Polytheistic Religions
What are the purposes of religions?
POLYTHEISMWhat does it mean?
Polytheism exists throughout the
world
•Japan?
•Africa?
•India?
Can you name the polytheistic religion
for each region/country?
Polytheism exists
throughout the world
•Japan?Shinto
•Africa?Animism
•India?Hinduism
Can you name the polytheistic religion
for each region/country?
Shinto (think Japan)
• Shinto = “way of the gods”
• Fragmented country
• What does this mean?
• Clans worshipped own nature gods
• Varied customs/beliefs evolved into earliest religion
Main Principles
• Respect forces of nature
• Worship ancestors
• KAMI divine spirits that lived in nature
• Remind anyone of a blockbuster movie recently?
Animism - Africa
• Local/tribal religion
• Spirits regulate daily life
• Spirits present in…• Animals
• Plants
• Nature
• Souls of ancestors
Hinduism
Main Ideas
• Based in India• 15% of the world!
• Reincarnation
• Enlightenment
• Based on the caste system• Social ranking system
• Born into rank
• Created by the Aryans
• Holy book = the Vedas
Largest Hindu Temple in Delhi, IndiaWhat do you notice about the temple?
Main ideas continued…
• Believe in nonviolence
• Meditation
• Goal is to achieve moksha • Perfect understanding of all
things
• Hundreds of Gods:• Big 3
• Brahma (creator)
• Vishnu (preserver)
• Shiva (destroyer)
Hinduism is dominated by the caste system
What is the purpose of social hierarchies?
Different Social Rankings in the Caste
SystemBrahmins: Scholars/Priests class –
Educated elite and performed religious rituals
Kshatriyas: King/Warrior class
Vaisyas: Trader class
Sudras: Farmer/Artisan class
Untouchables: “Dalits”, outside of the social pyramid
Effects of the Caste SystemYour caste determined who you could eat with, the work they did,
whom they could marry
• Are there hierarchies at Shaker? What are they? How do they influence your life?
• Are there hierarchies in society? What are they? How do they influence peoples’ lives?
Shaker and Society
• Grade
• Level (AP, H, R, B)
• Social cliques
• Athletics
• Clothing
• Adult rankings?
• Profession
• Income
• Age
• Sex
• Race
Social MobilityHow do you change your position in
society?
Q: What is the goal of a Hindu?
A: Reach enlightenment and end reincarnation.
Q: How do you move up the caste system?
A: Acquire good karma – this influences one’s caste, health, wealth, etc.
Q: How do you reach enlightenment?
A: Acquiring good karma, moving up the caste system through rebirths and then achieving moksha
Spread of Hinduism – How would it spread?
