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Aspects of Culture

Bell Ringer:1. How is each of us a product of our culture?2. What beliefs and traditions are held by the

world’s great religions?

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What is Culture- Culture refers to a people’s

way of life, including how people meet their basic needs for food/shelter.- Includes: Language, literature,

music, art, religion- Customs: things people do,

how they dress, celebration of holidays

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What is Culture Cont’d

- Institutions: organizations developed by society to make social roles clear/take care of social needs.- Examples: Families, Schools, Government, army,

hospitals, churches.

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Aspects of Culture

• Family Structure: how generations live together, decisions are made.

• Social Structure: how society is organized into different social groups or classes.

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Thought Spot

• How does aspects of culture effect your daily lives, your family, and social structure?

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Aspects of Culture Cont’d

• Multicultural Society: various ethnic/cultural groups.– Some societies give minority ethnic/religious groups

more rights/opportunities• Gender Roles: assigned to men/women.– Example, woman caring for children, do household

chores.

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• How does religions shape our lives, communities, and cultures?

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Major World Religion Characteristics

• Set of beliefs about the meaning of life, nature of universe and existence of the supernatural.

• Set of Customs/practice relate to the worship of God (or several gods) w/a set of rules for the conduct of a good life.

• An organization which oversees the conduct of religious practices.

• Designation of sacred or holy places.– Vatican City – Catholicism; Mecca - Islam

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Major Beliefs of Hinduism

• Many gods, each created by one supreme being.

• Reincarnation: After death, soul is reborn as another living thing.

• Located in modern India.

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Major Beliefs of Hinduism Cont’d

• Karma: Live a good life, reborn in a higher caste system (hereditary social classes).

• Sacred Objects: Ganges River and the Cow– Hindus do not eat beef.

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Major Beliefs of Buddhism

• Leading religion in Tibet, Japan, Thailand, and China.

• Follows the teachings of Buddha.

• Philosophy of self-denial and meditation

• Believe in reincarnation• Dalia Lama- Head of

Religion

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Major Beliefs of Buddhism Cont’d

• Eightfold Path: give up wealth, act worthily, live righteously, and respect all living things.

• Nirvana: achieve final reincarnation by following the Eightfold Path.

• Four Noble Truths: explain life’s meaning—ex. Selfish desires are the source of suffering.

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Key Features of Judaism

• 1st religion to teach monotheism – belief in 1 God.

• History of Jewish people found in Old Testament.

• 10 Commandments: moral code of conduct, live justly.– 1 God, honor one’s parents– Do not kill, steal, commit

adultery

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Judaism

• Torah- Religious Book• Dietary Laws- What can and can’t be eaten

and how foods must be prepared (kosher)• Synagogue- Place of Worship

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Major Beliefs in Christianity

• Begun by Jesus, a Jew born in Bethlehem.

• Declaration of Faith• Jesus is son of God, sent to save

mankind.– Rose from the dead, went to Heaven.

• Christians will be saved, go to Heaven– Have faith in Jesus, treat others with

love/respect.

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Major Beliefs in Christianity Cont’d

• Includes Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox Christians.– Major influences are found in

Europe, the Americas, areas of Africa and Asia.

• World’s most popular religion.

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Beliefs of Islam

• Founded by Mohammed around 600 A.D.

• Believe in one God, Allah.

• Qu’ran: Holy Book containing God’s message as given to Mohammed.

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Beliefs of Islam Cont’d

• Five Pillars of Faith: religious requirements– Confession Of faith- There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his

prophet”.– Prayer- five times a day facing mecca– Charity- Must give money to the poor and pay taxes to Mosque– Fasting- Cannot eat or drink during month of Ramadan, during day– Pilgrimage- Must take a pilgrimage to mecca

• Concentrated in the Middle East, South/Southeast Asia.• Dietary Laws- What can and be eaten and how foods must

be prepared

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Beliefs of Sikhism• Found mostly in

Northern India.– Combines beliefs

from Hinduism/Islam.– Believe in

reincarnation.• Believe in 1 God.

– Everyone has equal status in eyes of God.

• Men do not cut their hair and wear turbans.

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ANIMISM

• A belief that many things in nature have their own spirit—animals, plants and places

• Medicine men-contact spirit world• Ceremonies- passage from boy to man• One of the earliest forms of religion– Practiced by tribes in Sub Saharan Africa, Native

Americans, ancient Japan (formed into Shintoism)