1. World Religions

2. Judaism Began in Asia—Arabian Peninsula Founder: Abraham
Book: Torah – Written records & beliefs (1st 5 books of the old Testament)
Beliefs: monotheistic, you are held accountable for your sins.
Ten Comandments
Symbol: Star of David

3. Leaders: rabbis
Fact: first monotheistic religion
Today—concentrated in Israel and North America
Oldest monotheistic religion

4. Christianity
Began in Asia (Arabian Peninsula) w/in about 100 years had spread to Europe.
Founder: Jesus
Book: Bible
Beliefs: monotheistic, Jesus as the son of God, life after death

5. Symbol: Cross
New Testament (also uses the Old Testament—including the Torah
Early Christian doctrines were esablished by early church councils

6. Leaders : priests, ministers
Fact: world’s largest religion
Today concentrated in Europe and North and South America

7. Islam Began in Asia—the Arabian Peninsula Founder: Muhammad
Book: Qu’ran (or Koran)
Beliefs: Five Pillars of Islam

8. a. Belief in one god
b. Alms to the poor
c. Pray 5 times a day
d. Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)
e. Fasting during Ramadan

9. Symbol: Crescent Moon
Mecca, Medina, and
Jerusalem are holy cities

10. Leader: No clergy
Fact: world’s fastest growing religion
Today concentrated in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

11. Hinduism Began in Asia—specifically India Founder: not known
Book: the Vedas
Beliefs: many gods being parts of one god, reincarnation, dharma and karma (knowledge that all facts and actions result in future consequences)

12. Symbol: OM

13. Leaders: Guru, Holy Man, Priest
Fact: World’s oldest religion
Currently concentrated mostly in India
Believe in reincarnation, eventually achieving moksha

14. Buddhism Began in India, but quickly spread East
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha
Book; Perfection of the Wisdom Sudra
Beliefs: No deity, reach happiness or Nirvana by following the four noble truths and eightfold path.

15. Symbol: Wheel of law

16. Leaders: monks and nuns
Fact: In India, Buddhism was reabsorbed back into Hinduism.
Currently Buddhism is concentrated in East and Southeast Asia (China, Japan, VietNam, etc)
Individuals reach Nirvana by the eightfold path