Cultural Cultural Characteristics of Characteristics of

EuropeEurope

Religion In EuropeReligion In Europe

Europe is home to many religionsEurope is home to many religions There are three main religionsThere are three main religions These are Judaism, Christianity, and These are Judaism, Christianity, and

IslamIslam These religions have some similarities These religions have some similarities

and even a common history and even a common history Monotheism (the belief in one god) is Monotheism (the belief in one god) is

cental to all three religionscental to all three religions

Religion In EuropeReligion In Europe

They are also different in their beliefs They are also different in their beliefs about God and man. about God and man.

Sometimes these beliefs cause Sometimes these beliefs cause disagreements between people. disagreements between people.

Disagreements can even happen Disagreements can even happen between people of the same religious between people of the same religious group.group.

Europe TodayEurope Today

Religion has been very important in the Religion has been very important in the history of Europe. history of Europe.

Wars have been fought, and government Wars have been fought, and government leaders have been changed, because of leaders have been changed, because of religious issues. religious issues.

Today, most Europeans have the legal Today, most Europeans have the legal freedom to choose their religion. freedom to choose their religion.

Most Europeans recognize and respect the Most Europeans recognize and respect the rights of others to choose their own rights of others to choose their own religion. religion.

JudaismJudaism

Founder- Abraham (about 2000 BC)Founder- Abraham (about 2000 BC) Holy Book- TorahHoly Book- Torah Name of Followers- JewsName of Followers- Jews Number of Followers Worldwide- 15 Number of Followers Worldwide- 15

millionmillion

Important Facts of JudaismImportant Facts of Judaism Torah is the first five books of the writings of Torah is the first five books of the writings of

Moses, believed to be given to Moses by God at Moses, believed to be given to Moses by God at Mt. SinaiMt. Sinai

Talmud is the written version of the Oral LawTalmud is the written version of the Oral Law belief is in the laws of one God and the words of belief is in the laws of one God and the words of

his prophetshis prophets actions and following the laws are importantactions and following the laws are important Three main types of Judaism are: Orthodox (most Three main types of Judaism are: Orthodox (most

traditional), Conservative and Reform (least traditional), Conservative and Reform (least traditional)traditional)

Jews in Europe were nearly wiped out by Hitler Jews in Europe were nearly wiped out by Hitler and Nazi Germany (Holocaust)and Nazi Germany (Holocaust)

ChristianityChristianity

Founder- Jesus Christ (30 AD)Founder- Jesus Christ (30 AD) Holy Book- BibleHoly Book- Bible Name of Followers- ChristiansName of Followers- Christians Number of Followers Worldwide- 2.1 Number of Followers Worldwide- 2.1

BillionBillion

Important Facts of Important Facts of ChristianityChristianity

the five books of Moses make up the first five the five books of Moses make up the first five books of the Biblebooks of the Bible

beliefs are based on the teachings of Jesus: love beliefs are based on the teachings of Jesus: love of God and neighbor, a regard for justice, a belief of God and neighbor, a regard for justice, a belief that Jesus is the Son of Godthat Jesus is the Son of God

Christianity is divided into 3 major groups: Christianity is divided into 3 major groups: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and ProtestantProtestant

Protestants include Anglicans, Baptists, Protestants include Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians and other non-Catholic, and non-Orthodox Christiansother non-Catholic, and non-Orthodox Christians

Christianity is in most parts of the world todayChristianity is in most parts of the world today

IslamIslam

Founder- Muhammad (about 610 AD)Founder- Muhammad (about 610 AD) Holy Book- Koran (Quran)Holy Book- Koran (Quran) Name of Followers- MuslimsName of Followers- Muslims Number of Followers Worldwide- 1.3 Number of Followers Worldwide- 1.3

BillionBillion

Important Facts of IslamImportant Facts of Islam Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last of Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last of

the prophets, which included Abraham and Jesusthe prophets, which included Abraham and Jesus the main duties of Muslims are called the Five the main duties of Muslims are called the Five

