World ReligionsWorld ReligionsWorld ReligionsWorld Religions

Five Major World Religions

• Christianity• Buddhism• Islam• Hinduism• Judaism

Five Main Questions

1. When or How did this religion start?

2. What is their philosophy/ beliefs?3. Who is their god or gods?4. What is their sacred texts or holy

book?5. How many followers and where in

the world?

Christianity• Christianity started about 2,000

years ago. (1)• Jesus, or the Messiah, was a Jewish

boy who disagreed with some of the Jewish principles of his day began to profess a new way of thinking. (1)

• This eventually led to the beginning of the Christian religion. (1)

Christianity• Jesus was the son of God. (2)• Faith in Jesus Christ will save you from

sin. (2)• God is the Creator of the universe.

There is one God, Who is Three  Persons-      Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (3)

•

Christianity• The Bible is the Holy Book that

records God's revelation. (4)• All believers are promised life

everlasting. (2)• The leader of Christianity was

Jesus, and the followers was his 12 disciples.

• Approximately 2.2 billion Christians in the world. (5)

Buddhism• 6-4th Cent. BCE (1)

• Founding person of Buddhism is Siddhartha Guatama, in NE India (1)

• He became the Buddha (3)• One Buddha, many images (3)• Buddhism is a major religion in

China, Japan, India, and Tibet. (5)

The Major Philosophy of Buddhism

• Buddhism states that existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth called reincarnation. (2)

• Each person's position in life is determined by his or her behavior in the previous life. This is known as their "karma" (also a Hindu belief). (2)

The Major Philosophy of Buddhism (2)

• Believe in 4 Noble Truth1. Life is suffering2. Suffering is caused because of

cravings and aversions3. True happiness is possible4. Follow 8 Fold Path to happiness

Buddhism • Buddhism is the second fastest

growing religion.• Approximately 376 million

Buddhists (5)• Various holy books• First holy book, Tripitaka (4)

Islam• ISLAM is the name given to the religion

preached by the prophet Muhammad in the 7th Century CE. (1)

• The Islamic religion started in the area known as Palestine. (1)

• most Muslims are in the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and parts of Africa. (5)

Islam• The holy book of Islam is the

Koran/Qur’an. Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah himself, spoken to Muhammad by an angel. (4)

• Allah, is the Islamic God. (3)

Islamic Philosophy• 5 Pillars of Islam (2)

1. No God but God2. Pray 5 times a day3. Alms4. Fasting (Ramadan)5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

Islam• Muslims learn that life on earth is a

period of testing and preparation for the life to come.

• People should behave themselves and help others, trusting in Allah's justice and mercy for their reward.

• Approximately 1.5 billion Muslims (5)

Hinduism

• HINDUISM is one of the world's oldest religions, began in India. 17th Century BCE (1)

• Over 2/3's of the world's Hindus live in India; large numbers reside in Africa also. (5)

Hindu Philosophy• Hindus believe in many gods, numbering into the thousands. • They recognize one supreme spirit called Brahman (the Absolute). (3)• The Goal of Hindus is moksha.• Until that union takes place, believers are in a continuous process of rebirth

called "reincarnation.“ (2)

Hinduism• At death, the Hindu's deeds (karma) determine what the next life will be.

• Hinduism has many sacred books, the oldest being a series called the "Vedas.“ (4)• Traditional Hindu society was divided into groups of four classes (or varnas). This was known as the "caste system." (2)• Approximately 900 million Hindus (5)

Judaism

• About 18th Century BCE.• JUDAISM was the first to teach

belief in only one God. Two other important religions developed from Judaism: Christianity and Islam. (1)

Judaism• Jews think that God will send a Messiah

(a deliverer) to unite them and lead them in His way. (2)

• Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jewish people do not agree; they anticipate His arrival in the future. (3)

• Judaism teaches that death is not the end and that there is a world to come. (2)

Judaism• The "Torah," the first five books of

the Hebrew Bible, is the most important Jewish scripture. (4)

• It contains the basic laws of Judaism.

• Another important book is the "Talmud," serving primarily as a guide to the civil and religious laws of Judaism. (4)

Jewish Philosophy• We have the obligation to worship• The Torah is God's law • God is judge • The Messiah will come. (2)

Judaism• The Jewish house of worship is called a

synagogue. • Rabbis (spiritual leaders) conduct

services, act as interpreters of Jewish laws, and deliver sermons.

• Today there are over 18 million followers of Judaism scattered throughout the world. A large number live in the Jewish nation of Israel. Over six million live in the United States. (5)

Venn Diagram• On separate sheet of paper• Create a Venn Diagram • Compare and contrast 2 of the 5

main world religions.• Write a paragraph explaining your

diagram.