Major World Religions

1. Major World Religions

2. Major World Religions by Size What percent of the world is Christian? 33% What percent of the world does not practice any religion? 16% Which 2 religions are practiced by most people of the world? Christian, Islam What is the difference between agnostic and atheist? Atheist = NO GOD Agnostic = Believe there’s a God but don’t worship him

3. World Religions

4. Date founded: c. 33 AD Place founded: Palestine Founder: Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish carpenter Adherents: Approx 2 billion, US adherents: 159 million in 2001 Main locations: Europe, North America, South America Sacred texts: The Bible, comprised of the Old Testament and New Testament Afterlife: Resurrection of body and soul, purgatory (Catholic and Orthodox), and eternal heaven or hell Symbols: Cross, dove, anchor, fish, alpha and omega Christianity… Fast Facts

5. There are approximately 2 billion Christians in the world. Christians are monotheistic. This means they believe in only one God. He and his son, Jesus, are the main focus of this religion. Christians’ believe that God sent his only son, Jesus, to be born on earth to Mary, a virgin mother. He was to live on earth and share the word of his father, then die to save the sins of man. Christianity

6. Most Christians celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday. Other major Christian holiday’s revolve around Jesus’ the death and resurrection (Easter for instance, is celebrated as the day Jesus rose from the grave and returned to a life with his father in heaven). Jesus was crucified on a cross, died, was buried, and rose from the dead 3 days later to ascend to heaven. Christians believe this was God’s way of saving humans from inevitable sin. Christianity

7. To gain this salvation, one must simply put their faith in Jesus, name him as God’s son, and ask for God’s forgiveness. Your sins are wiped away and you can look forward to an eternal life in heaven after your earthly life ends. Christians are to live good lives, following the teachings of Jesus. These teachings can be found in the Bible, the Christian holy book. Christianity

8. There are many forms of Christianity, some being very similar, and others very different. Often people considered these branches of Christianity to be different religions. Most of them share core beliefs. • Catholic • Protestant (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.) • Pentecostal • Mormon • Jehovah's Witness Christianity

9. Christianity started as a break away sect of Judaism, and share the same history up to the time of Jesus. Christians and Jews, therefore, have similar beliefs as well. • Two major differences between Christians and Jews: • Christians believe in original sin and that Jesus died in their place to save them from that sin. • Christians believe Jesus was divine and part of the holy trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit Christianity

10. Christianity

11. Date founded: 1300 BC Place founded: Mesopotamia Founder: Abraham Adherents: 14 million Sacred text: Tanakh (This consists of the same books as the Christian Old Testament, although in a slightly different order and with other minor differences.) Judaism… Fast Facts

12. Judaism boasts approximately 14 million followers around the world. Judaism is a monotheistic religion, meaning Jews believe in only one creator who is to be worshiped as absolute ruler of the universe. Jewish people acknowledge Jesus as a prophet, but do not believe he was the one true messiah. They believe the messiah is yet to come. Judaism

13. Jewish people believe they are God’s chosen people, and therefore they do not need a savior to save them from Sin. They believe the Messiah will arrive in the future to gather His people (Jews) in Israel. The Temple of Jerusalem will be rebuilt and the dead will rise to worship there. Judaism

14. Jews believe in the Torah, or the ten commandments, that were divined to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai. They believe these were God’s will for human behavior, and therefore these commandments should regulate human behavior… giving humans a chance to live by Gods will. Jews believe God monitors peoples behavior, rewarding good deeds and punishing evil. Judaism

15. Judaism

16. Hindus call their religion sanatama dharma…"eternal religion" or "eternal truth." Date founded: Earliest forms date to 1500 BC or earlier Place founded: India Adherents: 900 million, third largest in the world Main location India, also found in the United Kingdom and United States Afterlife if karma unresolved, soul is born into a new body; if karma resolved, attain moksa (liberation) Hinduism… Fast Facts

17. There are about 900 million Hindus in the world today, but most Hindu’s are found in India. The core of Hinduism is the belief in Brahman, the life force that embodies existence. Hindu’s believe that until you become one with your Brahman then you will be trapped in an eternal cycle of death and reincarnation. Hinduism