PillarsPillars– are prayerare prayer– giving to charitygiving to charity– belief in and submission to one God (Allah)belief in and submission to one God (Allah)– fasting during the month of Ramadanfasting during the month of Ramadan– a trip to Mecca once in a lifetime (Hajj)a trip to Mecca once in a lifetime (Hajj)

the two largest groups of Muslims are the Sunnis the two largest groups of Muslims are the Sunnis and the Shiites; the Sunnis account for 90% of the and the Shiites; the Sunnis account for 90% of the world’s Muslimsworld’s Muslims

it is the main religion of the Middle East, North it is the main religion of the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia number of followers is rapidly Africa, and Asia number of followers is rapidly growinggrowing

Europe LanguagesEurope Languages

The continent of Europe is slightly The continent of Europe is slightly larger than the United States in land larger than the United States in land area.area.

Europe’s population is more than Europe’s population is more than double the population of the United double the population of the United States. States.

In the United States, English is the In the United States, English is the dominant language. dominant language.

Europe LanguagesEurope Languages

Europe is much different. Europe is much different. It is home to more than two hundred It is home to more than two hundred

native languages. native languages. A few languages are dominant, but A few languages are dominant, but

many more are spoken by large many more are spoken by large numbers of people.numbers of people.

Germanic LanguageGermanic Language

Most European languages are in three Most European languages are in three main categories: Germanic languages, main categories: Germanic languages, Romance languages, and Slavic Romance languages, and Slavic languages. languages.

The Germanic language group has the The Germanic language group has the most native speakers. most native speakers.

European native speakers of this European native speakers of this group live mostly in northwest and group live mostly in northwest and central Europe. central Europe.

Germanic LanguageGermanic Language

About 20 percent of Europeans speak About 20 percent of Europeans speak one of two languages—English and one of two languages—English and German—as their native language. German—as their native language.

Most Europeans learn English as a Most Europeans learn English as a second language in their schools second language in their schools even if they don’t speak English at even if they don’t speak English at home.home.

Romance LanguagesRomance Languages

languages, which includes French, languages, which includes French, Italian, and Spanish. Italian, and Spanish.

These languages are found in the These languages are found in the south and west of Europe. south and west of Europe.

These languages come from Latin, These languages come from Latin, the language of the ancient Roman the language of the ancient Roman Empire. Empire.

Romance LanguagesRomance Languages

The Roman alphabet is used to write The Roman alphabet is used to write both Romance and Germanic both Romance and Germanic languages, although not every languages, although not every language has the exact same language has the exact same characters and punctuation. characters and punctuation.

Slavic LanguagesSlavic Languages

Slavic languages include Russian. Slavic languages include Russian. Slavic languages are found in central Slavic languages are found in central and eastern Europe. and eastern Europe.

These languages do not always use These languages do not always use the Roman alphabet. the Roman alphabet.

They are written with a Cyrillic They are written with a Cyrillic alphabet. Russian, for example, uses alphabet. Russian, for example, uses the Cyrillic alphabet.the Cyrillic alphabet.

Why is language a problem?Why is language a problem?

Having so many languages can be a Having so many languages can be a problem. problem.

It is difficult to live, work, and trade It is difficult to live, work, and trade with people who cannot communicate with people who cannot communicate with each other. with each other.

Europeans have worked hard to solve Europeans have worked hard to solve this problem. this problem.

Most schoolchildren learn one or two Most schoolchildren learn one or two other languages besides their own. other languages besides their own.

European UnionEuropean Union

The European Union has twenty-three The European Union has twenty-three “official” languages to make sure that “official” languages to make sure that people can understand laws and decisions people can understand laws and decisions made by the government. made by the government.

There are special laws to protect languages There are special laws to protect languages too.too.

Europeans want to keep alive the Europeans want to keep alive the languages spoken by only a few people. languages spoken by only a few people.

At the same time, they are working to build At the same time, they are working to build a unified Europe.a unified Europe.

SummarySummary

Describe the three different groups Describe the three different groups of languages in Europe. (include the of languages in Europe. (include the name and where they are spokenname and where they are spoken

Why is language such a problem in Why is language such a problem in Europe?Europe?

Create a triple Venn diagram on the Create a triple Venn diagram on the three religions of Europe.three religions of Europe.