world religions unit - kyrene.org · introduction world religions unit. why study religions?...
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IntroductionWorld Religions Unit
Why Study Religions?
Religion plays a key role in our world today
Religion is a major component of the human experience
Knowledge of people’s religions helps us understand culture, peoples, & communities
Studying religion diminishes prejudices & clears up misconceptions
Helps us grow in and develop our own set of beliefs
Religions of Study
Islam
Judaism
Christianity
Hinduism
Buddhism
What will we learn?
History of each religion
Major beliefs
Form of worship
Sacred texts
Location of religions
What is Bias? With your learning partners
Write a definition of Bias
Describe how you can be biased about people
that practice different religions
I will call on pairs to discuss their answers
Example
Maybe I think that all people who drive blue
cars are really bad drivers.
How is this biased?
BIG PICTURE QUESTION
How does bias relate to religions?
BuddhismMajor Religions Unit
History & Establishment
Siddhartha Gautama
Born in India around 563 BC
Was a prince who felt something was missing in his life
Dissatisfied with Hinduism
Was determined to find answers about life
Spent years meditating & found enlightenment under
a tree & became Buddha
Traveled & taught people his ideas
Beliefs The 4 Noble Truths
Suffering & unhappiness are part of human life
Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure
People can overcome their desires by reaching
Nirvana
People can overcome ignorance by following the
Eightfold path
Beliefs The Eightfold Path
Right Thought
Right Intent
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Sacred Texts
Tripitaka is a collection of Buddhist teachings
recognized b Theravada Buddhists
Mahayana Sutras are Buddhist teachings
recognized by Mahayana Buddhists
Tibetan Book of the Dead describes the
stages of death from the Tibetan point of
view
Major Location
Buddhism is practiced in many areas around
the world
India
Asia
Important Vocabulary
Buddhism: Religion based on the teachings of
Buddha that developed in India
Nirvana: In Buddhism, a state of perfect peace
Fasting: Going without food for a period of time
Meditation: A deep continued thought that
focuses the mind on spiritual ideas
Missionaries: Someone who works to spread
religion
ChristianityMajor Religions Unit
Origins
Jesus of Nazareth
Jews predicted a leader would be born to
restore Israel
Many believed Jesus was the Messiah
Jesus’s life & teachings formed the basis of
Christianity
History & Establishment According to the Bible Jesus was born in
Bethlehem at the end of the first century BC
Jesus’s mother Mary was married to Joseph
Christians believe that God is Jesus’s Father
Jesus began to travel and teach the word of God
known as the New Testament
History & Establishment Jesus drew many followers &challenged the
authority leaders
Jesus was arrested around AD 30 & crucified
Christians believe Jesus returned
from the dead as the Resurrection
After spending 40 days with
his disciples, Jesus rose up into
heaven
Beliefs There is only one God
Jesus is the son of God
Jesus performed miracles
Jesus rose from the dead
Ten Commandments
New Testament
Sacred Texts
The teachings of Jesus Christ were recorded
in the Bible
The New Testament
Major Location
Christianity is practiced in many areas
around the world
Predominantly in the Western World
Important Vocabulary
Messiah: In Judaism, a new leader that would
appear among the Jews and restore the
greatness of Israel
Christianity: A religion based on the teachings
of Jesus
Bible: The holy book of Christianity
Resurrection: Jesus’s rise from the dead
Disciples: Followers
HinduismMajor Religions Unit
History & Establishment
No on person founded Hinduism
It developed slowly over a long period of time
out of centuries of older traditions
Hinduism has no specific movement of origin
Aryans migrated to India in the 2000 BC
Brought rituals to India, which became part of
Hinduism
History & Establishment
Traces its roots to older traditions such as Vedic
beliefs and Brahmanism
Modern-day religion is very complex
Hinduism refers to the philosophical and religious
traditions native to India
Caste System
Brahmins: Priests
Kshatriyas: Rulers & warriors
Vaisyas: Farmers, craftspeople, & traders