18. The highest goal of Hinduism is freedom from the karmic cycle of death and rebirth. For the millions of people who practice this religion, it is a way of life that encompasses family, society, politics, business, art, and health behaviors. Hindu’s believe in Karma, that your behavior in this life will impact your next life. The better you are, the closer you get to reaching nirvana, a break from the cycle of reincarnation. Hinduism

19. Hinduism

20. Date founded: c. 520 BCE Place founded: Northeastern India Founder: Siddharta Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince Adherents: 360 million, fourth largest world religion Main locations: China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia Sacred texts: Pali Canon (Tripitaka), numerous Mahayana sutras Ultimate reality: None. Nothing is permanent. Purpose of life: Theravada - escape the cycle of rebirth, and attain nirvana. Afterlife: Rebirth or nirvana. Nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as a heavenly paradise by others. Buddhism… Fast Facts

21. India had a rich spiritual heritage.  It had been prophesized there would be an ascetic (kind of like a monk) who would realize the ultimate truth and become the greatest teacher.  Buddha was born Prince Siddhartha Gotama in India, on the May Full Moon day in 623 B.C.  His parents, King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, had waited for a child for a long time.  Everyone in the kingdom rejoiced at his birth.  5 days after his birth seven Brahmin priests came to the temple to name the baby using astrology and forecast his future by reading his body signs.  The Brahmins said this baby would become a universal monarch or leave his princely life to become a world spiritual leader.  The youngest priest was so confident that this was the future Buddha that he left the priesthood to wait in the forest for his future teacher. Siddhartha

22. When Siddhartha was 6, King Suddhodana held a festival that the whole royal family had to attend.  Everyone was celebrating, having a great time. Siddhartha felt that it was all meaningless.  He wandered off by himself & sat under a beautiful tree.  Instinctively, he began to watch his breath & to everyone’s surprise he started to levitate.  It is said that he’d developed this ability by practicing meditation over previous lifetimes.  King Suddhodana loved his son & desperately wanted him to become a great king.  He was given the education of a prince. He married Princess Yasodhara and was given the deputy kingship by his father.  When Siddhartha was 29 he became curious about what was outside of the city walls, but his father forbid him to go out. Curiosity got the best of him and he snuck out.  For the first time, Siddhartha saw a sick man, an old man, & a corpse. He realized deep within himself that this was the fate of all human beings. 

23. When Siddhatha went back to the palace, he complained to his father that he did not love his own people if he could allow them to suffer so much.  At the same time, he was informed that his first son had been born.  He realized that the bond between him and his son would be so strong that he would never leave the palace if he did not leave that night.  He felt that if he really loved his wife and child, he should find a solution for this bad life that all beings experience.  He took one last look at his wife and son before he left.Yasodhara was not surprised when she found out that her husband had left.  She had observed his spiritual yearnings and vowed to follow him and support him in whatever he did.

24.  Siddhartha cut off his hair and took on the life of an ascetic.  He found one teacher and learned all he had to teach. Then he found a second teacher. Before long, Siddhartha had surpassed the abilities of this teacher as well.  Still, he had emotional attachments and pain.  He left his teacher to practice by himself.  For six years Siddhartha practiced the most extreme form of ascetism.  He consumed only one meager meal per week, he looked like a skeleton.  He could control his breath for up to one hour.  When he realized that he was no closer to his goal, he began to eat again.  From this point on, he advocated the Middle Way: avoiding the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification.   The day before his 35th birthday, again the Full Moon of May, Siddhartha sat down under the Bodhi tree.  He was determined not to get up from that spot until he had become fully awakened, even if he should die in the process.  By the next morning he had attained nibbana. 

25. For 7 weeks he stayed there paying respect to the Bodhi Tree and reviewing what he had understood.  He tried to think of someone else who could understand what he had realized.  He thought of his two teachers and realized that they had both died.  Then he thought of the four other ascetics that he had stayed with during his extreme asceticism.  When they saw the Buddha approaching, they were determined to ignore him.  They though he had given up his practice when he started to eat regularly.  When he approached they could not resist offering him food and water.  Despite their doubt, they agreed to listen to what he had to say.  The Buddha preached all night.  This famous sermon is known as the “Wheel of Dhamma.” Over the next few days, each of the ascetics became enlightened.

