World religions Review

New Title Page World Religions Review 3-5 pictures

Polytheistic vs. monotheistic Many Gods – A belief in multiple gods or goddesses, Monotheistic: One God – Belief in a single god

Monotheistic Religions

Judaism T – Torah is the Jewish Holy Book, Christians call the Torah the Old Testament O – Oh, most Jews live in Israel and North America R – Religious laws are the 10 Commandments A – Abraham is the founder of Judaism H – first believers in a monotheistic religion

Christianity J – Jesus’ life and teachings are in the New Testament of the Bible E – Early church councils made doctrines (beliefs) – i.e. the Bible is the word of God S – Second monotheistic religion U – United under Catholic Church until 1517 S – Son of God is Jesus

ISLAM I – Islam’s Holy Book is the Koran (Qu’ran) S – Started in the Middle East (present day Saudi Arabia) L – Laws are called the Five Pillars of Islam A – Allah = Islamic name for God M – Muhammad is the founder of Islam and his teachings are in the Koran I – Islam is monotheistic C – Cities that are holy to Muslims – Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem Followers of Islam are called Muslims

POLYTHEISTIC Religions

Hinduism K – Karma is reincarnation (rebirth) based on behavior – good karma reborn into a better life next A – All Hindus live under India’s caste system: strict class system R – Reincarnation: rebirth based on karma M – Many gods – polytheistic religion A – All Hindus want to end reincarnation and merge with Brahma

Buddhism B – Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama is the founder U – U are loving religions review! D – Doctrine: Four Noble Truths D – Doctrine: Follow the 8 Fold Path to Enlightenment H – Hey, Buddhism was founded in India A – Asoka spread Buddhism to China and South East Asia

Hinduism Book: Vedas – poems and hymns Brahmanas – rules for worship Great Epics – heroes and gods Upanishades – questions on life and death Holy Place – Ganges river Missionary Religion? – Yes, Ganges River Important Figures: Brahman Bhrama – creator Shiva – destroyer Vishnu – preserver Major Beliefs: Dharma – moral behavior Reincarnation – Wheel of life, death, rebirth – karma determines reincarnation Karma – sum of good and bad deeds, which determines the outcome of your atman (soul) in the next life

Judaism When: 1900 BC Where: Middle East What: Monotheistic Book: Torah – Old Testament Place of Worship: Synagogues Holy Places: Jerusalem Missionary Religion?: Yes – Western Wall in Jerusalem Important Figures: God, Holy Spirit, Abraham, NOT Christ Major Beliefs: 10 commandments #1 & 2 – belief in a single, all-powerful God that brought them out of Egypt #4 – Sanctity of the Sabbath (Saturday) #6-10 – responsibility to respect your fellow man Belief that the “messiah” has not yet come to Earth Belief that Jesus was not the Son of God, merely a prophet

Buddhism The 8-fold Path right opinion right purpose right speech When: 600 BC Where: China What: Neither Holy Book: None Place of Worship: Buddha statues Missionary Religion?: Yes Important Figures: Buddha – “the enlightened one” Major Beliefs: The 4 Noble Truths Life is pain and suffering This suffering is caused by a desire for material possessions Suffering ends when you renounce worldly cravings Follow the 8-fold path in order to end suffering The 8-fold Path right opinion right purpose right speech right action right way to earn a living right effort right mindfulness right concentration

ISLAM Where: Middle East What: Monotheistic Book: Koran or Qur’an Place of Worship: Mosques Holy Places: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Missionary Religion?: Yes Important Figures: Allah, Mohammed & Abraham Major Beliefs: 5 pillars of Islam Kalima – statement of faith – “there is but one god, Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet Salat – 5 daily prayers in the direction of Mecca Zakat – giving alms to the poor Sawm – abstaining from food and drink while the sun is up during holy days Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

Christianity Where: Middle East What: Monotheistic Book: Bible- Hebrew Bible + New Testament Place of Worship: Churches Holy Places: Jerusalem, Bethlehem Missionary Religion?: Yes Important Figures: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit Major Beliefs: 10 commandments #1 - belief in a single, all-powerful God #4 - sanctity of the 7th day (Sunday) #6-10 - responsibility to respect your fellow man Salvation attained through belief in the Son of God