World Religions ICCF Bible Bootcamp 2009

What is Religion?

Definition Religion Religion A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth. A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. That which is ultimate for or supreme concern for individuals or groups That which is ultimate for or supreme concern for individuals or groups

Comparing religions Comparing religions “I mix a little truth with every lie to tickle itching ears. I’m drawing people just like flies, they like what they hear.” Keith Green “I mix a little truth with every lie to tickle itching ears. I’m drawing people just like flies, they like what they hear.” Keith Green Common Development Common Development Beginnings Beginnings Adding Ritual Adding Ritual Folk adaptations Folk adaptations Saints, Holy Places, Talismans, Magic Saints, Holy Places, Talismans, Magic Explanations for life / Protections against powers Explanations for life / Protections against powers

Major Religions “Western” “Western” Judaism Judaism Christianity Christianity Islam Islam Eastern Eastern Hinduism Hinduism Buddhism Buddhism Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Confusianism, Daoism, Shintoism Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Confusianism, Daoism, Shintoism

Hinduism – Sanatana Dharma 900 million Introduction Introduction God – 330 million gods God – 330 million gods God is "Absolute" universal spirit; everyone is part of God (Brahman) like drops in the sea. God is "Absolute" universal spirit; everyone is part of God (Brahman) like drops in the sea. Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma Avatars (Krishna, Rama, etc.) Avatars (Krishna, Rama, etc.) Man and the Universe Man and the Universe Brahman, atman, samsara, maya, karma, moksha Brahman, atman, samsara, maya, karma, moksha Salvation and the afterlife Salvation and the afterlife Four yogas: jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), karma (works), raja (‘royal’ – meditative techniques) Four yogas: jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), karma (works), raja (‘royal’ – meditative techniques) Morals Morals Stages – “renouncing the fruits of your labors” is supreme Stages – “renouncing the fruits of your labors” is supreme Reincarnation and karma have supported caste system Reincarnation and karma have supported caste system Worship Worship Animals, Rivers, Holy Men, ecstatic prayer, songs, folk religion Animals, Rivers, Holy Men, ecstatic prayer, songs, folk religion

Buddhism 360 million Introduction to the “Middle Way” Introduction to the “Middle Way” God – primarily atheistic/non-theistic God – primarily atheistic/non-theistic Man and the Universe Man and the Universe Illusory, all is changing Illusory, all is changing Transmigration rather than Reincarnation Transmigration rather than Reincarnation Salvation and the afterlife Salvation and the afterlife Ignorance not sin keeps from nirvana Ignorance not sin keeps from nirvana 4 Noble Truths – 1) life is suffering, 2) which lies in desire, 3) with only solution to cease desire, 4) solution is Noble Eight Fold Path 4 Noble Truths – 1) life is suffering, 2) which lies in desire, 3) with only solution to cease desire, 4) solution is Noble Eight Fold Path Meditation Meditation Bodhisattvas and merit Bodhisattvas and merit Morals – the Five Precepts Morals – the Five Precepts Worship Worship

Judaism 14 million Introduction Introduction Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed Tanakh, Talmuds Tanakh, Talmuds God – personal, just yet loving God – personal, just yet loving Man and the Universe Man and the Universe Salvation and the afterlife Salvation and the afterlife Obey God’s commandments Obey God’s commandments “Fuzzy” on afterlife “Fuzzy” on afterlife Morals Morals Obey God’s commands and live ethically Obey God’s commands and live ethically Worship Worship

Islam 1.4 billion Introduction – Sunni, Shi’a, Suffi Introduction – Sunni, Shi’a, Suffi God God radical monotheism – distant, unknowable - radical monotheism – distant, unknowable - Mohammed and the Koran (Qur’an) Mohammed and the Koran (Qur’an) Man and the Universe Man and the Universe Not sinful, just disobedient Not sinful, just disobedient Salvation and the afterlife Salvation and the afterlife 5 Pillars – Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj 5 Pillars – Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj Holy Cities Holy Cities Jihad Jihad Morals Morals “Straight Path” “Straight Path” Women, Dhimmitude Women, Dhimmitude Worship Worship

Christianity 2 billion By History By History Catholic Catholic Orthodox Orthodox Protestant Protestant By Theology By Theology Conservative Conservative Liberal Liberal By Practice By Practice Charismatic Charismatic Secessionist Secessionist

Christian Cults Definition – sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. Definition – sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. Marks of a Cult Marks of a Cult Jesus – Authority – Leadership Jesus – Authority – Leadership Salvation – Control Salvation – Control Examples Examples Mormons Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses

Other Atheism (1.1 billion, includes agnostics and non- religious, communists) Atheism (1.1 billion, includes agnostics and non- religious, communists) New Age New Age Wicca Wicca Gnosticism Gnosticism

So What? Apologetic Needs Apologetic Needs Witness Witness Spiritual Warfare Spiritual Warfare Glory of God Glory of God Web sites Web sites htm htm htm htm