Religions and Their Leaders

The five major religions of the world Oldest Hinduism India Second Judaism Israel Third Christianity - widespread Buddhism Fourth SE Asia Islam Newest N. Africa, middle east

Biblical Patriarch; ancestor of all Jews, Arabs, and Christians (around 1800 BCE) Abraham

The Buddha Around 500 BC in India, Siddharta Gautama achieves Enlightenment as is henceforth known as The Buddha “Buddha” is not a name.

One of Jesus’s twelve apostles; his name means “rock” Catholics consider him the first Pope St. Peter (Simon Peter) St. Peter by Rubens

St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City

The Pope’s private chapel is called the Sistine Chapel

Frescoes The Creation of Adam By Michelangelo (~ 1510)

Moslems, or Muslims Mohammed Adherents of Islam are called The founder of Islam was Mohammed

1483 – 1586 German, leading figure in the Protestant Reformation Nailed 95 theses to a Catholic Church door, in 1517, protesting church teachings. (Protestants) His movement became the Lutheran Church Martin Luther

Henry VIII English king, 1491 – 1547, father of Queen Elizabeth I Had 6 different wives, in an attempt to have a male heir Left the Catholic Church in the 1530’s, in order to get a divorce from his first wife This led to the violent establishment of the Church of England (Anglican) Henry VIII

John Wesley British pastor in the 18th century Founded the Methodist Church John Wesley

Mahatma Gandhi Non-violent liberator of India, 1947 Assassinated at age 78, 1948 His peaceful methods inspired MLK and others Mahatma Gandhi (Mahatma means “father”)

Mormon Church Joseph Smith Bringham Young The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) is also called the Mormon Church It was founded by American religious leader, Joseph Smith He was succeeded by first Utah Governor and founder of Salt Lake City, Bringham Young

Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City

Shakers Ann Lee Pleasant Hill having children South Union Kentucky was part of a 19th century movement of “Shaking Quakers”, called Shakers Ann Lee Their founder was They had settlements in Kentucky at Pleasant Hill South Union and The Shakers died out since they didn’t believe in having children

Mary Baker Eddy 19th century New England woman and founder of the Christian Science Church, Boston Mary Baker Eddy