~~~OVERVIEW OF

BELIEF SYSTEMS

~~~AP WORLD HISTORY

• Polytheism

POLYTHEISM

POLYTHEISM

• Belief in, or worship of, multiple deities or gods.• Gods are conceived as complex personages of

greater or lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires and stories.

• The gods are not always omnipotent or omniscient; rather, they are often portrayed as similar to humans in their personality traits, but with additional individual powers, abilities, knowledge or perceptions.

• Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the Ancient Greek religion, Norse Æsir and Vanir, the Yoruba Orisha, the Aztec gods, and many others.

HINDUISMThe sound OM,

or AUM, is the most sacred symbol for Hindus. It is often used in prayer

HINDUISM

• Collection of beliefs that developed over thousands of years (combo of Arayan beliefs w/ native beliefs). No founder. India.

• Brahman is most divine spirit• Holy Men, GURUS, are spiritual teachers. They

interpret the religion. • Sacred Books: Vedas/Upanishads• Liberation from desires and suffering: Moksha. • Reincarnation based on Karma and Darma• Caste System (ex: Brahmin)

JUDAISMStar of David (shield of

David)…is the universal symbol of Judaism. It refers to King David, who ruled the kingdom of Israel.

JUDAISM

• First heavily followed monotheistic religion. • Book: Torah• God chose Abraham to be the “father” of the Hebrew

people. • To Hebrews, God (Yahweh) was not a physical being

and no images were made of Yahweh. • Migrated to Egypt from Canaan (today’s Israel) and were

forced into slavery. • Exodus: 1300-1200 BCE…Moses led them from slavery. • 900 BCE – 2 kingdoms: Judah and Israel. Judah was

destroyed by Assyrians. • Fighting for Jerusalem still exists today.

Confucius

CONFUCIANISM

CONFUCIANISM• Confucius lived during Zhou Dynasty (500’s BCE)• His influence wasn’t appreciated until Han Dynasty

(200’s BCE)• 5 Basic Relationships

1. Ruler/Subject 2. Father/Son 3.Husband/Wife 4. Older brother/younger brother 5. friends

FILIAL PIETY – respect for parents and elders.

•Social Order/Harmony

• Education is critically important

YIN YANG, represents harmony if YIN (EARTH/FEMALE/PASSIVE) and the YANG (HEAVEN/ MALE/ ACTIVE)

DAOISM

DAOISM

• Laozi (600 BCE).

• Natural Order is KEY!

• Of all creatures of nature, only humans fail to follow the Dao or “the way”.

• Government should do as little as possible and leave the people alone.

• Communion with nature instead of political chaos.

BUDDHISM

WHEEL OF LAW – his teachings are often a symbol of the wheel and interconnectedness of life and all living things.

BUDDHISM

• Siddartha Guatama – 563 BCE• Wandered to find “Enlightenment”. • 4 Noble Truths about suffering and how to

get rid of it. • 8-Fold Path = steps to Nirvana (release

from selfishness and pain. • Draws from Hinduism – but also a reaction

to harsh Hindu traditions (Caste). • Spread throughout all of Asia

CHRISTIANITY

CROSS = symbol of crucifixion of Jesus Christ…represents Jesus’ love for humanity in dying for its sins.

CHRISTIANITY

• Worship of Roman gods was impersonal, practiced without a great deal of emotion. Christianity was accepted and spread.

• Emphasized individual relationships with God. • Jesus (prophet) was born a Jew in Judea (4

BCE?). Christians believe he is the son of God.• Bible = combo of Jewish and new Christian ideas• Constantine was first Roman emperor to accept it

as the Romans expanded East. It became official religion of Rome, eventually.

ISLAMCrescent Moon – became symbol

during Ottoman Empire. Maybe 5 stars represent Pillars? Some Muslims actually do not accept it. It is often used on political flags to represent Islamic nations.

ISLAM

• Mecca, Saudi Arabia – holy city• Muhammad – Final Prophet (accepts

Abraham and Jesus as well. )…about 1000 years after AXIAL AGE!

• 5 Pillars of Faith• Monotheistic• Islamic Empire – becomes it own empire! • Trade and Commerce spread its ideas and

became a huge empire.