Religions of the World - an overview

1. Judaism Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Sikhism Confucianism Shinto Religions of the World - an overview What are the major religions of the world?

2. Questions to ask and answer to yourself • Which religious tradition do you know the least about? • The most about? What do you know about this religious tradition, and how do you know it? • Do you have friends or relatives who are part of a religious tradition other then your own?

3. February 3, 2014 Objectives: Students will be able to compare and contrast different world religions Question: Explain how religion affects our daily lives? Agenda: Notes/Worksheet

4. Comparative Religions:A brief introduction

5. Why study religions?It helps us to… • Understand differences • Nations, cultures, politics, philosophy • See similarities • Humans, nations, regions • Lessen hostilities • Appreciate our own beliefs • Self vs others • facilitate exchange between religious groups

6. The eight major world religionsCan you name them? • Hinduism • Buddhism • Taoism • Confucianism • Shinto • Judaism • Christianity • Islam

7. Religious Similarities • Belief in a power greater than man • Holy writings • Holy places • Important people • Symbolism • Places of worship • Liturgy (observances) • Golden rule

8. Religious Differences • Idea of Sin vs Evil • Idea of salvation • Idea of priesthood • Idea of a “personal” god

9. Categorizing Religions:- Ethnic vs. Universal • 1. Ethnic: the religion of a particular people or culture (e.g., Judaism, Shinto, Hinduism) (tend to be localized and do not actively seek converts) • 2. Universal: a religion which sees its message as true for all people (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) (have spread throughout the world and tend to be very large in population, have actively sought converts from many cultures)

10. Categorizing Religions:- Theistic vs. Non-theistic • 3. Theistic: focus on a personal God (mono-) or gods (poly-) (god = supernatural "person,” spirit being) (most common in western religions) • 4. Non-theistic: Ultimate Reality or ultimate goal of the religion does not involve a personal god (impersonal Ultimate Reality) (force or energy) (found mostly in the eastern religions)

11. Categorizing Religions:- Major vs. Minor • 5. Major religions: Religions that are high in population, widespread throughout the world, the basis upon which other religions were built and/or otherwise highly influential • 6. Minor Religions: Religions that are limited in population, geographic locale and/or influence

12. Western: Religions that developed west of the Urals (e.g. in the Near East and Europe): Judaism Christianity Islam Eastern: Religions that developed east of the Urals (e.g., in India, China and Japan) Categorizing Religions:- Western vs. Eastern • Far East • Shinto • Confucianism • India • Hinduism • Buddhism • Sikhism

13. Western and Eastern Religions in Contrast: Western/Christian Eastern/Hindu Time: Linear/Singular Cyclical/Repeating Monotheistic (one personal god) Poly- or non-theistic (many gods or impersonal) Ultimate Reality: Disembodied (one life then Judgment, heaven or hell) Embodied (many lives - Reincarnation) Afterlife: The Human Condition: (problem) Ignorance & Karma (impurity of soul caused by good and bad deeds) Sin (separation from God due to bad deeds) avoid, eliminate, or overcome sin (salvation) Solution: (liberation) elimination of ignorance & karma (moksha)

14. Western and Eastern Religions in Contrast: Western/Christian Eastern/Hindu Encounter With God: God is seen (images) God is heard (texts) Mediated through: Prophets(messengers of God, bring God to people) Gurus(personal spiritual guides, bring people to truth) God revealed in the world through miraculous historical & relational Events (supernatural) Gods revealed in nature; abstract truths revealed to the mind through wisdom & philosophical ideas Revelation/ Enlighten- ment: Relationship Between Self & God: Dualistic ("I and Thou") Identity ("That art Thou")

15. Final 2 • What defines a Western and Eastern religion?

16. February 4, 2014 • Objectives: Students will be able to explain the concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism. • Question: What geographic location divides Western and Eastern Religons? • Agenda: Notes/Due today: Hinduism and Buddhism worksheets • Work on packet!

17. Non classical religions • Primal indigenous (Animists) (Tribal) includes shamanism and paganism. Oral canon and lack of rigid boundaries between sacred and secular • African Traditional based in Yoruba nation states (West Africa) • African Diaspora Western hemisphere spread of African tribal tradition (Vodoo in Caribbean and South America) • Neo-Paganism; Druidism.

