Religions of The World. Introduction Major world religions can be divided into three categories based on geographical location All these religions have.

Religions of The World

Introduction

Major world religions can be divided into three categories based on geographical location

All these religions have their origin in the East

Near East India Far East

Near East

Judaism 2000 B.C. Originate in Jerusalem Covenant between Abraham and

God Covenant is renewed between

Moses and God God’s laws and commandments

are revealed via the Torah

Near East

Christianity 1 A.D. Originated in Bethlehem Centered on the life & teachings of Jesus Christ

(Son of God & Messiah) in the New Testament Teachings are also shared with the Hebrew Bible

(the old testament)

Near East

Islam Originated about 500 A.D. Youngest of the three “Eastern”

religions Originated in Mecca (Arabia) Based on the teachings of

Mohammed For Muslims, Mohammed is not a

religious founder, but a great prophet who reestablished God’s message

Near East

All 3 religions have languages originating from either Hebrew or Arabic and therefore called SEMITIC

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are classified as Abrahamic Religions

Near East

Judaism, Christianity, & Islam share: Monotheism – belief in ONE god God is referred to in FATHERLY terms God is considered the CREATOR of the world This God:

• Made us in his image• Gave us commandments to follow• Told us to live in brotherly love with one another

Salvation Aspect – A belief that man has fallen from God’s grace (sin) but can be saved

Near East

Near East

Near East

Near East

One of the tragedy’s of the modern world is that despite all of the things held in common by so many people (all 3 religions), they continue to fight & persecute each other.

This is the HUMAN ELEMENT of religion

India

Hinduism Founded 2500 B.C. Originated in India No religious founder Many important teachings and

books (Vedas, Upanishads, Tantra’s, etc.)

Very complicated religion, having many system of beliefs

India

India

Buddhism 500 B.C.E Originated in India, but now

concentrated in Thailand, Indo-China

No belief in God, instead a philosophy & psychology on how to live life

Founded on teachings of the Buddha (Siddharta Gautama)

Teachings are in Dhamma meaning “teachings of the awakened one”

India

Sikhism 1500 B.C.E Originated in India, but now

concentrated in Thailand, Indo-China

Focuses on pursuit of salvation (union with God)

Salvation is attained by disciplined personal meditation, on the name of God

Teachings are from ten Sikh Gurus (enlightened leaders) and the Guru Gurū Granth Sāhib—which (holy scripture)

Far East

From the Far East, we have 3 major religions Confucianism (from China, about 500 B.C.E.) Taoism (from China, about 500 B.C.E.) Zen-Buddhism (from Japan)

Far East

Confucianism 551 B.C.E Founded by K’ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) A great teacher, believing education

was a means of self-transformation who travelled China teaching about morals, ethics, and the proper use of political power

Confucianism is a ethical system concerned with how people should act toward each other, rather than a traditional religion concerned with the metaphysical (spiritual)

Far East

Taoism 440 C.E Founded by Lao-Tse, with hope of ending feudal warfare Combination of psychology & philosophy Writings in Tao-te-Ching,

• describe the nature of life • the way to peace • how a ruler should lead his life

Tao is “the path”, a source of energy through the universe

The goal of life is to become one with the Tao through humility, compassion, virtue, and moderation

Parent vs. Derivative Religions

From the East

Judaism Christianity

Islam

Hinduism Buddhism

Sikhism

Zen-Buddhism

Confucianism

Parent Religions

Derivative Religions

Parent Religions

Often these religions remain within the region of origin

The religions are often a way of life

The real founder is not an individual, but a group of people and it develops over a number of years within the group

Example – the Hebrews, Israelites, Jews as the chosen people Example – Abraham, Moses, & Jesus etc. were leaders, not founders

Parent religions are a whole way of life for a distinct group of people who did not attempt to convert others (self contained)

Key Points: No founder group Way of life Slow growing

Derivative Religions

These religions grew from or out of a parent religion

They where founded by a single person Example – Christianity (Jesus Christ) Example – Islam (Mohammed)

Widespread, growing very rapidly

These religions are missionary They are not confined to a single group. These religions go out and covert others These religions grow rapidly These religions tend to be larger

How are Religions Most Similar?

All religions are similar in eight different ways

(1) Belief in a Power A power greater than

humans, worthy of being worshipped

A source of life

(2) Holy Places Place of religious importance Must make a pilgrimage

How are Religions Most Similar?

(3) Religious Symbols A symbol identifying

the religion Signs may also have

specific meaning

(4) Liturgy Having religious

observances Having “holy days”

How are Religions Most Similar?

(5) Holy Writings Literature of religious

importance May contain history, poetry,

rules, answers to problems, It is a form of worship

(6) Important People People who are revered or

worshiped These can include: founders,

missionaries, or historical characters

How are Religions Most Similar?

(7) Places of Worship Enclosed structure Location for coming

together to worship

(8) Golden rule The idea of “goodwill”

How are Religions Different?

(1) Sin & Evil Some believe people are basically evil Some religions say naturally good people are

corrupted by the evil world Some say people are a part of nature, neither good

nor evil

(2) Salvation Some religions are Messianic – having a belief that a

divine intervention will save people from destruction Other religions believe God to be remote

How are Religions Different?

(3) A Priesthood Some religions have

“intermediaries” between the people and god

Other religions believe in the direct interaction with God

(4)A Personal God God can be personally

reached, God cannot be personally

reached