General informationLocation FoundersLatin AmericaEastern Europe24% of USAPhilippines

Jesus Christ said to be founder of Catholic Church

Peter is also held to be first bishop

What makes it uniqueImportant People

Ethnic or Universalizing?

Saint Peter Bd. Urban II, O.S.B.  Pope Callistus II St. Pius X Ven. John Paul II Benedict XVI

Catholicism is a universalizing religionReligious symbols

The crucifix is a Cross with the figure of the body of Jesus Christ attached to it.

The Sacred Heart is a symbol of the love of Jesus for all of humanity.

BeliefsMajor Beliefs After Life Pope has first place among

successors to Peter Trinity, different but not

divided Have to develop a relationship

with the Triune God through prayer and worship

Christ is the Messiah

Commit a sin denied from heaven

Sins are inherited Sanctification can be found in

other religions

Few perfect lovers go to heaven

If you have committed mortal sin you go to hell

If a person dies will go to Purgatory (suffer for a short time)

Pictures

General Information• Abraham is the founder but most people

think it is Moses• Mainly practiced in Israel • Moses, Miriam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,

Aaron- main prophets• Ethnic religion• Numbers

– 5-6 m both USA and Israel– 1.5 m Europe– 400,000 Latin America– 350,000 Canada– Less than 100,000 Africa – 100,000 Australia and New Zealand

Beliefs, afterlife, & symbols

1. God exists2. God is 1 and unique3. God is incorporeal 4. God is eternal5. Prayer is dedicated to God alone6. Words of prophets are true7. Moses’ prophecies are true & Moses is the greatest

prophet8. Torah were given to Moses9. There will be no other Torah10. God knows thoughts and deeds of man11. God will reward good & punish wicked12. Messiah will come13. Dead will be resurrected

1. There is an afterlife2. Primarily focused on

current life rather than afterlife

3. Souls go to a place similar to Christian heaven or wait for Messiah to come & then will be resurrected

4. Wicked will be tortured by their own demons or souls will be destroyed at death

1. Mezuzah- found on doorposts of traditional homes- “good luck charm”

2. Menorah- used during Hanukkah- their mission to be “light unto the nations”

3. Yammica- head piece used to cover head during prayer

4. Star of David- thought to bring good luck

Compare Contrast Compare

• There is an afterlife• One God• God is eternal• Reward good and punish wicked in afterlife• 10 commandments• What the prophets say is true• Both have a holy book- Bible and Torah

Contrast• Jesus is the Messiah• New Testament• Catholics- believe in purgatory & we pray to saints,

Mary, & Jesus as well as to God• There is not really a certain diet that we have to

follow where as some Jewish families must eat Kosher

• Jewish temples can speak Yiddish and Hebrew whereas Christian churches usually only speak English but some speak Latin

&

Red

Fuchsia

Blue

Green

Yellow

Mezuzah

Yammica

Menorah Star of David

WHAT IS ISLAM?

Francesca AlvarezNoah Mohl

Corina Edwards

FOUNDER/ MAJOR PROPHETS The founder of Islam is Prophet

Muhammad. He is the messenger of God, Allah. He is the last prophet.

There are 25 prophets. Some major scholars are called

Ayatollah. Teachers of Islam are called Mu’allim. Imams are religious teachers at the

mosque.

MUSLIM POPULATION Half of the world’s Muslims live in

Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India.

They also live in Northern Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia.

There are 1.57 billion Muslims in the world. Roughly one-fifth of the world population.

Islam is a universalizing religion.

BELIEFS The 5 pillars of Islam:

To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Perform Salat- obligatory prayer To pay Zakat- obligatory charity To perform Hajj- pilgrimage to Makkah To observe Saum (fasting) during the month of

Ramadan Day of Resurrection. Heaven and Hell. Islam’s religious symbol is the crescent moon and star. It was first accustomed during the Ottoman Empire. The Holy Quran.