18. Hinduism • One of the world’s oldest faiths concentrated in South Asia; Hindus; established 5,000 years ago. • Holy texts: Vedas • Center of the Faith is in Varanasi, India on the Ganges River • Caste System defines place usually based on profession; Karma; Destiny is usually fixed; Cycle of life, death, rebirth… • Hindus may believe in one god or many gods: Brahman, Shiva, Rama, Vishnu • Believers believe in “Reincarnation”

19. Some Hindu Gods • Brahma- The Creator • Shiva- The Destroyer • Vishnu- The Preserver *each of these Gods visit Earth and can take any form*

21. Hindu beliefs • Improve your atman • By improving your atman, you can reach moksha, or union with Brahman

22. Hindu beliefs • Achieving moksha is very difficult. • It requires studying the sacred texts, such as the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. • Upholding good dharma. • Obeying karma. • Cannot be achieved within one lifetime. • Therefore, reincarnation is a common belief in Hinduism.

23. Buddhism • Offshoot of Hinduism; Buddhists; established 2,500 years ago near Nepal border • Holy texts are Sutras/Vedas • Faith centered near Sarnath, India; Founded by Siddhartha Guatama also called the Buddha • Rejected the Hindu idea of Castes • Correct way of living in order to reach Nirvana; Karma-Destiny not fixed • Buddhists may believe in one god or many gods • Buddhist faiths- Theravada, Mahayana, Lamaism, and Zen; Believers innovated a method of defense • Believers believe in “Reincarnation”

24. Buddhism • When did it begin? Who founded it? What were its beliefs? • Began in India during 6th century B.C.E. • Founder Siddhartha Guatama ( Buddha or “Enlightened One” ). Hinduism fails to answer question of meaning of life, travels as ascetic holy man experiencing revelations of Buddhist beliefs. • Four Noble Truths: 1) All life is suffering 2) Suffering caused by false desires for things that do not bring satisfaction 3) Suffering is relieved by removing desire 4) Desire is removed by following the Eightfold Path. • Eightfold Path: Ultimate goal is to achieve nirvana (State of contentment occurring when soul unites with universal spirit) Step by step process beginning with changing thoughts and intentions, then lifestyle and actions to achieve higher thought process through meditation. • Differs with Hinduism in breaking with caste system beliefs about achieving Moksha. Does not require higher caste status but reliance on Eightfold Path by anyone. • Hindus oppress religion after Buddha’s death because they see it as a threat to caste system. • Mauryan emperor Ashoka converts to Buddhism and promotes it in India, but it thrives in places where cultural diffusion permits tolerance. (SE Asia, China, Korea, Japan)

26. Final 3 • Explain the Hindu belief in achieving Moksha.

28. Sikhism • 1500’s – attempt to unify Hindu & Islam • NW India region of Punjab • Never cut beard or hair, wear turbans • Militant • "A Sikh is any woman or man whose faith consists of belief in one God, the ten Gurus, the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib and of the ten Gurus, who has faith in the amrit of the tenth Guru, and who adheres to no other religion." --RahitMaryada (Religion Facts)

29. Sikhism Sikh at the Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab. http://www.religionfacts.com/sikhism/

30. Belief systems in China • When did it begin? Who founded it? What were its beliefs? • Confucianism Emerges during Warring States Period (403 -221 B.C.E.) between Zhou / Han • Trying to understand the chaos of period, Confucius concludes Mandate of Heaven was lost due to poor behavior of the emperor and his subjects.. His plan for reestablishing Chinese society to order emphasized the importance of harmony, order, and obedience established through 5 basic sound relationships. Emperor / subject: Emperor must be responsible in caring for subjects and subjects must obey him Father / son: Father takes care of son and son obeys father Older brother / younger brother: Older brother cares for younger, and younger obeys older brother Husband / wife: Husband cares for wife, who in turn obeys him Friend / Friend: Mutual care and obedience where equality is assumed • Superior man exhibits ren (kindness) li (sense of propriety) and xiao (filial piety, loyalty to family) • Philosophical system based on obedience to emperor and patriarchal family structure for social order

31. Confucianism • Good government dependent on moral officials (junzi) practicing benevolence, humanity, virtue, to guide their behavior as public officials. Ignoring it meant loss of mandate • Two elements of Dao to live a good life are Duty to family and community applies to all persons & subordination of personal interests to the broader needs of others Maxim - “do not do unto others what you would not want done to you” • Organizes the societal canon of historical texts: Book of Documents - emperors and ministers rulings and thoughts Book of Changes - I Ching methods of predicting future Book of Songs - poems of everyday life Spring / Autumnal annals - practices and recordings of fertility and harvest seasons Rites and Rituals - Court philosophies and rituals

32. Daoism: Founder Laozi 4th c BCE

33. Shinto • “The Way of the Gods” • Traditional religion of Japan • Worship of nature & ancestors • Complex set of deities – inc. Emperor

34. Final 5 • Explain what is meant by Nirvanna. Which religion is this associated with?

35. February 8, 2013 • Objectives: You should be able to explain the main concepts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. • NO FIRST 5 • Agenda: Notes/Complete Packet/Check off

