dharma. Dharma is the
spiritual law that holds the cycle together.
• The human dilemma is to be caught in this
endless cycle of birth and rebirth.
Beliefs of Hinduism
• Reincarnation- part of cycle. A person may
come back as another person or thing.
• Kharma- one’s actions in life determines
course of next life.
– Kharma determines what one is reincarnated
as.
Beliefs of Hinduism
• One’s goal is to achieve liberation from the
endless cycle. This liberation is called
nirvana.
– How? No selfish actions, religious rituals and
education.
Caste System of India
• 5 levels:
–
–
–
–
–
Priestly and Learned Class
Warriors and rulers.
Farmers and Merchants.
Peasants and Laborers
“Untouchables”
• System legally outlawed in 1949.
Ganges River
• Considered a goddess
to Hindus.
• Dipping in Ganges
washes away sins.
• Hindus make
pilgrimages and
meditate on banks,
also.
Hindu Worship
• Hindus worship in temples.
Buddhism
Origins of Buddhism
• Northeast India.
Nepal
Present-Day
– Hindu was the dominant religion at
the time.
– Small group of religious seekers
questioned teachings of Hinduism.
Buddha
• Siddhartha Gautamaborn 563 B.C.
• Father a wealthy
prince. Sought
advice on how boy’s
life would be.
• 2 Paths:
– “world renouncer”
– “wheel turner”
Buddha
• Father sheltered
from world.
• After marriage,
Gautama left the
palace and
family to seek
his own path.
Buddha
• While seeking his
own path, saw
• 4 Passing Sights:
–
–
–
–
Old Age
Illness
Death
World Renouncer.
• Led to “great
renunciation.”
Buddha
• Went without food,
water, sleep, or
any form of
comfort.
– Still no
Enlightenment.
• Sat under tree
until achieved
enlightenment.
– Refused to stand,
eat, or drink until
achieved his goal.
Buddha
• 7 weeks
• 4 Basic Truths of Life:
– 1. Life is difficult
– 2. All hardship and
suffering comes from
inappropriate
attachment.
– 3. To avoid suffering,
avoid inappropriate
craving.
– 4. to Stop
inappropriate craving,
follow the Eightfold
Path.
• Finally, worthy of name
Buddha. “enlightened
one.”
Eightfold Path
• Proper Belief
• Proper Intent
• Proper Speech
• Proper Action
• Proper Livelihood
• Proper Effort
• Proper
Attentiveness
• Proper Absorption
Additional Teachings of
the Buddha
• Respect ALL living creatures.
• Found in many writings. Not
one specific book.
• Many gods in Buddhism, but none
can solve human dilemma.
• Final Liberation-give up all
cravings.
Nirvana