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Slide 1
Slide 2
What is religion? What is the purpose of religion? Are all
religions the same?
Slide 3
Humans have always expressed a need to understand natural
phenomenon and to answer questions regarding their way of life and
what happens once they die. These needs resulted in the development
of a variety of religions and philosophies that can be found
throughout the world today. At first, humans developed belief
systems that were special to the area in which they lived. As
civilization developed, polytheism, or worshipping many gods,
became quite common. Often cities, such as Athens and Greece, would
worship patron gods who were seen as their protector. River Valley
civilizations like that of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Indus all
practiced their own form of polytheistic religion that centered
around the forces of nature.
Slide 4
Animism Animism is the oldest known type of belief system in
the world. It is still practiced in a variety of forms in many
traditional societies. Animists practice nature worship. They
believe that everything in the universe has a spirit. This is
exemplified by the practices of the Plains Indians in North America
who would praise the spirit of the buffalo that they killed for
giving its life to them so that they might survive. Animists also
believed that ancestors watch over the living from the spirit
world. This belief resulted in ancestor worship as a means of
communicating with and showing respect to ancestors.
Slide 5
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that was formed from a
variety of different religious practices. Established- Elements of
the Hindu religion can be traced back to the ancient Indus River
Valley civilization (approximately 3000 BCE) in modern-day
Pakistan. Founder- It has been theorized that Hinduism is a result
of cultural diffusion that occurred between Aryan invaders and the
native peoples of India sometime around 1500 BCE. Geographic
Origin- Developed on the Indian subcontinent (India) Currently
Practiced- Most common in India. Significant Writings-Vedas,
Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita. Places of
Worship- While Hindu temples do exist, Hinduism is usually
practiced in the home where there is usually a shrine dedicated to
a favored deity. Significant Religious People- Hindu priests carry
out traditional religious practices in temples.
Slide 6
Universal Spirit Hindus believe in one unifying spirit,
brahman. Because brahman is too complex for humans to understand,
Hindus worship three main gods: Brahma- the Creator Vishnu- the
Preserver Shiva- the Destroyer The goal of life is to achieve union
with brahman.
Slide 7
One is able to achieve union with brahman, by freeing
themselves from selfish desires. Most people cannot achieve this
union in one lifetime Reincarnation, or rebirth of the soul in a
new body, allows people to continue their own journey toward union
with brahman
Slide 8
In each lifetime, a person can come closer to union with
brahman by obeying the law of karma. Karma consists of all the
deeds of a person s life that affect his or her existence in the
next life By living the right way and doing good deeds, a person
will be reborn at a higher level (closer to attaining brahman) Evil
deeds cause individuals to be reincarnated at a lower level
(farther from brahman) Dharma is the moral and religious code that
is expected to be followed. By following ones dharma, one would
attain good karma, which would then help that person be
reincarnated at a higher level. Following Dharma= positive Karma
and reincarnation
Slide 9
The caste system is an important part of Hinduism. Castes are
social groups into which people are born. People are not able to
move outside of their caste during their lifetime. By following one
s Dharma, one could receive positive karma, and then be reborn into
a higher caste in their next life.
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Buddhism also developed in India but later spread into other
areas, such as China. Its founder, a prince named Siddartha
Gautama, was born a Hindu in the 500s BC.
Slide 12
Siddartha Gautama left his wealthy home to search for the
meaning of human suffering. On his journey Siddartha Gautama
witnessed the old aged, the sick, and death While meditating under
a sacred tree, he found the answer to his question. He was then
referred to as the Buddha, or the Enlightened One.
Slide 13
Holy Book- Tripitaka= Three Baskets of Wisdom The central
philosophy of Buddhism revolves around the Four Noble Truths. Life
is full of pain and suffering. Human desire causes this suffering.
By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. Humans can
end desire by following the Eightfold Path.
Slide 14
Ultimate goal for Buddhists is to achieve nirvana, or union
with the universe and release from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Eight Fold Path: Right Views Right Intentions Right Speech Right
Conduct Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right
Meditation
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O- eQ3tV9Zbg
Slide 17
The late Zhou Dynasty was a troubled time in China. There were
many wars, and economic and social changes disrupted everyday life.
Two philosophies emerged, which helped direct people in China how
to live. Confucianism and Taoism shared the common purpose of
restoring harmony in China.
