The 5 Major World Religions

Where are the Religions?

Types of Religions Monotheistic – religion with one god Polytheistic – religion with many gods Caste System – a hierarchy where some people are considered higher in standing than others Major five religions: Judaism - Christianity -Hinduism Islam - Buddhism

Judaism One God Early History ~1950 BC, Abraham’s Covenant Travel to Canaan then to Egypt Slavery in Egypt Moses & the Exodus One God TEXT: The Torah Pentateuch Old Testament Abraham’s History Mishnah Writings of the Prophets Talmud Other Writings of the Jewish Tradition Abraham & Isaac Torah Moses & the 10 Commandments

Beliefs and Customs Religious Customs Prayer 3 x a day Worship on the Sabbath day Saturday Whole Torah (Pentateuch) is read each year Diet Food must be Kosher Holy Days & Festivals Passover (spring) Shabouth (fall) Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement Hannukkah (Winter) Purim (March)

Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea Basic Christianity History 2000 yrs ago The Apostles Christ’s Death Texts The Bible Beliefs The Holy Trinity Immaculate Conception The Afterlife Customs & Holidays Weekly Worship Holy Week Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Christmas Christ on the Cross, Velazquez Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea The Holy Trinity, Albrecht Duerer

Islam: The 5 Pillars Faith There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger Prayer (Salat) 5 x daily Charity (Zakat) All Things belong to Allah so we should donate to the Needy Fast During Ramadan, from sun up to sundown. Pilgrimage (Hajj) Once in a lifetime trip to Mecca and the Ka’ba

Islam History -Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. It is more often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion. Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. God - Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah. Islam is mainly followed in the Middle East, Asia, and the north of Africa. Text – The Koran (Qur’an) Holy Days – Ramadan (holy fasting) and Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Hindu Gods: Many Forms of One God 4000 – 2500 BCE Aryan Peoples Oral Tradition: Vedas & Upanishads Aryan Caste System Brahmins: Priests Ksatriyas: Warriors & Rulers Vaisyas: Merchants, Farmers, Artisans Sudras: Manual Laborers Untouchables: Dirty Work Hindu Beliefs: Hamster Wheel Brahman Atman Reincarnation Karma Moksha Texts: Scriptures Shruti Smritis Holy Days - Karva Chauth, Dhan Teras, Deepavali minor, & Deepavali major. Hinduism Hindu Gods: Many Forms of One God Brahma: The Creator Siva: The Destroyer Vishnu: The Preserver

Buddhism Siddartha Gautama, 560-490 BCE The Buddha: The Enlightened One Buddhist Beliefs No Real Gods or Deities Goal: Nirvana not Brahma Four Noble Truths Life is Suffering Suffering is caused by desire & resistance to change We can end suffering by ending desire We can end desire and suffering by following the eightfold path Eight Fold Path Right Understanding Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration -Prayer: Meditation -No Specifically related text Asoka: 273-232 BC