1. Religions and Philosophies
Belief Systems
Religions and Philosophies

2. Religions Monotheism Polytheism The belief in one God
Ex. Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Polytheism
The belief in many gods
Ex. Ancient Egypt, Hinduism

3. Judaism
The Hebrews founded Judaism , the oldest known monotheistic religion
Sacred text: Torah (Christian Old Testament)
Basic teachings: Ten Commandments- the Hebrew code of laws
Holy City: Jerusalem

4. Christianity Founder: Jesus of Nazareth Holy City: Jerusalem
Sacred text: Christian Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
Monotheistic
Practices: Seven sacraments

5. Christianity Christian Churches divide numerous times
Major churches: Roman Catholic (headed by Pope), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant Faiths (Lutheran, Calvinist, Church of England)

6. Islam Holy Cities: Mecca (Makkah), Medina, Jerusalem
Founder: Prophet Muhammad (6th Century AD)
Sacred text: Qur’an (Koran)
Monotheistic: One God (Allah- means God in Arabic)
Basic teachings: 5 pillars
Divisions: Sunni and Shiah
Holy Cities: Mecca (Makkah), Medina, Jerusalem

7. Hinduism POLYTHEISTIC No Single Founder
Holy books: Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabarata
Reincarnation- rebirth of one’s soul

8. Hinduism Beliefs: Karma- all the good and bad deeds done in one’s life
Dharma- duties one must fulfill in life
Moksha- union with Brahman at the end of life cycle
Caste system- rigid social class system based on birth

9. Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) 500’s BC
No Single God- believe in universal spirit
Basic teachings:
Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

10. Buddhism Beliefs: Karma Reincarnation
Ahimsa- nonviolence to all living things
Nirvana- release from the cycle of rebirth

11. Animism Founder-There is no one person Geographic Origin- Africa
Significant Writings- Animism has an oral tradition of story-telling, rather than a developed writing system.
Places of Worship-Animist rituals tend to take place outdoors in nature.
Teachings and Beliefs- Animists practice nature worship. They believe that everything in the universe has a spirit.

12. Philosophies

13. Confucianism Founder: Confucius 500’s BC Text: The Analects
Beliefs: Filial Piety- respect for parents and elders
5 relationships: guide conduct in all interactions in family and society

14. Daoism Founder: Laozi 500’s BC Text: Dao De Jing
Beliefs: harmony with nature
Yin and Yang: must balance 2 opposing forces in nature
The Dao: the force that guides all things