Ethnic Religions Judaism and Hinduism

What is an Ethnic Religion? Ethnic religions generally appeal to one group of people of a particular culture and region. Ethnic religions generally do not have founder and do not diffuse very far. Ethnic calendars and holy days are tied to seasons and lunar cycle.

Hinduism Hinduism is the largest ethnic religion, concentrated in its hearth of India. Its collection of holy writings are the Vedas. Its polytheistic & teaches reincarnation based on karma. In Hinduism, temples are homes to one or more gods, and are usually small since Hindus don’t worship in large groups. In Hindu landscapes, crematoriums are important – Ganges is the holiest river, with Hardwar being the most popular spot to bath in the river. – Mt. Kailas is also holy as the source of the Ganges. – There are thousands of local shrines that Hindus visit in a tirtha (pilgrimage for purification).

Question What are ways pilgrimages may affect an area?

Judaism Judaism is the first monotheistic religion (Yahweh), hearth in Palestine, and its founder was Abraham. It is the only ethnic religion diffused across planet, because of the diaspora. Its holy books are the Torah and the Talmud. – They follow this covenant closely as “chosen” people. Jews worship in synagogues and bury their dead in cemeteries, and their symbol is the star of David. Jerusalem is the holiest site for Jews, with one wall left from its ancient temple, called the Western Wall or Wailing Wall.

Summary What do you notice about distribution of Hinduism and Judaism?