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World Religions The Western Religions RELIGION a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing human activity and conduct. Polytheistic Believing Monotheistic Believing in MANY gods Deity A god in ONE god Sect Sections within a religion usually separated by subtle differences in their beliefs within the same religion prophet a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration. Judaism Founded about 2000 BC Judaism's Deity Monotheistic Call God “Yahweh” – to scholars Called “Adonai” – in the worship services. No images of Yahweh Judaism’s Key Beliefs Belief in Yahweh (God) 10 Commandments given by Yahweh (God) to Moses who is a prophet (someone who speaks the word of God). Includes: Do not steal, kill, or lie Honor (respect your parents) There is only one God Believe in Afterlife A person serves Yahweh (God) by studying the Torah and living by its teachings. Judaism's Holy Book Bible First 5 books are called the Torah Different than complete Christian Bible How is it Practiced? Bar Mitzvah—at age 13 boys celebrate their entrance into adult religious community (girls=Bat Mitzvah) Several holidays that honor their history and their God. Passover recalls events from the departure of the Jews from Egypt where they had been enslaved. Sacred Place Jerusalem Western Wall: Remains of Jewish Temple destroyed by Romans in 70 AD. Believe when Messiah (savior) comes, temple will be rebuilt. Worship Services Place of worship: Synagogue Holy day (Sabbath or Shabbat) is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday Services led by a Rabbi (Jewish spiritual leader) Divisions (Sects) Orthodox Conservative Reform Other Information First monotheistic religion Founded by Abraham Same God as Christians and Muslims Kosher = Various dietary restrictions as interpreted in the Hebrew Bible Christianity Founded: 30 AD Christianity’s Key Beliefs Belief in God Believe Jesus as son of God Believe in Ten Commandments and that they were given to Moses Believe that Jesus died and then rose from the dead to save people from sin. Call him “Christ” or “Messiah” Believe in heaven, hell, and afterlife Christians believe that they can serve God and achieve salvation by following the teachings of Jesus Christianity’s Deity Monotheistic Same God as Jews and Muslims Christianity’s Holy Book Bible –divided into two sections Old Testament very New similar to the Jewish Bible Testament about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as well as his followers after his death How is it Practiced? Many Christians also have a practice of Baptism where they are initiated into Christianity Holidays that celebrate Jesus such as Christmas (birth) and Easter (resurrection after being crucified) Christianity’s Sacred Place Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre Church built where Jesus was crucified Other sites as well Worship Services Place of worship: Church Holy Day: Sunday Religious Leader: Priest; bishop; archbishop; patriarch; pope; pastor; minister; preacher; deacon Christianity’s Divisions (Sects) Some examples: Roman Catholics Eastern Orthodox Baptist Lutheran Presbyterian Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints And many more Other Information about Christianity For many sects the cross represents symbol of victory over death Islam Founded: 622 AD Islam’s Key Beliefs Belief in heaven, hell, and afterlife 5 Pillars: 1)Only one God-Allah and Muhammad is his prophet 2)Pray 5x/day 3)Charity 4)Fast during Ramadan 5)Pilgramage to Mecca Islam’s Deity Monotheistic Belief in God Allah: Arabic word for God Forbidden to draw images of Muhammad and Allah Colorful mosaics instead Same God as Jews and Christians Islam’s Holy Book Qur’an Word of Allah as given to Muhammad Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven over a period of time where he received messages from Allah through the angel Gabriel How is it Practiced? Only Arabic can be used in worship as Muslim’s believe the Arabic version to be true word of Allah Ablution—cleansing before prayer Don’t eat pork or drink alcohol Halal-dietary restrictions based on the slaughtering of meat Holidays such as Id al-Fitr the celebrates the end of Ramadan (fasting month). Islam’s Sacred Places Saudi Arabia Cities of Mecca and Medina Jerusalem Dome of the Rock: Muhammad ascended to heaven to receive messages from Allah this is in the exact same area as Western Wall Worship Services Place of worship: Mosque Holy Day: Friday Religious Leader: Imam; Sheikh Islam’s Divisions (Sects) Sunni and Shi’a (Shiites) The division among Muslims began with disagreements about who should lead after the death of Muhammad. Sunnis believe that anyone with a deep understanding of Islam and the Qur’an can lead Muslims Shi’as believe that only direct descendants of Muhammad can lead Muslims Other Information about Islam Muhammad is the founder, but trace many beliefs back to Abraham 2nd largest world religion Consider Jews and Christians to be “People of the Book” Both have a holy book with many of the same messages as Qur’an Muslims think of Moses and Jesus as prophets, with Muhammad being the final prophet World Religions Part 2 Hinduism Founded about 2000 BC Holy Book Veda’s Collection of texts Rig Veda: oldest Hindu writings Oldest writings of the major religions Upanishads Hindu teachers comments on the Vedas written about 750 and 550 BCE. Hinduism’s Deity Polytheistic Examples of main gods are Brahma: creator of universe