The 5 Major Religions Vocabulary World Cultures The 5 Major Religions Vocabulary

Hebrews people who once lived in Mesopotamia and migrated in 2000 B.C. to Cannan. They developed Judaism (monotheistic religion) 1000 BC they established Kingdom of Israel. Recorded events and laws like…?

Torah holy book of Jews/Hebrews where events and laws were recorded. 1st five books of the Bible. What are the first five books? Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

monotheistic belief in one god What are the three monotheistic religions? * Judaism * Christianity * Islam

Diaspora Scattering of people Sent Jews to different parts of the world

Aryans Indo-European people who migrated across Europe and Asia and moved into NW India - made tools of iron and built walled cities; divided people into classes by occupation 1) Priest 2) Warriors 3) Herders, farmers, artisans, and merchant

Vedas Collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings Aryan Priests memorized the Vedas Main holy book of Hindus

polytheistic belief in many gods Which of the 5 major world religions is polytheistic? * Hinduism

Brahman An all powerful single force that the Hindus believe in It is believed that it resides in all living things

Hinduism Has no single founder and no single sacred text Believe everything is part of the unchanging, all powerful spiritual force called Brahman It originated in India

Reincarnation rebirth of the soul in another bodily form

Siddhartha Guatama “The Buddha; The Enlightened One;” founder of Buddhism was originally a Hindu prince. Taught that desires are the causes of suffering - to eliminate suffering you should eliminate desires

Nirvana final goal of a Buddhist; union with the universe, release from cycle of rebirth (reincarnation)

Christianity Arose in Roman-held lands in the Middle East. Founder = Jesus (also considered messiah, the savior sent to lead Jews to freedom); his teachings were created in Judaism 1 God/10 Commandments (laws Jews believed God had given them)

Messiah savior sent to lead Jews to freedom

Roman Catholic Church original, 1st Christian Church: 1200’s - peak of power Became wealthiest and most powerful worldly force in Europe

Holy Roman Emperor single ruler who united separate kingdoms in Roman Empire; was crowned by the Pope.

crusades when Christian knights from Europe as well as armies of ordinary men and women left for the holy land to fight the Muslims “Holy Wars”

Byzantine Empire Influenced Eastern Europe and Russia Christians in eastern part of what was the Roman Empire (East Mediterranean)

Muhammad Prophet of Islam What is a prophet? * Messenger of God What God? * Allah born in Mecca in 570; At the age of 40, he had a vision; he was called the messenger of God

Five Pillars of Islam 1. Faith (in 1 God) 2. Prayer (5 times a day facing the Mecca) 3. Alms (charity for poor) 4. Fasting (Ramadan) 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Mecca)

Quran Muslim holy book; contains sacred word of God and is the final authority on all matters

caliph successor to Muhammad Abu Bakr elected 1st caliph

mosque Muslim house of worship