1. World Religions 9/8/11

2. Objective Question ● What influence do the major world religions have on democracy?

3. Judaism ● Holy Book: Torah ● 2000BC – God commands Abraham to move the Hebrews to Canaan (Palestine). ● Monotheistic – One God – All knowing, all powerful, and eternal – God wants people to live moral lives ● Man created in God’s image – Born with dignity that can’t be taken away. ● Moral Freedom – choose between good and evil & responsible for individual decisions.ay.

4. Jewish Law ● Written Code of Law – The Ten Commandments – focused on morality, not politics. ● Prophets – Messengers from God – Sent to attack war, oppression, and greed.

5. Christianity ● Jesus – Born 6 to 4 BC – Emphasized personal relationship with God. – Preached Peace – Considered a political threat by the Roman Governor of Jerusalem and put to death.

6. The Teachings of Christianity ● Traveled slowly – Paul preached from city to city after Jesus’ death. ● Equality for all in Christianity – Men, women, slaves, free men, etc. – Essential to democracy

7. Rome Spreads Judeo Christian Ideals ● Diaspora – Indirect spread through exile – Jews Rebel in 70AD & kicked out of their homeland. ● 380 – Christianity becomes the official Roman Empire religion. – Spread directly throughout Near East, Europe, and North Africa.

8. Islam ● Developed in the early 600’s – Based on equality and individual worth ● Teachings of Prophet Muhammad – Dignity of all and brotherhood of man – Required to give to charity & help the needy.

9. Legacy of Monotheistic Religion ● Individual duty against oppression ● Worth of the individual ● Equality of everyone

10. Renaissance & Reformation ● Roman Catholic Church – most powerful in Europe. – Influenced social, religious, and political life.

11. Renaissance Revives Classical Ideas ● 1300’s in Italy – spread over the next 300 years ● French for “rebirth” ● Renewed the importance of classical culture – Rejected the religious ideal that life is only in preparation for afterlife – Emphasis on art and literature ● Education increases – For public service, not just church.

12. Renaissance Continued ● Questions – Questioning is the way to truth ● Individualism – Merchants and explorers sail around the world for economic benefit.

13. Reformation Challenges Church Power ● Religious reforms that began in the 1600’s against the Roman Catholic Church. – Martin Luther – Started the Reformation in Germany. ● Spoke against Catholic church selling indulgences to forgive sins. – Protestants – protested for a direct relationship with God.

14. Protestant Individualism ● People have a direct connection with God ● Make individual religious judgments ● Interpret the Bible for yourself (don’t rely on Priests)

15. Legacy of Renaissance and Reformation ● Challenge authority (monarchs and the Pope) ● Reading – Reformation encouraged reading The Bible – later people were literate and could read political publications. ● The Power of the Individual