Download World Religions Unit

The Religions of the World
Notes & Religion Book
What is religion?
Religion is a person’s relationship with what he or
she considers to be a higher power.
All religions worship a god or gods.
The teachings of religions tell people who follow
them how they should live in the world.
Lastly, most religions have a written scripture, a
system of practices, and recommended ways of
worship.
The 5 major religions we will be discussing are
Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and
Christianity.
Key Religious Terms:
Deity: divine character or nature, esp. that of the
Supreme Being; divinity.
Disciple: a person who is a pupil or an adherent of
the doctrines of another; follower
Clergy: The body of people ordained for religious
service. Ministers, Priest, Monks, Rabbis, Gurus,
Brahmans.
Scripture: any writing or book, esp. when of a
sacred or religious nature
Prophet: a person who speaks for a god or a deity,
or by divine inspiration
More Key Terms:
Fasting: To eat very little or abstain from certain
foods, especially as a religious discipline
Resurrection: The act of rising from the dead or
returning to life.
Reincarnation: To be reborn in a new life.
Meditation: contemplation of spiritual matters
(usually on religious or philosophical subjects).
Pilgrimage: a long journey made to some sacred
place as an act of religious devotion.
Religions by number of
followers: :
Number of members per religion:
Christianity: 1.9 Billion
Islam: 1 Billion
Hinduism: 793 Million
Buddhism: 300 Million
Judaism: 14 Million
Chronological Listing of Religions
Judaism: 2,000 B.C.
Hinduism: 1,500 B.C.
Buddhism: 500 B.C.
Christianity: 1st Century A.D.
Islam: 600 A.D.
Judaism
Judaism was the first religion based on worship of
only one god (monotheism).
It began in the Middle East around 2,000 B.C.
Jews believe that God selected them to set an
example of good and ethical behavior for the
world.
Judaism is the religion in which Christianity and
Islam grew out of.
The holy book of Judaism is the Torah, which is
the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.
Judaism
Judaism and its history are based around the city
of Canaan, which is present day Israel.
Jews were exiled from Canaan at a point in
history, and the people and religion spread to other
parts of the world. Called the Diaspora.
Jewish people maintained their religion and
cultural practices while living in other countries
and around other cultures.
Judaism
Major religious holiday:
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year
Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement.
Christianity
Founded in the 1st Century A.D.
Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity.
All Christians follow the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ.
Christians live by a set of ethical rules
known as the Ten Commandments.
The holy book of Christianity is the Bible.
Christianity
The Bible was written by disciples, or followers,
of Christ.
Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all believe that
Jesus lived. Christianity, however, believes that
Jesus Christ was the son of God. Judaism and
Islam believe Jesus was a prophet.
Today, practicing Christians make up 33% of the
world population.
There have been many splits in the Christian
church, which has created many denominations.
Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, ETC.
Christianity
Major religious holidays:
Christmas: Commemorates the birth of Jesus
Christ.
Easter: Commemorates the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
Islam
Followers of the Islam religion are known as
Muslims.
The Muslim religion began in present day Middle
East.
Muslims are monotheistic (meaning they believe
in one god.)
The Muslim god is called Allah.
Muslims study the teachings of Allah through their
holy book the Koran (Quran).
Islam was founded on the life and teachings of a
prophet named Muhammad. This was around 600
AD.
Islam
The Muslim religion is based on the “5
Pillars of Islam.” These are:
Faith
Prayer
Charity
Fasting
Hajj (A trip that all Muslims must make to
Mecca, the holy Muslim city.)
Islam
Major religious holidays:
Ramadan: The Islamic holy month
commemorating when god first revealed
himself to the prophet Muhammad.
Islam Today
Today, over 20% of the world population
are Muslims.
Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day,
and they must face the direction of Mecca
(The holy city.)
Hinduism
Hinduism came into being in ancient India around
1,500 B.C.
It began as a set of traditions and rituals honoring
various gods and goddesses.
Today, there are hundreds of major gods and
thousands of minor gods.
Hinduism believes in the rebirth, or reincarnation.
The holy book of the Hindu are numerous sacred
writings.
Hinduism
Hinduism encourages people to achieve righteous
living, prosperity, love, and happiness.
Hinduism is based on the caste system.
Hindus believe in non-violence and tolerance,
reincarnation, and karma.
The caste system is a social structure in which
classes are determined by heredity.
According to Hinduism, karma is a force that
determines how you will be reborn in your next life,
depending on how you behave in this life.
Buddhism
Like Hinduism, Buddhism was founded in ancient
India.
The holy book is the Tripitika.
The clergy is made of monks and ministers.
Buddhism started in 500 B.C., 1000 years after
Hinduism.
The founder, Siddhartha Gautama, because known
as the Buddha.
Buddha means “the enlightened one.”
Buddhism emphasizes the actions of the
individual.
Buddhism
Individuals are encouraged to follow the
Eight-Fold-Path
Like Hindus, the Buddhist believe in nonviolence, karma, and rebirth.
Buddhist practice the art of meditation.