Vishnu: preserver of universe Shiva: destroyer of universe Devi; a great mother goddess Hindus free to choose which god or gods they worship or none at all Key Beliefs Goal of religion is to reach enlightenment (true understanding and happiness)—Moksha Three paths to moksha: path of right thinking, path of right action, or the path of religious devotion Reach enlightenment after freeing themselves from earthly desires Belief in reincarnation: Individual soul is born again and again until perfect understanding of all things is achieved Karma (good and bad deeds) follows you from one life to another and influences your circumstances How is it Practiced? Many use deep meditation and prayer to reach enlightenment Achieve enlightenment through worship, attainment of knowledge, and virtuous acts Sacred Place Ganges River in India Bathe in water to cleanse and purify themselves Sick and disabled come in the belief that the holy water might cure their illnesses. Several other rivers Sacred city of Varansai in India—city of Hindu god Shiva Worship Services Place of worship: home or at temples Temples contain shrines to important gods or goddesses Annual festivals at temples to honor gods At home, worship around a shrine to a god that is important to the family Spiritual Leader = Guru, Saga - These are not service leaders, but guide people on how to manage their lives around god. Divisions (Sects) Haktism Reform Hinduism (monotheistic) Vaishnavites Shaivites Other Information No single founder Began as a blending of cultures when the Aryans (people from area between Aral and Caspian Seas (Modern day Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan) moved into the Indus River Valley Major religion of India Caste system: Rigid class system that dictates jobs and positions within society—nearly impossible to change caste. Religion is a way to free soul from illusions, disappointments, and mistakes of life. 3rd largest world religion Buddhism Founded: Approx. 530 BC Buddhism's Key Beliefs The Three signs of Being Four Noble Truths duhkha – life is unsatisfactory anitya – nothing is permanent anatman – there is no such thing as a soul Life is filled with suffering and sorrow The cause of all suffering is desire The way to end all suffering is to end all desires. You can overcome desires and attain enlightenment by following the Eightfold Path. Nirvana (enlightenment) —release from selfishness and pain. Belief in reincarnation : living beings, after death are reborn and continue to exist All living things possess the potential for spiritual growth and the possibility of rebirth as humans Buddhism’s Deity No personal deity Buddha is not a god, but a title of someone who has reached Nirvana Buddhism’s Holy Book The first written collections of Buddha’s teachings, were called canons and written in two different languages. Dhammapada Memorable – “Verses of Righteousness” sayings of Buddha Including Four Noble Truths Eight fold path How is it Practiced? The Eight Fold Path A guideline for Buddhist to follow to live the best possible life and reach Nirvana Right View, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration. Buddhist strive to follow Buddha’s teaching through meditation and hopefully achieve enlightenment Buddhism’s Sacred Places Various sites in India that relate to Buddha’s life Birthplace: Lumbini Grove Place of Enlightenment: Bodh Gaya Various branches of Buddhism have their own sites Worship Services Place of worship: Many Buddhists make offerings at shrines, temples, and monasteries. This is carried over as part of their cultural and less part of Buddhism itself. Buddhism’s Divisions Two branches are: Theravada: Mahayana: Try to stay as close as possible to Buddha’s recorded teachings More accepting of change There are also divisions of Buddhism that are based on their location: Tibetan Buddhism Zen Buddhism Pure Land Buddhism Other Information about Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Searched for religious truth and end to suffering of life After 49 days of meditation he achieved understanding of the cause of suffering Became known as “enlightened one” or Buddha Buddhism was born from Hinduism Confucianism Founded: 500’s BC VALUE SYSTEM Confucianism's Holy Book The Analects: Earliest and most authentic record of Confucius's ideas. Written about 400 BC Confucianism's Deity None Confucianism ’s Key Beliefs 5 Relationships: • – – Social order, harmony, and good government could be restored in China if society were organized around 5 relationships: 1. Ruler and Subject 2. Father and son 3. Husband and wife 4. Older brother and younger brother 5. Friend and friend Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you Confucianism’s Practices and Rituals Many of the rituals of ancient Chinese religion Sacrifices to the gods and to ancestors Celebrate Confucius’ birthday on September 28 Holiday in some countries (also plays tribute to Teachers!) Confucianism’s Worship Services Moral philosophy—way of life, not a religion Confucianism’s Sacred Places China Mount Lushan contains many landmarks of Confucianism Confucianism’s Divisions (Sects) • None as it is a way of life (belief system) Other Information about Confucianism Founded by Confucius Foundation of Chinese government and social order Spread beyond China and influenced civilizations throughout East Asia Education is important for welfare of individual AND society Foundation for bureaucracy—trained civil service (people who run governments)