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Polytheism
Polytheism = belief in many gods
Most early religions were polytheistic
The remains of polytheistic religious
practices have been found on cave
paintings from prehistoric times.
Animism
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The oldest belief system still practiced
around the world today
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Developed in many areas independently
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Examples of Animists:
• Native North Americans
• African tribes
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Animists worship nature. They believe all
living things have spirits.
They believe their ancestors watch over them
from the spirit world
There is no sacred text/most cultures have
strong storytelling traditions
Religious ceremonies are conducted by a
Shaman
Shinto
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Like Animism, Shintoism focuses on
nature and ancestor worship
Shinto is the traditional religion in Japan
Believe all living things have spirits,
called Kami, inside them. Everything
from landforms to people have Kami.
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Shinto worship
takes place in
shrines which are
dedicated to sites
of impressive
natural beauty (like
waterfalls or
mountains).
The entrance to
these shrines is a
red gateway called
a torii.
Ancient Greece
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Ancient Greeks worshipped
the many gods they believed
lives on Mount Olympus
Honored their gods with
temples and festivals
Believed the gods spoke
through certain people:
priests, priestesses, and
oracles
Ancient Rome
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Rome followed in the
traditions of many
other ancient
civilizations
Gods shared similar
traits to many of the
Greek gods
There was also
influence from
civilizations as far as
Egypt
Hinduism
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Based on the belief that everything in the
universe is part of the unchanging, allpowerful force called Brahman
Hindus worship many gods which represent
the many forms of Brahman
3 main Hindu gods are:
• Brahma – The Creator
• Vishnu – The Preserver
• Shiva – The Destroyer
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The goal of the life of a Hindu is moksha,
or union with Brahman.
Hindus can achieve moksha by following
certain principles:
• Dharma = moral and religious duties
• Ahimsa = non-violence
• Karma = actions a person takes in one life
will affect their status in the next life
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Since it may take several lifetimes to
reach moksha, Hindus believe in
reincarnation, or the rebirth of the soul.
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Hindus also
believe that all
existence is
ranked
The Caste
System is a rigid
social class
system in Hindu
society. You are
born into your
caste and it can
not change again
until you are
reincarnated!