World Religions and World Religions and the Classical Agethe Classical Age

Codification and Codification and Development of Existing Development of Existing ReligionsReligions• Judaism

–Hebrew Scriptures reflect the influence of Mesopotamian cultural and legal traditions

–Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans conquered Jewish states

•Eye for an Eye justice•God’s final judgment

•Contributed to diasporic communities

Codification and Codification and Development of Existing Development of Existing ReligionsReligions

• Hinduism–Sanskrit scriptures = Vedas contribute to:

•Social and political roles within caste system

•Multiple forms of Brahman

promoted reincarnation doctrine

New Belief SystemsNew Belief SystemsBuddhism – founded on beliefs

concerning desires, suffering, and the search for enlightenment by Siddhartha Gautama.

•Reaction to Hinduism

•Spread via Ashoka (Mauryan Emperor), missionaries, merchants

•Stressed Monasticism

New Belief SystemsNew Belief SystemsChristianity – founded on

teachings and divinity of Jesus of Nazareth.◦Origins in Jewish faith but separated

from Judaism◦Despite Roman hostility, spreads via missionaries and merchants◦Gained support in Rome via Emperor Constantine’s conversion

◦Monasticism

Read the following passage Read the following passage that compares Christianity that compares Christianity and Buddhismand Buddhism

Using both the reading and the notes, complete the diagram

Purpose: How was it possible that these diametrically opposed religions managed each create a mass following during this time?

Compare Essay ToolboxFirst step in preparing to write a compare essay is to carefully examine what the question is asking you to compare and what topic or topics will be used as the source(es) of comparison.

For example: Compare and Contrast the major beliefs and spread of Christianity and Buddhism

What is to be compared?__________________________________________

What is the topic or topics of comparison? ________________________________

Christianity and Buddhism

Major Beliefs, Spread

Second step is to identify the most significant similarities and differences within each topic

Third step is to provide evidence of these similarities and differences. This can be key events, developments, dates or the work of a key figure.

Finally, the fourth step is to analyze the reasons for the similarity and difference.

Do not write an essay that dedicates one paragraph to similarities and one paragraph to differences or one paragraph each about what is being compared. You must generate direct comparisons. These method tend to create indirect comparisonsSometimes compare questions will not contain topics. In this case you must develop your own. They should be broad enough to apply to both civilizations and contain similarities and differences. This is what we will do for our first compare essay of the year

Let’s examine some thesis statements below based on the question above:Make sure the thesis contains the following:1. Addresses the themes and /or issues—In another words what is being compared and the topics that will be used to do the comparing2. Specify at least one similarity and one difference. Try to use the most striking and significant ones available. 3. Insert analysis. This helps to add sophistication to a thesis statement. Remember analysis means a reason for these comparisons

Incomplete/ poor thesis statements: There were many similarities and differences between Christianity and Buddhism. What is missing from the numbers above?__________________

Incomplete/ average thesis statement: There were many similarities and differences, in terms of major beliefs and reasons for its spread, between Christianity and Buddhism. What is missing from the numbers above?____________________

1. Topics 2. Sim. Diff. 3. Analysis

2. Sim./Diff. 3. Analysis

Your task is to improve upon the thesis statements written on the previous page and write an effective thesis that serves as a road map to the rest of our essay. Start with specifying your similarities and differences in the chart below.

Topics Most striking and significant similarity

Most striking and significant difference

1. Major Beliefs of Buddhism and Christianity

2. Spread of Buddhism and Christianity

Think about beginning a thesis statement with words like although, whereas, while, similar to, different from, both etc. Write your thesis statement on the lines below.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

New Belief SystemsNew Belief SystemsConfucianism – founded to

promote social harmony by outlining proper rituals and social relationships. --Helpful in maintaining order in society•Stressed importance of roles

in the 5 relationships•Filial Piety

New Belief SystemsNew Belief SystemsDaoism – founded on the belief

that balance between humans and nature is supreme.--Influenced Chinese culture in terms

of:•Poetry•Architecture

•Medical theories and practices

Nature and Balance

Cultural TraditionsCultural TraditionsGreco-Roman philosophy and

science emphasized:

Shamanism and animism continued because of reliance on outside world

Plato’s political philosophy Aristotle’s metaphysicsQuestioning of religion

Belief that natural events are explained by spirits inhabiting objects and animals

Cultural TraditionsCultural TraditionsAncestor veneration

◦Africa-◦Mediterranean◦East Asia-◦Andean States

Storytelling

Confucian tradition-Filial Piety

Other ImpactsOther Impacts• Gender Roles

–Belief systems impacted mostly negatively

–Religion reinforced Patriarchy

• Artistic Expression–Literature and Drama

–Architectural Styles•Greco-Roman and Buddhist Sculptures

MythologyBhagavad Gita

(Columns and Arches)

Read chart carefully,Highlight similarities between2 or more faiths

Cultural TraditionsCultural TraditionsGreco-Roman philosophy and

science emphasized:

Shamanism and animism continued because of reliance on outside world.

•Logic•Empirical observation•Nature of political power and hierarchy