Geography History and Review

1. Geography History and Review Section 2: World Religions

2. Animism • Located in the Americas and Africa • All things in nature have spirits • Animists practice nature worship • They believe that everything in the universe has a spirit • Animists also believed that ancestors watch over the living in the spirit world • This belief resulted in ancestor worship as a means of communicating with and showing respect to ancestors • No one person is considered the founder • Developed simultaneously in different parts of the world

3. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism • He is also known as Buddha which means the enlightened one • The main belief of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths • Developed in India • The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan sect of Buddhism

4. Buddhism • All life is suffering • Human desire caused this suffering • By putting an end to desire, humans can end this suffering • Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path

5. Buddhism • Know that suffering is caused by desire • Be selfless and love all life • Do not lie, or speak without cause • Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous acts • Do not do things which promote evil • Take effort to promote righteousness • Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind, and emotions • Learn to meditate

6. Christianity • Developed in Judea which is now Jerusalem • Currently practiced in North America, South America, Europe, and Russia • Monotheistic religion. One god known as God • Significant writing is known as the Bible • Because Christianity evolved from Judaism, there are concepts that these two religions share. • A moral set of guidelines known as the Ten Commandments • Christians are expected to attend church services regularly, usually on Sundays and holy days such as Christmas and Easter • On these occasions Christians take part in sacraments, which are religious practices such as baptism, and receiving the Eucharist

7. Confucianism • Confucianism was developed in China • It was taught that if everyone knew their place in society, then order would prevail. • Confucianism teaches that there is a natural social order to society which can best be explained through the Five Relationships • Ruler to ruled • Father to son • Older brother to younger brother • Husband to wife • Friend to friend • Filial Piety – One should respect their elders • Confucianism also believed that the brightest and the best educated should be in government. • He developed the concept of a civil service exam to make sure the best got the best jobs • Confucianism provided social order to China during a time of great chaos

8. Hinduism • Country of origin is India • Hinduism is a result of cultural diffusion that occurred between Aryan invaders and the native peoples of India sometime around 1500 BC • The Ganges River is considered a holy site • Dharma means fulfilling one’s duties in life • Karma is the belief that whatever you do, good or bad, comes back to you. • Good Karma means good things will happen to you.

9. Hinduism • The Caste System is a rigid class structure based on Hinduism which is found in India • It is believed that if one leads a good life, following good dharma and karma, then they will be rewarded by being reincarnated as a person belonging to the next highest level in the Caste System • However, if one is wicked during their life, they will be demoted and possibly even removed from the Caste System altogether • Outcastes, or Untouchables, are members of Hindu society thought to have been removed from the Caste System, with no hope of returning to it, due to their misdeeds in previous lives. • Work that is deemed unclean for all other Hindus is reserved for these Outcastes • The Caste System has been outlawed in India. Even so, it is still practiced.

10. Islam • Islam is most dominant in the Middle East. • The third most holy place is Jerusalem which also has significance in Judaism and Christianity • Holy book – Koran • Place of worship – Mosque • Founder – Mohammed • Set of moral codes is known as the Five Pillars of Islam • There is no God but Allah • Face east and pray five times a day • Muslims must give alms to the poor • During Ramadan, all Muslims must fast during daylight hours • If possible financially and physically, all Muslims must make a pilgrimage or haji to the holy city of Mecca • Islamic holy war is called a jihad • A Muslim is someone who submits to the will of Allah.

11. Oldest known monotheistic religion still being practiced • Developed in Middle east around the area that is currently Israel Judaism • Holy book – Torah • Place of worship – temple • Founder – Abraham • Set of moral codes is known as the Ten Commandments • The Jewish escape from Egypt is known as the exodus • Like Islam and Christianity. Judaism believe in only one God. This is known as monotheism

12. Most commonly practiced in Japan Shintoism • Traditional religion of Japan that focuses on nature • Shrines are usually located near places of great natural beauty such as rivers, lakes, or mountains • Traditionally, the emperor of Japan was considered to be a direct descendent of the Sun God. • Shintoism is one of three religions, along with Taoism and Animism, which believes that all things in nature have spirits.

13. Yin and Yang – The natural harmony and balance in the world • (Light and Dark; Male and Female; Heavenly and Earthly) Taoism • Developed in China • Tao translates to The Way • All things in nature have spirits • People should passively accept the way of nature