1. World Religions Notes

2. World Religions Interesting Facts
Oldest to Youngest: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam
Largest Religion: Christianity (Why?)
Worship: Muslims (Friday), Jews (Saturday) & Christians (Sunday)
Branches: Christianity (3), Buddhism (2), Islam (2), Hinduism (4), Judaism (3)
Symbols: Christianity (The Cross), Islam (Crescent Moon), Judaism (Star of David), Hinduism (Sacred Ohm), & Buddhism (The Wheel)
Holy Scriptures: Christianity (The Bible), Islam (Koran), Judaism (Torah), Hinduism (Vedas), & Buddhism (Sutras)
Famous Quotes On Religion
People have just enough religion to make them hate, but not enough to make them love one another. --Jonathan Swift
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. --Unknown
Religion is for people who are trying to keep from going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there.

3. Hinduism Founded: 3000 B.C. Oldest Religion. No founder
Holy Scriptures: Vedas, Upanishads & Bhagavad Gita
God: Brahman (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)
Many manifestations (Rays of light)
Hindus Believe:
Law of Karma (Action & Reaction)
Reincarnation (Soul travels until released)
All Paths Lead To God (Tolerance)
Vegetarian Lifestlye= All Life Sacred (Ahisma)
Personal Guru & Family Shrine
Mantras, Caste System
Goal of Hinduism:
“To escape the physical realm (time) or cycle of reincarnation and become one Spirit with Brahman (eternity) by purifying the soul over many lifetimes.”
Hinduism

4. Family Shrine
Gurus
Ganges River

5. Judaism Founded: 2000 B.C. By Abraham (Father of the Jews)
Holy Scriptures: Torah (Moses), Talmud & Kabbalah
God:“YAWEH or JEHOVA” (Monotheism)
Types: Orthodox, Reform, & Conservative
Jews Believe:
Torah, Talmud & 10 Commandments Must Be Obeyed
Observe The Sabbath (Saturday, NO WORK!)
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah & Bar Mitzvah)
Kosher Laws (No Pork, Shell Fish, Blood In Meat)
Messiah (Christ) Coming To Rule The World
Land Of Israel Belongs To The Jews
Goal of Judaism:
Live Moral Lives, Worship One God, Heaven May Exist, Follow the Torah, God Forgives Faithful Jews
Moses

6. Father Abraham
Moses
The Torah

7. Buddhism Founded: 5th-6th BC By The Buddha (Prince Siddhartha Guatama)
Holy Scriptures: Tripitaka, Sutras & Tibetan Dead Book
God: There Is No God
Types: Theraveda (Monks) & Mahayana
Beliefs Of Buddhism
4 Noble Truths (Cure For Suffering)
Eightfold Path (The Middle Way)
Life Is An Illusion (We Are Asleep & Dreaming)
Nirvana Through Meditation (Thought Control)
Goal of Buddhism
Is to awaken to Enlightenment. There is no god. There is no soul. There is no reincarnation only rebirth. Only the eternal exists & time is an illusion…We are dreaming we are alive and must be awakened to see Enlightenment, Nirvana = Eternity…
Buddha

9. Christianity Goal Of Christianity Founded: 26 A.D. By Jesus Christ
Holy Scriptures: The Bible (Old & New)
God: Father, Son & Holy Ghost (Trinity)
Types: Catholic, Orthodox & Protestants
Christians Believe:
Exclusiveness (One Way), Morality (Heart), Miracles
Baptism (Water), Sacraments, Prayer, Sin, Forgiveness
2nd Coming Of Christ, Resurrection, Judgment Day
Goal Of Christianity
Called The Gospel: All Have Sinned, Jesus Died For Sins & Rose Again, Believe In Christ, Receive Eternal life & Escape Judgment, Live In Heaven For Eternity
Jesus

11. Islam Founded: 610 A.D. By Prophet Mohammed
Holy Scriptures: The Quran & Sunnah
God: “Allah” Is The One True God
Types: Sunni & Shia (Imams)
Beliefs Of Muslims (Islam)
Mohammad Is The Final Prophet
Allah Gave Mohammad The Quran By The Angel Gabriel
5 Pillars Of Faith
5 Daily Prayers, Confession, Ramadan, Tithes, & Pilgrimage (Mecca)
Goal Of Islam:
Muslims Must Follow The 5 Pillars Of Faith, Live A Submissive Life, & Await Allah’s Mercy On Judgment Day
Mohammad

12. Mecca
Kabba
Quran

13. Ways To Exercise Religion
Prayer
Meditation
Fasting
Worshipping
Chanting
Tithing
Pilgrimage
Giving to poor (Alms)
Baptism
Begging/Vows
Shrine Worship
Reading Scripture
Sermon/Guru
Holy Days
Kosher (Dietary laws)
Communion
Saints
Witnessing
Sacraments
Clothing

14. Religious Wars Charlemagne The Crusades Northern Ireland vs. Ireland
Forced Conversions Of Saxons
The Crusades
Christians vs. Muslims (Holy Land)
Thirty Years War
Protestants vs. Catholics
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
Catholics Killing French Protestants
Salem Witch Trials
Christians Killing Women
Holy Inquisition
Jews, Muslims & Heretics
Russian Pogroms
Christians Persecuting Jews
Northern Ireland vs. Ireland
Protestants vs. Catholics
Bosnian War Christians
Christians Killing Muslims
Sudanese Civil War
Muslims Killing Christians
Sri Lanka
Hindus Killing Buddhists
Kashmir
Hindus vs. Muslims
Al Queda
Muslims Killing Westerners