Sudras: Laborers & non-Aryans
Beliefs Brahman is the divine force some Hindus believe is
greater than the other gods
There are many deities that are different faces of the
supreme force
Dharma is the law, obligation, & duty of Hindus
Karma is the belief that the good & evil done in a past
life determines the person’s next life
Samsara is the belief of a continuous cycle or birth,
death, & rebirth
Sacred Texts
Vedic Texts
Describes Aryan religious rituals
Secret rituals that only certain people can
perform
Reflections on the Vedas by religious students
& teachers
Major Location
Hinduism is practiced throughout the world
India
Asia
United States
Europe
Important Vocabulary
Caste System: Class or group in Hindu society
Reincarnation: Belief that a person’s soul is reborn into a new
body after death
Hinduism: A religion that developed in India over many centuries
Vedas: Collection of ancient writings views as sacred by many
Hindus
Brahmanism: Ancient ritual traditions grown out of older Vedic
religious beliefs & helped lead to Hinduism
Dharma: Belief that a person has a duty or obligation to live an
honorable life
Karma: Belief that good or evil done in a past life will determine
a person’s next life
IslamMajor Religions Unit
History & Establishment
Muhammad
Born in Mecca around 570
Married a wealthy woman
Became disenchanted because the
wealthy were not helping the poor
Meditated in a local cave
History & Establishment
Muhammad becomes a prophet
He meditated in a cave & an angel appeared to
him and said:
“Recite in the name of your Lord who created,
created man from clots of blood! Recite! Your lord
is Most Bountiful One, Who by the pen taught man
what he did not know” (Quran 96: 1-3)
Muhammad began teaching others about the
messages he heard
These messages are the basis of Islam
Beliefs The 5 Pillars of Islam:
This first pillar of Islam is a statement of faith
The second pillar of Islam is daily prayer
The third pillar of Islam is a yearly donation to
charity
The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting
The fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca
Sacred Texts
During Muhammad’s life his followers
memorized his messages, words, and deeds
After his death, the collected his writings and
wrote them down in the form of a book
This book is the Islamic sacred text called the
Quran
Major Location
Islam is practiced in many areas around the
world
Middle East
Africa
Asia
China
Russia
United States
There are over 1 billion followers of Islam
Important Vocabulary
Mecca: The most sacred city of Islam
Islam: A religion based on the messages that
Muhammad is believed to have received
from God.
Muslims: A follower of Islam
Quran: The holy book of Islam
Mosque: A building for Muslim prayer
Allah: God of Islam
JudaismMajor Religions Unit
History & Establishment
Between 2000 & 1500 BC Hebrews appeared
in Southwest Asia
The work of archeologists and accounts
written by Hebrew scribes tell the history
These accounts have become the Hebrew
Bible
Origins of Judaism
The Bible traces the Hebrews back to Abraham
God told Abraham to leave Mesopotamia and
move to Canaan
Abraham’s descendants moved to Egypt
(Hebrews)
In Egypt the Hebrews became the slaves of the
Pharaoh
Origins of Judaism In the 1200s BC God told Moses lead the
Hebrews out of Egypt
God sent the Ten Plagues of Egypt
The pharaoh freed the Hebrews
Moses led the people out of Egypt (Exodus)
While Moses was on a mountain
God gave him stone tablets to
write the code of laws
Ten Commandments
Beliefs Belief in one God
Monotheism
Belief in Justice & Righteousness
God considers all people equal
Caring for less fortunate is important
Belief in Law
God gave Jews moral laws to follow
Ten Commandments
Sacred Texts
The ancient Jews recorded most of their laws
into five books called the Torah
The Hebrew Bible is 11 books of poetry, songs,
stories, lessons, & history
The Talmud is a set of
commentaries & lessons
for everyday life
Major Location
Judaism is practiced in many areas around
the world
Israel
North America
South America
Europe
Asia
Important Vocabulary
Judaism: Religion of the Hebrews practiced by
Jews today
Exodus: Journey in which Moses led his people
out of Egypt
Monotheism: The belief in only one God
Torah: Most sacred text of Judaism
Rabbis: A Jewish religious leader & teacher