36. Judaism • Judaism: Monotheistic religion based in Covenant (agreement) with God that he would provide for them as long as they obeyed him. (Chosen people) • Ten Commandments: rules for relationships among humans and with God • Belief as Chosen people, hence did not seek converts and limited its growth. • Influence on other major religions like Christianity, Islam, makes it a significant “root religion’ Belief in coming of Messiah to restore Jewish kingdom

37. Judaism • Oldest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated in Israel; Jews; established 3,500 years ago • Holy text is the TaNaKh; Torah- first five books • Center of the faith is Jerusalem at the remains of a past temple called the Western Wall • Star of David, Ten Commandments; Torah • God of Abraham and Moses - first of the interrelated monotheistic faiths of SW Asia • Judaic faiths- Reform (Modern) , Orthodox (Traditional) • Believers believe in a “Heaven”

38. Christianity • Second oldest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated in Israel; Christians, established 2,007 years ago. • Holy text is the Bible • Center of the faith is Jerusalem at the point of Jesus’ execution and burial- Church of the Holy Sepulcher outside the walls of ancient Jerusalem • Cross or Crucifix • God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; believers believe Jesus is the son of God • For Christians, the story of the Jews is the Old Testament • Christian faiths- Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Lutheran, and others • Believers believe in a “Heaven”

39. Founded Mecca 622 CE by Muhammad Visited by Gabriel while meditating, decides he is last of the prophets and true god Allah spoke to him through Gabriel. Later insisted all other gods were false. Followers, Muslims, people who have submitted to will of Allah. Alienates Mecca city leaders who fear loss of pilgrims to Ka’aba temple site, exile him (hijrah) in 622 to Yathrib. Renames city Medina (city of Prophet) Five Pillars of faith are duties to practice to show submission to will of God 1.Faith: Declaration of one God Allah and Muhammad as his messenger 2. Prayer: 5 times a day facing Mecca 3. Alms: charity to the poor tax 4. Fasting: Month long Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage: One hadjto Ka’aba in life Islam

40. Spread of Islam • Where did it spread after Muhammad’s death? Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia • How is Muslim government set up? Caliph (successor or deputy selected by leaders of umma) rules caliphate 1st caliph was Abu-Bakr, close friend of Muhammad, followed by 3 successive caliphs who had known the Prophet and were rightly guided by the Qur’an and memory of Muhammad. They had conquered land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indus River by middle of 8th century • What factors contributed to the spread of Islam from 622 to the middle 8th century? Religious zeal Well-disciplined, organized armies and tactically superior commanders Weakness of Byzantine and Persian empires Treatment of conquered peoples. Forbid conversions, so people retained religions. No poll tax required and viewed Jews and Christians as monotheistic with written codes like Muslims (people of the book)

41. Islam • Youngest of the SW Asia Religions concentrated in the lands of modern Saudi Arabia and Israel; Muslims; established 1,400 years ago • Holy text is the Qu’ran or Koran • Center of the faith is Mecca at the Kaaba in the Great mosque of Mecca; also Medina and Jerusalem are important • Clothing is very important to observant Muslims- Abaya, Sheedor, Hajib, Burqa • God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and believers believe Mohammed is the messenger of Allah or God • For Muslims, Christians and Jews are the people of the Book; Symbol used by some may be the use of the crescent moon and star • Islamic faiths- Sunni and Shiite (Shia) and others • Believers believe in a “Heaven”

42. Islamic Split * (Important in today’s world) • What led to a split in the caliphate? • Muhammad’s son-in-law’s death (murdered by rivals) triggers civil war leading to family known as Umayyads taking control • What two groups emerged in this division and what were their contentions? • Sunni - Most Muslims accepted Umayyad’s rule, believing caliph should be selected by leaders of Muslim community (umma) Sunni means “followers of Muhammad’s example” • Shi’a (Shi’ites)- believed that the caliph should be a relative of the Prophet and rejected Umayyad’s authority. • Although united by religion the caliphate fragmented politically.

44. Animistic • Generally used in traditional societies • Often belief in the divine forces of nature • God of the Sun, Moon, Wind, etc. • Usually in remote areas of the world such as the Amazon river Basin, Indigenous peoples of North America, Aboriginals of Australia, and others • Sometimes also referred to as Pagans in some cultures

45. Ethnic • Religions that have • strong territorial and • cultural group identification, • usually one become a member by birth or • by adoption of a complex lifestyle and cultural identity, • not merely by a statement of faith (Fellman, 157)

46. Cultural Landscape • Christian structures • Roman Catholics – cathedral is literally the house of God, so the focal point and large

47. Protestant Structures • Buildings are merely a place to assemble

48. Amish & Mennonite

49. Islamic Mosques • Imposing, but not sanctified, a place of gathering

50. Hinduism • Usually dedicated to one deity