Major World Major World ReligionsReligions

What is Religion?What is Religion?

Religion is a set of beliefs and Religion is a set of beliefs and practices based upon prayer, ritual, practices based upon prayer, ritual, worship, and the belief of a higher worship, and the belief of a higher beingbeing

Religion binds a specific group of Religion binds a specific group of people together based upon these people together based upon these beliefsbeliefs

Five Major World Five Major World ReligionsReligions

BuddhismBuddhism

HinduismHinduism

JudaismJudaism

IslamIslam

ChristianityChristianity

Hinduism Hinduism Began to develop 4,000 years ago in the Began to develop 4,000 years ago in the

Indian subcontinent Indian subcontinent Unlike other religions, does not have a Unlike other religions, does not have a

founder, no clear beginning, or central founder, no clear beginning, or central authority (like the pope!)authority (like the pope!)

No single belief that unites all Hindus---No single belief that unites all Hindus---but there are several widely held beliefs but there are several widely held beliefs that are common among all Hindusthat are common among all Hindus

HinduismHinduism Sacred Texts: The Vedas; Bhagavad Sacred Texts: The Vedas; Bhagavad

GitaGita Sacred Sites: Ganges RiverSacred Sites: Ganges River Sacred Creature: Cow (every part of a Sacred Creature: Cow (every part of a

cow is important in sustaining life)cow is important in sustaining life) Belief in Reincarnation that is based Belief in Reincarnation that is based

upon the caste systemupon the caste system Major holiday: Holi (burning of evilness) Major holiday: Holi (burning of evilness)

Buddhism Buddhism Originated about 2,500 years ago in the Originated about 2,500 years ago in the

Himalayas as an offshoot of Hinduism (monks Himalayas as an offshoot of Hinduism (monks had a problem with the caste system)had a problem with the caste system)

Moved to China ca. 100 B.C.E. where it Moved to China ca. 100 B.C.E. where it declined in India declined in India

Siddhartha Gautama (b-563 BCE)---developed Siddhartha Gautama (b-563 BCE)---developed Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path---which Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path---which is what all Buddhists follow todayis what all Buddhists follow today

BuddhismBuddhismThe Eightfold Path

JudaismJudaism Developed in Mesopotamia around 2000 Developed in Mesopotamia around 2000

BCE when Abraham established a BCE when Abraham established a covenant (special agreement) with covenant (special agreement) with Yahweh (God)Yahweh (God)

Jews spread all over the world in 586 Jews spread all over the world in 586 BCE because of the Babylonian Exile BCE because of the Babylonian Exile when many were forced into slaverywhen many were forced into slavery

First religion with one GodFirst religion with one God

Jewish holidaysJewish holidays Passover—springtime Passover—springtime

Remembers when Yahweh Remembers when Yahweh passed overpassed over the first the first born Jewish son in Egyptborn Jewish son in Egypt

Rosh Ha-Shanah—autumnRosh Ha-Shanah—autumn New Year according to TorahNew Year according to Torah

Yom Yippur---autumnYom Yippur---autumn Day of repentance Day of repentance Most importantMost important

Hanukkah---winterHanukkah---winter Remembering the rededication of the 2Remembering the rededication of the 2ndnd Temple Temple

IslamIslam Founded by the prophet Muhammad in Founded by the prophet Muhammad in

570 C.E. in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)570 C.E. in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) Five Pillars of faith provide Muslims with Five Pillars of faith provide Muslims with

the basis for living a proper and moral lifethe basis for living a proper and moral life Sacred text is the Qur’an/Koran Sacred text is the Qur’an/Koran Basic Belief: Basic Belief: There is but one God, Allah There is but one God, Allah

and Muhammad is His Prophetand Muhammad is His Prophet

IslamIslam

FIVE PILLARS OF FAITHFIVE PILLARS OF FAITH1. 1. There is but one God, Allah and There is but one God, Allah and

Muhammad is His ProphetMuhammad is His Prophet2. Pray 5x a day2. Pray 5x a day3. Giving charity to the poor3. Giving charity to the poor4. Fasting from sun up to sun down during 4. Fasting from sun up to sun down during

RamadanRamadan5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once a lifetime5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once a lifetime

Christianity Christianity Founded with the death of Jesus Christ in 30 Founded with the death of Jesus Christ in 30

C.E.C.E. Largest religion in the worldLargest religion in the world Basic belief in Jesus as the saviorBasic belief in Jesus as the savior Sacred text—BibleSacred text—Bible Christian religions include: Methodist, Baptist, Christian religions include: Methodist, Baptist,

Eastern Orthodox, Episcopalian, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Mormons.Lutheran, Mormons.

Central authority---The PopeCentral authority---The Pope