1. Early Belief Systems

2. What do you think? Why are we here?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
What happens to people when they die?

3. So what? Religions were created to explain the unexplainable
Earthquakes, storms, creation
Gives humans a way to impact things beyond our control
Prayer/sacrifice could earn better weather/harvests
Answer philosophical questions
What’s the meaning of life?
What happens when it’s over?

4. Ancient Civilization Religions
Polytheism = belief in many gods
Ancient Egypt
Theocracy (gov’t officials divinely guided)
Religion guided all aspects of life
Mesopotamia
Each city claimed a god
Gods are unpredictable and selfish
Afterlife was grim
Angry gods to be appeased

5. Greece (700 B.C. – 600 A.D.)
Powerful gods caused events in physical world
Gods were feared, humans serve
Human forms, superhuman powers
City-States had a home god
Zeus was chief god
Mt. Olympus: home of 12 gods

6. GREEK BUMPER STICKER
In pairs, you must design a bumper sticker related to one of the Greek gods. This bumper sticker must include the following:
Symbol or Picture connected to your Greek god
A slogan representing your Greek god
Colorful, Neat, & Professional looking
The best two from each class will win candy!

7. Zeus: Father of the gods, Would hurl a thunderbolt to bring order
Hera: Goddess of marriage, children & the home (Zeus’ wife)
Poseidon: God of the sea (Zeus’ brother)
Hades: God of the dead (Zeus’ brother)
Ares: God of war (Zeus’ son)
Hephaestus: God of fire
Hermes: Messenger of the gods, Noted for his pranks & speed (Zeus’ son)

8. Apollo: God of the sun, light, & music (Zeus’ son)
Artemis: Goddess of the hunt
Dionysus: God of life, hospitality, & wild things
Athena: Goddess of wisdom
Aphrodite: Goddess of love & beauty
Eros: God of love, had a bow & arrow to shoot people & make them fall in love
Pan: God of all nature, half man & half horse
Hercules: Half god & half man, known for strength (Zeus’ son)

9. Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Abrahamic Religions
Judaism, Christianity, Islam

10. Major Religions Chart
1. Become an “expert” on your religion. Complete the reading + fill out its portion of the chart.
2. Meet with someone with one religion you don’t have… Share your religion/Get theirs
3. Repeat Step 2 for your last religion.

11. Wrap Up Explain some of the similarities among the three religions.
What are the major differences among the religions?
Are you surprised that the religions are so similar? Why?

12. Abrahamic Religions Basics
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Monotheistic (belief in a single god)
Judaism founded ~1000 B.C.
Christianity ~50 A.D.
Islam ~600 A.D.
Deity: God, Allah, Yahweh (Same person, different names)

13. Role of Jesus Christ
A man named Jesus Christ existed… but who was he??
Christianity: Divine, Son of God
Islam: A Prophet, sent by Allah
Judaism: Normal Jew, not divine, not a prophet

14. Role of New Testament Originated from Jewish/Hebrew Bible
Book 1 of Christian Bible
Portions of the Hebrew Bible in the Quaran/Koran

15. Judaism Oldest monotheistic religion that is practiced today
“Ethnoreligion” – share religion and culture
Torah/Tanakh – Holy Book
Holidays include: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, & Passover

16. Islam Founded last of Christianity, Judaism & Islam
2nd largest religion in the world today
Muharram (New Year), Ramadan, Malid al-nabi (Muhammad’s birthday)
Central tenets called 5 Pillars of Islam

17. Islam – Five Pillars
Faith: Must say & believe, “There is no god but Allah, & Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
Prayer: Pray 5x/day facing Mecca, may be in a Mosque
Alms: Charity, Support the less fortunate, religious tax
Fasting: No eating dawn-sunset during Ramadan (spiritual needs > physical needs)
Pilgrimage: Muslims who can afford it must travel to Mecca at least once in their lives

18. Christianity Jesus Christ = Prophet and Son of God
Followers work to follow teachings of Jesus to be saved
Ten Commandments = behavior
Holidays: Christmas, Easter

19. Eastern Religions

20. Hinduism Major religion of India (What ancient civilization?
Polytheistic (What does this mean?)
One of the oldest current religions (3000 B.C.???)
Three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Brahma = creator of universe

21. Buddhism