The Five Major Religions of the World

Judaism

Judaism

• Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion ever to exist.

• This means Jewish people were the first to believe in one god.

Judaism

• Judaism dates back 5,000 years when Jews were a nomadic people called the Hebrews who lived in the Middle East.

Judaism• A man named Abraham is

believed to have been the first Jew and Judaism’s founding father.

Judaism

• According to scriptures, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation.

• Abraham believed, but he and his wife were very, very old.

Judaism

• Since his wife was very old, Abraham conceived a child with his maidservant, who was not Jewish, but Arab.

• She had a son, named Ishmael.

Judaism

• According to scripture, Abraham’s wife finally did conceive a son, and they named him Isaac.

• As promised, the Hebrews or Jews, became very numerous and a large, powerful nation.

Fam ily T ree

IS LA M ICF A IT H

Ishm ae l

H ag ar (m a id )A rab

JE W IS HF A IT H

Isa ac

S arah (w ife )H e brew

"F a th e r"A B R A H A M

H e brew

Judaism

• Centuries later, another great leader, named Moses, led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt and led them on a long journey to the “promised land” (the land promised to them by God – Israel)

Judaism

• Jewish people believe that it was through Moses that God gave them the books of their sacred text, The Torah.

• On Mt. Sinai, Moses listened and recorded the Torah from God. He also recorded the 10 commandments.

JudaismThe Ten Commandments

Judaism

• Another revered figure is King David. Under his wisdom and leadership he unites the people and establishes a mighty capital in the city of Jerusalem.

Judaism

•King David’s son, King Solomon, built the first great temple to God in Jerusalem.

Judaism

• The basic belief of the Jews is in the existence of one God who created the world and is eternal and invisible.

• They believe that they have a special relationship with God which dates back to the time of Abraham.

Judaism

• The purpose of every Jew is Tikkum Olam.

• Tikkam = Repair

• Olam = World

Judaism

• Jewish people must love God and respect all people.

• Following God’s laws and rules is very important

Judaism

• Jewish people also believe that God will one day send a leader, called the Messiah, who will bring peace and harmony to the whole world.

• This Messiah will “save them.”

Judaism• Jews worship in a

synagogue, which means “meeting place.”

• The teachers of the Jewish faith are called Rabbis.

Synagogues come in many different styles.

Judaism• The Star of David, seen here, is a

symbol of the Jewish faith.

• The star represents a very important number to Jewish people. The star has 6 points and 1 center = the holy number: 7.

•It is also called Magen David, as it comes from a design on the shield, or magen, or King David.

Judaism

According to Jewish law, anyone who has a Jewish mother counts as a Jew whether or not they actively follow Judaism as their religion.

Judaism• There are many branches of Judaism including:

1) Orthodox (follow the Torah exactly; worship is said in Hebrew)

2) Reform* 3) Conservative*

*Both believe that the Torah can be adapted to modern life

Judaism• Many Orthodox Jews wear “yarmulkas”

(a round cap for the skull) as a sign of God’s presence

Judaism

• Special ceremonies must follow certain commandments, or mitzvoth

• When a baby boy is born, he is circumcised as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.

                                                                                                                                             

Judaism • When a boy turns 13 he has a Bar

Mitzvah ceremony to mark his entry into adulthood.

• Now days, when girls reach the age of 12 they celebrate a Bat Mitzvah. However, this wasn’t always the case.

• During this ceremony, the young person must read in the synagogue from the Torah for the first time.

Judaism

• Jewish people eat only 'Kosher‘ foods.

• Kosher means that a food is permitted or 'clean', while anything 'unclean' (such as pork and shellfish) is strictly forbidden.

Judaism• Preparation of food is key, especially with

slaughtering animals

• Certain foods cannot touch other types of foods (such as dairy and meats)

• Fasting is apart of many celebrations

• Bitter herbs are consumed during Passover to represent the suffering of the Israelites under the Egyptians.

Judaism

• Pesach, or Passover, is a celebration of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.

