Download I. World Religions

5 Major World Religions
Objective
• I can recognize the major beliefs of the five
major world religions. (7.1.spi.3)
Focus Question
• In your own words, define what religion
means.
Definition of Religion from
Dictionary.com
• 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of
the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a
superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional
and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code
governing the conduct of human affairs. 2. a specific
fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon
by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the
Buddhist religion. 3. the body of persons adhering to a particular
set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. the
life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. 5. the practice
of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith. 6. something one
believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or
conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Key Terms
• Monotheism
• Polytheism
• Reincarnation
Monotheism
Definition
• is the belief in the existence
of a single (one) GOD.
• Christians, Muslims, and
Jews believe in 1 God.
Michelangelo’s God
Polytheism
• belief in or worship of more than one god
• Hinduism and Buddhism believe in more
than 1 god.
Reincarnation
• Reincarnation (rebirth) best describes the
concept where the soul or spirit, after the
death of the body, is believed to return to
live in a new human body, or, in some
traditions, either as a human being, animal
or plant.
• Buddhist and Hindus believe in this concept
I. Christianity
• There are over 2.1 billion
followers of this world
religion. Largest religion
in the world.
• Including: Catholic,
Methodists, Baptists,
Presbyterian , Church of
God, Church of Christ,
Church of Ladder Day
Saints, etc.
Christianity
• This world religion is
followed throughout
the world.
• Most churches
throughout
Manchester would fit
under this subdivision.
• This is the major
religion of the United
States.
Believes of Christianity
• Believe in 1 God
(monotheism)
• Believe Jesus is the
son of God
• Follow the Bible
• Go by the teachings of
the New Testament
• worship in a church
• The Pope is a key
leader for Catholics
Beliefs of Christians
• Believe in repentance
• believe in eternal life
• Major Leader: Jesus
II. Buddhism
• Has 378.8 million
followers
• founded by Siddhartha
Gautama (known more
commonly as Buddha)
• Karma is one of their
beliefs
Beliefs of Buddhism
• Goal of life is to
escape the cycle of
birth and death by
achieving Nirvana.
• Nirvana is a spiritual
height
• Reincarnation
• Found most in Asia
Beliefs of Buddhism
• Followers are called
Buddhist
• to achieve Nirvana ,
followers follow a 8
step process
• have no book they go
by
• Polytheism (belief in
many gods.
Dalai Lama: Key Leader in
Buddhism
III. Hinduism
• Founder is unknown
• believe in a spiritual
force known as
Brahman.
• 860.1 million
followers
• Believe the body is a
temple
• Polytheism (Belief in
many gods)
Beliefs of Hinduism
• Making life better for
others (living a good
life makes things
better for themselves)
• Believe in
reincarnation
• Come back to life in
another form: animal,
plant, etc.
• Found mainly in Asia
IV. Islam
• 1.3 billion followers
• 2nd largest religion in
the world
• founded by
Muhammad
• Quran is their major
book (text)
Beliefs of Islam
• Followers are called
Muslims
• Believe in
monotheism (1 God)
(Allah) and
Muhammad is his
prophet.
• Worship in a Mosque
Beliefs of Islam
• 5 Pillars of Islam are:
1) Profession of Faith
2) 5 prayers daily
3) giving to the poor
(alms giving)
4) fasting during
Ramadan
5) pilgrimage to
Mecca
V. Judaism
• Has 15.1 million
followers
• major leader/founder:
Abraham
• Israel, Jerusalem
major places for this
religion
Beliefs of Judaism
• Believe in
monotheism ( 1 God)
• Recognize Jesus but
do not believe he is
God’s son. Maintain
he was a prophet of
God.
• Called Hebrews
Beliefs of Judaism
• Go by the Hebrew
Bible (Torah)
• Use primarily the first
5 books of the Old
Testament (Torah)
• Follow the 10
Commandments
Beliefs of Judaism
• Also called Jews
• Worship in a
Synagogue
• Major celebration is
Hanukkah (celebrated
right around
Christmas) 8 Days
• The Passover is
another major holiday.
Closing
• Name two things that you learned about
world religions today.