Slide 18
Founder-Kong Fu Zi, which was translated as Confucius by
Europeans. Confucius lived in China during the Zhou Dynasty, when
there was mass disorder and confusion and a lack of moral
standards. Confucius was appalled by what appeared to be the
decline of Chinese society. He believed that the only cure was to
stress a sense of social order and mutual respect, a philosophy
that later became known as Confucianism. Confuciuss teachings were
collected in The Analects
Slide 19
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. In these relationships, the
second role is considered subordinate to the first. It was taught
that if everyone knew their place in society, then order would
prevail. Filial Piety- respect your elders
Slide 20
Every person had duties and responsibilities that depended on
his or her position. People are naturally good Education should be
the road to advancement in society To ensure social order, the
individual must find and accept his or her proper place in
society.
Slide 21
Another influential philosophy that developed in China was
known as Taoism. Taoism sought to help people live in harmony with
nature. Laozi founded Taoism, and taught people to contemplate the
way of the universe. Taoists believe in a balance between yin and
yang. The peace and well-being of the universe depend on the
harmony between yin and yang
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Slide 23
The Hebrews were one of the nomadic groups who lived in the
Fertile Crescent. According to Hebrew tradition, the Hebrews became
enslaved in Egypt, and God helped them escape this slavery. By 1000
BC, the Hebrews had set up a kingdom in Israel with Jerusalem as
its capital. This land was promised to the Hebrews by God.
Slide 24
Judaism is monotheistic, teaching a belief in one God. Most
other religions of the time worshiped many gods and goddesses
(polytheistic). The Hebrews believed that God was their special
protector and was all-powerful, all-knowing, and present
everywhere.
Slide 25
Sacred scriptures are found within the holy book of Judaism,
known as the Torah. According to the Torah, God made a covenant, or
binding agreement to be God of the Hebrews. Jews also believe that
God gave them the Ten Commandments through Moses. The Ten
Commandments were laws that describe how people should behave
towards God and each other. Prophets, or spiritual leaders, urged
Hebrews to act accordingly and preached a strong code of ethics, or
moral standard of behavior. Judaism had a strong influence on two
other world religions; Christianity and Islam.
Slide 26
Christianity began in Palestine with the teachings of a Jew
named Jesus in 30 A.D. Beginning with a small group of followers,
Christianity grew and became the official religion of the Roman
Empire by A.D. 392. According to Christian tradition, Jesuss
mother, Mary, had been told before his birth that he would be the
messiah Messiah means savior sent by God
Slide 27
The teachings of Jesus were rooted in Jewish tradition. Jesus
accepted the Ten Commandments that God had given the Jews through
Moses. At the same time, he preached new ideas; According to his
followers, he was the son of God His mission was to bring salvation
and eternal life to anyone who would follow his teachings. Jesus
taught mercy and sympathy for the poor and helpless Golden Rule-
Treat others how you wish to be treated
Slide 28
The sacred text of Christianity is the Bible. The Bible is
divided into two parts; Old Testament- includes Hebrew scriptures,
books of law, history, and poetry. New Testament- includes gospels
(describing Jesus and his teachings)
Slide 29
Islam, similar to both Judaism and Christianity, is
monotheistic. Allah is the name of God Followers of the Islamic
religion are known as Muslims. Muslim means "one who submits to the
will of Allah." According to Islamic faith, Allah was compassionate
and all-powerful.
Slide 30
According to Muslim tradition, an Arab named Muhammad received
a message from an angel named Gabriel. In the message, Gabriel
commanded Muhammad to spread the message of Islam. Muhammad and his
followers embarked on a journey, known as the hijra, to spread the
Islamic religion. This journey was a turning point for Islamic
religion, for it ensured that the Islamic faith would grow.
Slide 31
Under Mohammad's leadership, the basic teachings of Islam were
established, which are known as the Five Pillars of Islam. Every
Muslim is expected to follow these rules in order to lead an
ethical life: Confession of Faith: The belief that "there is no God
but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet." Prayer: Muslims must pray
five times per day, facing towards Mecca. Charity: Muslims must
give alms to the poor, and support the local Mosque by donating a
portion of their income. Fasting: During the Ramadan, the ninth
month of the Muslim calendar, all Muslims must fast during daylight
hours, except the very young or sick. Pilgrimage: If possible
financially, each Muslim must make a hajj, or holy pilgrimage, to
the city of Mecca. Qur'an/Koran- Holy Book which contains the final
authority on all matters and provides the guide to life for all
Muslims.
Slide 32
Jews, Christians, and Muslims all believe in one God, and their
holy writings share many themes and ethics. Despite these
similarities, the three groups have often come into conflict. Even
today, especially in the Middle East, these groups do not always
coexist peacefully. We will see this first hand with our study of
the Crusades.