Exploring the World's Major Religions: An Overview

1. An Overview of the World’s Major Religions By R.D. Baker & Ryan Cartwright

2. Acts 17:16 - While Paul was waiting in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the Synagogue with the Jews & God-fearing Greeks as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

3. v.22 – Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Aeropagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way, you are very religious. For as I walked around & looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription, ‘To an unknown god’. Now what you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you.

4. v.24 – The God who made the world & everything in it is the Lord of heaven & earth, & does not live in temples built by hands. And he’s not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life & breath & everything else. From one man, he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; & he determined the times set for them & the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him & perhaps reach out for him & find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”

5. Major Religions of the WorldRanked by Number of Adherents • 1) Christianity: 2.1 billion • 2) Islam: 1.3 billion • 3) Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion • 4) Hinduism: 900 million • 5) Chinese traditional religion: 394 million • 6) Buddhism: 376 million • Total of the top 6 categories: 6.1 billion

6. Major Religions of the WorldRanked by Number of Adherents • 9) Sikhism: 23 million • 12) Judaism: 15 million • 13) Baha'i: 7 million • 17) Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million • 20) Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand • 21) Rastafarianism: 600 thousand • 22) Scientology: 500 thousand

7. America – “The Great Melting Pot” • It has been said that the U.S. is “the great melting pot” for the people of the world • The contents of that “pot” would not be complete unless it also included the religions of those masses that now make up our country’s population • As we are increasingly surrounded by other religious teachings, it becomes vitally important as to what we choose to believe & put our faith into…& then pass down to our children

8. Many Religions…Many Truth’s? • There are many religions & philosophies…but which ones are true? • Are all religions valid? • Will they all get you to heaven? • Do all roads lead to heaven? • We will see as we explore some of the major world religions.

9. Every major religion has divisions Not all the beliefs discussed will apply to all adherents to a particular religion – just as in Christianity there are a many divisions with different beliefs Division Among Religions

10. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, & the truth will set you free." – John 8:31 Truth has become quite subjective – but truth can be discerned by considering the evidence.

11. "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true & reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, & I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.”– Acts 26:25-27 We can’t do an exhaustive study but we’ll do our best to present a basic understanding of the major & some minor world religions

12. General Introduction • In this series we’ll examine different religions & philosophies, consider their respective founding fathers, history, scriptures & beliefs. • While we will make some comments on the various religions, the goal is not to prove or discredit the various beliefs – but simply to present the facts. • It is each individual’s task to determine whether what they believe is true • Always remember: Belief does not equal truth.

13. Focus • In addition to this series – a study of ancient pagan religions is recommended to understand the background & context for both testaments. Unfortunately we don’t have the time to look at these religions in this series. • Our focus is to present religions that exist in our neighborhoods today – that we may come across. • It is important to understand the people around us and to know what they believe.

14. Warning! “We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1-2

15. “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness & respect…” - 1 Peter 3:15 Our goal is not to win the argument or to just possess knowledge, but to in love – guide people to the Truth

16. Definitions • Monotheism – Belief in one god • Polytheism – System of many gods • Pantheism – God synonymous with the universe or nature. “May the Force be with you.” • Animism – Animals, plants & objects all contain individual spirits • Asceticism – Enlightenment obtained through extreme self denial (monasteries) • Mysticism – Enlightenment & spiritual powers through meditation/contemplation

17. Judaism15 Million Devotees The Star of David & The Menorah (Represents the 7-day week & the Sabbath)

18. Judaism • Religious culture of the Jewish People • One of the world's oldest religions (Year 5,766) • 12th largest religion in the world today • Cultural system of Jewish law, custom & practice of the whole individual & community • Believes that everyone is under God's rule • Oldest of the 3 main monotheistic (‘one god’) religions • Shares many beliefs with other 2, Islam & Christianity • Believes the world was created by a single, all-knowing divinity, & that all things within the world were designed to have meaning & purpose as part of a divine order

19. “Famous Jews for $200, Alex” • Abraham • Moses • King David & his son King Solomon • Mary (mother of Jesus) • John the Baptist • Jesus • The Twelve • The Apostle Paul • The entire early Christian Church

