the major religions of the world. what is a religion? religion – an organized system of beliefs,...
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The Major The Major Religions of the Religions of the
WorldWorld
What is a Religion?
Religion – an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, practices and worship that centers on one or more gods
Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Mono – “one” Poly – “many” Theism – the belief in god What do these terms mean?
World Religion Populations
World Religion #1Judaism
Judaism
14 million people world wide 1st “monotheistic” religion in history The Torah, or Jewish holy book, teaches
the basic laws of Judaism
Judaism The universal symbol of Judaism is the
Star of David, the emblem of King David who ruled the Kingdom of Israel from 1000 – 962 BC
Ritual, Worship & Celebration
At age 13 Jewish children enter into the religious community– Bar Mitzvah – Men– Bat Mitzvah - Women
House of Worship– The Synagogue
Leadership– Religious services are conducted by a rabbi
(“teacher”)
Ritual, Worship & Celebration Many Jews make the pilgrimage to the “Wailing
Wall in Jerusalem– Built in the 2nd century BCE– Remains of a temple that had stood for close to 500 years
• Destroyed by the Romans
– Thought to be the most sacred of places– Temple itself was thought to be the place where God
resides on earth. Praying at the Wailing Wall signifies being in the
presence of the Divine
The “Wailing” Wall
Ritual, Worship & Celebration
What is “Kosher”– Strict dietary laws– Forbids the eating of “unclean” animals such
as pigs or shellfish– Dictates how certain foods should be prepared
Important Jewish holy days include:– Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and
Passover
World Religion #2Christianity
History of Christianity
Founded c.33CE in Palestine– Founded by Jesus and his followers– Jesus is believed to be the messiah
The most important symbol is the Cross– Symbols the death of Jesus
Currently, main locations are: – North America– South America– Europe
Christian Population throughout the World
Christianity Facts
Over 2B followers…largest religion in the world Major Sects
– Roman Catholic (RCC)– Eastern Orthodox (EO)– Protestant
House of Worship– Church or Chapel
Leaders of the Church – Hierarchy of priests and Pope (RCC) and (EO)
Christianity Beliefs
Sacred Text– The Bible (Old and New Testament)
Important Rituals & Worship Practices– The Seven Sacraments
• Baptism & Communion are two examples
Major Holidays– Easter and Christmas
Belief in God– One God (a trinity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
World Religion #3Hinduism
Hinduism Third largest religion in the world
– Over 800 million followers
One of the oldest surviving religions– Formulated by 1500BCE
Basic principles are found in The 4 Vedas – sacred writings
Priests are called Brahmins There is no one “leader” or “founder” It is the major religion of India
Early Hinduism
Polytheistic Religion– Thousands of deities– One universal spirit – Brahman– Three Major Gods
• Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva
Reincarnation – passing through many lives to reach the Brahman
Karma – consequences of how a person lives
Hinduism Beliefs God in Hinduism is the Supreme Being
– Everywhere, all-knowing, and all-powerful
The purpose of life is to obtain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation– People reach true enlightenment and happiness
when they free themselves of earthly desires
Hinduism Information Rituals
– Worship at home and in temples
– Temples can have multiple shrines to gods
– Worship as individuals and families, not as a congregation
Hinduism Information Sects
– Shaktism • Shakti – supreme
Goddess
– Vaishnavites • Vishnu – the Preserver
– Shaivites • Shiva – the Destroyer
– Reform Hinduism• Monotheistic & more
“western”
Hinduism Information Celebrations
– Diwali• Hindu New Year
– Festival of Holi• Triumph of good over
evil
– Pilgrimage to the Ganges River in India
• Hindus believe the river has healing powers
Who is the Buddha? Founder-Siddhartha Gautama (c.520BCE)
– Known as the Buddha or “enlightened one”
Present spiritual leader -Dalai Lama– Head of Buddhist Church
4th largest religion in the world today– Over 300 million followers– Mainly found in China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia
Buddhist Beliefs Purpose of life is to escape the cycle of
rebirth (reincarnation) and attain nirvana– Nirvana – a state of wisdom– All living things can be reincarnated
• Animals can possibly be reborn into humans
How to achieve Nirvana?– Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path– Key to happiness was detachment from all
worldly goods and desires
Buddhism Information Worship Practices
– Meditation – deep thought & reflection
– Offering of gifts of food, flowers, or candles
Rituals– Importance of the lotus
flower• Believer can blossom
while rooted in the impurity of the world
Buddhism Information
Major Buddhist Sects– Theravada
• As close as possible to Buddha’s teachings
– Mahayana• More accepting of the
changing world
The Dalai Lama – The present spiritual leader of Buddhism
Current Population of Worldwide Buddhism
History of Islam
Founded in 622CE– Founded by Muhammad in Saudi Arabia
• Muhammad is considered to be a prophet– A messenger of Allah (God)
Two Major Sects (split c.650CE)– Sunni– Shi’a (or Shiite)
• Leader of Muslim community must be a descendant of Muhammad’s son-in-law (Ali)
Islamic Beliefs
Five Pillars of Islam– Faith
• Allah is the one true God
– Prayer • Five times a day
– Charity • Giving to the poor
– Fast • During Ramadan
– Pilgrimage to Mecca
Islamic Beliefs
One God – Allah Believe in all the prophets
of Judaism and Christianity
Holy Celebrations– Id al-Fitr
• End of Ramadan Fasting
– Eid al-Adha• End of Islamic calendar
Islamic Beliefs
Sacred Text– Qur’an (Koran)– Hadith
Religious Law– Sharia
House of Worship– Mosque
Leaders of the Religion– imams
Islam Facts Second largest religion in the world
– Over 1 billion followers Month of Ramadan
– Muslims fast during the day– Most important day is the “Night of Power”
• The night that the angel Gabriel 1st spoke to Muhammad
Major Areas in the World– Middle East– SE Asia
The KaabaMecca, Saudi Arabia