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World Religions

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What is religion? A religion is a set of beliefs in an ultimate reality and a set of practices used to express those beliefs. Religion is a key component of culture

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Why do we study religion? Its an important component of civilization Shapes how people interact with one another, dress, and eat

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Diffusion of Religion Throughout the World Has been caused by variety of factors including migration, missionary work, trade and war Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam three major religions that spread their religion through missionary activities Religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Judaism are associated with particular culture group Followers usually born into these religions Sometimes close contact and differences in beliefs have resulted in conflict between religious groups

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Terms to know Animism: belief that spirits inhabit natural objects and forces of nature Atheism: disbelief in the existence of any god Monotheism: belief in one God Polytheism: belief in more than one God Secularism: belief that lifes questions can be answered apart from religious belief Sect: a subdivision within a religion that has its own distinctive beliefs and/or practices Tenet: a belief, doctrine, or principle believed to be true and held in common by members of a group

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Christianity

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Background and Important Facts Claims more members than any of the other world religions (33% of world population) Spread through missionaries Dates its beginning to the death of Jesus in A.D. 33 Monotheistic: belief in one God and on the life and teachings of Jesus Believe that Jesus, who was born a Jew, is son of God and is fully divine and human They regard him as the Messiah (savior) who died for humanitys sins Believe that people are saved and achieve eternal life by faith in Jesus

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Geographic Distribution Majority of North America and Europe Some in South America Parts of Africa and India Portions of Australia

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Major Forms of Christianity Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Protestantism

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Sacred Text Bible Broken down into Two large Sections Old Testament New Testament Each sect has different number of books Considered to be the best-selling book of all time

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Sacred Symbols Cross/Crucifix The simplest and most common Christian cross is the Latin cross. It may not have come into use until the 2nd or 3rd century. The empty cross, usually favored by Protestants, reminds Christians of the resurrection, while the crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches, is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Fish (ICTHUS) Early symbol of Christians the Greek word for fish (ICHTUS), works nicely as an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" the fish would not be an obvious Christian symbol to persecutors Jesus' ministry is associated with fish: he chose several fishermen to be his disciples and declared he would make them "fishers of men." Triquetra Symbolizes the Trinity (God as father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

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Sacred Sites Church of the Nativity, located in the heart of Bethlehem, houses the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born Catholics: Vatican City in Rome Seat of power where Pope lives Church of Holy Sepulchre Believed to be on the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified

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Christian Worship Most Christians attend worship services on Sunday (the Sabbath) Includes singing, prayer, a sermon, and regularly participate in communion (aka The Eucharist) At home, many Christians pray regularly and read the Bible All Christians have been baptized (initiated by being blessed with holy water) Recognizes 7 Sacraments (sacred rituals instituted by Christ himself) Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick Believe in devotionals like saying the rosary or going on pilgrimages Have religious orders: monks, deacons, and nuns

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Christian Celebrations Advent: 4 week season that marks the beginning of the Church year and the approach of Christmas Christmas: celebration of the birth of Jesus

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Christian Celebrations Lent: 40-day period of fasting and repentance in preparation for Easter No meat on Fridays Pick something to sacrifice for 40 days Good Friday: Jesus dies on the cross Easter: Jesus rises from the dead

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Christian Celebrations Palm Sunday: sixth Sunday of Lent and last Sunday before Easter. Commemorates triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem Epiphany: recalls the visit of the Three Magi to the baby Jesus