1. Warm-Up What religion does your family practice? What do you believe about the nature of God/Gods/Higher Power of Your Choice? What do you believe happens to a person after death?

2. Major World Religions

3. Judaism  Who – Abraham, Moses  When – circa 3000 BC  Where – Israel  Holy Books - Torah, and Talmud  Major Divisions – Orthodox, Conservative, Reform Basic Beliefs  Monotheistic – one God  Jews are the chosen people of God, must follow his laws.  Jerusalem/Israel are holy lands.

4. Christianity Who – Jesus of Nazareth When – circa 30AD Where – Israel Holy Books – Old and New Testaments Major Divisions – Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox Basic Beliefs Jesus Christ is the son of God Death and resurrection Came to redeem mankind from sin.

5. Islam Who – Mohammed When – circa 620AD Where – Arabian Peninsula Holy Books – Quran and the Hadith Major Divisions – Sunni, Shia Basic Beliefs  There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God  Quran is word of God.  Muslims must perform the “Five Pillars of Faith”.

6. Hinduism Who – Ancient priests of India When – 5000 –3000 BCE Where – India Holy Books – Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita Major Divisions – Numerous schools and traditions Basic Beliefs  Polytheistic  Reincarnation and Karma – cause and effect  Ultimate goal – oneness with “Brahman” (God, Reality)

7. Buddhism Who – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) When – 500 BC Where – Northern India Holy Books - Tripitaka Major Divisions – Mahayana, Theravada Basic Beliefs  Life is suffering, caused by wanting things, caused by ignorance.  Reincarnation and karma  “8-fold Path” allows escape to Nirvana