20. “Famous Jews for $400, Alex” • Show Biz – Harrison Ford, Cary Grant, Ben Stiller, Alicia Silverstone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Newman, Michael Douglas, Billy Crystal, George Burns, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Dreyfuss, Tony Clark, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Jerry Springer, Geraldo Rivera, Joan Rivers, Howard Stern • Musicians – Slash, Joey Ramone, Gene Simmons, Kenny G, Paul Shaffer, Benny Goodman, Herb Alpert, • Athletes – Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Marc Spitz, Sasha Cohen, Sandy Koufax, David Beckham, Shawn Green, Hank Greenberg

21. “Famous Jews for $600, Alex” • Columbus, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein • Anne Frank, Arthur Miller, Danielle Steele, J.D. Salinger, Neil Simon, Norman Mailer • Milton Hershey, Vidal Sassoon, Michael Dell, Steve Balmer, Mark Cuban • Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Ali G, Marx Brothers • Harry Houdini, David Blaine, David Copperfield • Mel Blanc, Stan Lee, Matt Parker • Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, & yes, Elvis Presley

22. Where are they? • 15 million Jews throughout the world (Mostly in the U.S., Israel & former USSR) • Jews makes up 83% of Israel’s population • More Jews live in the U.S. than in Israel! • A higher proportion of American Jews are religious (i.e., practice Judaism or profess some form of belief in Judaism) than in Israel!

23. Major Branches of Judaism • Conservative – 4.5 million • Unaffiliated & Secular – 4.5 million • Reform – 3.75 million • Orthodox – 2 million • Most Jews today do not strictly hold to the Law • Many of Israel's Jews are secular - nonobservant and • either nonreligious or even agnostic / atheist • Religious Jews are in the minority in Israel

24. A Brief History of Time – Jewish Style • Judaism dates back to the creation event, but essentially starts to advance with Adam and the other Patriarchs: • 2100BC – God Promises Canaan to Abraham • 1876-1446BC – Patriarchs arrive in Egypt and are enslaved for 430 years • 1446-1406BC – Desert Wanderings

25. 1406-1050BC – Conquest/Period of Judges • 1050-930BC – United Monarchy (King David) • 930-722BC – Divided Kingdom to Assyrian Conquest; Beginning of Diaspora • 722-587BC – Babylonian conquest, Destruction of Solomon’s Temple • 587-539BC – Babylonian Exile • 539-333BC – Persian Period, Cyrus allows Jews to return to rebuild Jerusalem & Temple

26. 333-63BC – Greek Period – Hellenization of Holy Land; Maccabean Revolt; rise of Synagogue & religious parties (Sadducees, Essenes, Pharisees) • 63BC-200AD – Roman period • 70AD – Jewish War results in the destruction of Herod’s Temple, Sanhedrin & sacrificial system • 132AD – Judean revolt sparked by Roman Emperor Hadrian’s building city Aelia Capitolina on top of ruins of Jerusalem. Jews banned from Jerusalem; circumcision of converts forbidden

27. 200-640AD – Period of intense persecution mainly from the Christians, especially after Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire • 634-1096AD – Age of the Gaons – Muslim conquests bring many Jews under Islamic domain, improving quality of life considerably • 1096AD – Crusades specifically target Jews; they are looted & murdered en masse • 1096-1348AD – Jews expelled from England, not returning until 1650

28. 1348 – Jews accused of poisoning wells and causing the Black Death. (This resulted in many gruesome massacres across Europe.) • 1348-1517 – Jewish Influence – After the massacres, Jews allowed to return to their cities, many becoming moneylenders. • 1492 – Jews in Spain offered choice of converting to Christianity or leaving the country. • Wherever they went the exiles had a powerful impact.

