Religions

As we go through the slides, fill in your Religion Chart Overview There are many different religions. We are going to focus on the main ones: Christianity Buddhism Islam Hinduism Judaism Sikhism Animism As we go through the slides, fill in your Religion Chart

When was the Religion Founded? Islam: 610 CE Judaism: 1300 BCE Christianity: 1 CE Hinduism: Around 1500 BCE Buddhism: 520 BCE Sikhism: Late 1400s CE CE means Common Era & takes the place of AD. BCE means Before the Common Era & takes the place of BC.

Founder / Most Important Person Islam: Mohammad Judaism: Abraham Christianity: Jesus

Founder / Most Important Person Hinduism: No Single Founder Buddhism: Gautam Buddha Sikhism: Guru Nanak

Important Ideas Islam: Allah is One person and can’t be divided. Judaism: agreement between God and Jews. The Jews obey God, and God makes the Jews his chosen people. Christianity: Three part God: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the son of God

Important Ideas Hinduism: Dharma (ethics and duties), Samsara (rebirth), Karma (right action), Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara) Buddhism: Four Noble truths – About suffering and how to end it. Sikhism: the oneness of God and the need for people to be devoted to God and to develop God consciousness Animism: It is the worship of animals and environmental features.

Place of Origin Islam: Middle East Judaism: Middle East Christianity: Middle East Hinduism: India Buddhism: India Sikhism: India / Pakistan

Where in the World is it Now? Islam: Countries of the Middle East, Indonesia, South Eastern Europe Judaism: Israel Christianity: North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Parts of Africa, Russia Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism: India Animism: Mainly in Africa Note: All the religions are located everywhere. These are the places where they are predominant.

How many Gods? Islam: Monotheistic Judaism: Monotheistic Christianity: Monotheistic Hinduism: Polytheistic Buddhism: Polytheistic Sikhism: Monotheistic Monotheistic: Belief in ONE God. Polytheistic: Belief in MANY gods.

Sacred Text Islam: Koran or Qur’an Judaism: Torah Christianity: Bible Hinduism: Vedas Buddhism: Tipaka Sikhism: Guru Granth Sahib

Symbol of the Religion Islam: Crescent Moon and Star Judaism: Star of David Christianity: Cross Hinduism: Om Buddhism: Dharmachakra Sikhism: Khanda

Important Religious Holidays Islam: Ramadan – Month of Fasting Holy Pilgrimage – Journey to Mecca Judaism: Hanukah - eight-days commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year Christianity: Christmas – Birth of Jesus Easter – Resurrection of Jesus

Important Religious Holidays Hinduism: Diwali, Pooja (for various gods and goddesses), and Mahashivatrati. Buddhism: Vesak – Birth of Buddha Sikhism: festivals marking the birthday or martyrdom of a Guru

Place of Worship Islam: Mosque Judaism: Synagogue Christianity: Church

Place of Worship Hinduism: Temple Buddhism: Temple Sikhism: Temple

Different Religious Branches Islam: Sunni & Shi’ite and many more Judaism: Orthodox & Conservative & Reform and more. Christianity: Catholic & Protestant (Many different branches) & Eastern Orthodox and many more.

Different Religious Branches Hinduism: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Smartism and Shaktism Buddhism: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle") Sikhism: Khalsa or Singhs, Keshdhari, Sahajdharis Sikhs

Special Clothing for Average Person Islam: Hijabs Burkas Judaism: Yarmulke Christianity: None required

Special Clothing for Average Person Hinduism: Sari Buddhism: Robes Sikhism: Turban

Misc. Things about the Religions Islam: Sharia Law (Islamic Religious Law) – Deals with all aspects of day-to-day life. Very Strict. Judaism: Holocaust – 6 million Jews killed by Nazis during World War II. Christianity: 10 Commandments – Moral and Ethical system for Christians.

Misc. Things about the Religions Hinduism: Believe in Reincarnation Buddhism: Believe in Reincarnation Sikhism: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Animism: Believe that spirits are in everything, inanimate and alive.