WORLD RELIGIONS

Christianity, Judaism, Islam

Buddhism, Hinduism

Monotheistic Religions

Belief in one god Originated in Middle East

(Mesopotamia, Israel and Saudi Arabia)

Judaism Christianity Islam

What is Judaism? Oldest monotheistic religion Religion of Ancient Israelites

(Hebrews) Today is primarily found in Israel,

United States, and Eastern Europe

Origins of Judaism• Began in Ancient Israel• Founded by Abraham• Began nearly 4000 years ago

Beliefs of Judaism

One god called Yahweh (God) God’s “chosen people” Have a covenant (agreement) with

God Follow Jewish law - the Ten

Commandments One day a Messiah (messenger or

savior) will arrive Can only eat kosher foods – no

pork, shellfish, or meat prepared with dairy products

Judaism

Holy Book – Torah

Place of Worship – Synagogue

Sects/Branches – Orthodox Reformed Conservative

Holidays & Holy DaysHolidays: Yom Kippur –

Day of Atonement Fasting

Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year

Hanukkah – Nine day festival Lighting the menorah

Holy Day: Shabbat (Sabbath) –

Friday evening to Saturday morning

Sacred Places Jews consider

Jerusalem to be holy

Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) Only remaining

wall of ancient Jewish temple

What is Christianity? Monotheistic - Developed out of

Judaism Religion of followers (disciples) of

Jesus Today is primarily found in North

America, South America, Europe, Southern Africa, Australia

Origins of Christianity• Began in Ancient Israel• Founded by Jesus• Began nearly 2000 years ago

Beliefs of Christianity One god (God) Follow the teachings of Jesus of

Nazareth Was Son of God Died on cross and rose again Was the Messiah

Goal is to go to heaven Follow Ten Commandments

Christianity

Holy Book – Bible Old Testament New Testament

Place of Worship – Church Cathedral

Sects/Branches – Roman Catholic Orthodox Protestant

Holidays & Holy DaysHolidays: Christmas –

Birth of Jesus Easter –

Death and Resurrection

Holy Day: SundayRituals/Ceremonies: Baptism Communion

Sacred Places

Jerusalem Vatican City

Holy Seat of Roman Catholic Church

Home of the Pope St. Peter’s

Basilica Sistine Chapel

What is Islam? Monotheistic

religion Followers are

called Muslims

Today is primarily found in Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, Indonesia

Origins of Islam

• Began in Saudi Arabia

• Founded by Muhammad

• Began in 610 CE

Beliefs of Islam

One god called Allah (‘God’ in Arabic)

Muhammad was the final prophet (messenger)

Five Pillars

Five Pillars of Islam Declare that there is only one God,

Allah Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca Give to the poor Fast during the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage (“hajj”) to Mecca once

during lifetime

Islam

Holy Book – Qur’an

Place of Worship – Mosque

Sects/Branches – Sunni Shi’i

Holidays & Holy DaysHolidays: Ramadan

Month long period of fasting

Eid al Fitr Feast at end of

RamadanHoly Day: Friday prayers at

mosque

Sacred Places Mecca

Great Mosque Ka’aba

Jerusalem Dome of the Rock

Eastern Religions

Hinduism Polythei

stic

Buddhism Way of life,

Philosophy

What is Hinduism? Polytheistic religion Followers are called Hindus Today is primarily found in India World’s oldest major religion Philosophy and way of life

Origins of Hinduism

• Began in Indus Valley (Ancient India/Modern Pakistan)

• No single founder• Originated between 4000 and 2000

BC

Beliefs of Hinduism Polytheistic Every living thing is a

part of one soul – Atman Reincarnation – eternal

soul reborn into different bodies till it finds liberation

Karma – the result of good and bad actions that determine the soul’s next life

Ultimate goal in life – to release the soul and return to Brahman (the universal soul)

Who do Hindus worship? –

the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon

Brahma, the creator

Vishnu, the preserver

Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer)

How does Hinduism directlife in this world?

Respect for all living things – vegetarian

Caste System – rigid social class system based on Hindu beliefs Four “castes” - priests & teachers,

nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class

Practice Yoga Guru – spiritual teacher

Holy Cow!

Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures

Cow is especially significant because it symbolizes gentleness

Hinduism Holy Book –

Vedas Written in

Sanskrit Place of Worship

– Temple Sects/Branches –

many different branches

Holidays & Holy DaysHolidays: Diwali

Festival of Lights

Holi Festival of

Colors

Sacred Places

Varanasi Ganges River

What is Buddhism? Neither monotheistic or

polytheistic Followers are called Buddhists Today is primarily found in East

and Southeast Asia (China, Japan, Koreas, SE Asia

Origins of Buddhism• Began in northern India• Founded by Hindu

prince• Siddhartha Gautama• Called “Buddha” – the

enlightened one• Began almost 2,500

years ago

Beliefs of Buddhism

Buddha is NOT considered a god

Reincarnation Karma Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path Nirvana

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama was an

Indian Prince who lived in luxury and comfort inside the palace.

One day he left the palace gardens and saw an Old man, a sick man, and a dead man.

Left his home and went on a search to find the reason people suffer and how to end it.

Meditated under a bodh tree. Buddha realized: Life is full of

suffering. He became the Enlightened one.

BuddhismHe explained the FOUR NOBLE

TRUTHS:

1. All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.

2. The cause of suffering is desire for things such as riches, power and long life.

3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire.

4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the 8-fold path.

Cure for suffering

The only cure for suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path, a middle road between a life devoted to pleasure and a life of harsh self-denial.

It is important to live a moral life.

Enlightenment is achieved through meditation.

The ultimate goal is nirvana, union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddhism Sacred Writings –

No one holy book Collection of

Buddha’s sayings in Tripitaka

Place of Worship – Temple (stupa)

Sects/Branches – Mahayana Theravada Tibetan Zen

What is Sikhism? Monotheistic Name of Supreme Being: God Followers are called Sikhs Today is primarily found in

Northwestern India (Punjab region), United Kingdom, Canada, United States

Punjab region of India

Origins of Sikhism• Began in northern

India in the Punjab • Founded by a guru

named:• Guru Nanak• Spread by nine

later gurus• Began and spread

in the 16th and 17th centuries

Beliefs of Sikhism

Believe in one god called God

All human beings are equal

Meditation Sikhs are to live

honestly and work hard

Share with others

Sikhism - Practices Sikhs practice their faith by

wearing the 5 articles of faith or 5 K’s:Kesh (uncut hair) – do

not cut their hair, wear a turbanKangha (comb) – tucked neatly into hairKara (steel bracelet) – represents good deedsKirpan (sword) – symbolizes the protection of the weakKaccha (soldier’s shorts) – reminds the Sikh for the need for self-restraint

Sikhism - Practices Joining the Khalsa:

This is a committed group of Sikhs Members of the Khalsa wear the

Five K’s There is a special ceremony for

those that choose to join the Khalsa

Sikhism Sacred Writings –

Guru Granth Sahib

Collection of teachings by Guru Nanak and other Gurus along with Sikh, Hindu and Muslim saints

Place of Worship – Gurdwara

Sects/Branches – None

Sikhism Major Holidays/Holy

Days Vaisakhi – Celebrates

the founding of Sikhism and the Khalsa

Diwali – Celebrates a guru’s release from prison

Hola Mohalla – festival of martial arts