Religion and Politics in the World

1. Religion and Politics in the World • What is Religion? • Religion = system of beliefs that seek to understand our origins, human existence • Religions usually have some form of deity or deities. • There are two basic forms of religion—Monotheism and Polytheism. • Monotheism- The belief in only one god. • Polytheism- The belief in many gods. Why study religion?

2. Religion and Politics in the World • Why study religion in the world? • Influences everyday life & decisions • Influences politics • Globalization  interaction of cultures

3. Religion and Politics in the World • Fundamentalism in the Modern World • Fundamentalism = return to traditional beliefs • Literal interpretation of beliefs • Against modernization of religion • The end of the Twentieth Century witnessed a resurgence of religious fundamentalism in the world. • This means that different religious groups are pushing traditional values onto world politics. • The danger is in the fact that there is a great diversity of religions in the world. • Clash of religious fundamentalism has led to violence.

4. Religion and Politics in the World • The Polytheisms of the World • There are many polytheistic religions in the world. • There are hundreds of religions which are known as animistic. • Animism- the belief that animals, plants, and other natural objects posses souls which can interact with humans.

5. Religion and Politics in the World: World Polytheisms • Most modern Animistic Religions are found in Sub- Saharan Africa.

6. Religion and Politics: Part II- World Polytheisms • Animism and Tribal Structure • In tribal animism, religious beliefs are very important to government. • In most tribes, it is believed that the spirits of nature and those of ancestors can interact with the existing world. • Therefore, using religion in tribal politics is very common.

7. Religion and Politics: Hinduism • In the past, Hinduism has effected the governments of India and who can serve where. • No where was this clearer than in the caste system. • However, India has had a democracy for the last 65 years, and the caste system no longer bans participation in government. • Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva • Caste system, karma, reincarnation • Moksha

8. Religion and Politics: Buddhism • Buddhism • Buddhism is difficult to describe as either monotheistic or polytheistic. • It began as a philosophy of life not an actual religion. • However, over the centuries it has evolved into the largest religion of Eastern Asia. • There is approximately 350 million Buddhists in the world.

9. Religion and Politics in the World: Buddhism

10. Religion and Politics in the World • Buddhism and Politics • In modern times, Buddhism has not controlled national governments. • However, Buddhism has played key roles in movements towards social justice and equality—especially in east Asia.

11. Religion and Politics in the World • Monotheisms of the World • The three great monotheisms of the world include: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. • All three of these religions originated in the area we know today as Palestine. • Christianity is the largest religion in the world, and Islam is the fastest growing religion. • The two make-up over one-third of the world’s population.

12. Religion and Politics in the World: World Monotheism

13. Religion and Politics in the World: World Monotheisms • Judaism • Judaism is the world’s oldest surviving monotheism. • It originated in Eastern Mediterranean around 2,000 B.C.E. • Jews claim that their first prophet was Abraham. • The traditional home of the Hebrewswas Palestine. • However, beginning in 73 C.E. the Romans forced the Jewish Diaspora.

14. Covenant – mutual agreement between the Hebrew people and God

15. Hebrews enslaved in Egypt Moses – led Hebrews out of slavery

16. 10 Commandments – God’s laws for Hebrew people

17. Exodus – time wandering Sinai peninsula between leaving Egypt and locating the “promised land” - Palestine

18. Torah = book of religious teachings, origins

19. Beliefs of Judaism • Teachers & religious leaders are Rabbis • Religious meeting place is a synagogue or temple • A Yamulke is a head covering worn out of respect for God Sabbath (holy day) is Saturdays

20. Yarmulke Mezuzah Star of David

21. Talmud Tallit Prayer Shawl Rabbi

22. Kingdom of Israel • Saul, David, Solomon • Holy (capital) city = Jerusalem • Solomon’s temple

23. The temple was built to glorify God and house the Ark of the covenant.

24. Captivity of the Jews • Kingdom of Israel divides • Conquered by Chaldeans – temple destroyed • Conquered by Persians – temple rebuilt • Under Roman rule, temple destroyed again

