ch 3 world religions

CH 3 World Religions

Bell Ringer

• What are the three monotheistic religions?

• What is the difference between Judaism and Christianity?

• Where is Christianity the most common religion?

Bell Ringer

• Who founded Buddhism?

• What is the eightfold path?

• Can you name any one of the principles of the eightfold path?

• Judaism

• Christianity

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

• Confucianism

Spread of World Religions Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlPllBDRZ2U

3 Major Monotheistic Religions

• Monotheism is the belief in a single, all powerful God.

• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all believe in one god.

• In fact they all technically believe in the SAME God.– Abraham: Father of

Monotheism

Judaism

• Most historians agree that Abraham probably was a real person (2000 BCE, Mesopotamia)

• Abraham was said to have entered into a covenant with God.– Covenant: a sacred agreement

• The descendants of Abraham agreed to follow the teachings of this One True God, and they became known as the Israelites, Hebrews, or Jewish people.

• Judaism follows the Torah (sacred text).

• The Torah contains five books– Genesis– Exodus– Leviticus– Numbers– Deuteronomy

• These five books are also the first five books of the Christian Bible. They would also be considered as holy text by followers of Islam.

Brief Jewish History

• Abraham and his followers would move to the land of Canaan (Modern day Israel).

• The Israelites would be enslaved in Egypt by the Pharaohs, but be freed by Moses.

• Again they would settle Israel, but eventually be conquered and begin the Jewish Diaspora (Period of time when Jews had no official homeland)

• This will end with the creation of Israel in 1947

Beliefs

• Judaism had one True god (Yahweh). NOT POLYTHESTIC.

• Holy day of the week is called the Sabbath.• Follow the ten commandments (where

Christians got them from)• Jewish holidays will start/end at sun down of

respective days.

Christianity• Second Major Monotheistic religion

to be born out of the Middle East.• The first Christians were Jews,

followed Jewish Laws, and held Jewish beliefs.

• Jesus was Jewish, and generally agreed to have existed according to historians.

• Only AFTER the death of Jesus the Religion of Christianity even begin to exist.

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a territory ruled by the Romans

• Jesus taught that God was actually merciful, and not vengeful as portrayed in Jewish texts. Started teaching around 20 CE.

• He had a number of followers who were known as apostles.

• Jesus was seen as a trouble maker by the Romans, and was executed (most likely) for suspicion of starting an insurrection.

• Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead, the Resurrection.

Beliefs

• Believe in one true God (God).• Christian holy book is called the Bible (Old

Testament = Jewish, New Testament = Christian)• Complex ideas: Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)• Belief in resurrection and salvation of its believers.• Held many beliefs in common with Judaism, but

major differences. (Able to eat shell fish and split hooved animals)

Islam

• Last of the monotheistic religions from the Middle east.

• Taught by Muhammad, who was born in Mecca around 570 CE.

• Muhammad came to know of the one true God when the Angel Gabriel told him of it.

• Muhammad started to preach of his teachings in Mecca.

• Islam means “to submit,” meaning those who “submit to God’s will.” (Muslims)

• Muhammad was seen as a threat to local leaders and was driven out of Mecca to the nearby village of Medina.

• After time the Muslims were strong enough, captured Mecca, destroyed the Ka’bah (place of idol worship), and reformed it into a holy shrine of Islam.

Beliefs• Believe in one true God (Allah).• Holy Scripture is called the

Qu’ran (Koran)• Muslims also follow the

Sunnah, or teachings and lessons of Muhammad.

• Muslims believe it would be idolatry to worship an image of Muhammad or Allah so they use stylized script.

5 Pillars of Islam

1. Profession of Faith– “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his

prophet.”2. Daily Prayer– Muslims are to pray 5 times a day facing Mecca

3. Charity– Muslims are to give 2.5% of their surplus wealth

to charity every year.

4. Fasting– During Ramadan Muslims are to abstain from

eating or drinking from sun up to sun down for the MONTH.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)– Every Muslim in their life time is encouraged to

travel to Mecca to pray at the Ka’bah with fellow believers. This is not required, but strongly encouraged for Muslims.

Hinduism

• Started in roughly the 2000s BCE and has no clear founder

• The religion draws heavily on the influences of the people of India

• It is an extremely complex religion with many gods existing.

• A nomadic people from the Indus, called the Aryans, are important to Hinduism

• The roots of Hinduism are traced to the Vedas (which is comparable to the holy text)

• It is believed that the Aryans brought the Vedas to India.

• The Vedas– Are a way to sing and praise the gods– Explain elaborate rituals to keep the universe in

balance– The Priest who carry out these rituals are

extremely important to Hinduism

Beliefs

• The Vedas call for a Caste system (4 levels)– Brahmins: Top Level/Priests

– Kshatriyas (Kasha-tree-uhs): Rulers & Warriors

– Vaishyas (Viesh-yuhs): Herders & Merchants

– Shudras: servants, farmers, and laborers

• Hinduism is polytheistic.• Some people worship one single god, some

people worship multiple gods.• Hindus believe that life repeats itself: birth, life,

death. (Reincarnation)– Dharma: duty or obligation to live a honorable life

– Karma: good and evil done in the past life determines the nature of that person’s next life

– If you’re good enough a Hindu can free himself from the Karma moksha, rebirth, and unite with Brahman

Buddhism

• Arose from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

• The story goes: Siddhartha was born a prince in a wealthy family. He left his home to see pain and suffering. He shortly after left his comfortable life to find a greater truth.

• He determined that the path to enlightenment was not through excess or minimum, but a “Middle Path”

• Through meditation Sid was said to reach nirvana (a state of happiness & peace) & became the Buddha.

• He soon began to spread his teachings.

Noble Truths

• 1st Noble Truth: Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts forever.”

• 2nd Noble Truth: The cause for suffering is desire.”• 3rd Noble Truth: Removing desire removes

suffering.”• 4th Noble Truth: The way to remove desire is to

follow the Eightfold Path.” (guidelines to enlightenment)

Eightfold Path

Spread of Buddhism

• Spread by Missionaries and Traders.

• While Hinduism is dominant in India, Buddhism is dominant in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan

Confucianism

• Not so much a religion, but more a philosophy.

• Founded by Confucius

• Originally from China

Beliefs• As a young man China was in chaos because

the rulers had lost control. • People viewed this as losing the Mandate of

Heaven (the heavenly support to rule)• Confucius believed that studying tradition and

order would help to restore the Mandate.• His main goal was to influence the government

to be better.• While he was a failure during his life he has

been hugely important to Chinese culture.

Beliefs

• Building a better more harmonious society would bring humans closer to heaven.

• People should be ethical, improve relationships, and respect others.

• Parents and rulers should set good examples.• Urges respect for everyone regardless of class

or role in society.• Called for Universal Education.

5 Relationships

1. Parent/Child2. Husband/Wife3. Older sibling/Younger Sibling4. Friend/Friend5. Ruler/Subject

• Filial Piety: Children's respect for parents, was HUGELY important to social order.