590 likes | 776 Vues
World Religions. The Western Religions. RELIGION. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing human activity and conduct. Polytheistic Believing in MANY gods
E N D
World Religions The Western Religions
RELIGION • a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing human activity and conduct.
Polytheistic • Believing in MANY gods • Monotheistic • Believing in ONE god • Deity • A god
Sect • Sections within a religion usually separated by subtle differences in their beliefs within the same religion • prophet • a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.
Judaism Founded about 2000 BC
Judaism's Deity • Monotheistic • Call God “Yahweh” – to scholars • Called “Adonai” – in the worship services. • No images of Yahweh
Judaism’s Key Beliefs • Belief in Yahweh (God) • 10 Commandments given by Yahweh (God) to Moses who is a prophet (someone who speaks the word of God). Includes: • Do not steal, kill, or lie • Honor (respect your parents) • There is only one God • Believe in Afterlife • A person serves Yahweh (God) by studying the Torah and living by its teachings.
Judaism's Holy Book • Bible • First 5 books are called the Torah • Different than complete Christian Bible
How is it Practiced? • Bar Mitzvah—at age 13 boys celebrate their entrance into adult religious community (girls=Bat Mitzvah) • Several holidays that honor their history and their God. • Passover recalls events from the departure of the Jews from Egypt where they had been enslaved.
Sacred Place • Jerusalem • Western Wall: Remains of Jewish Temple destroyed by Romans in 70 AD. Believe when Messiah (savior) comes, temple will be rebuilt.
Worship Services • Place of worship: Synagogue • Holy day (Sabbath or Shabbat) is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday • Services led by a Rabbi (Jewish spiritual leader)
Divisions (Sects) • Orthodox • Conservative • Reform
Other Information • First monotheistic religion • Founded by Abraham • Same God as Christians and Muslims • Kosher = Various dietary restrictions as interpreted in the Hebrew Bible
Christianity Founded: 30 AD
Christianity’s Key Beliefs • Belief in God • Believe Jesus as son of God • Believe in Ten Commandments and that they were given to Moses • Believe that Jesus died and then rose from the dead to save people from sin. • Call him “Christ” or “Messiah” • Believe in heaven, hell, and afterlife • Christians believe that they can serve God and achieve salvation by following the teachings of Jesus
Christianity’s Deity • Monotheistic • Same God as Jews and Muslims
Christianity’s Holy Book • Bible –divided into two sections • Old Testament • very similar to the Jewish Bible • New Testament • about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as well as his followers after his death
How is it Practiced? • Many Christians also have a practice of Baptism where they are initiated into Christianity • Holidays that celebrate Jesus such as Christmas (birth) and Easter (resurrection after being crucified)
Christianity’s Sacred Place • Jerusalem • Church of the Holy Sepulchre • Church built where Jesus was crucified • Other sites as well
Worship Services • Place of worship: Church • Holy Day: Sunday • Religious Leader: Priest; bishop; archbishop; patriarch; pope; pastor; minister; preacher; deacon
Christianity’s Divisions (Sects) • Some examples: • Roman Catholics • Eastern Orthodox • Baptist • Lutheran • Presbyterian • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • And many more
Other Information about Christianity • For many sects the cross represents symbol of victory over death
Islam Founded: 622 AD
Islam’s Key Beliefs • Belief in heaven, hell, and afterlife • 5 Pillars: 1)Only one God-Allah and Muhammad is his prophet 2)Pray 5x/day 3)Charity 4)Fast during Ramadan 5)Pilgramage to Mecca
Islam’s Deity • Monotheistic • Belief in God • Allah: Arabic word for God • Forbidden to draw images of Muhammad and Allah • Colorful mosaics instead • Same God as Jews and Christians
Islam’s Holy Book • Qur’an • Word of Allah as given to Muhammad • Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven over a period of time where he received messages from Allah through the angel Gabriel
How is it Practiced? • Only Arabic can be used in worship as Muslim’s believe the Arabic version to be true word of Allah • Ablution—cleansing before prayer • Don’t eat pork or drink alcohol • Halal-dietary restrictions based on the slaughtering of meat • Holidays such as Id al-Fitr the celebrates the end of Ramadan (fasting month).