26. The Buddha continued to teach for the next 45 years.  During that time he helped thousands of monks and nuns reach enlightenment, including his wife and his son, Rahula.   The Buddha died (released from the cycle of life and death) on the Full Moon of May at the age of 81.  He was cremated and his relics have been divided and enshrined in Buddhist temples around the globe. 

27. Approximately 360 million people adhere to the teachings of Buddhism. Most Buddhist don’t actually believe in a god… they don’t see a need for a savior, prayer, or believe in an eternal life after death. Buddhist believe in reincarnation, that one must go through cycles of birth, life, and death. The goal is to eventually release their attachment to desire and self and reach nirvana. Buddhism

28. Buddhism

29. Date founded: 622 CE Place founded: Mecca, Saudi Arabia Founder: Muhammad (born c.570), a trade merchant from Arabia Adherents 1.3 billion, second largest in the world Main location: Middle East and North Africa Sacred text: Qur'an (Koran) Purpose of life: Submit to the will of Allah and attain paradise after death Islam… Fast Facts

30. Muhammad was the founder of Islam. Sometimes you’ll see his name spelled Mohammed. He was born in 570 AD in Makkah (Mecca). He became an orphan & was raised by his uncle. When he was 25, he married Khadija- wealthy business lady. Muhammad was known for truthfulness, generosity, sincerity. He was troubled by the greed of wealthy, worship of idols, and mistreatment of poor. Islam

31. Muhammad meditated in Cave of Hira near the “Mountain of Light”. At the age of 40, received revelations from Angel Gabriel which were placed in the Quran! • Muhammad's mission: • 1st: Be an apostle for the one true God, Allah • 2nd: Rise and warn people of divine judgment Islam

32. Wealthy Makkans believed that a belief in one God would ruin economic activities of Makkah Muhammad was forced to flee to Yathrib (Medina) to escape persecution. Later he returned to Makkah (Mecca) and defeated their army… at which point they accept his teachings! (Nothing like winning a war to make friends) Islam

33. Listen for the 5 pillars of Islam!

34. Islam The 5 Pillars of Islam… 1) Shahadah, the Testimony of Faith 2) Salāt, Ritual Prayer 3) Zakāt, The Paying of Alms 4) Sawm, Fasting on Ramadan 5) Hajj, The Pilgrimage to Mecca

35. Shahadah • Declaration of faith. • La ilahailla’Llah - Muhammadunrusulu’Llah… translation: “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his messenger.”

36. Pray 5 times a day while facing Mecca. Early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, & evening. Salat

37. Prayers are in Arabic and may be set or personal… Friday: Men go to the mosque to pray at noon, women may go but are not required Iman: holy man who may give guidance or speech at mosque Salat

38. Women and men pray separately. Women are at the back of the mosque or in a separate room. Salat

39. Everything belongs to God, so wealth is held in trust. Each Muslim should give 2 ½ percent of their capital to charity. Zakat

40. Fast during the month of Ramadan. Fasting means they do not eat from sunup till sun down. Sick, elderly, people on a journey, women who are pregnant or nursing a baby are permitted to break the fast and make it up later in the year or feed a needy person for every day missed. This allows the fasting person to gain true sympathy for those who go hungry as well as a chance to grow spiritually. Swam

41. Make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. The Kaaba at Mecca is the holiest mosque. Hajj

42. The Kabba (Black Building) was built by Abraham and Ishmael. Until Muhammad cleared it, it was used to worship idols.

43. Arabs believe that Abraham and his first born son, Ishmael, built the Kaaba when Abraham was called to sacrifice his son to God. The tall minarets are where a muezzin goes to issue the call the worship. People circle the Kaaba 7 times, getting closer each time.

45. During Hajj, everyone wears white to symbolize equality before God, Allah. People will paint a scene on their house to show that they have made the pilgrimage. Hajj

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