PERSONAL BELIEFS We are all monotheists. Muslims are supposed to pray 5 times a

day. Corina worships on Sundays. Francesca

worships on Saturday. Noah believes that all Muslims will go to

Heaven. Francesca when you die, you stay in your grave and wait for Jesus. Corina believes that when you die, you automatically go to Heaven or Hell.

HinduismBy Jalil Kuku, Lisa Eeraerts, &

Adrianne Mino

Major Facts There are no known founders of this

religion It’s an Ethnic religion with about 860

million followers

Major Beliefs Reincarnation 3 major gods Karma Spiritual perfection All life is sacred Avatars

Afterlife Continual

reincarnation according to karma in past life until you reach Moksha

Moksha enables you to be one with Brahman

Brahman VishnuShiva

OmSurya symbol

(Sun) Lotus

BAPS Akshardham temple in Delhi, India

Hindu temple in Lilburn, GAHindu temple in home “Puja

shelf”

Buddhism

• The goal is for believers to become Buddha.

• Buddhism is a philosophy centering around meditation.

• Founded Siddhartha Gautama

Areas of Buddhism

• Mainly located in Eastern Asia

• Hearth is in northern Asia and quickly spread to 8 other countries from about 500 B.C. to 600 A.D.

Buddhism in Georgia

• There are about 15 Buddhist Temples/ Zen centers located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Comparison to Other Religions

• Jewish (Gillian): No hell because the body goes through cleansing and Jesus is a prophet not a savior.

• Catholic (Matthew): Belief in Jesus, no birth control, and the Pope.

• Baptist (Jada): Belief in Jesus, and that Jesus died on the cross.

Orthodox ReligionBy Rory Hibbler and Marco Boyden

Jesus and his Apostles founded the Orthodox Religion.

The Orthodox Religion is mainly found in Russia and other former Soviet Union countries.

Orthodox is a universalizing religion. It has 225 million members worldwide. Jesus is the head of this religion, and The

Patriarch of Constantinople is like their Pope. Bishops of Orthodox each have a territory to govern.

Orthodox people believe themselves to be the only “true” believing Christian faith.

Christ is the son of God. Lastly The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the Holy Trinity. In the afterlife people go to Heaven if they have a love

for God their whole life, and they go to Hell if they committed mortal sins and haven’t been forgiven.

The lamb represents the Symbol of Christ as the Paschal Lamb.

The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the Ichtus is the symbol of Jesus Christ and to show

follower of Orthodox Christianity.

Orthodox Christianity believes we should draw near God our whole life and I believe we start out close to Him.

Orthodox homes have an area set aside for prayer and my home doesn’t. We both worship the bible.

SIKHISM

By: Jasmine Hallock, Alana Agcaoili, and some other dude named Evan Clay.

Founders and Where it is Practiced Guru Nanak-Lived

from October 20th, 1469 - May 7th, 1539; First of the ten Sikh Gurus

India and most of Southeast Asia; is practiced in the Middle East.

Sikhism is a universalizing religion, not an ethnic religion

Members, Teachers, and Beliefs

Worldwide members: 23,000

Philosophy based from 10 gurus-started with Guru Nanak

Monotheistic, God Waheguru

Beliefs and Religious Symbols The right edge of the Khanda symbolises freedom and authority

governed by moral and spiritual values.  The left edge of the double-edged sword symbolizes divine justice which chastises and punishes wicked oppressors.  The two-edged sword at the center of the Khanda also symbolizes disintegration of false pride and vanity and demolition of the barriers of caste and other inequalities

Nanak's teachings are founded not on a final destination of heaven or hell, but on a spiritual union with God which results in salvation.[13] The chief obstacles to the attainment of salvation are social conflicts and an attachment to worldly pursuits (Māyā), which commit men and women to an endless cycle of birth—a concept known as reincarnation.

