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Religions of Ancient History

Religions of Ancient History. The earliest religions of the world were polytheistic. The River valley civilizations looked to their gods to explain natural wonders that they couldn’t explain, such as r iver flooding and droughts. Religions of the River Valley Civilizations.

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Religions of Ancient History

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  1. Religions of Ancient History

  2. The earliest religions of the world were polytheistic. The River valley civilizations looked to their gods to explain natural wonders that they couldn’t explain, such as river flooding and droughts.

  3. Religions of the River Valley Civilizations Mesopotamia/Sumer Egypt • Pharaohs were rulers who were • also gods: Theocracy • Gods were viewed positively because • river flooding was predictable • Practiced mummification • Good life after death • Built pyramids to bury their Pharaohs • Priests were rulers who spoke to the gods • Gods were viewed negatively because • River flooding was unpredictable causing • damage to crops • Life after death was gloomy • Built Ziggurats to worship gods

  4. Both worshipped thousands of gods • Both considered natural disasters (river flooding) to be the will of the gods • Both had religious rulers. Primary sources: Hymn to the Nile, The Epic of Gilgamesh

  5. Religions of the Indus River and Huang He (Yellow) River Valleys Huang He River Valley (Shang Dynasty) • Indus River Valley • Little is known about their religion. Why? • Ancestor worship • Communication with heavens • using oracle bones • Historians have not been able to • de-code their written language • They believed that cows were • sacred • The Aryans brought elements • of Hinduism with them when • they migrated to India. • These beliefs included the • verses of the Vedas

  6. Deity Divine Polytheism Monotheism Covenant Theocracy Prophet Revelation Reincarnation Apostles Religion Vocabulary What do these words mean?

  7. Beliefs, traditions and customs of Judaism • Belief in one God (monotheism) • The body of work that contains written records and beliefs of Hebrews is called the Torah • Ten Commandments state the moral and religions conduct

  8. Father of the Jews-brought his people to the promised land Abraham Moses • Freed the Hebrews from slavery – parted the Red Sea, led the Hebrews back to Canaan – (The Exodus) • received the Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments became The basis for a covenant. What is a Covenant? An agreement between God and his people. God will take care of his people and his people will follow God’s law

  9. India’s religion, Hinduism, developed from the blended beliefs of the Aryans and Dravidians. • No founder • Belief in many forms of one god, Brahma, the • Creator. Brahma Vishnu the Preserver Shiva the Destroyer

  10. Central Beliefs of Hinduism • Belief in many forms of one god • Sacred Texts: The Vedas and the Upanishads (interpretations of Vedas) • Reincarnation: Rebirth into a higher caste based upon karma • Karma = deeds. Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences. • Vedas and Upanishads are sacred writings • Spread along major trade routes

  11. Moksha A state of perfect understanding of all things and release from life in this world. Reincarnation ends with Moksha

  12. Buddhism • Founded by Siddhartha Guatama in Nepal/India • No deities but Buddha is most important • Belief that desires for material things causes suffering • The way to end suffering is to give up desires • for material things • This can be accomplished following the eightfold path • Buddhism spread as Asoka’s missionaries traveled east • Became a major world religion in Asia, especially China

  13. Jesus • Born around 6 BCE to 4 BCE as a Jew and Roman citizen • At age 30 he preached, taught, did good works, and performed miracles. • His teaching contained Jewish beliefs: • Ten Commandments • Monotheism • He stressed individuals personal relationship with God. • Repentance and Faith = Eternal salvation Christianity

  14. Jesus’ Entourage • The 12 Apostles – Jesus’ students and friends who spread the word. • Wrote sections of the New Testament about his life. • Peter and Paul were two of most famous. • Judas sold him out.

  15. FINAL DAYS • The Jews brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate • Pontius Pilate ( a Roman) crucified Jesus • He was given a crown of thorns and mockingly called “King of The Jews”. • “On the third day he rose again”. • Referred to as the “Messiah” - Savior

  16. Christianity gains popularity • Individual relationship • Loving God • “Poor shall inherit the kingdom” • Early martyrs inspired others • Life after death • Words of Love and Forgiveness • Sense of Purpose

  17. The Beliefs, Traditions and Customs of Islam

  18. Muhammad was the founder of Islam. • Muslims are worshipers of Islam. Muslim means one who has submitted to God. • Muslims worship in a Mosque.

  19. Muhammad was praying in cave when Allah (Arabic for God) revealed himself to Muhammad. The angel Gabriel appeared and told him that Allah was the only god.

  20. Before Muhammad, the religion of the Bedouin tribes was Idol worship, which was a form Of polytheism. Clans would go to the Kaa’ba in Mecca and worship idols that had been left there. So Mecca was an important religious center even before Muhammad was born. The Kaa’ba means cubed shaped building in Arabic. Muslims believe the Kaa’ba was originally built by Abraham. It is believed that Abraham, the father of the Hebrews, was also the father of Ishmael of whom Muslims are descended.

  21. Muhammad’s revelations were rejected in Mecca and he fled to Medina. He and his followers later returned to Mecca and destroyed the idols at the Kaa’ba. The Kaa’ba became the most holy site for Muslims. The three holiest cities for Muslims are Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

  22. Muslims believe that Jesus, Abraham and Moses were prophets even though they are Christian and Hebrew leaders. Prophets are people whom God has spoken to. Muslims believe that God spoke to Jesus, Abraham and Moses but that Muhammad was the last person that God spoke to. Language of Islam: Arabic Muslims do not believe in showing living things in art: they use Calligraphy

  23. There are five rules that Muslims must follow to be faithful to their God. These are called the Five Pillars of Islam. Faith in one God (Allah) Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca Fasting during Ramadan Giving to charity (alms) Making a pilgrimmage to Mecca once in a lifetime. (Hajj)

  24. Other Religions Greek and Roman Mythology • Polytheistic • Explained natural events, • human qualities and life events • Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, • Athena and Aphrodite were • Important Greek gods • Symbols and images can be • found in Western literature, • Art and architecture

  25. Zorastrianism: Religion of the Persians • founded by a Persian prophet named Zoroaster who lived around 600 BC. • Supreme deity was • Ahuramazda or “Wise Lord” • People must choose the • between right and wrong. The right way is the way of Ahuramazda. • Two spiritual armies, good and evil, fought for a person’s soul. Two opposing forces in the universe. Many historians believe it influenced Christianity.

  26. Shinto • Ethnic religion unique to Japan • Importance of natural features, forces of nature, and ancestors • State religion; worshipping the emperor • Coexistence with Buddhism

  27. Shintoism Kami = divine spirits dwelled in nature Torii gate : traditional gate entrance to Shinto shrine

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