unit 3 – belief systems. map of world belief systems
TRANSCRIPT
Unit 3 – Belief Systems
Map of World Belief Systems
Timeline
Important TermsReligion:• Organized beliefs and rituals of a culture• Usually associated with a “god” (deity) or
“spiritual force” (worship)
Social Philosophy:• A set of guiding principles that a community
follows• They have a great influence on how the
community behaves
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
Hinduism India
Reincarnation: Belief that the soul comes back in another form after the body’s deathDharma: the overall values and rules of HinduismKarma: the behavior of a Hindu (thoughts and actions)
Caste System: Social order of separate castes (classes) through Karma – people move up or down the caste system
Vedas
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
untouchables
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
BuddhismIndia (but
moved out)
• Began in India but was not accepted (Hindu social order was too strong)
• Missionaries spread Buddha’s teachings through Asia
Four Noble Truths:• Everyone suffers• Suffering caused by
desires• To end suffering – end
desires• To end desires – follow the
Eight-Fold Path
Right: Views, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration-----
India
China
Korea
Japan
Southeast Asia
Main BeliefsBelief
System/ Symbol
Place of Origin/ Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential
Elements
TaoismChina/ Tao Te Ching
Founded by Laozi• Live in harmony
with nature• Yin and Yang
create balance
Follow Dao (The Way) of nature (accept the things that you cannot change)
Legalism
China/-----
Founded by Han Feizi• People are
basically evil
Harsh laws and strict punishmentForce and power are necessaryBe true to government, not family
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
Confucianism China
Founded by Confucius• People are basically
good• Good conduct and
being moral = good government and social harmony
Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do to you
Filial Piety: respect your eldersFive Relationships:Ruler → SubjectFather → SonHusband → WifeOlder brother → youngerFriend = Friend
Analects
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
Judaism Middle East
Monotheism: belief in one God• Kicked out of
Palestine by the Romans during the Diaspora, and scattered through Europe
• God will send a Messiah (savior) to them someday
Ten Commandments: Guidelines for Behavior – follow God’s laws for the Messiah to come
Torah (first 5
books of Old Test)
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
Christianity Middle East
Monotheism: belief in one God• Jesus Christ is the
Son of God and the Messiah
• Jesus’ death provided salvation for those who believe
• Roman Empire initially persecuted Christians, then converted to it
Ten Commandments: Guidelines for Behavior • Belief in Christ brings
salvation and heaven after death
• Simple rules brought many converts to Christianity
Bible
Main BeliefsBelief
System/Symbol
Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements
Islam Middle East
Monotheism: belief in one God• Follow Allah in all
things above everything else
• Mohammed is the Messiah who spread the word of God
• Religious laws of Islam are so important that they often become political laws also
Five Pillars of Faith:• Faith: Shahada “there is
no God but Allah and Mohammed is his profit
• Prayer: Five time/day facing Mecca
• Charity: Zakat, give alms to the poor
• Fasting: no food or drink while sun is up during Ramadan
• Pilgrimage: Hajj, journey to Mecca once in your lifeQur’an
(Koran)
Main BeliefsBelief
System/ Symbol
Place of Origin/ Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential
Elements
Animism
Africa/ -----
• Worship spirits in nature (trees, animals, etc.)
• Worship their ancestors
Great respect for the natural world
Shintoism
Japan/-----
• Spirits of “Kami” exist in all things, including their emperor
• Shrines built at places of beauty in nature (Torii Gates)
Great respect for the natural world