1. World Religions
Bernal Middle School

2. What is religion?
A religion is an organized system of beliefs and practices, often centered on one or more gods.
Monotheism – belief in one god
Polytheism – belief in many gods
Atheism – belief in no god

3. Buddhism Followers – 362 million Founder – The Buddha Deity – None
Holy Book – None
Facts to Know
Began in India
Buddha = “enlightened one”
Most Buddhist live in Sri Lanka, E Asia, SE Asia, & Japan

4. Buddhism Basic Beliefs
People achieve peace & happiness (nirvana) by eliminating their attachment to worldly things
Nirvana is reached by following the Noble Eightfold Path
Right opinions
Right desires
Right speech
Right action
Right job
Right effort
Right concentration
Right meditation

5. Christianity Followers – 2 billion Founder – God Deity – Jesus Christ
Holy Book – Bible
Facts to Know
Largest religion in the world
Taught many ideas from Jewish tradition

6. Christianity Basic Beliefs
There is only one God, who watches over & cares for his people
Jesus Christ was the son of God. He died to save humanity from sin. His death & resurrection made eternal life possible for others.

7. Hinduism Followers – 820 million Founder – No one founder
Deity – 3 main gods
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
Holy Book – None
Facts to Know
Major religion of India and Nepal

8. Hinduism Basic Beliefs The soul never dies, but is continually reborn
People achieve happiness & enlightenment after they free themselves from earthly desires
Freedom from earthly desires comes from a lifetime of worship, knowledge, & virtuous acts

9. Hinduism
Diwali BrainPop

10. Islam Followers – 1.2 billion Founder – Muhammad Deity – God (Allah)
Holy Book – Qur’an
Facts to Know
Followers are known as Muslim
Mostly practiced in the Middle East, central Asia, & parts of Africa

11. Islam
Basic Beliefs
Believe that God revealed these teachings in the Qur’an to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel
Believe in the same prophets of Judaism & Christianity
People achieve salvation by following the Five Pillars of Islam
Faith
Prayer
Charity
Fasting
Pilgrimage to Mecca

12. Islam
Ramadan BrainPop

13. Judaism Followers – 14.5 million Founder – Abraham
Deity – God (Yahweh)
Holy Book – Hebrew Bible (including the Torah)
Facts to Know
1st major monotheistic religion
The Torah is the basis for civil & religious laws. God set down many moral laws for all of humanity through the Ten Commandments.

14. Judaism
Basic Beliefs
There is only one God, who watches over & cares for his people
God holds people accountable for their sins & shortcomings
People serve God by studying the Torah & living by its teachings

15. Reflection
Use the last 10 minutes of class to reflect on what you learned during this class period.
Complete your reflection on a separate sheet of paper to turn in when the bell rings.