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Characteristics of United States Religious Groups

Explore the diversity, competition, commitment, and toleration of religious groups in the United States. Learn about the fundamentalist revival and the role of electronic media in modern religious practices. Discover the major world religions and their origins.

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Characteristics of United States Religious Groups

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  1. Unit 3: Religion History of Religion Part 3 Mr. Young Sociology

  2. Characteristics of United Statesreligious groups • About 65% of Americans belong to a church, mosque, or synagogue • Before 1990, 87% of Americans considered themselves to be Christian, that has fallen to 76% in 2008

  3. 1) Diversity • More than 300,000 congregations, the United States has no dominant religions

  4. 2) Pluralism and Freedom • US Government ensures that you have the freedom to worship as you please • Anyone can start a religion

  5. 3) Competition and Recruitment • Religious groups compete for clients • Some groups will modify their message to reach a more extensive audience

  6. 4) Commitment • Americans are a religious people, and about 39% attend a religious service every week • Americans donate about 85 billion to religious causes

  7. 5) Toleration • All religions have a right to exist—as long as they don’t try to or hurt anyone • With all religions to choose from, how can anyone tell which one—if any—is true? • Each of us may be convinced about the truth of our religion—and that is the goal—but don’t be obnoxious by trying to convince others that you have the exclusive truth

  8. 6) Fundamentalist Revival • More mainstream churches are losing members • People are evangelizing with the people they associate with

  9. 7) The Electronic Church • Just like everything else church is also becoming a big tv and internet phenomenon

  10. 6 Major World Religions • Confucianism (5.9 million) • Judaism (14 million) • Buddhism (360 million) • Hinduism (820 million) • Non-Religious (1.1 Billion) • Islam (1.2 billion) • Christianity (2 billion)

  11. World Religions Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd5hvXgI_bQ • Religions timeline • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lFpsAz5BPk • Start at 2:32

  12. World Religions Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6dCxo7t_aE • Ted Ed (12 min)

  13. Confucianism • Founder: K’ung Fu-Tsu • Date: 500 B.C.E • Original Location: China

  14. Confucianism Cont. • Means “Family of Scholars” • Developed a system of moral principles based on peace, justice, and universal order • His teachings were incorporated into writing called Analects

  15. Cont • Believed that humans were by nature good and learn best by a good role model, which he called junzi • Main principle is to maintain jen, sympathy or concern for other humans • Key to jen: sustain right relationships, being loyal and placing morality above self-interest

  16. Cont • Established foundation for social hierarchy • “Confucius Golden Rule”- treat those who are subordinate to you as you would like to be treated by people superior to yourself • Due authority is not automatic: it must be earned • Taught the “middle way”, avoid extremes

  17. Cont • Five Constant Relationships: ruler-subject, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, elder friend-junior friend, father-son • Heaven and Earth are not separate places, but death is a promotion to a more honorable estate

  18. Judaism Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W_PyVhOJTs&feature=relmfu

  19. Judaism • Founder: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob • Date: 2000 B.C.E • Original Location: Israel

  20. Cont • First religion based on monotheism • The Jews consider themselves God’s chosen people • They reside in about 134 different countries today • Based on the teachings of the Old Testament and the Torah, first 5 books of the Bible

  21. Cont. • Abraham would leave the Middle East for the promised land (modern day Israel) • Israelites would find themselves Egypt where Moses would lead them out • Moses will get the 10 commandments from God on Mount Sinai, laws that the people should live by

  22. Cont • Jews worship in a synagogue and are led by a rabbi • Observe the Sabbath by not working from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday • Believe the Messiah will appear in Jerusalem and bring redemption to the nation

  23. Cont. • Two of the most important things to a Jew • Passover (Exodus) when God saved the Israelite infants from dying • Keeping the Jewish laws (of which there are 613)

  24. Cont • Judaism has three key components • God (deity) • Torah (God’s teachings) • Israel (community or holy nation)

  25. Buddhism • Founder: Siddhartha Gautama • Date: 500-600 BCE • Original Location: India

  26. Cont. • Buddha means Enlightened One • Based on Four Noble Truths • Existence is Suffering • The Origin of suffering is desire • Suffering ceases when desire ceases • The way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path to Nirvana

  27. Right Belief (view) • Right Intent • Right Speech • Right Conduct (action) • Right livelihood (occupation) • Right Effort • Right mindfulness (contemplation • Right Concentration (ecstasy)

  28. Hinduism Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jesIqlDkKdY

  29. Hinduism • Founder: No Specific • Date: 1500 BCE • Original Location: India

  30. Cont. • One of the world’s oldest current religions • Has no canonical doctrine • Believe in many gods • Brahma created the universe

  31. Cont. • Central belief is karma, spiritual progress • No final judgment, reincarnated based on your moral progress in previous life • When you reach spiritual perfection, you have attained nirvana

  32. Islam • Founder: Muhammad • Date: 600 CE • Original Location: Saudi Arabia

  33. Cont. • Started with Abraham’s son Ishmael • Prophet Muhammad Received revelation from God that he wrote in the Qur’an • Split into two branches: Shi’ite (who believe that the modern world is threatening the original faith) and Sunni (generally more liberal and accepting of social change)

  34. Cont • Believing that there is no god but Allah • Participating in five periods of prayer each day • Paying taxes to help support the needy • Fasting during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan • Making at least one pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in Mecca

  35. Cont. • Believe in jihad, meaning struggle • Western world means holy war • Greater Jihad is the internal struggle against sin within a person’s heart • Lesser Jihad, external struggle that takes place in the world

  36. Christianity Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1DWEigEe_c&feature=relmfu

  37. Christianity • Founder: Jesus • Date: 1st Century BCE • Original Location: Israel

  38. Cont. • Believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah from God • Was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem • Started his ministry at age 30 • Had 12 apostles

  39. Cont. • Died on a cross, and is interpreted as a blood sacrifice for the sins of the world • Their doctrine is the Holy Bible • Believe in a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

  40. Believe in baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit Believe there is only way to Heaven, through Jesus Cont.

  41. Cont. • Teachings were opposite those of the worlds • Taught that to be greatest you must be least • Humble yourself that you may be exalted • Taught his disciples to love everyone, even your enemies • Only faith will get you into Heaven, not works

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