• It is celebrated in March or April.

Judaism

• Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish year. It is a day of prayer and fasting when Jews ask for forgiveness for any wrong they have done.

Judaism• Hannakah is a

celebration of the miracle of lights.

• During a rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees, there was only enough oil to last one day; however, the the lamps stayed lit for 8 days… a miracle!

Judaism

• Today there are about 14 million Jews living all around the world.

• Most, however, live in Israel (their promised land), Europe, or the United States.

Christianity

Christianity

• Christianity dates back about 2 thousand years ago in the Middle East, during Roman rule.

• It is a monotheistic religion that believes there are three entities in one God, called the Trinity (the Father God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).

Christianity

• The founder of the faith was a Jewish man, who came from the line of King David.

• His name was Jesus Christ.

Christianity

• According to Jesus and his believers, he was God’s son, the Messiah, sent to save the world from its sin, by dieing for it.

Christianity

• Although Jesus was Jewish, he was not always happy with the Jewish Rabbis and teachers.

• Although they followed the law very strictly, they did not have a personal relationship with God. Their lives were all about rules, and not about loving God.

Christianity

• When Jewish teachers asked Jesus what was the most important commandment, he responded by stating: “To love the lord your God with all your heart.”

• This was a new commandment.

Christianity

• Christians believe in an afterlife. Your soul either goes to “Heaven” (to live eternally with God in perfect peace) OR to go to “hell” (a place of eternal damnation and pain)

Christianity

• Jesus claimed that because God was perfect that he would not allow anything unclean or imperfect to be in heaven with him.

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

• “And the wages of sin, is death” (spiritual death in hell)

Christianity

• So, because humans could never be totally perfect, God had sent his own son (who was perfect) to die as a “perfect” sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world.

• In a sense, Jesus paid the price for sinners. He died so they wouldn’t have to.

Christianity

• Along with preaching this message, Jesus also performed many miracles.

• He made blind people see, deaf people hear, lame people walk, and even made a dead man come back to life.

Christianity

• People came from all around to see this man who performed so many miracles, and who taught them the Kingdom of Heaven was through faith in Christ.

Christianity• Many Jewish teachers, however,

refused to believe.

• They were expecting a messiah who would save them from Roman rule and oppression from other armies. But Christ claimed that he was sent to save the people from their sins. This is not what the Jewish people had expected.

Christianity

• At Christ’s last supper, he explained to his disciples that he was about to give up his life for them. He broke bread, which represented that his body was about to be broken. They also drank wine to represent the blood that he was about to shed.

Christianity

• Jesus told his disciples that the temple was going to be destroyed, and that he would rebuild it in three days.

• He was talking about his body; but his disciples thought he was talking about the Jewish temple.

Christianity

• According to the Bible, it was his own disciple, Judas, who turned him in to the Jewish leaders. These Jewish leaders turned him into the Romans to be executed, for blasphemy, claiming to be God’s son.

• He was executed by crucifixion.

Christianity• Three days after his death, Mary (the

mother of Jesus), Mary Magdalene, and Martha went to put spices on the body. But when they arrived the body was not there.

Christianity

• Christ appeared to them in a new form, and told them to go and tell the disciples that he had been resurrected.

• When the disciples saw him they were overjoyed.

Christianity

• Christ told his followers to go and tell all who will believe that the only way into heaven is through faith in him.

Christianity

• Before Christ ascended into heaven, he also told his disciples that he would send his holy spirit to be with them.

• This spirit would enter into any believer and help guide and comfort them.

Christianity• After Jesus left, the disciples

traveled great distances telling everyone about God’s son, who had willingly died, and been resurrected for our sins.

• Most of the disciples were imprisoned, but they wouldn’t stop preaching this message. Many were even crucified for their beliefs.

Christianity• Many of his disciples sent letters to

various churches all around the region, reminding them of Christ’s teachings.

• These letters are what make up most of the New Testiment, in the Bible. The Old Testiment includes the books in the Hebrew Torah.