Islam’s Sacred Places • Saudi Arabia • Cities of Mecca and Medina • Jerusalem • Dome of the Rock: Muhammad ascended to heaven to receive messages from Allah • this is in the exact same area as Western Wall
Worship Services • Place of worship: Mosque • Holy Day: Friday • Religious Leader: Imam; Sheikh
Islam’s Divisions (Sects) • Sunni and Shi’a (Shiites) • The division among Muslims began with disagreements about who should lead after the death of Muhammad. • Sunnis believe that anyone with a deep understanding of Islam and the Qur’an can lead Muslims • Shi’as believe that only direct descendants of Muhammad can lead Muslims
Other Information about Islam • Muhammad is the founder, but trace many beliefs back to Abraham • 2nd largest world religion • Consider Jews and Christians to be “People of the Book” • Both have a holy book with many of the same messages as Qur’an • Muslims think of Moses and Jesus as prophets, with Muhammad being the final prophet
World Religions Part 2
Hinduism Founded about 2000 BC
Holy Book • Veda’s • Collection of texts • Rig Veda: oldest Hindu writings • Oldest writings of the major religions • Upanishads • Hindu teachers comments on the Vedas written about 750 and 550 BCE.
Hinduism’s Deity • Polytheistic • Examples of main gods are • Brahma: creator of universe • Vishnu: preserver of universe • Shiva: destroyer of universe • Devi; a great mother goddess • Hindus free to choose which god or gods they worship or none at all
Key Beliefs • Goal of religion is to reach enlightenment (true understanding and happiness)—Moksha • Three paths to moksha: path of right thinking, path of right action, or the path of religious devotion • Reach enlightenment after freeing themselves from earthly desires • Belief in reincarnation: Individual soul is born again and again until perfect understanding of all things is achieved • Karma (good and bad deeds) follows you from one life to another and influences your circumstances
How is it Practiced? • Many use deep meditation and prayer to reach enlightenment • Achieve enlightenment through worship, attainment of knowledge, and virtuous acts
Sacred Place • Ganges River in India • Bathe in water to cleanse and purify themselves • Sick and disabled come in the belief that the holy water might cure their illnesses. • Several other rivers • Sacred city of Varansai in India—city of Hindu god Shiva
Worship Services • Place of worship: home or at temples • Temples contain shrines to important gods or goddesses • Annual festivals at temples to honor gods • At home, worship around a shrine to a god that is important to the family • Spiritual Leader = Guru, Saga - These are not service leaders, but guide people on how to manage their lives around god.
Divisions (Sects) • Haktism • Reform Hinduism (monotheistic) • Vaishnavites • Shaivites
Other Information • No single founder • Began as a blending of cultures when the Aryans (people from area between Aral and Caspian Seas (Modern day Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan) moved into the Indus River Valley • Major religion of India • Caste system: Rigid class system that dictates jobs and positions within society—nearly impossible to change caste. • Religion is a way to free soul from illusions, disappointments, and mistakes of life. • 3rd largest world religion
Buddhism Founded: Approx. 530 BC
Buddhism's Key Beliefs • The Three signs of Being • duhkha – life is unsatisfactory • anitya – nothing is permanent • anatman – there is no such thing as a soul • Four Noble Truths • Life is filled with suffering and sorrow • The cause of all suffering is desire • The way to end all suffering is to end all desires. • You can overcome desires and attain enlightenment by following the Eightfold Path. • Nirvana (enlightenment) —release from selfishness and pain. • Belief in reincarnation : living beings, after death are reborn and continue to exist • All living things possess the potential for spiritual growth and the possibility of rebirth as humans
Buddhism’s Deity • No personal deity • Buddha is not a god, but a title of someone who has reached Nirvana
Buddhism’s Holy Book • The first written collections of Buddha’s teachings, were called canons and written in two different languages. • Dhammapada – “Verses of Righteousness” • Memorable sayings of Buddha Including • Four Noble Truths • Eight fold path
How is it Practiced? • The Eight Fold Path • A guideline for Buddhist to follow to live the best possible life and reach Nirvana • Right View, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration. • Buddhist strive to follow Buddha’s teaching through meditation and hopefully achieve enlightenment
Buddhism’s Sacred Places • Various sites in India that relate to Buddha’s life • Birthplace: Lumbini Grove • Place of Enlightenment: Bodh Gaya • Various branches of Buddhism have their own sites
Worship Services Place of worship: • Many Buddhists make offerings at shrines, temples, and monasteries. This is carried over as part of their cultural and less part of Buddhism itself.
Buddhism’s Divisions • Two branches are: • Theravada: • Try to stay as close as possible to Buddha’s recorded teachings • Mahayana: • More accepting of change • There are also divisions of Buddhism that are based on their location: • Tibetan Buddhism • Zen Buddhism • Pure Land Buddhism
Other Information about Buddhism • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama • Searched for religious truth and end to suffering of life • After 49 days of meditation he achieved understanding of the cause of suffering • Became known as “enlightened one” or Buddha • Buddhism was born from Hinduism