World Religions (WR) Learning Objectives Understand what religion is. Understand that religion is a personal choice in America. Understand the earliest origins of religion in World History (WH). Understand religion’s significant impact on societies in WH. Identify the world’s five largest and most influential religions and one ethics system practiced as a religion. Identify significant events in WH influenced by religion. Identify ongoing debates concerning religion that may impact future WH.

World Religion (WR) What is Religion? Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality, and to the supernatural. Many WR have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that are intended to explain the meaning of life and/or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. Religion is a dominate force in the world affecting many aspects of there life including how they behave, who they marry, how they spend their money, what they wear, etc.

World Religions (WR) Religion is a personal choice! Religion is a very personal choice that should be respected without prejudice. Religion is based on faith, something that cannot be proven with 100% evidence. Atheism, the choice to have no religion in an individual’s life should also be respected.

World Religions (WR) Where are the earliest origins of religion in WH? Most respected archeologists advocate the theory that the Neanderthals societies practiced the earliest forms of religion in animal worship as evidenced in cave drawings almost 400,000 years ago. Neanderthal cave drawing of half man and half animal deity.

World Religions (WR) How does religion influence world societies? * Morals…….principals of right and wrong * Ethics……..rules of individual conduct * Laws……….a rule or restriction enforced by authority * Lifestyles…individual choices concerning eating, sleeping, living, etc.

World Religions (WR) The Five Largest World Religions? Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Judaism Confucianism..not a religion in the traditional sense, rather an ethical system.

World Religions (WR) Christianity * Largest religion in the world with 2+ billion followers. * The symbol of Christianity is the cross. * The founder is Jesus Christ. * The holy book is called the bible. * Leadership is Priests, Pastors, Ministers, Monks, Nuns. * Three largest Christian religions are Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox. * Christians believe there is only one God. * Christians believe Christ entered the world and died to save man from sin.

World Religions (WR) Islam * Second largest religion in the world with 1.6 billion followers. * The symbol of Islam is the Crescent Moon. * The founder is Muhammad. * The holy book is called the Qur’an. * There is no clergy, leadership is the Imam who lead prayer. * The two largest sects are the Sunni and Shi’a Muslims * Muslims believe they achieve salvation by following the five pillars of Islam and living a just life. * Five pillars are faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca.

World Religions (WR) Hinduism * Third largest religion in the world with 850million followers. * The symbol of Hinduism is the Aum. * There is no recognized founder of Hinduism. * There is no holy book, rather the religion is guided by sacred texts. * Leadership is provided by gurus, holy men, and Brahmin priests. * Hindus believe the soul never dies, but is continually reborn. * Hindus believe to achieve happiness they must free themselves of earthly desires. * Hindus believe freedom from earthly desires comes from a lifetime of worship, knowledge and virtuous acts.

World Religions (WR) Buddhism * Fourth largest religion in the world with 340 million followers. * The symbol of Buddhism is the wheel of life. * The founder of Buddhism is Buddha. * There is no holy book, rather the religion is guided by sacred texts. * Leadership is provided by Buddhist monks and nuns. * Buddhists believe the soul never dies, but is continually reborn. * Buddhists believe happiness is achieved by eliminating attachment to worldly things. * Buddhists happiness is achieved by following the noble eightfold plan; right views, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.

World Religions (WR) Judaism * Fifth largest religion in the world with 16 million followers. * The symbol of Judaism is the Star of David. * The founder of Judaism is Abraham. * The holy book of the Jewish religion is the Hebrew Bible (Torah) * Leadership is provided by Rabbis * Jews believe there is only one God who watches over all people. * Jews believe God loves his people but holds them accountable for their sins. * Jews believe people serve God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings.

World Religions (WR) Confucianism * Not traditionally a religion, but an ethical system. * The symbol of Confucianism is the yin and yang. * The founder of Confucianism is Confucius. * The holy book of Confucianism is Analects in five classics. * There is no clergy in Confucianism. * Followers believe strong order, harmony and government are based on strong family relationships. * Followers believe respect for parents and elders is important for well ordered society. * Followers believe education is important to the welfare of the individual and society.

World Religions (WR) Significant World Events Influenced by WR * The Crusades * The Thirty Year War * Spanish Inquisition * The Holocaust * The Arab- Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973 * 9/11 Attack on New York City * Among literally thousands of historical events.

World Religion (WR) Religion’s Influence on Future WH? * Religion is believed to have the most impact on human behavior that will lead the world. * Religion’s impact on WH has and can be expected to repeat itself if unaltered. * If the carnage and atrocities of previous WH is to be avoided in the future, than education led by tolerance will have to prevail. * Understanding religion is the key to promoting its highest principle.. Love!

World Religions (WR) Religion has been and continues to be one of the most significant aspects of human behavior that has and will continue to influence and shape World History. The five primary religions of the world are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. Confucianism is a system of ethics practiced as a religion by millions. How will you treat individuals of other religions and beliefs? A Final Wrap Up of WR and Questions