polytheistic religions
DESCRIPTION
Polytheistic Religions. What are the purposes of religions?. POLYTHEISM What does it mean?. Polytheism exists throughout the world. Can you name the polytheistic religion for each region/country?. Japan? Africa? India?. Polytheism exists throughout the world. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
• Release from reincarnation
• 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?