Download World Religions: An Introduction

WEDNESDAY SEP. 8 2010
World History : Mr. Paulson
DAILY AGENDA
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SCR – Short Constructed Response
Spark # 12 ?? 13?? SCR
World Religions Intro
Set-up Gallery Walk poster thingy
SPARK # 12 ?? 13??
1. Short Constructed Response – SCR
-3 Sentences long, clear main point, supporting
evidence
**Which ancient society, Rome or Greece, has had a
larger impact on our society today? Use 3 specific
examples as evidence
2. Brainstorm-List as many major world religions as you can
-List any facts/thoughts you have about the
religions on your list
World Religions: An Introduction
Religion
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Religion is defined as an organized system of beliefs,
ceremonies, practices and worship that center around
one or more gods.
Religion has brought people together as well as torn
them apart.
Religion has continued to be a dominant force
throughout the world affecting everything from what
people wear to how they behave
There are thousands of religions in the world
Polytheistic= belief in many gods
Monotheistic= belief in one god
6 Major World Religions
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Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity
Confucianism
Islam
Judaism
www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Judaism
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13 million + followers
God (Yahweh)
First major religion to teach
existence of only one god
Basic laws and teachings
come from the Torah (first 5
books of the Hebrew Bible)
Founder is Abraham
Leader in Religion is a
Rabbis
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Basic Beliefs:
 There
is only one God,
who watches and cares
for his people
 God loves and
protects his people but
holds them accountable
for their sins and
shortcomings
 Persons serve God by
studying the Torah and
living by its teachings
Christianity
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1.9 billion followers
God
Founder is Jesus Christ
Use the Holy Bible
Leaders are Clergy
(priests/ministers)
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There is only one God, who
watches over and cares for
his people
Jesus Christ was the son of
God. He died to save
humanity from sin. His
death made eternal life
possible for others
Persons achieve salvation
by following the teachings
of Jesus
Islam
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1 billion followers
Followers of Islam are called Muslims
God (Allah)
Founder is Muhammad
Holy Book is called the Qur'an or Koran
 This book contains laws that govern
daily life of Muslims
Leadership no clergy
There are two types Sunni and Shiites
 Sunni are a sect that do not accept
rule of the direct descendants of
Muhammad
 Shiites are a sect that believe they
were the true Muslims because they
were direct descendents of
Muhammad the prophet
 The division within Islam has never
been resolved and is the cause for
much of the current fighting in the
Middle East.
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Persons achieve salvation by
following the Five Pillars of Islam
and living a just life.
Pillars are: Those who practice
are striving for the highest level
called Sufism
 1. faith
 2. almsgiving or charity to
the poor
 3. fasting which Muslims
perform during Ramadan
 4. Pilgrimage (to Mecca)
 5. Prayer 5 times daily
toward Mecca
Buddhism
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338 million followers
God- Do not teach a personal deity
Founder is The Buddha or
Enlightened One
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Also known as Gautama Siddhartha
Do not have one book as their holy
book but sacred texts including the
Perfection of Wisdom Sutra
Leaders in are Buddhist monks and
nuns
Use the Four Noble Truths-concept of
the ever turning wheel of life,
change and decay
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Basic Beliefs:
Persons achieve complete peace and
happiness known as nirvana by
eliminating their attachment to
worldly things
Nirvana is reached by following the
Noble Eightfold Path:
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Right views
Right aspirations
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right endeavor
Right mindfulness
Right meditation
Hinduism
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764 million followers
God=There are 3 main:
Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva
No one founder but roots
are traced to the early
Aryans of India
No one book for holy book
but have sacred texts
including the Vedas, the
Puranas
Leaders are Guru, Holy
Man, Brahman priest
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Basic Beliefs:
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The soul never dies, but
continually reborn
Persons achieve happiness
and enlightenment after they
free themselves from their
earthly desires
Freedom from earthly desires
comes from a lifetime of
worship, knowledge, and
virtuous acts
Confucianism
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Number of followers not known
but is the official religion of
China
Founder is K’ung Fu Tzu
(Confucius)
Holy Book is the Analects and the
Five Classics
Leaders in- no clergy
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Basic Beliefs:
Social order, harmony, and good
government should be based on
strong family relationships
Respect for parents and elders is
important to a well-ordered
society
Education is important both to the
welfare of the individual and to
society
Unlike most religions
Confucianism is a ethical system
with rituals at important times
during one’s lifetime. (Birth,
reaching maturity, marriage, and
death)
CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
1.
According to the Buddha,
how does one achieve
happiness and fulfillment?
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Detaching oneself from all
worldly goods and desires
by following the Eightfold
Path.
2. Why is Jesus Christ central
to the Christian religion?
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Christians believe Christ to be
the son of God, and he died
to save humans from sins
3. What do the Hindus
believe about the soul?
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Believe that the soul is never
ending and continuously
reborn
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
4. According to a Muslim, how
do people achieve
salvation?
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By following the 5 Pillars
and living a just life.
What major religion was
first to teach the existence
of only one god?
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Judaism
6.
What does Confucianism
believe about the family?
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You should respect your
parents and elders &
government should be
based on family
relationships
Tomorrow
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Galler
y
Walk
group
activity
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Small groups
Creating a poster
Each group will focus on 1
major world religion
Bring markers, colored pencils,
etc.
Work in library (hopefully)
Bring book and notes from
today
Individual and Group grade