• Christians believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and that every word comes from God.

Christianity

• For a Christian, there are many important celebrations.

• The most important one is that of baptism.

Christianity

• Baptism represents that you were once a dirty, sinner, but that you are buried with Christ (when you are under the water) and then raised with Christ to walk a new, clean life (as you come up out of the water).

• It is as though Christ’s perfect death has covered up or washed away your sins.

Christianity

• Another important tradition is the act of sharing in “communion.”

• Communion is a time to remember the sacrifice Christ made by eating broken bread and drinking wine or grape juice.

Christianity

• There are not any restrictions on a Christian’s diet.

• However, many Christians choose to fast for holy days.

• Also, many Catholics will give up a food during a period called Lent.

Christianity

• The holiest day for Christians is Easter. This is the day that Christ’s resurrection is celebrated.

Christianity

• Easter is celebrated with a worship service or mass and usually a big feast with family.

• Some people hide eggs. Eggs are a symbol of new life. Christians believe that a new life can be found in Christ’s resurrection.

Christianity

• Christmas is also an important holy day. It is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. They give each other gifts on this holiday; however, they remind each other that the most important gift was God’s gift of his son, Jesus.

Christianity

• There are many branches of Christianity

• Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox are two branches. They are similar in that they place a huge emphasis in following traditions and rules.

Christianity

• Another branch of Christianity is called Protestantism. This comes from the word “Protest.”

• Protestants include many groups (including Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc)

Christianity

• It is called Protestantism, from the word Protest, because in the 16th century many people began to protest the Catholic church. The leader of this movement was a monk named Martin Luther.

Christianity

• To this day, Christianity is the most wide spread religion on earth.

• It has over a billion followers.

Islam

Islam

• The Islamic faith dates back thousands of years.

• However, the founder of Islam is the prophet Muhammad, who was born about 1,500 years ago.

Islam

• People who believe is the Islamic faith refer to themselves as Muslims.

• Like Christians and Jews, Islam is a monotheistic religion, believing in one god, Allah.

Islam

• Muslim’s holy books are called the Qu’ran (Koran) and the Hadiths.

• Many of the stories in their holy books are similar to the stories in the Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible.

Islam• Muslims believe that Allah

reveals his message to a series of prophets.

• The first was Adam, the first man.

• Other prophets include: Abraham (or Ibrahim), Moses (or Musa), and Isa (or Jesus).

Islam

• Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last and greatest prophet.

• It is believed that Allah, or God, revealed to Muhammad His will and wishes for the world.

Islam

• Muhammad was born in Mecca (a city in Saudi Arabia).

• He was an orphan and was raised by his grandfather and uncle.

Islam

• When he was 25, Muhammad married a rich widow and worked as a merchant.

• Although he had many things, he became dissatisfied with the way people lived and worshiped.

Islam

• One night, in 610 AD, while Meditating on Mt. Hira, the Angel Gabriel, or Jibril, appeared and began to reveal Allah’s message to him.

Islam• Muhammad is said to have

experienced a miraculous event. The angel Jibril took him from Mecca to Jerusalem in one night. There he prayed and worshiped with prophets from the past.

• That journey became known as “The Night Journey”

Islam

• It was there that Allah told Muhammad that Muslims should pray five times a day.

Islam

• Muhammad also received from Allah “The Five Pillars of Faith.”

• Like the pillars that hold up a building, these pillars are what hold up the Islamic faith. Without one, faith would not be firm or complete.

Islam

• The First of the Five Pillars:

“Shahadah” or “declaration of faith”

It states: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”

1st = FAITH

Islam

• Second of the Five Pillars:

“Salah” or prayer.

Muslims must pray five times a day between dawn and dusk.

