1. Religion Overview

2. Definition of Religion: Set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature,and purpose of the universe. Religious symbols, Left to right: Row 1. Christian, Jewish, Hindu Row 2. Islamic, Buddhist, Shinto Row 3. Sikh, Baha'i, JainChristianJewishHinduIslamicBuddhistShintoSikhBaha'iJain

3. Theism = the belief that at least one higher being exists Monotheism = belief in one god Polytheism = belief in many gods Democracy = rule by many Theocracy = government where religious law is above civil law

4. 3 Major World Religions Judaism –established 2000 BCE –traces its heritage to a covenant God made with Abraham and his people –God would make them a sacred people and give them a holy land Christianity –began in 1st century AD as a Jewish sect –founded upon the belief that Jesus was the Messiah (the son of god) Islam –began in 7 th century Arabia with Muhammad's first recitations of the Qur'an sacred text of Islam contains the teachings of the prophet that were revealed to him from Allah

5. Religions of the World