1. Where are the Religions?

2. Judaism First Monotheistic religion Founders Abraham Moses
• God is called Yahweh
• Followers called
Jews
• Origin and Spread
–Started in Middle East
(Canaan, Israel Palestine)
–Today most followers live in
Israel and the United States
Abraham & Isaac
Moses & the 10 Commandments
Torah

3. Beliefs and Customs • Holy City – Jerusalem Holy Books
The Torah: It teaches Jews how to act, think and even feel about life and death.
Ten Commandments: Moral and religious code
Talmud: Other Writings of the
Jewish Tradition
Religious Customs
Prayer 3 x a day
Worship on the Sabbath day Saturday
Diet
Food must be Kosher

4. Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea
Basic Christianity
Monotheistic
Founder
Jesus of Nazareth
• Followers called
Christians
• Followers believe that Jesus is the son of God
• Origin and Spread
–Started in Middle East
(Canaan, Israel Palestine)
–Today most followers live in Europe and the Americas
Christ on the Cross, Velazquez
Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea
The Holy Trinity,
Albrecht Duerer

5. Basic Christianity Texts
The New Testament: Life and teachings of Jesus
Bible
Beliefs
The Holy Trinity
Immaculate Conception
The Afterlife and heaven
Customs & Holidays
Weekly Worship
Good Friday
Easter
Christmas

6. Islam • Monotheistic • Muhammad is known as “The Prophet”
• God is known as “Allah”
• Followers are called
Muslims
• Origin and Spread
–Started in Middle East
(Saudi Arabia, Mecca)
–Today most followers live in North Africa and the Middle East.
• Holy Cities: Mecca, Medina.
Jerusalem
• Text: Quran

7. 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 God so we should donate to the Needy
Fast
During Ramadan, form sun up to sundown.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Once in a lifetime trip to Mecca and the Ka’ba

8. Hindu Gods: Many Forms of One God
Hinduism
Polytheistic
Brought to India by Aryans
Followers called Hindus
Origin and Spread: India
Texts: Vedas & Upanishads
Beliefs:
Caste system
Reincarnation
Karma
Moksha
Hindu Gods: Many Forms of One God
Brahma: The Creator
Siva: The Destroyer
Vishnu: The Preserver

9. Buddhism Founder: Siddartha Gautama • Origin and Spread
–Started in India
–Today most followers live in China and South east Asia
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 5.Right Livelihood
Right Effort Right Thought
Right Mindfulness Right Speech
Right Concentration Right Action
Asoka: BC