World Religions Why study them anyway?

Religion can be…

Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide. In some ways Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, or at least elements within it stretch back many thousands of years. Yet Hinduism resists easy definition partly because of the vast array of practices and beliefs found within it. It is also closely associated conceptually and historically with the other Indian religions Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion.

Hinduism Main religion of India It has no founder or formal church Most Hindus practice the religion in the home where they designate a special place in the home as a shrine for worship.

Key Ideas of Hinduism: Hindus worship many gods and goddess. Each god is a part of a single supreme force called Brahman. Each person has an atman, which is a part of one universal soul.

Look #1 What do you notice? Use the right-hand column to record your thoughts Turn and Talk 1.This reminds me….. 2.I wonder why….. 3.I see what you’re saying…. 4.What you said made me think of……

Look #2 Use the right-hand column for notes Identify something that you did not notice in the first reading/look. I wonder why... Turn and Talk 1.This reminds me….. 2.I wonder why….. 3.I see what you’re saying…. 4.What you said made me think of……

The Idea of Reincarnation (samsara): the belief that the soul goes through a process of transmigration (passage of a soul after death into another body) When the body dies, the soul may be reborn in various forms from a holy person to a worm.

The true goal in life is Moksha/Liberation/Nirvana = Freeing the soul from the body so that it may unite with Brahman

Moksha/Liberation/Nirvana Can not be achieved in one lifetime. People undergo reincarnation, or rebirth of the soul in various forms.

Karma The law of karma is that every deed, whether mental or physical in this life affects a person’s fate in the future. In other words, a person’s present situation is a result of his or her deeds in a past existence.

If you have good Karma then you must be doing your Dharma Dharma is your duty in life

The Caste System A strict social and religious order. Rebirth and karma are closely tied into the caste system. There are five castes (aka: varna) Brahmin = highest caste The Untouchables = lowest; note even considered part of the system

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that best explains this religion in Five Simple Words.

Buddhism Founder: Siddharta Guatama An Indian Prince who gave up all his money and power to find “truth”. Buddha- "awakened one”

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. There are 376 million followers worldwide. Buddhists seek to reach a state of nirvana, following the path of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who went on a quest for Enlightenment around the sixth century BC. There is no belief in a personal god. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. The path to Enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists believe that life is both endless and subject to impermanence, suffering and uncertainty. These states are called the tilakhana, or the three signs of existence. Existence is endless because individuals are reincarnated over and over again, experiencing suffering throughout many lives. It is impermanent because no state, good or bad, lasts forever. Our mistaken belief that things can last is a chief cause of suffering

1. Life is suffering. 2. Human desire causes suffering. 3. If you end desires you can end suffering. 4. To end desires follow the Eight Fold Path. right action, speech, livelihood effort, mindfulness, concentration, views and intention 4 Noble Truths

-We cause others to suffer because we are unhappy with ourselves. -Live in the HERE and NOW. -We have a deep misunderstanding of who we are. -Believe in what is vs. what might be. Key Ideas

-The key to a wonderful life is to eliminate desires. -The ultimate is to reach NIRVANA. (Ultimate Goal) -Nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possible. Key Ideas

Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

Abraham’s Genealogy ABRAHAM SARAH HAGAR Isaac Esau Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes

Judaism is the ancient tradition of a relatively small community of people originally called Hebrews, or Israelites. Judaism was the first religion to hold as its central dogma the idea of monotheism: the belief that there is only one God, an infinite, omniscient source of all power and righteousness who has shared a special relationship with God’s “chosen people” since the days of the biblical forbearers Abraham and Sarah. Judaism as a religion has developed over thousands of years, but has always emphasized the oneness of God, the observance of commandments, the study of Torah and the importance of community and family. The word “Jew” itself is taken from the name Judah, who was one of the biblical Jacob’s twelve sons (and a great-grandson of Abraham). Judaism has become the manifestation of a multi-ethnic, religious and social community, with an emphasis on action supported by beliefs.

Judaism Monotheism - There is one god who is all powerful and all knowing. This god made a special covenant or agreement with Abraham, who is the ‘father’ of the Jewish people. G-d revealed his laws to his people through Moses and the ten commandments.

