Judaism Confucianism Hinduism Major World Religions Christianity Islam Judaism Confucianism Hinduism Buddhism Sikhism Animism

Two Types of Religion Monotheism – One God Mono = single, one, or alone Polytheism – More than one god or gods Poly = many or multiple

Other Viewpoints Atheism – Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. (Not a type of religion, but an opposing concept.) Secularism – The belief that life’s questions can be answered apart from religion.

Major World Religions

Christianity Dominant in Europe, Latin America, North America Members usually worship in a church Bible is considered the sacred text Multiple forms of the faith Jerusalem is the sacred city Jesus is the Son of God Jesus is the prophet Abrahamic Faith Monotheistic

Islam 5 Pillars – faith, daily prayers, giving, fasting, pilgrimage Jerusalem is a city considered holy by Islam Muhammad was the prophet and founder Members (Muslims) worship in a Mosque Dominant religion of the Middle East Koran (Qur’an) is the sacred text Allah (God) is the deity Mecca is the holy city Abrahamic Faith Monotheistic

Judaism God is the deity – Tetragrammaton, YHVH, Yahweh The Torah is the sacred text (5 books of Moses) Jerusalem is a city considered holy by Judaism Worship in a synagogue or temple Israel is a key location for Judaism Moses is consider to be a founder Jesus is not the messiah Abrahamic Faith Monotheistic

Hinduism Believe in social hierarchy under the Caste System Thought to be the oldest of the world’s major religions Believe in karma and dharma within the Caste System Holi is an annual festival signifying good over evil Ganges River – sacred site to cleanse sins Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the deities Believe in reincarnation (Soul is reborn) No single founder or date of origin The Vedas are the sacred texts Complex philosophies Worship in a temple Polytheistic

Hinduism

Buddhism Eight fold path to reach Nirvana – An Enlightened State Take refuge in 3 jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha Meditation is used to transcend worldly desires 4 Noble Truths – Suffering, Cause, Path, End Sacred text is the Tripitaka (Three Baskets) Practiced mainly in south and east Asia Born with name Siddhartha Gautama Buddha means the Enlightened One Sacred city is Bodh Gaya, India Worship in a temple Bodhi Tree

Confucianism Grounded in ethical behavior and good governance Sacred symbol is Yin-Yang – harmony and balance 3 Areas of Philosophy - Social, Political, Educational Referred to as a religion, but is truly a philosophy Influenced social order and social hierarchy Sacred Site – The temple of Qufu in China Based on the teachings of Confucius Followers view it as a way of life Sacred Text is the Analects

Sikhism Sacred Site is Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) Communicate with God through meditation Influenced by Islam and Hinduism Forbids discrimination of any kind Sacred city is Amritsar, India Adi Granth is the sacred text Khanda is the sacred symbol Guru Nanak is the founder Mainly found in India Monotheistic

Animism – Indigenous Religions Inanimate objects and natural events have spirits Close relationship with the environment Celebrate with music and dance Shinto in Japan is the largest Traditions are generational Practiced mainly in Africa Native Americans Oral traditions Polytheistic