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The Rise of Monotheism
E. Napp
Objective: To identify and explain significant beliefs of Zoroastrianism and Judaism
Do Now: Multiple-choice questions from previous lessons
1. A similarity between Shinto in Japan
4. • The Ganges River is sacred to people
and animism in African societies is that both practicing Hinduism.
(1) use the Torah to establish law codes
• Shinto shrines are usually located near
(2) stress the importance of the Eightfold
mountains or lakes.
Path
• The Jordan River is a site of many
(3) believe that spirits exist in nature
Christian baptisms.
(4) base social rank on a caste system
Which conclusion is most valid based on
these statements related to belief systems?
2. Which action is most closely associated
(1) The Middle East was the birthplace of
with polytheism?
these belief systems.
(1) praying in a synagogue
(2) Water plays an important role in these
(2) accepting the Eightfold Path
belief systems.
(3) worshipping many gods
(3) Pilgrimages to mountainous regions are
(4) reading the Koran
encouraged by these belief systems.
(4) Understanding nature is a requirement
3. One similarity between animism and
of these belief systems.
Shinto is that people who follow these belief
systems
5. • Buddhism is introduced into Japan
(1) practice filial piety
around A.D. 1200.
(2) worship spirits in nature
• Islam extends from the Middle East into
(3) are monotheistic
Spain by A.D. 732.
(4) are required to make pilgrimages
• Catholic and Protestant missionaries bring
Christianity to Africa in the 1800s.
Each of these statements reflects the concept
of
(1) cultural diffusion
(2) urbanization
(3) civil disobedience
(4) isolationism
At first, humans developed belief systems
that were localized to the area in which
they lived. As civilization developed,
polytheism, or worshipping many gods,
became quite common. Often cities, such as
Athens, Greece, would worship patron gods
who were seen as their protector.
In the Middle East, the Hebrews first
established the concept of monotheism, or
the belief in a single god. This laid the
foundation for later religions such as
Christianity and Islam.
~regentsprep.org
Questions:
Define polytheism.
______________________________
What did the Athenians worship?
______________________________
What happened in the Middle
East?
______________________________
Why are the Hebrews important?
______________________________
What religions were influenced by
the beliefs of the Hebrews?
______________________________
Cornell Notes Outline: The Rise of Monotheism (Add Key Words and Summaries)
The Key Words:
The Summaries:
The Notes:
I.
The First Humans
A. Animists
1- Everything has a spirit
II.
Zoroaster
A. Persian Prophet
1- Sixth century B.C.E.
B. Beliefs
1- God is a force of goodness and light
2- However, evil exists
3- People are free to choose
4- GoodnessHeaven and evilHell
III.
Judaism
A. First monotheistic religion
B. Abraham
1- first Prophetcame to believe in the
existence of one God
2- led his people out of Mesopotamia to
present-day Israel
C. Moses
1- Significant Hebrew Prophet
2- Led his people out of Egypt
a. Hebrews had moved to Egypt during
a famine
b. Enslaved in Egypt
c. Exodus: flight from Egypt
3- Received Ten Commandments
D. Beliefs
1- Covenant with God
2- Moral and ethical religion
3- Monotheism
E. Sacred Text
1- Bible
a. Torah: first five books of Bible
F. House of Worship
1- Synagogue
Please read the passage below and answer the questions:
Approximately 3500 years ago, in ancient Persia (Iran), the prophet, Zoroaster began
preaching a new religion. His religion, Zoroastrianism, was the official religion of Persian
from 600 B.C. to 650 C.E. (A.D.) It is now one of the world’s smallest religions.
Zoroastrians believe that there is one God (monotheism) called Ahura Mazda (the God of
goodness and light). Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda created the world. They also
believe that fire represents Ahura Mazda’s light or wisdom. Their Holy Scriptures is
called The Avesta. Zoroastrians believe that the universe is a battleground between two
forces, good and evil. People are free to choose whom they will follow. However, those who
lead good lives will eventually go to Heaven, while others will be doomed to Hell. The
beliefs of Zoroastrianism clearly affected people’s view of an afterlife.
Questions:
Who was Zoroaster and what did he believe?
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the most significant contribution of Zoroastrianism to the world’s religions?
______________________________________________________________________________
Abraham was the leader of a Middle Eastern people called the Hebrews. The Hebrew
people believe that God called Abraham’s family to worship one God and to leave
Mesopotamia. Historians believe this happened 3500 years ago. For many years, the
Hebrew people wandered the desert as nomads but when a famine occurred, they traveled
to Egypt. In Egypt, the Hebrew people were enslaved by the Egyptian Pharaoh.
Eventually, Moses became an important leader of the Hebrew people in Egypt. Sometime
between 1300 B.C.E. and 1200 B.C.E., Moses led his people out of Egypt. As the Hebrews
wandered the desert to the east of Egypt, Moses climbed Mount Sinai to pray. The Hebrew
people believe that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. These rules told the Hebrew
people to live peacefully with God, each other, and other people. The commandments
became the roots of the religion called Judaism. Today, we call the Hebrew people Jews.
Questions:
Who was Abraham and what was he asked to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
Why did the Hebrew people migrate to Egypt? What happened to them in Egypt?
______________________________________________________________________________
Who was Moses and what did he do?
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
share a belief in
(1) the central authority of the Pope
(2) a prohibition of the consumption of
pork
(3) reincarnation and the Four Noble
Truths
(4) monotheism and ethical conduct
2. Jewish religions and cultural identity
has been greatly influenced by
(1) Ramadan and the concept of
reincarnation
(2) the Torah and the Diaspora
(3) the New Testament and the Four
Noble Truths
(4) the Koran and the code of bushido
Word Bank:
Kami
Polytheism
Zoroastrianism
Monotheism
Moses
Abraham
Ten Commandments
Animism
Torah
Judaism
Shintoism
1. The Hebrews trace themselves to an
ancestor named
(A) Adam.
(B) Abraham.
(C) Abel.
(D) Noah.
3. Someone inspired by God to speak
for him was called
(A) Priest.
(B) Rabbi.
(C) Prophet.
(D) King.
2. A contract between the Hebrews and
their God was called a
(A) Mitzvah.
(B) Covenant.
(C) Yarmulke.
(D) Commandment.
4. God first appeared to Moses in
(A) An Egyptian slave.
(B) A cloud on Mt. Sinai.
(C) A Burning Bush.
(D) The Red Sea.