Religions of the World
Main religions of the World Christianity Catholic Protestant Orthodox Islam Sunni Shi’ite Judaism Buddhism Hinduism
Early History of Islam ( ) Mohammad receives word of God Preaches against oppression of the poor in Mecca Hegira to Medina—foundation of the Ummah Victorious return to Mecca Caliphate founded and spreads Islam
Secularization/modernization hypothesis As societies become more wealthy and educated, belief in the supernatural or divine diminishes With one major exception
The emergence of the secular state America’s Ist amendment States with established religions, not US France’s secular republic No head scarves or large crosses at school Ataturk’s Turkey Equality of sexes formally recognized and legal system based on Switzerland, not Islam
Islam—the Muslim Brotherhood 1920s Muslim Brotherhood founded in Egypt to oppose colonialism and “back- sliding Islam” Became international organization with branches all over Arab world—Hamas, Islamic Party, etc.
Islam: Wahhabism Like Muslim Brotherhood, restoring Islam Embraced by Saudi ruling family Spread by means of schools (madrassas) and newspapers throughout middle East and beyond
Middle School official text in Saudi Arabia Teachings of the Hadith 1/ It's fate decided by Allah that the Muslims and Jews will fight till the end of the world. 2/ The Hadith predicts for the Muslims God's victory over the Jews. 3/ The victory for the Muslims because they are right, and who ever is right is always victorious, even though most people are against him. 4/ God grants victory to the Muslims if they have a true will, if they unite, hold on to God's sharia, if they go by God's ruling, if they are patient. 5/ The material strength won't be enough to warrant victory, it is necessary to invoke God seek his support. 6/. It's allowed to demolish, burn or destroy the bastions of the Kufar (infidels)- and all what constitutes their shield from Muslims if that was for the sake of victory for the Muslims and the defeat for the Kufar 7/ Jews and Christians are the enemies of believers they will never approve of the Muslims, beware of them. Questions for discussion 1/ What was the prophecy of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in this Hadith? 2/ At the end, who will be victorious? 3/ What should the Muslims arm themselves with against the Jews?
Taliban destroys largest Buddha in the world
Sharia
American Protestant fundamentalism 1980s organizing the “Moral Majority” Today, opposing foreign aid with birth control Supporting aid to Israel
Hindu fundamentalism BJP founded in 1980, and in 1990’s rose to majority party
Israel’s fundamentalists Shas founded in 1987, supported by Moroccan Jews—favors theocracy based on Jewish law National Religious Party—all of Palestine was promised to the Jews by God
Fukuyama’s “End of History” and Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” Inherent conflict between Islam and the West?