2nd = PRAYER

Islam

• Third of the Five Pillars:

“Zakah” or giving to charity

3rd = GIVING

Islam

• Fourth of the Five Pillars:

“Sawm” or fasting during the holy month of Ramadan

4th = FASTING

Islam

• Fifth of the Five Pillars:

“Hajj” or a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

5th = PILGRIMAGE

Islam

Muslims believe it is very important to follow the Five Pillars and to also do good deeds throughout life.

• According to Muslims, two angels follow you throughout your life and record all of your good and bad deeds.

Islam

• When you die, if you have more good deeds you will be taken into a land of paradise. If you have more bad deeds will go to Hell.

Islam

• After teaching the messages revealed to him from Allah, Muhammad ascended into heaven on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem.

• He left behind a great following of believers in the Islamic faith.

Islam

• Today, Muslims practice many traditions and celebrations that were taught to them by the prophet Muhammad.

Islam• Muslims try to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at

least once in their lives.

• As they enter Mecca, they must change into white clothes to represent that they are equal.

Islam

• During the pilgrimage, Muslims walk around the Ka’aba shrine seven times.

Islam• Next, they go to Mt. Arafat, where Muhammad

preached his last sermon.

• At Mina, they throw stones at three pillars representing the devil, which is what Abraham or Ibrahim did, according to scripture.

Islam

• Id ul-Adha takes place at the end of the Hajj.

• It remembers how the prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son to obey Allah.

Islam

• Id ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is marked with prayers, parties, and giving money to charity.

Islam

• Muslims continue to pray five times a day.

• Prayer can occur anywhere, as long as it is a clean place, or they lay a prayer mat on the floor.

Islam

• Muslims pray and worship Allah in a mosque.

• Inside most mosques there is a tall tower, and inside there is a large prayer hall, with an arch indicating the direction of Mecca.

Mosques come in different sizes; but

have many similarities in architecture.

Islam

• In some places, mosques will sound the “Call to Prayer.” This is when the Muezzin calls in Arabic that it is time to pray.

Islam

Islam has two branches:

1) Sunnis

90% of Muslims are Sunni Muslims.

2) Shi’ites

10% of Muslims are Shi’ites

Most Shi’ites live in Iran or Iraq

Islam• After Muhammad’s death, the

Muslims were led by Khalifas, or Caliphs. Under their leadership, the term “jihad” is formed.

• A “jihad” is a person struggle against evil which occurs within every person’s heart.

• Or a “jihad” is a war that defends Islam.

Jihad = inner war (good vs. evil)

OR

Jihad = outer war to defend faith

Islam

• There are different words for the leader or teacher of Islam. They include: Imam, Khatib, Masjid, and many others.

Islam

• According to the laws of Islam, Muslim men and women must dress modestly.

Islam

• When a Muslim woman gets married or comes to the age when she is no longer a child, she then must wear a veil.

• In some places, a woman can show her whole face and hands. In other places, the veil must cover the entire body.

Islam

• Because the Qu’ran is very vague about the matter of the veil, it has been debated among many different Muslim scholars.

• “Tell the faithful women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their scarf to cover their bosom”

Koran, 24:31 (English translation)

Islam

• Regulations on food are called “halal.”

• Prohibited foods are called “haram.” • Foods that cannot be eating, include: pork,

alcohol, foods with animal fats, tinned vegetables, certain margarines, and bread or bread products that contain dried yeast. Gelatine (made from pig) is also considered haram.Caffeinated drinks are sometimes forbidden.

Islam

• Today, Islam is the second most prevalent religion on earth (second to Christianity).

• Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth.

• Currently, there are over 1 billion Muslims on earth.

Islam

• Most Muslims live in the Middle East or North Africa.

• However, Muslims can also be found in the United States, Europe, and beyond.

Hinduism

Hinduism

• Hinduism is also known as Sanatana Dharma, which means eternal law or teaching.

• It is one of the world’s oldest religions. Its roots are roughly 4,500 years old

• It began during a civilization of people called the Indus Valley Civilization

Hinduism

• However, Hinduism, as it is practiced today actually borrowed many ideas from the Aryans (a nomadic group) who began to invade India around 1500 BC.

