1. 1.) Christianity 2.) Judaism 3.) Islam 4.) Hinduism 5.) Buddhism
Major World Religions
1.) Christianity
2.) Judaism
3.) Islam
4.) Hinduism
5.) Buddhism

2. Christianity Monotheistic Religion
Holy Book: Bible (Both Old & New Testaments)
Major Ideology: Salvation through faith and good works
Foundations: Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Reformation
Founders: Jesus, Martin Luther, John Calvin
Laws based on Jesus’ teachings
Holy Sites: Jerusalem, Middle East

3. Judaism Monotheistic Religion
Holy Book: Torah (The history of the Jewish people; it is the Old Testament of the Bible)
Major Ideology: God made a covenant (agreement) with the Hebrews as the Chosen people
Founders: Abraham and Moses
Law based on the Ten Commandments
Major Cities and Sites: Founded in Judea (Palestine), Jerusalem; religion today concentrated in Israel and North America

4. Islam Monotheistic Religion Holy Book: Qur’an (Koran)
Major Ideology: Salvation is by a just life of belief in one true God
Foundations: Shi’ite, Sunni, Hegira
Founders: Muhammad
Government is based on principles from the Koran; all people are equal before God
Major Cities and Sites: Founded in Mecca, Jerusalem an important site

5. Hinduism Polytheistic faith with many deities (gods)
Holy Book(s): Vedas--sacred Hindu writings
Major Ideology: One God has many forms
Foundations: Caste System
Founders: Aryans
The Caste System organizes society into classes
Major Cities and Sites: Founded in India

6. Buddhism Difficult to classify Holy Book: None
Major Ideology: the religion believes that the nature of God is found in Human interactions with nature; humans are to struggle to achieve the virtuous life of Buddha
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Buddhism is based on the 4 Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path set by Buddha
Major Cities and Sites: Founded in India, spread into East and Southeast Asia