29. 1517-1700 – Europe in Ferment – Period started with a era of tolerance as authorities viewed Jews as useful. Massacres in 1648 & 1649 devastated the Jews in Poland & the Ukraine. • Numerous men rose up claiming to be the Messiah. Most important was Shabbetai Zevi (1628-1716). He was imprisoned in Gallipolo; then later converted to Islam. • “The Paradox of the traitorous Messiah is far greater then an executed Messiah.” – Gershom Scholem • Meaning a Jew claiming to be the Messiah then converting to Islam is more insulting than a messiah being crucified.

30. 1700’s-Present – Large numbers migrated to the Americas (period of Jewish tolerance) • 1880’s – Strong Aryan, anti-semitic movements began in France • WWII – Extermination of 1/3 of world’s Jewish population – 6 million murdered • 1948 – Zionists pushed for & received the State of Israel for the Jews to have a country once more. Battle for this territory still rages today

31. Divisions & Sects • Shortly after the original temple was built the first major rift in Jewish history occurred. • Under the poor leadership of King Rehoboam, Israel divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel & the Southern Kingdom of Judea. “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.” – 1 Kings 12:8 The two kingdoms remained divided, & fell separately

32. After returning from exile, the Jews formed at least 4 parties during the Intertestamental period: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes & Zealots • Each party had it’s own distinct traditions in regards to culture, religious beliefs, ceremonies, calendar, lifestyle, etc. • The differences concern activities more than theology

33. Pharisees • Represented more of the common people • Stressed holiness of life; created a body of laws to prevent people from breaking laws (‘hedging’) • Not as strict as the Essenes • Created the oral law; eventually became the Talmud • Unlike the Sadducees, they strongly resisted the Hellenistic culture • Emerged as the dominant group after 70AD "Woe to you…Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” – Jesus: Matthew 23:13

34. Sadducees • Composed of wealthy aristocrats & priests • Held to a very strict interpretation of the Scriptures • Rejected the doctrine of the Resurrection • Most members of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees • Disappeared with Jerusalem destruction in 70AD When Jesus saw many of the Pharisees & Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” – Matthew 3:7

35. Essenes • Ascetic, monastic sect; removed themselves from daily life to prevent being polluted by the corrupt world • No personal possessions, very strict observation of community & Sabbath rules, incl. no bowel movements • Devoted themselves to study, with a focus on moral & ethical learning • Qumran sect is best known of this group; the Dead Sea Scrolls were widely believed to be their work • Their website claims almost all main founders of what would later be called ‘Christianity’ were Essenes, incl. Joseph & Mary, John the Baptist, Jesus & John

36. Zealots • Term used to describe Jewish anti-Roman groups using both political & military tactics • Covered many different factions; was not a party name • Began in 6AD by Judas Maccabees based on inspiration of Phinehas (Numbers 25:11) • “Sicarii” (‘Dagger-men’) most extreme branch; carried short daggers, stabbing their enemies in broad daylight in large crowds, then joined the outraged crowd, adding their own cries of indignation • Largely responsible for the beginning of the Jewish War, which led to the destruction of the Temple

37. Zealots • One of the 12 apostles was ‘Simon the Zealot’ • Barabbas; possibly Paul (Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14) • Acts 21:38 – ‘4,000 Assassins’ – ‘4,000 Terrorists’ • Mark 15:7 – ‘The Insurrectionists’ • Last Zealot Stronghold, Masada, fell in May 74AD

38. Orthodox vs. Reformed • Most obvious division today is between Orthodox & Progressive Jews • Orthodox Jews adhere to a very strict biblical & oral law (Talmud). • Diligently follow Sabbatical laws & Kosher regulations. (In their own eyes no other Jews are really Jews.)

39. Reformed Judaism • Began in Germany in the 18th Century • Followed philosophies of enlightenment, enjoying the benefits of the lessening persecution • Soon many Jews adapted to their culture rather than holding to their traditions • Using scientific inquiry and critical evaluation some even taught that man no longer needed to accept the revelation of the Torah as factual & binding • Changes in ritual law & worship were encouraged; dietary laws were abandoned and a more “people friendly” version of Judaism was born