Hinduism

• Both the ancient Indus Valley civilization and the Aryans believed in many gods and goddesses.

Hinduism• Hindus believe in a great soul

or spirit, called Brahman, or God.

• Brahman has no shape or form and cannot be seen.

• His spirit is composed of many other gods and goddesses, which represent some part of his character.

Hinduism

The three most important gods in Hinduism are the trimurti or trinity:

1) Brahma – the creator of the universe

2) Vishnu – the protector

3) Shiva – the destroyer

Hinduism

• Hindus try to live their lives according to a code of behavior called dharma. This means doing their duty to their family and friends, helping their neighbors, being kind to others, and telling the truth.

Hinduism• Hindus believe in reincarnation, the idea

that when a person dies their soul is reborn again in another body.

Hinduism

• Their next life is dictated by the good or bad deeds in present life, and by their results, known as kharma.

• The goal of a Hindu’s spiritual life is to break free of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and to achieve moksha, or ultimate salvation.

Hinduism

• In order to break the cycle and achieve moksha, there are four paths.

• 1. Bhakti (Devotion)

• 2. Jnana (Knowledge)

• 3. Karma (Action)

• 4. Yoga (meditation)

Hinduism

• Hindus who follow the first path, bhakti (devotion), devote themselves to a personal god, such as Krishna or Rama.

Hinduism• Hindus who follow the second

step, jnana (knowledge) try to find the true meaning of life through learning and study.

• Hindus following the third step, karma (action), means they try to act selflessly without thought for their own reward – but always thinking and acting for others.

Hinduism

• A Hindu following the fourth and final step, yoga (meditation), train their bodies and minds to bring them closer to moksha.

Hinduism

• Hindus have many important texts including the Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Puranas, and epic Tantras.

Hinduism• Hindus worship in

temples, or mandirs

• Each temple is dedicated to one god or goddess or a holy man.

Hinduism

• Hindus believe that cows are sacred and cannot be harmed or killed.

• This is because cows are associated with the god Krishna and Kamadhenu.

• Likewise, cows are revered because they are givers of milk, one of the most precious sources of food.

Hinduism

• Because of this, some Hindus do not eat beef. Others do not eat pork.

• In some geographic areas of India, duck and crab may also be forbidden.

• Dairy products, however, are believed to enhance spiritual purity.

Hinduism

• This symbol forms the sanskrit letters to represent the sacred sound “Aum” (Om). This is spoken at the beginning and end of every prayer and repeated during meditation.

Hinduism• Another important symbol for

Hindus is a bindi, which is a symbolic dot that is placed in the middle of the forehead.

• The bindi is said to cover the third eye, a chakra on the body where energy from the body can be released during meditation.

Hinduism

• In ancient times an unmarried girl would wear a black bindi, and a married girl, a red one.

• Many people do not realize that both men and women wear bindis.

Hinduism

• Many Hindu women wear Saris. This style of dress is prevalent in India.

Hinduism

• You may find a Hindu man wearing a turban, or a covering over his head.

• A turban is a symbol of dignity. To slap off a person’s turban is a huge insult.

Hindusim

• Henna is a form of art that is adorned on the body or hands.

• It is a temporary tattoo.

• It is often applied for various Hindu ceremonies, especially a wedding.

Hinduism• Arranged Marriages

have been popular in India and in the Hindu religion for centuries.

• Although not as common, arranged marriages still occur in India today.

Hinduism

• Today over 800 million people in the world consider themselves Hindu.

• Hinduism is most prevalent in India, where 8 out of every 10 people considers themselves such.

Buddhism

Buddhism

• Buddhism began in India around 2,500 year ago.

• It is based on the teachings of a nobleman named Siddartha Gautama.

Buddhism

• Buddhism does not believe in any gods or goddesses.

• Gods and goddess are believed to be made up to help calm our fears. But Buddhism teaches that we must be the ones to face our fears, and not rely on gods/goddess to make us feel safe.

