1. What is a Religion?
A religion is an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.

2. 1. Monotheistic religions believe in one god.
Types of Religions
1. Monotheistic religions believe in one god.
2. Polytheistic religions believe in many gods.

3. ORDER OF MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS
WHICH CAME FIRST?
ORDER OF MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS
1st World Religion→ Judaism
Time Period: Around 2000 BC
2nd World Religion → Christianity
Time Period: Around AD
3rd World Religion → Islam
Time Period: Around 610 AD

4. Judaism→ MONOTHEISTIC
Name of deity is Yahweh (God in hebrew)
Abraham is the founder of Judaism.
Followers of Judaism are called Jews
Follow the rules of the ten commandments.
The Star of David is the symbol for Judaism.
Their holy book the Torah.
Is a long scroll hand-written in Hebrew → (traditional Jewish language).
Leaders are called Rabbis

5. Christianity→ MONOTHEISTIC
Name of deity is God
Christianity was influenced by Judaism.
Founder is Jesus→ believed to be the son of God
Follow the rules of the ten commandments.
Their holy book the Holy Bible.
Followers are called Christians
The Christian symbol is the cross.
Leaders are called priests, ministers, monks, and nuns

6. Islam→ MONOTHEISTIC Name of deity is Allah (God in Arabic)
Muhammad founded the religion
Their holy book the Qur’an.
The Islamic symbol is the crescent moon and star.
Followers are called Muslims
Leaders are called Ulama and Imam→ lead prayers
Follow the 5 Pillars of Faith to guide their life.

7. Polytheistic Religions

8. Hinduism→ POLYTHEISTIC
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion.
There is no definite founder
They do not have just one holy book→ The Vedas is one example
The symbol is the “AUM (OM)” symbol.
Leaders are called guru, holy man, Brahmin priest
Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation
They use meditation to reach a peaceful state called nirvana

9. Buddhism→ Nontheistic
The Buddha is the founder Buddhism.
He was known as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince before becoming Buddha
Followers of buddhism are called Buddhist
Follow the rules of the Eightfold Path to reach nirvana.
The Wheel is the symbol.
They do not have one holy book→ Tripitaka is one example
Leaders are called monks and nuns

10. Some common ways Religion spreads:
Word of mouth - Telling others about the religion or telling stories to teach about it
Written language - Each religion has a Holy book that teaches people who read it
Customs/Traditions - What kind of festivals and holidays are practiced that others may witness and want to learn more about that religion? Ex. Christmas, Hanukkah, Almsgiving
Trading - Along with trading goods on trade routes, people also exchanged ideas about inventions, beliefs, etc.

11. Conquest/invasion - Sometimes when new leaders took over they would force their religion or beliefs on everyone under their control
Migration - When people moved to other places, they many times told others about their beliefs, helping to spread it along. Sometimes they chose to move, other times they were forced.
Teachings - Most religions had people who spent their time teaching others and trying to convert them to their religion. They could be priests, monks, missionaries, prophets, etc. They also created places of worship like Churches, Mosques, Temples, etc.

12. The Holy Text is the Torah. Their deity is called
Judaism:
Founded by Abraham
The Holy Text is the Torah.
Their deity is called
Yahweh  Monotheistic.
Basic beliefs include:
Only one God
Follows the teachings of the 10 Commandments
God loves his people but holds them accountable for their sins
Islam:
Founded by Mohammed
The Holy text is the Qur’an
Their deity is called
Allah  Monotheistic
Basic beliefs include:
Only one God
Follow the 5 Pillars of Faith.
These are: Faith, Prayer, Charity (Almsgiving), Fasting during Ramadan, and the Hajj/Pilgrimage to Mecca

13. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)
Buddhism:
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)
One Holy Text is the Tripitaka
They do not believe in a god/gods  Nontheistic
Basic beliefs include:
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Reaching “nirvana” through enlightenment
Hinduism:
No one is sure of the founder
The Holy Text is The Vedas
They believe in multiple deities: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are important ones  Polytheistic
Basic beliefs include:
Reincarnation through good works (karma and dharma)
People will be enlightened and reach nirvana if they are free from earthly desires
Christianity:
Founded by Jesus Christ
The Holy Text is the Bible
Their deity is called
God  Monotheistic
Basic beliefs include:
Only one God
Jesus is the Son of God
Can go to Heaven only by believing in Him