Māyā—defined as illusion or "unreality"—is one of the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation: people are distracted from devotion by worldly attractions which give only illusive satisfaction. However, Nanak emphasised māyā as not a reference to the unreality of the world, but of its values. In Sikhism, the influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust—known as the Five Evils—are believed to be particularly pernicious. The fate of people vulnerable to the Five Evils is separation from God, and the situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion.[14]

Mormonism• Worldwide Membership :

13,824,854– Some small splinter groups add to

this number (EX: Community of

Christ and Fundamentalist)

• Primary Areas of Influence: – Started in New York, moved

through Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri

– Now is primarily influential in

Rocky Mountain Region

• Founder: Jesus Christ

• Restored to the Earth by: Joseph

Smith

• 16 Prophets – Joseph Smith Jr., First

– Thomas S. Monson, Current

Major Beliefs• The Godhead

– Mormons believe that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three

separate beings

• Christ’s Church- Restored to the Earth through Priesthood Power

• Continuing Revelation/Scriptures

– Prophets receive revelation for the church, and individuals can receive revelation for

themselves

– Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants

• Moral Beliefs

– Mormons live the 10 Commandments

– Mormons live the Word of Wisdom

– Mormons live the Law of Chastity

– Against Abortion and Homosezuality

• Serve Missions- UNIVERSALIZING RELIGION

• Repentance and Forgiveness

Afterlife Beliefs and Symbols

• The Plan of Salvation– Christ will come again to the earth– He will rule on earth for 1,000 years- the Millenium– Every person that has ever lived will be Resurrected (receive

a perfect body)– We will each be judged on our works and live forever in the

Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial Kingdom or Outer Darkness• Symbols in Mormonism

– Angel Moroni- Gospel spreading around the world– The Sacrament- Represents Christ’s sacrifice for us– The Beehive- Thrift and hard work

Mormon ArchitectureLondon, England

Temple

Mexico City, Mexico Temple

Laie, Hawaii Temple

Atlanta, Georgia Temple

Accra, Ghana Temple

Baha'i

By : Smera Saikumar, Greer Henderson & James Wright

Background Information

The religion Baha’i was found about a century and a half ago. The founder of Baha’i was Baha'u'llah, who was a Persian nobleman from Tehran. In the mid-nineteenth century, he left his comfortable home and money to bring a message of peace and unity to the world. He left despite persecution and loss. He claimed to be a Messenger from God. It started in 19th century Persia, and now it is mostly practiced in Asia and Africa. All Baha’i Houses of Worship must have nine sides and a central dome. Baha’i is a universalizing religion because no countries are completely Baha’i, but there are significant Baha’i population in over 200 countries and territories. Baha’i is the youngest independent religion in the world. The number of people who are practicing this religion is estimated to be 7.1 million members worldwide.

Beliefs and Religious Symbols

This religion is Monotheistic, all knowing, omniscient, omnipresent God who can only be reached by messengers of God called "manifestations". Baha'i members over the age of 15 must recite an obligatory prayer with certain form and words. Adults are expected to observe a 19 day fast each year from may 2 to may 10th. Celibacy until marriage. There are some beliefs of after life in the Baha'i religion. They feel that everyone has an immortal soul and that the soul departs from the body and begins a spiritual journey towards God. They believe that the person who died does not decompose, but the soul is free to travel through the spiritual world. The image on the top right represents God's connection with humanity. The image on top left represents the "greatest name”. The image on the bottom left represents faith of the Baha'i.

How do my personal beliefs compare/contrast with this religion?

• James- This religion agrees with my religion (Catholic) mostly. One difference between Baha’i and Catholicism is that people of the Baha’i religion believe the soul leaves the body and travels to God. I believe (James) that when you die, God decides if you have been good and if you get into heaven or not. Both religions believe in one God who is the creator of all things. Both religions also use prayer and reflection to talk to God.

