1. Which faith tradition do you think each verse came from? Buddhism (the Dhammapada) Christianity (the New Testament) Hinduism (the Baghavad Gita) Islam (the Qur’an) Judaism (the Torah)

2. Question 1 How can I have a son,” she said, “when no man has touched me, nor am I sinful?” He said: “Thus will it be. Your Lord said: “It is easy for Me,” and that: “We shall make him a sign for men and a blessing from Us.” This is a thing already decreed.” Qur’an: 19:20-21

3. Question 2 I am the Way and the Master who watches in silence. Thy friend and thy shelter and thy abode of peace. Bagavad Gita 9:18

4. Question 3 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Torah: Genesis 22:1-2

5. Question 4 For hatred can never put an end to hatred. Love alone can. This is an unalterable law. Dhammapada 1:5

6. Question 5 It was also said, Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. But now I tell you; if a man divorces his wife for any other cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again and the man who marries her commits adultery also. New Testament: Matthew 5:31

7. Question 6 On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets. As an aroma pleasing to the Lord, prepare a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. Torah: Numbers 29:1-2

8. Question 7 Go ye forth for the good of the many, the welfare of the many, in compassion for the world. Proclaim the doctrine, glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, glorious in the end. Preach ye a life of holiness, perfect and pure Dhammapada

9. Question 8 And any woman who prays or proclaims God’s message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces her husband; there is no difference between her and a woman whose head has been shaved. If the woman does not cover her head, she might as well cut her hair. And since it is a shameful thing for a woman to shave her head or cut her hair, she should cover her head. New Testament: 1 Corinthians 11:5

10. Question 9 And We said to Adam: “Both you and your spouse live in the Garden, eat freely to your fill wherever you like, but approach not this tree or you will become transgressors.” Qur’an: 2: 35-36

11. Question 10 Making a fair provision for women who are divorced is the duty of those who are God-fearing and pious. Qur’an 2:241

12. Question 11 If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. Torah: Leviticus 20:10

13. Question 12 You tell them: “In all the commands revealed to me I find nothing which men have been forbidden to eat except carrion and running blood and flesh of the swine for it is unclean.” Qur’an: 6:145

14. What is religion? Religions change and evolve over time Religions are spread through interaction

15. Cultural Landscape The cultural landscape reflects religious preferences, by houses of worship, cemeteries, shrines, and statues It is reflected in the sale of alcohol, dress, and personal habits Ex: Pakistan requires judges to wear a beard

16. Religion A system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally perceived ultimate priorities It determines how people “should” behave In some societies, religion determines behaviors during waking hours, and even in sleep (some sleeping positions can be sinful) Most religions have prayers and rituals

17. Rituals Rituals mark important events in people’s lives Births Death Coming of age Marriage Celebration of holidays Prayer

18. Secularism Some societies are predominantly secular, or non- religious Even then, religion seeps into art, history, customs, beliefs, and even the calendar Whether secular or not, it is important to have a basic understanding of religion Religion is one of the most complex and controversial aspects of culture

20. Early Religions Most religions can be classified into one of three broad groups: Monotheistic: belief in a single deity Polytheistic: belief in more than one deity Animistic: belief that inanimate objects have spirits

21. History of Religion Up until 3500 years ago, most religions were polytheistic or animistic Zoroastrianism was the first monotheistic religion and laid the foundation for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the belief that there is a single all-powerful good god (Zoroastro), and there is also an evil being trying to destroy good

22. Diffusion of Monotheism Judaism was the second (or first) great monotheistic religion However, it was not until Christianity and Islam emerged that monotheism spread By 500 BCE, there were four hearths of religion: Greece (Greek Philosophy) India (Hinduism) Israel (Judaism) China (Chinese philosophies)

23. Religions Today Christianity and Islam have the highest number of adherents (followers) Christianity has the largest number of adherents, but Islam is the fastest growing religion They are both influenced by Greek philosophy and Judaism

24. World Distribution of Religions Fig. 6-1: World religions by continent.