1. Human Geography
Religions of the World

2. Religion
How are religions similar?
Different?

3. Why is religion important?
Religions establish beliefs and values of a group
It tells them how to behave toward each other

4. Types of Religions Monotheistic religions believe in one god.
Polytheistic religions believe in many gods.
Animistic or traditional religions believe in divine forces in nature.

5. Types of Religions Judaism Christianity Islam Monotheistic Religions
Polytheistic Religions
Hinduism
Buddhism

6. Religions of the World Religion Followers Christianity 1.9 billion
Islam
1.1 billion
Hinduism
781 million
Sikhism
356 million
Buddhism
324 million
Judaism
14 million

7. Where are they located?
Sikhism

8. Southwest Asia
The three monotheistic religions began in Southwest Asia:
Judaism (2000 BCE)
Christianity (26-36 CE)
Islam (610 CE)

9. How did these religions spread?
Diffusion
The movement of people helped spread religions
Trade
War/conquest

11. Judaism Oldest monotheistic religion
Abraham is the ‘father’ of the Jewish people.
Ethnic religion
Followers are called Jews
Israel is the homeland of the Jews

12. Western Wall

13. Star of David

14. Christianity Christianity evolved from the teachings of Judaism
It is monotheistic (one God)
Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ

15. Saint Basil’s

16. Islam
Islam is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad who lived from 570 to 632 in Saudi Arabia.
Islam is directly related to Judaism and Christianity.
Islam is a monotheistic religion
Muslims worship God, who in Arabic is called Allah

17. Islam

18. Islam The five pillars or central teachings of Islam are:
A statement of faith
Prayer (five times a day in the direction of Mecca)
Charity
Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime (called the Hajj)
Fasting (during the month of Ramadan)

19. Dome of the Rock

20. Mecca

21. Crescent and Star

22. India
The two polytheistic religions began in India:
Hinduism
Buddhism

23. Hinduism Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world.
Hinduism has no founder and is based on traditions that developed over a long period of time.

24. Angkor Wat

25. Buddhism
Buddhism is related to Hinduism and shares many of the same basic beliefs.
Buddhism developed about 563 B.C.
Its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, is called the Buddha, or Enlightened One.

26. Buddhism spread quickly to other parts of Asia

27. Buddha

28. Sikhism It is Monotheistic
Found mainly in Northern India/Southern Pakistan
Believes in Equality of everyone
Rejects the caste system.

29. Sikhism