World Religions

Judaism

• Monotheistic – belief in one god- God

• Followers – around 10 million - called Hebrews

• Religious text – Torah – old testament

• God chose Abraham to be the “father” of the Hebrew people.

• Rabbi – teacher, leader

• Main rules – the 10 commandments

• Main holy days, days of worship – The Sabbath, Passover, Hanukkah, Rosh Hahanah, Yom Kippur

Christianity• Monotheistic – belief in one god – God

• Jesus is the son of God

• Followers are called Christians

• 4-6 BC – Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea

• Pope – Leader of the Christian Church

• Priests – supervises local churches, teaches

• Text – the Bible – old and new Testament

• Holidays – Easter, Christmas, Mass every Sunday

• The 10 commandments

Islam• Monotheistic – Allah is God

• Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah

• Followers called Muslims

• Text – Quran

• Holy days – Ramadan

• Laws, ideas – Sharia Law, Jihad, 5 pillars of Islam

• Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca

5 Pillars of Islam1. Faith and worship in God – Allah - the Muhammad is his messenger

2. Establishment of the daily prayers – 5 times a day facing Mecca

3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy

4. Self-purification through fasting – Ramadan

5. The pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able.

Hinduism• Polytheistic – many gods

• Brahma – Creator• Vishnu – Protector• Shiva – Destroyer

No single book – Upanishads – teachers commandmentsKey ideas – • Moksha (like Nirvana) – liberation from suffering and

desires• Reincarnation• Karma

Followers are called Hindus

Buddhism• Polytheistic – many gods

• Founded by Siddhartha Gauthama in Nepal ~ 460 BC• Called Buddha – ‘enlightened one’

• Followers are called Buddhists

• Key ideas/beliefs – • Nirvana (like Moksha) – enlightenment, wisdom• Karma• Reincarnation• 4 noble truths• Noble 8 fold path

4 Noble Truths

• 1. Life is suffering – Dukkha

• 2. The cause of suffering is desire – Tanha

• 3. The cure for suffering is to remove desire

• 4. To remove desire, follow the 8 fold path

8 fold path