1. World Religions and Belief Systems

2. Religion vs. Belief System
Religions
Generally are a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and meaning of the universe and often include the belief in a supernatural being (God or gods)
Belief Systems
Generally are a set of mutually supportive beliefs, which are often religious, philosophical, or ideological and can be a combination of these three

3. Various Ancient Religious Beliefs
Prior to the formation of structured religions around the world, ancient peoples often put their faith in various polytheistic, nature based (Animism), or elemental divinities (Pantheism - god is present in all things AND is the creator).
Many belief systems of the past and present incorporate one or more of these outlooks in their ways of understanding the world, and in the practices of their daily lives.
Probably emphasize Native American and/or African tribal religions to get them to understand what Animism and Pantheism is.

4. Polytheistic vs. Monotheistic
Polytheistic – the belief in more than one god or deity
Ancient religions of the Greeks, Romans, Nordic peoples, Egyptians, Aztecs, etc.
Monotheistic – the belief in one god or supreme being
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism

5. Confucianism Started by Confucius (551-479 BCE)
Focus on life rather than the afterlife
Emphasizes worship of ancestors
Teachings compiled in book known as the Analects
Promotes peace, education, and harmony through relationships
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore are influenced by Confucian ethics

6. Confucianism
Emphasized studying and practicing the values of the Five Relationships
Believed those who observed them would gain influence in society
Traditional Chinese education based on the learning of Confucian values
Government posts earned through cycle of studies of it
Reinforced family as the center of Chinese society

7. Religions of India
About the time of the emergence of the Chinese belief systems, new religions solidified themselves in the regions of India:
Hinduism
Buddhism
Both were heavily influenced by the Vedas and ancient Indian beliefs of reincarnation

8. Hinduism Began in India c.1500 BCE
God reveals self in many different forms (known as Brahman)
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Krishna
Sacred Texts
Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads

9. Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
Souls are reincarnated after death
Ultimate goal is to escape the cycle of rebirth and become one with Brahman (known as Moksha)
Major Ideas:
Dharma (duty)
Karma (action)
Samsara (cycle of life)
Moksha (liberation)
Kali, goddess of death and destruction
Shiva, the destroyer

10. Impact of Hinduism Ultimately becomes religion of India
Leads to development and solidification of the Caste System
“Untouchables” considered the lowest in society based on their rebirth into that class
Think Karma and how their previous life would be perceived
Ganesha, the god of beginnings

11. Social Impact of Hinduism

12. Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
Commonly known as the Buddha
Life is a spiritual quest to escape the suffering of human existence
Use methods such as meditation, fasting, and vows of silence

13. Basic Beliefs of Buddhism
Four Noble Truths:
Life is suffering
Desire causes suffering
End suffering by ending desire
To end desire follow the Eightfold Path
Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration
Basic Beliefs of Buddhism
Buddhist Wheel of Life; the eight spokes represent the Eightfold Path

14. Impact of Buddhism Spreads throughout central and SE Asia
Appeals to many lower social classes because did not recognize social distinctions (Castes)

15. I thought we can give this diagram in notes – either in full or have them fill out

16. Monotheistic Faiths
Several ancient belief systems were Monotheistic (i.e. the Aten Cult in Egypt; Zoroastrianism of Persia)
The three most followed and impactful today are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
The first image is the pharaoh Akhenaten worshipping the Sun Disk or Aten. The Second is of the fire that represents purity in Zoroastrianism. I thought mentioning these two was a nice way to show the students that other religions, that also developed in the middle East, influenced the development of the Abrahamic religions of today.

17. Abrahamic Religions
The three “great” monotheistic religions of today all share common origins
All share the same founding figure of Abraham, or pay reverence to him
All share basic core tenets (beliefs), including central figures, prophets, writings, etc.
All worship the same God

18. Judaism Dates back at least to 1000 B.C.E in the region of Egypt
The founding figure is Abraham who is believed to have made a covenant (pact) with God
God made Abraham’s tribe a chosen people who could receive salvation by following God’s core principles of love and faith
God promised Abraham, his tribe, and their descendants a homeland

19. Judaism
Tanakh is the Jewish Bible; the first 5 books is called the Torah (teachings)
Given by God to Abraham and Moses (10 Commandments)
Both Christian and Islamic beliefs are rooted in Judaism
I put in the Abraham and Moses thing to allow for a later comparison to Muhammad?

20. Christianity Dates back to approximately the years 0-33 C.E.
Jesus of Nazareth is considered the founding figure
Christianity is based around the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
The Christian Bible is comprised of the Old (Jewish Bible) and New Testaments (Gospels, etc.)

21. Christianity
Central to the Christian religion is that Jesus is mankind's savior and the son of God
Faith in Jesus and God (usually considered the same) will lead to salvation (eternal spiritual life in heaven)
Salvation is available to all who believe

22. Islam Dates to 610 C.E. on the Arabian peninsula
Muhammad is the founding figure of the Islamic faith
Muslims (adherents) believe that the final instructions for mankind were revealed to Muhammad

23. Islam
Muslims accept that Muhammad is the final prophet of god and that the Qur'an (Islamic holy book) contains the word of God (instructions for mankind)
Islam incorporates many Judaic and Christian beliefs and values, including God’s (Allah) love and compassion, and salvation for believers

24. Probably provide this in the notes?

25. Spread of Belief Systems
All belief systems and religions spread for many interconnected reasons, but three main themes include:
Trade
Buddhism into China along the Silk Road
Islam into West Africa along Saharan caravan routes
War and Conquest
Expansion of Islamic empire
Charlemagne's empire across Europe
Spanish Conquistadors conquest of the Americas

26. Spread of Belief Systems
Conversion of Elites (Political, Military, and Commercial leaders)
Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism
Gupta empires acceptance of Hinduism
Constantine’s conversion to Christianity
Elite: Noun : upper-class social group with great power and wealth. 2: extremely talented or capable

27. Spread of Belief Systems

28. Major Religions Today by Region