25. The surviving wall of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem

26. Religion and Politics in the World • The Diaspora • The movement of Jews throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia led to further persecutions. • The culmination of these persecutions occurred in the 20th Century—The Holocaust. • Due to these persecutions many Jews sought to return to Palestine after nearly 2,000 years of expulsion. (Zionism)

27. Religion and Politics in the World: World Monotheisms • The Development of Christianity • Christianity has its foundations in Judaism. • Shortly before the Diaspora, Christianity arose as a new branch of the old Jewish tradition. (the belief in a Messiah) • Initially, Christians faced persecution from the Roman Empire. • However, in the 4th century C.E. Emperor Constantine made the practice accepted.

28. Jesus of Nazareth

29. Beliefs of Christianity • One God • Holy Trinity (three in one) • Salvation Sabbath (holy day) = Sunday

30. Beliefs of Christianity • Divisions • Roman Catholic Church • Eastern Orthodox Church • Protestant churches • Leaders & teachers • Pope, bishops, cardinals (Cath.) • Priests • Reverends • Pastors • Holidays • Christmas • Easter • Rituals – sacraments (baptism, communion, etc.)

31. Religion and Politics in the World Spread of Christianity through 600 C.E.

32. Religion and Politics in the World: World Monotheisms • Christianity in the Middle East • Although Christianity became the religion of the Romans and later Europe, there are significant numbers of Christians in Asia and Africa. • They, like the Jews, view Palestine as the holy land. (Crusades) • Christians in the Middle East: Protestants, Roman Catholics, Copts, Greek Orthodox. A Coptic Christian- Traditional Christianity in Egypt

33. Religions and Politics in the World: World Monotheism • Jews, Christians, and Muslims all believe Palestine to be holy and Jerusalem to be its most important city. View of modern Jerusalem

35. The Arabian Peninsula • Mostly desert • Few oases of fertile land for agriculture • Crossroads of three continents: Africa, Europe, Asia

36. Early Inhabitants • Bedouins  Arab nomads • Tribes & groups called clans • Provided security & support • Ideals of courage & loyalty to family • 600s – Arabs settled near oases or markets

37. Origins of Islam • Muhammad – Meccan businessman • Received revelation from angel Gabriel outside the Cave of Hira in 610 • Proclaim! In the name of they Lord and Cherisher, who created man out of a mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is most bountiful. He who taught (the use of) the pen taught man that which he knew not. • He was one of the prophets

38. Mecca • Important trade city • Ka’aba  ancient shrine (Black Rock) • Brought religious pilgrims for worship • Associated w/Abraham • Contained over 360 idols, worship of many gods

39. Religion of Islam • Arabic term for God = Allah • Islam = “submission to the will of Allah” • Muslim = “one who has submitted”

40. Abraham’s Genealogy HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH Ishmael Isaac 12 Arabian Tribes Jacob Esau 12 Tribes of Israel

41. The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

42. The Hijrah • 622 - migrated from Mecca to Yathrib – known as the Hijrah • Yathrib was renamed Medina • It is from this year that the Muslim calendar begins (1 A.H.) • Attracted many followers in Medina

43. Return to Mecca (630 AD) • Muhammad became military leader – conquered Mecca • Umma = Muslim religious community • Muhammad died at age 62 w/no plans for his succession Swords belonging to Prophet Muhammad The golden gate outside Muhammad’s tomb

44. The Dome of the Rock

45. The Five Pillars The Worldof Islam 1 2 3 4 5

46. The Five Pillars of Islam 1) Shahada – “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” 2) Salat – Pray 5x’s a day facing Mecca

47. 3) Zakat – almsgiving to the poor & sick 4) Sawm – fasting during Ramadan Festival of Eid-Al-Fitr – celebration at end of Ramadan

48. 5) Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca

49. Mosque = Islamic house of worship

50. The Mosque • The Muslim place of worship.