1. MIKE MAZZALONGO The Christian Religion 2

2. Comparing Religions Helps 1. Historical Context

3. Comparing Religions Helps 1.Historical Context 2. Understanding

4. Comparing Religions Helps 1.Historical Context 2.Understanding 3. Appreciation

5. Major Religions of the World RELIGION “..men’s expression of his acknowledgement of the Divine..”

6. RELIGION New Age Movement Communism Naturalism

7. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1. History of Origins

8. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2. Concept of Deity

9. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2.Concept of Deity 3. Concept of Mankind

10. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2.Concept of Deity 3.Concept of Mankind 4.Concept of Salvation

11. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2.Concept of Deity 3.Concept of Mankind 4.Concept of Salvation 5. Concept of Worship

12. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2.Concept of Deity 3.Concept of Mankind 4.Concept of Salvation 5.Concept of Worship 6. Recording of Scriptures

13. Organized Religions have Certain Features 1.History of Origins 2.Concept of Deity 3.Concept of Mankind 4.Concept of Salvation 5.Concept of Worship 6.Recording of Scriptures 7. Basic Geography

14. Primitive Religions FEATURES: 1. Strong belief in magic

15. Primitive Religions FEATURES: 1. Strong belief in magic 2. No individual god or power

16. Primitive Religions FEATURES: 1. Strong belief in magic 2. No individual god or power 3. Various forms practiced

17. Primitive Religions HISTORY Tribal Groups – 4000 BC Egyptian Nature & Mystery Cults – 3250 BC Babylonians – 3000 BC Greeks – 1000 BC Romans – 500 BC Jupiter

18. Primitive Religions Voo-doo – Haiti Falungong – China

19. TAOISM China Lao Tze (604-517 BC) Ying / Yang Reject Human Institutions Major World Religions

20. TAOISM China Lao Tze (604-517 BC) Ying / Yang Reject Human Institutions CONFUCIANISM China Kung-Fu-Tze (551-487 BC) Balanced social relationships Practice developing social virtues Major World Religions

21. TAOISM China Lao Tze (604-517 BC) Ying / Yang Reject Human Institutions CONFUCIANISM China Kung-Fu-Tze (551-487 BC) Balanced social relationships Practice developing social virtues SHINTO Japan No Founder Veneration of land and people of Japan as “deities” Japanese Supremacy Major World Religions

22. TAOISM China Lao Tze (604-517 BC) Ying / Yang Reject Human Institutions CONFUCIANISM China Kung-Fu-Tze (551-487 BC) Balanced social relationships Practice developing social virtues SHINTO Japan No Founder Veneration of land and people of Japan as “deities” Japanese Supremacy BUDDHISM India/China/World Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) 563-480 BC No supreme being but all are part of whole. Nirvana is the cessation of self. Meditation, Yoga, self- denial, study leads to Nirvana. Major World Religions

23. HINDUISM India No founder – evolved from nature religious to social “caste” system. Goal of life – “Moksha” (similar to Nirvana) Good deeds, avoiding bad “karma”, self-denial leads to Moksha. May require several lifetimes to reach desired state (re-incarnation). Major World Religions

24. HINDUISM India No founder “Moksha” Bad “karma” Re-incarnation. JAINISM India Nataputta Vardhamana (599-527 BC) Similar to Hinduism & Buddhism except: only way to Nirvana/Moksha is self- denial. ultimate state maintains self-identity. Major World Religions

25. HINDUISM India No founder “Moksha” Bad “karma” Re-incarnation. JAINISM India Nataputta Vardhamana (599-527 BC) Self-denial. Self-identity. SIKHISM Pakistan Nanak (1469-1558 AD) Combination of Hindu/Muslim ideas Rejected “caste” system of Hindus. Ruled by Gurus and Required 5 K’s: 1.Kesh 2.Kangha 3.Kachh 4.Kara 5.Kirpan Major World Religions

26. ZOROASTRIANISM Iran Zoroaster Based on visions of Zoroaster. Monotheist Used “fire” in worship. Had special envoy “Sadshyant” every 1000 years. “Wise Men” may have been Zoroastrians. Major World Religions

27. ZOROASTRIANISM Iran Zoroaster Based on visions of Zoroaster. Monotheist “fire” in worship. “Sadshyant” every 1000 years. “Wise Men” may have been Zoroastrians. ISLAM Saudi Arabia/World Mohammed (570-632 AD) Based on the visions of Mohammed written in Koran. Man goes to Paradise based on complete submission to God. Practice submission through 5 Pillars: 1.Confession 2.Alms 3.Prayer Different groups: Sunnis, Shiites, Soffiis, Bahai, Black Muslims, Nation of Islam. 4.Fasting 5.Pilgrimage Major World Religions

28. ZOROASTRIANISM Iran Zoroaster Based on visions of Zoroaster. Monotheist “fire” in worship. “Sadshyant” every 1000 years. “Wise Men” may have been Zoroastrians. ISLAM Saudi Arabia Mohammed Based on the visions written in Koran. Complete submission to God. 5 Pillars: Different groups JUDAISM Israel/World Abraham (2000 BC) Earliest Monotheistic religion The “Chosen People” Keeping God’s Laws keeps you as God’s chosen. Three main groups: 1. Reform 2. Conservative 3. Orthodox No agreement between groups on existence of afterlife. Major World Religions

29. ZOROASTRIANISM Iran Zoroaster Based on visions of Zoroaster. Monotheist “fire” in worship. “Sadshyant” every 1000 years. “Wise Men” may have been Zoroastrians. ISLAM Saudi Arabia Mohammed Based on the visions written in Koran. Complete submission to God. 5 Pillars: Different groups JUDAISM Israel/World Abraham Early Monotheistic religion “Chosen People” Keeping Laws keeps you as God’s chosen. Three main groups: No agreement on afterlife. CHRISTIANITY Israel/World Jesus Christ (4-29+ AD) Jesus is Jewish Messiah Miracles, teachings, resurrection support claims of personal divinity. Jesus’ sacrifice eliminates mankind’s moral debt to God. Christian’s believe in a conscious, personal, eternal afterlife. Major World Religions

30. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1. Superior Revelation

31. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1.Superior Revelation 2. Superior Leader

32. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1.Superior Revelation 2.Superior Leader 3. Superior Solutions

33. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1.Superior Revelation 2.Superior Leader 3.Superior Solutions - Identifies Problem

34. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1.Superior Revelation 2.Superior Leader 3.Superior Solutions - Identifies Problem - Provides a Solution

35. Supremacy of the Christian Religion 1.Superior Revelation 2.Superior Leader 3.Superior Solutions - Identifies Problem - Provides a Solution - Offers a Better Hope

36. Offers a Better Hope NOW - Freedom from guilt. - Peace of mind. - Loving relationships. - Greater insight. - Spiritual renewal.

37. Offers a Better Hope AFTER - Conscious afterlife. - Freedom from sin/death. - Personal relationship with God.

38. NEXT LESSON The Bible