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This text provides a brief overview of key aspects of various world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism/Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
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Polytheistic Faiths:(Belief in many gods) Hinduism • World’s oldest religion – 2000BCE • Originated in India • Beliefs are written in the Vedas & the Upanishads • 3 main gods (Trinity): Brahma– The Creator, Vishnu– The Preserver,Shiva– The Destroyer • Beliefs: • Dharma: moral balance/order • Karma: every action/thought has a consequence • Samsara: reincarnation – cycle of life, death, and rebirth • Moksha: release from samsara
Caste System • Brahmin: priests, teachers • Kshatriyas: ruler, warrior, landowner • Vaisyas: merchants, farmers, artisans • Sudras: laborers • Harijan “Untouchables”
Buddhism • 5th-6th century BCE • Nepalese Prince Siddhartha Gautama • Saw poverty, sickness, old age, death • Searched for truth (enlightenment) • Four Noble Truths: • Dukkha: suffering • Samudaya: desire is the cause of suffering • Nirodha: end to suffering • Magga: Eightfold Path-follow to end cycle of karma and rebirth to Nirvana • Right understanding, thought, speech, action, work, effort, mindfulness, concentration
Goal: stability in society and to become a good person; attaining benevolence was the highest Confucian value 5 Basic Virtues: • Benevolence/Humanity • Righteousness • Property • Wisdom • Trustworthiness Rulers did not need to use force to return harmony to society, “If you govern them by means of virtue and keep order among them by ritual, people will gain their own sense of shame and correct themselves.” Confucianism • 500BCE; China • Philosophy written in The Analects regarding the social order & a “good society”; a “code of conduct” • 5 Key Relationships • Ruler-Subject • Father-Son • Elder Brother-Younger Brother • Friend-Friend • Husband-Wife • Humans are born into relationships, that is the goal and meaning of life – every person has a role/place in society and duties to fulfill (yi) • If you denounce your relationships, you do not exist
Daoism/Taoism “The Way”“To Do is Not To DoNot To Do is To Do” • Lao Tzu, legendary figure, wise & lived to 160; teachings in the Tao Te Qing • Man is part of nature, co-existence & harmony. Rulers should be fair and gentle, “When the government is relaxed, the people are relaxed.” • Goal: to understand the Tao, but if you can explain it, you don’t really get it • It is the underlying force of the universe • Qi = energy/breath of the universe, divided into yin & yang • Nature emphasized: humans cannot create anything that surpasses nature • Wu Wei “Doing nothing – inner tranquility” • You’ll live a happier life if you give up the struggle, “go with the flow”, give up control • “Who can make the muddy water clear? Let it be still and it will gradually become clear.” Yin & Yang: Balance of opposites in the universe. When they are equally present, all is calm. When one is outweighed by the other, there is confusion & disarray. Yin is the feminine; Yang is the masculine.
Monotheistic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam • Monotheism is a belief in one God Judaism • Oldest monotheistic faith • Basic laws & beliefs written in the Torah, believed to be the word of God delivered to Moses & is part of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) & includes the Ten Commandments • Abraham is considered the father of Judaism • Emphasis on right conduct and worship of one God Michelangelo’s Moses
Christianity • The largest religion in the world, established in the 1st century CE • Based on the life & teachings of Jesus Christ as the son of God who died to save humanity from sin; salvation can only be achieved by following the teachings of Christ • The Christian Church has three major sects: Eastern Orthodox Church; Roman Catholic Church, and Protestants • The first Christians were Jews – it was a sect of Judaism which followed the new vision & teachings of Christ • Christianity spread through the apostles, Paul being the most influential, whose travels are in the New Testament • Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire until the 4th Century under Constantine. Paul
Islam • The youngest of the monotheistic faiths; founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 6th Century CE • Followers of Islam are “Muslims” meaning “one who submits to Allah (God)” • Abraham is also considered the father of Islam • Teachings of Allah are in the Koran, which teaches that individuals are responsible for their own actions • Five Pillars of Islam: • Faith (Shahada) – “There is no God, but Allah & Muhammad is his Prophet” • Prayer (Salat) – 5x/day towards Mecca • Charity (Zakat) – 2-3% of income • Fasting (Sawm) – during Ramadan • Pilgrimage (Hajj) – to Mecca at least once in lifetime • 2 Sects: Sunni (90%) and Shi’a • Differ in their belief over succession after Muhammad
Christianity has undergone many changes over the course of history. Though it began in ancient times as one church, it has divided into many separate churches, each with its own set of beliefs and practices. For non-Christians, understanding the differences among Christian churches can be difficult. The most significant division within Christianity occurred in 1054 CE when the Eastern and Western churches separated. The Eastern church, as seen on the map below, was composed of the churches of Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia. The capital of the Western church was Rome, and the Roman Pope, or Bishop of Rome, claimed authority over both churches. The Western church believed that the Pope was the person closest to God and, therefore, most capable of leading Christians. But the Eastern church did not believe the Pope should have power over them. This conflict, when added to the disputes of the past, finally caused the churches to split. From then on, the Roman Catholic Church has been led by the Patriarch of Rome, or the Pope. In the 16th century, a movement called the Reformation caused a split, which divided the Roman Catholic Church. At that time, there were many independent Christian groups. Although they did not all share the same beliefs, they each rejected the central authority of the Pope and came to be known as Protestants. It is difficult to speak about Protestantism as one religion since it has divided itself into hundreds of separate sects. They include such groups as the Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. Each of these branches of Christianity maintains different beliefs and practices in different ways. The chart on Primary Christian Denominations will help you follow the branching of Christian churches.
Sikhism • 5th largest faith in the world, founded in Punjab (S. Asia) 15th century CE • A Sikh is governed by 3 principles: Prayer, Work Ethic, and Charity • Believes and worships One God, the Lord of all creation referred to as “The One” • Believes in complete equality of men and women and does not endorse violence. • Turban and untrimmed beard = articles of faith
So what IS a religion? • Considering all we have reviewed and what you have read, how would you define the word “religion”?
Religion (The Basics) • Religion is a belief in a supernatural power or powers that are regarded as the creators and maintainers of the universe.
Types of Religions • Monotheistic religions believe in one god. • Polytheistic religions believe in many gods. • Animistic or traditional religions often believe that different aspects of nature have divine powers.
