1. Religions

2. Judaism Monotheism was practiced by the Hebrews. Origins of Judaism
Abraham-The father of the Jewish people
Moses-led the people out of Egypt according to the Torah
Jerusalem
Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Judaism
Belief in one God (monotheism)
Torah, which contains the written records and beliefs of the Jews
Ten Commandments, which state moral and religious conduct
Spread of Judaism
Exile-Banished or deported from a land
Diaspora-The scattering of Jewish Communities

3. Canaan
Ancient Home of the Hebrews/Jews

4. Ten Commandments

5. Zoroastrianism Practice of Zoroastrianism
Religion of Persia
Belief in two opposing forces in the universe
Early persian religion with a belief in the forces of good and evil
Zoroaster-Persian Prophet and Religious Reformer
Two Spirtual Armies
Ahura Mazda-Truth and Light
Ahriman-Evil and Darkness
All souls judged at end of time
Teachings similar to concepts in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

6. Ahura Mazda Ahriman

7. Christianity Origins of Christianity
Had its roots in Judaism
Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah
Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of Roman Empire
Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity
Monotheism
Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God
Life after death
New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians
Christian doctrines established by early church councils

8. Spread of Christianity
Popularity of the message
Early martyrs inspired others
Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire
Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire
The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal.
Christianity later became the official state religion.
The Church became a source of moral authority.
Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.
The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe.

9. Islam Muhammad, the Prophet
Mecca and Medina on the Arabian Peninsula: Early Muslim cities
Spread of Islam-Across Asia and Africa and into Spain
Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Islam
Monotheism: Allah (Arabic word for God)
Qur’an (Koran): The word of God
Five Pillars of Islam
1. Faith- A declaration of faith that Muslims recite: “There is no god but Allah & Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”
2. Prayer-Five times daily, Face towards Mecca to pray
3. Alms-Money for the poor through religious taxes, Responsibility to support the less fortunate
4. Fasting-Ramadan – holy month of Islam, Period where nothing is eaten between sunrise & sunset
5. Pilgrimage(Hajj)-Trip to Mecca at least once in life
Acceptance of Judeo-Christian prophets, including Moses and Jesus

10. Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Enlightenment- Wisdom
in a part of India that is in present-day Nepal
Enlightenment- Wisdom
Four Noble Truths
1st-Life is filled with suffering and sorrow
2nd-caused by desires
3rd-end suffering by ending desires
4th-achieved by following the eightfold path (middle way)
Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
Guide to behavior-One step at a time
Right Views, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration
Nirvana – release from pain and suffering
Asoka’s missionaries and their writings spread Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia.
Chinese forms of Buddhism spread throughout Asia.

11. Hinduism Belief in many forms of one God
Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma
Karma: Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences
Moksha – perfect understanding of all things
Vedas and Upanishads: Sacred writings
Spread along major trade routes

12. Doaism/Taoism Impact of Taoism in forming Chinese culture and values
Humility
Simple life and inner peace
Harmony with nature
Yin and yang represented opposites for Confucianism and Taoism.

13. Confucianism
Impact of Confucianism in forming the social order in China
Belief that humans are good, not bad
Respect for elders
Code of politeness (still used in Chinese society today)
Emphasis on education
Ancestor worship
Yin and yang represented opposites for Confucianism and Taoism.

14. Shintoism Ethnic religion unique to Japan
Importance of natural features, forces of nature, and ancestors
State religion; worship of the emperor
Coexistence with Buddhism