Introduction to the Big 5 Religions: Beliefs, Practices, and Populations
Discover the origins, sacred writings, places of worship, main beliefs, and symbols of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Learn about sects, world populations, and more.
Introduction to the Big 5 Religions: Beliefs, Practices, and Populations
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Presentation Transcript
19 Sept 2011 Objective: Introduction to the Big 5 Religions Warm-up: • What is religion? • Name as many religions as you can.
Religion is…. • aset of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of theuniverse, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct ofhumanaffairs.
Supreme Being God Allah Yahweh Many: Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu No God
Founder, Date and Place • Jesus, 32 A.D., Israel • Mohammed, 622 A.D., Saudi Arabia • Abraham, 586 B.C.E., Israel • Siddhartha Gautama, 500 B.C.E., India • Many, 1500 B.C.E., India
Sacred Writing • Bible • Quran • Torra • Tipitaka • Bhagavadagita
Place of Worship • Church • Mosque • Synagogue • Temple • Temple
Main Beliefs • Christianity- Jesus was son of God (Heaven) • Islam – 5 Pillars (Heaven) • Judaism – 10 commandments (Heaven) • Buddhism – 4 noble truths (8 fold path) to reach Nirvana • Hinduism – reincarnation to attain Moksha
8 fold path • Correct thought: avoiding covetousness, the wish to harm others and wrong views (like thinking: actions have no consequences, I never have any problems, there are no ways to end suffering etc.) • Correct speech: avoid lying, divisive and harsh speech and idle gossip. • Correct actions: avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct • Correct livelihood: try to make a living with the above attitude of thought, speech and actions. • Correct understanding: developing genuine wisdom. (The last three aspects refer mainly to the practice of meditation:) • Correct effort: after the first real step we need joyful perseverance to continue. • Correct mindfulness: try to be aware of the "here and now", instead of dreaming in the "there and then". • Correct concentration: to keep a steady, calm and attentive state of mind
Sects • Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox • Sunni, Shiite • Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed • Mahayana, Theravada, Tibetan • Vaishnavites, Shaivites
World population %, number • 1.9 Billion 33% China, India, United States • 1.1 Billion 21% Indonesia, Pakistan • 13 Million .22 % Israel, United States • 325 Million 6% China, Thailand • 793 Million 14% India, Nepal