Religion Day 1

Religion Commonalities: Differences: A set of teachings Imply a value system Some notion of the sacred- whether it’s a divine being, set of texts, or a symbol Creation story to explain the origins of humans and the physical universe Differences: Teachings about law, politics, social mores, sexual relations, physical fitness, cleanliness, eating habits, and interior decorating

Classifications of Religions Monotheistic religions – worship a single deity. Polytheistic religions – worship more than one deity, even thousands. Animistic religions – belief that inanimate objects posses spirits and should be revered. Global religions- members are numerous and widespread

Classifications of Religions Universalizing religions – religions that actively seek converts because members believe they offer belief systems of universal appropriateness and appeal. Ex: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism Ethnic or Local religions – religions whose adherents are born into the faith and whose members do not actively seek converts. Ex: Judaism, Native American religions Evangelical religions- expand their membership by using missionaries to recruit new followers actively. Ex: Christianity

Religions of the World

What are the world’s major religions and where did they diffuse to?

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean Judaism – originated in Israel about 4000 years ago. * first major monotheistic religion, covenant between God (one God) and Abraham (the chosen people) founder: Abraham sacred text: Torah characteristics/customs: worship in Synagogue’s, celebrate Hannukkah, Batmitzvah’s, Passover sacred sites: Jerusalem (Western Wall), land between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River social manifestation: Zionism diffusion: into European cities during the diaspora, into N. America during WWII, into Israel over last 50 years most practiced: Israel, North America, Europe

Western Wall (Wailing Wall), Jerusalem- remnant of the temple of the Jews, destroyed by the Romans in 70AD

The Western Wall has been through many periods of different control… It is a Jewish symbol but has not always belonged to the Jews. “The surface of the wall, from the pavement and up to the man's height, differs by the color and feels differently - it is polished by human hands that touched it in prayers through the centuries.”

Jewish neighborhoods in European Cities the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, the Czech Republic

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean Christianity – originated in Israel about 2000 years ago. * monotheistic religion, follow teachings of Jesus to achieve eternal life founder: Jesus (son of God) characteristics: worship in Churches, celebrate Easter, Christmas, Baptisms sacred text: Bible sacred sites: Bethlehem, Jerusalem split in the church: * split into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054 * Protestant sect split off in 1517 diffusion: into Western Europe, and then world wide during colonialism and after. most practiced in North and South America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

First Split in Christianity, 1054 CE Western Roman empire = Roman Catholicism Eastern Roman empire = Eastern Orthodox

Switzerland concentrations of Catholics and Protestants by canton and commune

Christianity- Branches and Sects Roman Catholic Based in Vatican City, Rome Dominant in Western Europe, North, Central, and South America Protestant 1517- Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church and began a different type of Christian church, with less emphasis on the Catholic rituals Denominations include- Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, and Presbyterian Eastern Orthodox Dominant in Eastern Europe and Russia

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean Islam – originated on the Arabian peninsula about 1500 years ago. * monotheistic religion, revelations Muhammad received from Allah, Five Pillars. founder: Muhammad characteristics: worship in Mosques, celebrate Ramadan sacred text: Koran (Qu’ran) sacred sites: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem split in the church: * shortly after Muhammad’s death, split into Sunni Muslims (great majority) Shi’ite Muslims (concentrated in Iran) diffusion: across Arabian peninsula, across North Africa, into Spain and also east into Southeast Asia most practiced in Northern Africa, Southwest Asia, and India

The Diffusion of Islam

Minaret (for call to prayer)

Diffusion of Islam into Europe large mosque in Paris, France End Day 2

From the Hearth of South Asia

From the Hearth of South Asia Hinduism – originated in Indus River Valley over 4000 years ago, no single founder. * ritual bathing, karma, reincarnation worship in Temples sacred text: Vedas sacred sites: Ganges River social manifestation: caste system diffusion: through South Asia and into Southeast Asia most practiced in India and Southeast Asia

Hindu Temple – Angkor Wat, Cambodia. This temple suffers from neglect and destruction now, as Buddhism has supplanted Hinduism in most of Cambodia.

From the Hearth of South Asia Buddhism – splintered from Hinduism 2500 years ago. Originated in India- in a region from Nepal south to the Ganges River area. * anyone can achieve salvation, reach enlightenment founder: Siddartha Gautama (the Buddha) sacred text: Tripitika/ 4 Noble Truths sacred sites: stupas and temples diffusion: most strongly into Tibet in the north and into East Asia most practiced in Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Koreas

Siddhartha Gautama Was the son of a warrior king, and thoroughly enjoyed his life in the upper caste. However, he became bored as a young adult, and started to search the world for an understanding of life. During his travels, he encountered an old man, an ill man, and a dying man. He quickly came to the conclusion that suffering lay at the end of all existence. He then denounced his princely status and became a monk. He gave up all worldly possessions and continued his search for truth and understanding.

The “Enlightened One” Siddhartha found this truth and understanding while meditating under a tree one day, and claimed to have an epiphany. He believed to have finally understood how to be free from suffering , and ultimately, reach salvation. After this epiphany, Siddhartha was known as the Buddha, meaning the “Enlightened One” The Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling around India teaching people about what he had come to understand.

Nirvana

The Buddha’s teachings The 4 Noble truths Truth of suffering Truth of the cause of suffering Truth of the end of suffering Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering = suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end.

Buddhist Stupas - 72 stupas, each containing a sculpture of the Buddha in meditation were built around 800 CE and still stand in Borobudur, Indonesia.