• Smera- This religion is different from Hinduism in many ways. Baha’i religion believe the soul leaves the body and travels to God, while Hindu religion believes we are re-incarnated. If we did good deeds through out our life then we will be re-incarnated to a better position in life. If we don’t do good deeds in our life then our next life status will be lower than the previous life. We (Hindu religion) also believe in many gods, but Baha’i religion only believes in one God.

Background Information

• Rumored to have always existed, but first recorded founders were Rishabha and Mahavira.

• Rishabha: First tritankara (able to achieve enlightenment)• Mahavira: Last to achieve enlightenment and started the Jaininsm

community in India• Ethical, not universalizing.• Member try to base their lifestyle after Jains in hope to achieve

enlightenment

• Hand represents assurance, “Do not fear”. The wheel on the Hand represents reincarnation.

• The Swastika represents the Right Faith, Right Conduct, Right Knowledge, and the Four States of the Soul.

• The Aum represents the five Parameshthis.

Major Information• Major Beliefs

– Fused Hinduism and Buddhism together.– The world had no beginning and will have no end.– Believe in Karma, reincarnation and enlightenment.– Have several layers of the universe, Heaven, and Hell.– Five levels of living– Do not believe in eating meat

• Major religious leaders– Mahavira- Attained enlightenment after 13 years and committed Salekhana, or fasting to

death. Was the 24th Tritankara.– Parshvanath- first recorded Tritankara, he was the 23rd.– Rashaba- the first Tritankara.

Location of Religion

• Primarily located in eastern and southern India, but has a few members in Canada and Africa.

• Roughly 4.9 million members worldwide.• Very small group slowly migrating into Canada

Compare & Contrast

Comparisons • Beliefs in Heaven and

Hell• Beliefs in loving others

as yourself• Basic principals for how

to live your life• Belief that all humans

have souls

Contrasts• Reincarnation untill

enlightenment• Vegitarian• Karma• 30 different layers of

Heaven and 7 of Hell• They are extremely

small in comparison to Christianity

Origami

ShintoismThe Backbone of Shinto Traditions

Izanami-no-Mikoto and

Izanagi-no-Mikoto

• 2.7 million followers worldwide, yet Buddhism is closely related

• Mainly practiced in Japan; 85% of Japanese practice some type of Shinto/Buddhism

• Considered to be an ethnic religion.

“Shinto recognizes many sacred places: mountains, springs, et cetera“

-B.A. Robinson

Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America

Washington, USA

Shinmei Jinja

Vancouver, CanadaTaiwan Grand Shrine

Taiwan

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha

Hawaii, USA

Kyoto, Japan

Torii

-Animism-believe in Kami, or gods and spirits, of which there are over 8 million

-Really based on Nature and purity-4 Shinto Affirmations-

-Family Tradition-Sacred Nature:The belief that Nature is sacred-Physical Cleanliness-Matsuri:The worship of Kami

-Emphasis on Makoto No Kokoro-Heart of Truth

Spring Festivals are called Haru Matsuri

Fall Festival-Aki Matsuri

Annual Festival- Rei-Sai----Afterlife--supposed to go to Yomi, a little like Greek Hades

What-o-TheismNo perfectionStructureConfinement in the World

Differences

Zoroastianism

• Zoroaster/ Zarathushtra• In Iran, India, Middle East, Central/South Asia• 250,000/28,900 in the world• Ethnic

façade of the ātašgāh

Beliefs & Symbols

• How one lives their life determines afterlife (Heaven & Hell)

• Anuramazda = good- prayers directed towards him

• Have good thoughts, deeds, and words

-----------------------------------• Judged by angels• Heaven and hell• Ahuramazda judges 2nd time

• Ahuramazda – all things good. Protects good. Keeps evil @ bay. Main god. Has helpers

• Atash Behram- “Holy Temple”

Compare and Contrast

Compare• Heaven and hell• Live life well and will be

rewarded • Angels• Genocide

-christains in biblical times-before BC for them

Contrast• No Ahuramazda • NO second judgement• Christian• Jesus• They believe there is an on-

going war of good and bad