Polytheistic Religions What are the purposes of religions?

POLYTHEISM What does it mean?

Polytheism exists throughout the world Japan? Africa? India? Can you name the polytheistic religion for each region/country?

Polytheism exists throughout the world Japan? Shinto Africa? Animism India? Hinduism Can you name the polytheistic religion for each region/country?

Shinto (think Japan) Shinto = “way of the gods” Fragmented country What does this mean? Clans worshipped own nature gods Varied customs/beliefs evolved into earliest religion

Main Principles Respect forces of nature Worship ancestors KAMI  divine spirits that lived in nature Remind anyone of a blockbuster movie recently?

Animism - Africa Local/tribal religion Spirits regulate daily life Spirits present in… Animals Plants Nature Souls of ancestors

Main Ideas Based in India 15% of the world! Reincarnation Enlightenment Based on the caste system Social ranking system Born into rank Created by the Aryans Holy book = the Vedas

Largest Hindu Temple in Delhi, India What do you notice about the temple?

Main ideas continued… Believe in nonviolence Meditation Goal is to achieve moksha Perfect understanding of all things Hundreds of Gods: Big 3 Brahma (creator) Vishnu (preserver) Shiva (destroyer)

Hinduism is dominated by the caste system What is the purpose of social hierarchies?

Different Social Rankings in the Caste System Brahmins: Scholars/Priests class – Educated elite and performed religious rituals Kshatriyas: King/Warrior class Vaisyas: Trader class Sudras: Farmer/Artisan class Untouchables: “Dalits”, outside of the social pyramid

Effects of the Caste System Your caste determined who you could eat with, the work they did, whom they could marry Are there hierarchies at Shaker? What are they? How do they influence your life? Are there hierarchies in society? What are they? How do they influence peoples’ lives?

Shaker and Society Grade Level (AP, H, R, B) Social cliques Athletics Clothing Adult rankings? Profession Income Age Sex Race

Social Mobility How do you change your position in society? Q: What is the goal of a Hindu? A: Reach enlightenment and end reincarnation. Q: How do you move up the caste system? A: Acquire good karma – this influences one’s caste, health, wealth, etc. Q: How do you reach enlightenment? A: Acquiring good karma, moving up the caste system through rebirths and then achieving moksha

Spread of Hinduism – How would it spread?