40. Kabbalah (Mysticism) • Branch of Judaism; meaning ‘Received Tradition’ • Claims to be the oldest religion; with origins dating back to Adam & Abraham • Possesses secret & mystic “truths” • Claims to hold the long-hidden keys to the secrets of the universe & mysteries of the human heart & soul • Many similarities to Gnostic movements • Essenes protected their writings, allegedly authored by Cain, Noah & Jared • Isaac Newton, Madonna, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Mick Jagger, Anthony Kiedis

41. Basic Teachings of Kabbalah • In order to claim the gifts you were created to receive, you must 1st earn those gifts. You do this undertaking spiritual work — the process of transforming yourself. By recognizing the sources of negativity in your mind & heart, you’ll receive the tools for positive change. • Every human being is a work in progress. Pain, disappointment & chaos exists not because this is how life is meant to be, but because of unfinished work that brought the strife. That work is the process of freeing yourself from the domination of the human ego and creating an attraction with God. • In everyday life, this transformation means letting go of anger, jealousy & other reactive behaviors – in favor of patience, empathy & compassion. It does not mean giving up all desires, & going to live on a mountaintop. On the contrary, it means desiring more of the fulfillment that humanity was meant to have.

42. Jewish Culture & Beliefs • To understand any religion we must look at what their followers believe & how they live. In this section we’ll look at a few major Jewish beliefs • The Jewish culture has existed for thousands of years – so many beliefs changed with time • Much of what we know of ancient Jewish history is found in the writing of Josephus & Philo (Essenes) • Let’s look at some key terms of Judaism:

43. Monotheism • There is only one God, YHWH • Originally Judaism was much different than the majority of ancient polytheistic religions. (An important statement of Jewish Theology.) • Parented the other two main monotheistic religions: Islam & Christianity

44. Land of Canaan/Promised Land • God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit this land forever • When it was lost it was a devastating blow to people’s faith • Many believe that God was behind giving the land back to the Jews in this century (1948) The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people & your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation & I will bless you; I will make your name great, & you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, & whoever curses you I will curse; & all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." – Genesis 12:1-3

45. Israel – God’s Chosen People – The Jewish nation Abraham fathered has always believed themselves to be God’s only chosen people. (Jewish vs. Gentile perspective.) • The Law – Found predominately in the Pentateuch (books of the Law). 613 total commandments the Jews were to obey. Today only Orthodox Jews attempt to obey them all. (The rest pick & choose which portions of the law are applicable to them.)

46. The Shema • Judaism has no formal creed but the essence of their faith is summed up in the Shema • Shema means “Hear,” as in “Hear O Lord” • Read every morning by pious Jews to remind them of the Law • Consists mainly of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and affirms their monotheistic belief, as well as praises God for his creation, revelation & redemption

47. The Sabbath • Begins at sunset each Friday, ends the same time the next day • Considered the most important Jewish festival • Originally ordained by God to be a holy day of rest where work was forbidden • Few things are specifically forbidden in the Bible (Numbers 15:32-36 - Gathering kindling is forbidden under pain of death.) • Most of the rules are found in the Mishnah of 200AD, and are quite detailed & restrictive.

48. The Sabbath Some rules obeyed by various sects include: • No fires can be lit on the Sabbath, although if it is already burning it can remain lit • No long journeys may be undertaken • No vehicles may be driven • Historically some sects even went as far as to forbid bowel movements on the Sabbath although that was not the common practice

49. Kosher/Dietary Regulations • Kosher – Fit or clean according to Jewish dietary laws • Regulations found in the Torah (Lev 11, Deut 14), but many more added through traditions • Meat & dairy products can’t be eaten together. (Many households have 2 sets of dishes to prevent any contact • Jewish hotels have 2 kitchens to prevent contamination • Animals must be slaughtered & prepared by a ‘shochet’, trained & ordained in the kosher regulations • Orthodox Jews follow these regulations meticulously; average Jews do not

50. The Synagogue • Place of Jewish communal worship • Most Jews are members of a Synagogue although that does not mean that they regularly attend • Mainly a place for reading scripture & prayer • Since 70AD (Destruction of the Temple), this has been the center of both religious & cultural life • May have originated after 586BC to replace temple worship while in exile, but it developed rapidly during the Intertestamental period