Buddhism

• According to legend, Siddhartha’s mother, Queen Maya, conceived him when a god in the form of a pure, white elephant came to her in a dream. In the dream, the elephant touched her with a lotus flower and thus conceived Siddhartha.

Buddhism

• Siddartha grew up in lavish luxury, a prince!

Buddhism

• Siddartha did not know of the pain and suffering of the world, until he took a trip at the age of 29.

• During this trip he saw a sick man, an old man, and a dead man.

Buddhism

• Seeing the pain and suffering of the world made Siddartha very upset.

• However, during the trip he also saw a holy man. This man was very poor but very content and happy.

• Siddartha realized then that pain and suffering could be overcome spiritually.

Buddhism

• So at the age of 29 Siddartha gave up all of his worldly possessions in search for the spiritual truth that could set him free from pain and suffering.

• He cut off his hair as a sign of all that he was giving up.

Buddhism

• One day while meditating under a tree, he found the answer. And from that moment on, he is known as “The Enlightened One” or the Buddha.

Buddhism

• He realized that each man must search for truth on his own and in his own way.

• He also realized that the reason why humans suffer is because they always want more.

Buddhism

• Today, Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha.

• The five rules Buddhists follow include:1) Do not kill or harm living things2) Do not steal3) Do not lie 4) Abstain from sexual misconduct5) Abstain from drugs and alcohol

Buddhism

• Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in karma, the law of cause and effect

• Also like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation. Good deeds lead to a better rebirth; bad deeds lead to a bad rebirth. And that the goal of the spirit is to break this cycle by achieving perfect peace in Nirvana.

Buddhism

• To achieve Nirvana, Buddhists believe they must follow Buddha’s teachings and develop the qualities of compassion, loving-kindness, and generosity in their lives.

• Anyone can achieve Nirvana… no matter what class. This is different than with Hinduism, which believes only the highest class (Brahmins) can achieve “moksha.”

Buddhism

• The cycle that every person must travel through, (birth, death, rebirth) is often symbolized by the Wheel of Life.

Buddhism• An important day for Buddhists is known

as Wesak. This is the day in May that the moon is full.

• Now days, it is called “Buddha Day”

• Buddhists celebrate this day because it is the day Siddhartha was born, the day he became enlightened, and on his 80th birthday –the day he died and achieved Nirvana.

Buddhism

• The Buddhist New Year is an important celebration.

• It is celebrated for three days from the full moon in April.

• Buddhists celebrations and festivals include visiting a local temple, offering food to the monks/shrines, and giving away money to charity.

Buddhism

• In Buddhism, there are beings called Bodhisattvahs.

• They can reach Nirvana, but in their ultimate compassion, choose to stay here instead, in the form of a human or sculpture – to aid all other beings to reach their owns Nirvanas before going to their own.

Statues of Buddha

Bodhisattva Statues

Buddhism

• This figure is often referred to as the “Happy Buddha”

• It isn’t, however, a statue of Buddha – but a Boddhisattva of Maitreya – meaning one who has loving kindness.

• The large belly and hemp sack represent plentiful wealth and prosperity

Buddhism

• Buddhists worship in a temple, vihara.

• Their sacred text is called The Tripitaka

Buddhism

Buddhism• Food regulations for Buddhists really

depend on the area and branch of Buddhism that is practiced.

• A vegetarian lifestyle is common. Although some Buddhists eat meat.

Buddhism

• Buddhism has spread all over the world, but is prevalent in places such as China, Tibet, Japan, Thailand, and other far east Asian countries.

• 330 million people are Buddhists

Buddhism• There are many different

branches of Buddhism including:

1) Zen Buddhism (Japan; focus on riddles to expand the mind)

2) Tibetan Buddhism (Tibet; focus on magic and rituals – their leader is the Dalai Lama)

Other Religions of the World

• There are many other religions in the world.

• The five we discussed in this presentation were simply the major ones.

Have you heard of any other religions?

The End