Key Ideas All people should live moral lives regardless of social class. All people are responsible for their own actions, people must choose between good and evil. Follow the Ten Commandments. The Messiah will come to save the followers of the faith.

Holy Texts Tanakh-Hebrew Bible Torah Talmud

Worship

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

The Story of Jesus- Christianity Emerges Born in Bethlehem (in “Palestina” controlled by the Romans) Raised Jewish Began preaching at the age of 30 Attracted many disciples (followers)

Jesus believed and taught… in one God and followed the 10 Commandments God loved everyone regardless of status, all are equal in the eyes of God. God is forgiving. All people should be humble, merciful, and unselfish and will be rewarded in with eternal life

The Romans wanted to stop Jesus Jesus was arrested and put on trial for blasphemy. Jesus was sentenced to die by crucifixion. This was a common punishment during the time. The Key to Christianity: The belief that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.

Sacred Text Worship Church

Christian Denominations Christianity has divided into three major branches over the centuries. Over the centuries, Christianity has divided into numerous denominations. Each denomination has its own distinctive beliefs or practices, but they are generally considered a branch of mainstream Christianity if they agree on core doctrines like the divinity of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible. Relationships between denominations range from mutual respect and cooperation to denial that the other group is really "Christian." 1. Roman Catholicism represents the continuation of the historical organized church as it developed in Western Europe, and is headed by the Pope. Distinctive beliefs of Catholics include the doctrines of Transubstantiation and Purgatory, and distinctive practices include devotion to the saints and Mary and use of the rosary. 2. Eastern Orthodoxy (which includes the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches and several others) is the continuation of the historical organized church as it developed in Eastern Europe. It differs from Catholicism in its refusal of allegiance to the Pope, its emphasis on the use of icons in worship, and the date it celebrates Easter. Other cultural, political, and religious differences exist as well. Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism separated in 1054 AD, when the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope excommunicated each other. 3. Protestantism arose in the 16th century during the Reformation, which took place mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and Britain. Protestants do not acknowledge the authority of the Pope, reject many traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church, emphasize the importance of reading the Bible and hold to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Protestantism encompasses numerous denominational groups, including Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians (or Anglicanism), Presbyterians, Pentecostals and Evangelicals. Most of the denominations that exist today developed in the 500 years since the Protestant Reformation and fall under the "Protestant" branch.

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

ISLAM Submission to the will of Allah

Islam is a major world religion started by theProphet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century C.E. The Arabic term islām, literally “surrender,” illuminates the fundamental religious idea of Islam—that the believer (called a Muslim, from the active particle of islām) accepts surrender to the will of Allah (in Arabic, Allāh: God). Allah is viewed as the sole God—creator, sustainer, and restorer of the world. The will of Allah, to which human beings must submit, is made known through the sacred scriptures, the Qurʾān (often spelled Koran in English), which Allah revealed to his messenger, Muhammad. In Islam Muhammad is considered the last of a series of prophets (including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus), and his message simultaneously consummates and completes the “revelations” attributed to earlier prophets. Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers.

Key Ideas  Muslims are strict monotheists.  Allah is the Arabic word for god.  Founder of Islam is Mohammed

Key Ideas  Sacred Text-Qur’an  Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.  House of Worship-Mosque

The 5 pillars of Islam

Shahadah - Witnessing Professing the faith to one god, Allah and Mohammed as his prophet.

Salat Daily prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca

Sawm - Fasting Fasting is abstaining from the following between dawn and sunset during the holy month of Ramadan: – Eating – Drinking – Sexual encounters

Hajj – Pilgrimage Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s lifetime

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

World Religions Top Ten List Part 1 With on your own: 1. Review all your notes on World Religions. 2. Create a list of the ten most important facts or ideas we should all know about World Religions 3. For each idea on the list, provide your reason as to why you put it on the list.

World Religions Top Ten List Part 2 With your partner: 1. Share your World Religions Top Ten with your partner and vice versa. 2.After sharing collaborate to create one FINAL list of the ten most important facts or ideas we should all know about World Religions. 3. For each idea on the list, provide your reason as to why you put it on the list. 4. Prepare to present to the class.

World Religions Top 10! Fact from NotesWe think you should know this because… Please include two ideas from each religion.