2. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Philosophy Religion Philosophy ReligionRELIGION

3. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Who is the Designer?

4. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Descartes 3 Proofs Ontological Argument: We have the idea of God, perfection, in order to have that idea of perfection, it must have come from the perfect being…God. Cosmological Argument: I exist, but did not cause myself to exist, therefore there must exist a necessary being, God, which causes me (and the rest of the world) to exist. (Contingent & Necessary Being) Teleological Argument (Design):The purpose and harmony of nature. The complexity of creatures; surely there is a designer. Ontological Argument: We have the idea of God, perfection, in order to have that idea of perfection, it must have come from the perfect being…God. Cosmological Argument: I exist, but did not cause myself to exist, therefore there must exist a necessary being, God, which causes me (and the rest of the world) to exist. (Contingent & Necessary Being) Teleological Argument (Design):The purpose and harmony of nature. The complexity of creatures; surely there is a designer.

5. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Possible Outcomes A) If you believe in God, and he exist, then you are going to heaven and are going to reap infinite rewards. B) If you don't believe in God, and he does exist, then you are going to hell and suffer infinite pain. C) If you believe in God, and he does not exist, you have wasted some small measure of energy. D) If you don't believe in God and he does not exist, then you have saved some small measure of energy. A) If you believe in God, and he exist, then you are going to heaven and are going to reap infinite rewards. B) If you don't believe in God, and he does exist, then you are going to hell and suffer infinite pain. C) If you believe in God, and he does not exist, you have wasted some small measure of energy. D) If you don't believe in God and he does not exist, then you have saved some small measure of energy.

6. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU William James James thinks that the existence of God can not be proved or refuted by science. It is something that is open for us to believe in even though there is not sufficient evidence for it. We can “Will ourselves to believe” in God. Reason seeks justification for our beliefs Faith needs no justification. James thinks that the existence of God can not be proved or refuted by science. It is something that is open for us to believe in even though there is not sufficient evidence for it. We can “Will ourselves to believe” in God. Reason seeks justification for our beliefs Faith needs no justification.

7. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a worldview. What is Religion?

8. Christianity Islam Hinduism Judaism Buddhism THE 5 MAIN RELIGIONS

9. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Christian Philosophy God is the Creator of the universe. There is one God, Who is Three Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary Crucified, resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the Father. God is the Creator of the universe. There is one God, Who is Three Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary Crucified, resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the Father.

10. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Christian Philosophy Sin and Evil are realities in our existence. The Bible is the Holy Book that records God's revelation. All believers are promised life everlasting. The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the followers were his 12 disciples. Sin and Evil are realities in our existence. The Bible is the Holy Book that records God's revelation. All believers are promised life everlasting. The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the followers were his 12 disciples.

11. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUBuddhism Founding person of Buddhism is Guatama, the Buddha The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist monk who remains the leader of the Tibetans. Buddhism is a major religion in China, Japan, India, and Tibet. Founding person of Buddhism is Guatama, the Buddha The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist monk who remains the leader of the Tibetans. Buddhism is a major religion in China, Japan, India, and Tibet.

12. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU The Major Philosophy of Buddhism Love: without conditions Compassion: or feeling at one with the person who is suffering Sympathetic Joy:Celebrate the happiness of others, and do not resent their good fortune. Impartiality: Treat everyone equally, and do not use others for personal gain or to win approval. Love: without conditions Compassion: or feeling at one with the person who is suffering Sympathetic Joy:Celebrate the happiness of others, and do not resent their good fortune. Impartiality: Treat everyone equally, and do not use others for personal gain or to win approval.

13. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU The Major Philosophy of Buddhism Buddhism states that existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth called reincarnation. Each person's position in life is determined by his or her behavior in the previous life. This is known as their "karma" (also a Hindu belief). Buddhism states that existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth called reincarnation. Each person's position in life is determined by his or her behavior in the previous life. This is known as their "karma" (also a Hindu belief).

14. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUBuddhism Buddhism is the world's oldest universal religion and it is the second fastest growing religion.

15. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUIslam ISLAM is the name given to the religion preached by the prophet Muhammad in the 600s A. D. The Islamic religion started in the area known as Palestine. It has about 850 million followers, most of them in the region north and east of the Mediterranean Sea. ISLAM is the name given to the religion preached by the prophet Muhammad in the 600s A. D. The Islamic religion started in the area known as Palestine. It has about 850 million followers, most of them in the region north and east of the Mediterranean Sea.

16. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUIslam The holy book of Islam is the "Koran." Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah himself, spoken to Muhammad by an angel. Allah, is the Islamic God. The holy book of Islam is the "Koran." Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah himself, spoken to Muhammad by an angel. Allah, is the Islamic God.

17. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Islamic Philosophy Muslims learn that life on earth is a period of testing and preparation for the life to come. Angels record good and bad deeds. People should behave themselves and help others, trusting in Allah's justice and mercy for their reward. Muslims learn that life on earth is a period of testing and preparation for the life to come. Angels record good and bad deeds. People should behave themselves and help others, trusting in Allah's justice and mercy for their reward.

18. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUIslam Muslims pray five times daily in their mosques. While praying, they face the holy city of Mecca (in Saudi-Arabia) and sometimes kneel with faces to the ground. All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage (trip to a sacred place) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Muslims pray five times daily in their mosques. While praying, they face the holy city of Mecca (in Saudi-Arabia) and sometimes kneel with faces to the ground. All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage (trip to a sacred place) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

19. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUHinduism HINDUISM is one of the world's oldest religions. Over 2/3's of the world's Hindus live in India; large numbers reside in Africa also. Hindus believe in many gods, numbering into the thousands. They recognize one supreme spirit called Brahman ("the Absolute.") HINDUISM is one of the world's oldest religions. Over 2/3's of the world's Hindus live in India; large numbers reside in Africa also. Hindus believe in many gods, numbering into the thousands. They recognize one supreme spirit called Brahman ("the Absolute.")

20. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Hindu Philosophy The goal of Hindus is to someday join with Brahman. Until that union takes place, believers are in a continuous process of rebirth called "reincarnation.“ At death, the Hindu's deeds (karma) determine what the next life will be. The goal of Hindus is to someday join with Brahman. Until that union takes place, believers are in a continuous process of rebirth called "reincarnation.“ At death, the Hindu's deeds (karma) determine what the next life will be.

21. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Hindu Philosophy Followers work to break this cycle-- birth, death, re-birth-- and gain release. The Hindu's soul then merges with Brahman in a condition of spiritual perfection (moksha). Hinduism has many sacred books, the oldest being a series called the "Vedas.“ Followers work to break this cycle-- birth, death, re-birth-- and gain release. The Hindu's soul then merges with Brahman in a condition of spiritual perfection (moksha). Hinduism has many sacred books, the oldest being a series called the "Vedas.“

22. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUJudaism JUDAISM is a religion of just one group of people: the Jews or Hebrews. JUDAISM was the first to teach belief in only one God. Two other important religions developed from Judaism: Christianity and Islam. JUDAISM is a religion of just one group of people: the Jews or Hebrews. JUDAISM was the first to teach belief in only one God. Two other important religions developed from Judaism: Christianity and Islam.

23. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUJudaism Jews think that God will send a Messiah (a deliverer) to unite them and lead them in His way. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jewish people do not agree; they anticipate His arrival in the future. Judaism teaches that death is not the end and that there is a world to come. Jews think that God will send a Messiah (a deliverer) to unite them and lead them in His way. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jewish people do not agree; they anticipate His arrival in the future. Judaism teaches that death is not the end and that there is a world to come.

24. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUJudaism The "Torah," the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is the most important Jewish scripture. It contains the basic laws of Judaism. Another important book is the "Talmud," serving primarily as a guide to the civil and religious laws of Judaism. The "Torah," the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is the most important Jewish scripture. It contains the basic laws of Judaism. Another important book is the "Talmud," serving primarily as a guide to the civil and religious laws of Judaism.

25. NEXTBACK MAIN MENUJudaism The Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue. Rabbis (spiritual leaders) conduct services, act as interpreters of Jewish laws, and deliver sermons. Today there are over 18 million followers of Judaism scattered throughout the world. A large number of those people live in the Jewish nation of Israel. Over six million live in the United States. The Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue. Rabbis (spiritual leaders) conduct services, act as interpreters of Jewish laws, and deliver sermons. Today there are over 18 million followers of Judaism scattered throughout the world. A large number of those people live in the Jewish nation of Israel. Over six million live in the United States.

26. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Jewish Philosophy God is one and unique God is the creator God is transcendent God is immanent. God is lawgiver God is personal We have the obligation to worship The Torah is God's law God is judge The Messiah will come. God is one and unique God is the creator God is transcendent God is immanent. God is lawgiver God is personal We have the obligation to worship The Torah is God's law God is judge The Messiah will come.

27. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Common Factors: Belief in something sacred (gods, texts, etc.) Distinction between sacred and profane objects Ritual acts focused on sacred objects Moral code believed to have a sacred or supernatural basis Religious feelings (awe, guilt) which tend to surface in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual. Belief in something sacred (gods, texts, etc.) Distinction between sacred and profane objects Ritual acts focused on sacred objects Moral code believed to have a sacred or supernatural basis Religious feelings (awe, guilt) which tend to surface in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual.

28. NEXTBACK MAIN MENU Factors (continued) Prayer and other forms of communication with the supernatural A worldview or general picture of the world and how the individual fits into it Organization of one’s life based upon worldview A social group bond Prayer and other forms of communication with the supernatural A worldview or general picture of the world and how the individual fits into it Organization of one’s life based upon worldview A social group bond