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World Religions. Influence of World Religions in the Contemporary World. Five World Religions. Five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization. What are some characteristics of the five major world religions?. Monotheism. Began in Palestine with the Jews
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World Religions Influence of World Religions in the Contemporary World
Five World Religions • Five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization. • What are some characteristics of the five major world religions?
Monotheism • Began in Palestine with the Jews • Abraham is the founder of: • Judaism • Islam
Monotheism • Begun by Abraham about 2000 BCE • Common Beliefs: • God created the universe • God continues to govern the universe • The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai and must be followed
Judaism • Monotheism • Ten Commandments of moral and religious conduct • Torah: Written records and beliefs of the Jews • Founder: Abraham
JUDAISM • Followers are called Jews • Believe that God made a covenant with Abraham and his people (Israelites) • Adherents are worldwide, but most are in Israel • Holy book is the Torah (= the first five books of the Old Testament of Christian Bible) • Worship in a Synagogue
Christianity • Monotheism • Jesus as Son of God • Life after death • New Testament: Life and teachings of Jesus • Establishment of Christian doctrines by early church councils • Worship in a church • Holy Book: Bible
Islam • Monotheism • Muslim name for their God is Allah • Muhammad, the prophet • Holy Book: Qur’an (Koran) • Mecca and Medina • Started his religion in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This is the holiest city in Islam.
ISLAM • Muslims worship in a mosque • Muslims must follow the Five Pillars of Islam: • Stating the Faith • Prayer 5 times/day facing Mecca • Charity to poor • Pilgrimage (Hajj) • Fast during Ramadan
Buddhism • Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) • Four Noble Truths • Eightfold Path to Enlightenment • Spread of Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia, resulting from Asoka’s missionaries and their writings
Buddhism • Basic Tenets of Buddhism • The world is full of suffering • Meditation is our only escape • Nirvana is the ultimate goal • Follow the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path • Right Understanding • Right Thought • Right Speech • Right Action • Right Livelihood • Right Effort • Right Mindfulness • Right Concentration
Polytheism • Polytheism is the worship of more than one god. • May accept gods from other religions • Choose your favorite god!
Hinduism • Many forms of one god • Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma • Karma: Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences
Polytheism • Hinduism • From India around 1700 BCE • No single founder • 3rd largest religion • Holy Book: Rig Veda • Brahman is the source of all divinity (holiness) • Believe in reincarnation (soul is reborn many times based on Karma).
Caste System Good Karma OK Karma Bad Karma Untouchables
Hindu Gods SHIVA BRAHMA VISHNU
Essential Understanding and Question • Five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization. These religions are found worldwide, but their followers tend to be concentrated in certain geographic areas. (pp. 700-714) • Where are the followers of the five world religions concentrated?
Geographic Distribution of World’s Major Religions • Judaism: Concentrated in Israel and North America • Christianity: Concentrated in Europe and North and South America • Islam: Concentrated in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia • Hinduism: Concentrated in India • Buddhism: Concentrated in East and Southeast Asia
Contemporary Political issues…ethic/religious conflicts • Developed and developing nations face many challenges. These include migrations, ethnic and religious conflicts… • What are some challenges faced by the contemporary world?
Ethnic and Religious Conflicts • Middle East – • Muslim infighting (Sunni vs. Shi’a), Muslims (Arabs) vs. Jews (Israel), Strict vs. moderate, Muslims vs. Christians (United States) • Northern Ireland – • Protestants vs. Catholics • Balkans – • Serbs, Bosnians, and Croats fight one another for land (their own nation) 1990s
Ethnic and Religious Conflicts • Horn of Africa – • Consists of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Drought, disease, and piracy has been a problem in this region. • South Asia – • Consists of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, et al… India and Pakistan have a history of disputes and with the war on terror Afghanistan and Pakistan are in the news.