1. Growth and
Development
of World Religions

2. Growth and Development of World Religions
Explain how world religions or belief systems grew and their significance.
Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Christianity
Islam

3. Five of the world’s major faiths and ethical systems emerged establishing institutions, systems of thought, and cultural styles that would influence neighboring peoples and endure for centuries. -I can know and explain the 5 major faiths of the world. -I can know where the 5 major faiths originated and how they grew. -I can know what the 5 major faiths believe. -I can explain how the 5 major faiths have influenced the people around them.

4. Christianity Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
He was a Jew who lived in Israel over 2,000 years ago
Followers of Jesus call him Christ
Christ means “Chosen One”
Jesus is believed to be the son of God

5. Life and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus born in Bethlehem in Judea
After working as a carpenter he traveled to Judea preaching love for his fellow humans, and practicing miracles
When he reached Jerusalem for Passover he was greeted by huge crowds, hoping that he would lead a radical nationalist movement against the Romans
When they realized he had no intention of this, they turned against him
Betrayed by Judas he was charged with treason by Pontius Pilate and crucified
Byzantine Icon of the Crucicixion

6. Jesus is believed to be the son of God
Followers of Jesus became known as Christians
Gospels: After Jesus died, stories of His life and wisdom were combined into 4 books
Gospel means “Good News”

7. The Travels of Paul
Word spread that Jesus had been seen alive after his crucifixion, and small Christian communities emerged
Paul (born Saul) was an educated Jew originally opposed to the Christians; he received a sign from God on the road to Damascus that converted him to Christianity
He then traveled the Roman world arguing that Jesus was the Son of God who had died to forgive for the sins of humanity
He traveled 8000 miles preaching; put to death in Rome in 65 AD. As a result of his work, large numbers of Christian communities emerged

8. Appeal of Christianity
Christianity spread because it upheld the equality of all, and was a religion offering salvation for all regardless of social class.
The simplicity of it demanded belief in one god and rejection of all other religions
It was a universal religion that all could join
Afterlife — a place where the soul will go after death – “Heaven”

9. Further Appeal of Christianity
It satisfied the universal need to belong to a community. The Roman empire was filled with people looking to belong to a community. Persecution only strengthened the bonds of the early Christian church
The Church gave communities social stability as well — it took care of the sick, widowed and orphaned, and gave a sense of self-respect to the poor.

10. Persecution of the Christians
But Christianity seen as a threat to Rome – traitors to the state religion!
Christians refused to join the army and condemned other religions
Persecutions took place during the first two centuries of the religion
In the 3rd and 4th Centuries, when the Empire was in danger of collapse, major persecutions launched
Bloodiest under Diocletian (285 – 305) - Christians died rather than making other sacrifices to their pagan gods
Eventually the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, and it became the state religion early in the 4th century
Persecution of the Christians
Christians in the Coliseum

11. Council of Nicaea
In 313 Constantine decreed that Christianity would be ‘tolerated’ throughout the Empire
He invited all of the leading Christian thinkers of the time to assemble at the Council of Nicaea (325) which formally recognized Christianity
By the reign of Theodosius I, pagans were being persecuted by Christians
Eventually the roles were completely reversed and Christians were the majority religion in world.
Byzantine painting of the
Council of Nicaea

12. The Nicaean Creed
Leaders at Nicaea decided on this declaration, which later became known as the Nicaean Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God
Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures.

13. Nicaean Creed Continued
And he ascended [went up] into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end
And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church
We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection [coming back to life] of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."

14. Holy book known as the bible
Has 2 parts
Old Testament: Sacred writings of Jesus and His people
New Testament: Gospels and letters written by Christians
Bible translated into over 1,500 languages!!

15. The bible is the most read book in the world!
Almost 2 billion Christians live on every continent
Asia does not have many Christians
Picture is of the Last Supper. This is the last supper that Jesus, according to the bible, shared with his 12 apostles. This painting was created by Leonardo daVinci.

16. Denominations of Christianity
Protestant religions came about when many Christians started to protest against the Catholic faith.
This happened during the Middle Ages (or Medieval Times) during a time called Reformation.
Baptists (34 million)
Methodists (13 million)
Lutherans (8 million)
Presbyterians (4 million)
Episcopalians (2.5 million)
Pentacostals (2.4 million)
In history, it used to be the faith of most Christians.
Leader: Pope
This religion is dominant in Greek cultures and Eastern Europe

17. The Cross Cross: Christian symbol
Jesus was executed by being nailed to the cross
It is Christianity’s most important icon
Symbolizes the Christian connection with Jesus