World Religions Why study them anyway?

Religion can be…

MONOTHEISTIC

Polytheistic

Hinduism• Main religion of India

• It has no founder or formal church

• Most Hindus practice the religion in the home where they designate a special place in the home as a shrine for worship.

Many Sacred Texts

Key Ideas of Hinduism:

• Hindus worship many gods and goddess.

• Each god is a part of a single supreme force called Brahman.

• Each person has an atman, which is a part of one universal soul.

AHIMSA Read, React and

Analyze

Hindu Code of Conduct

The Idea of Reincarnation (samsara):

• the belief that the soul goes through a process of transmigration

(passage of a soul after death into another body)

• When the body dies, the soul may be reborn in various forms from a holy person to a worm.

The true goal in life is Moksha/Liberation/Nirvana

=

Freeing the soul from the body so that it may unite with Brahman

Moksha/Liberation/Nirvana

• Can not be achieved in one lifetime.

• People undergo reincarnation, or rebirth of the soul in various forms.

Karma

• The law of karma is that every deed, whether mental or physical in this life affects a person’s fate in the future.

• In other words, a person’s present situation is a result of his or her deeds in a past existence.

If you have good Karma then you must be doing your Dharma

• Dharma is your duty in life

The Caste System

The Caste System• A strict social and religious order.

• Rebirth and karma are closely tied into the caste system.

• There are five castes (aka: varna) Brahmin = highest caste The Untouchables = lowest; not

even considered part of the system

WHO’S WHO?

Caste System and Hinduism• A person is born into their caste and remains there for

life; Nothing you do can affect your current status.

• You can improve your position in your next life by carrying out your dharma in your present life and thereby having good karma

• Your caste is a result of your karma

• Each caste has its own dharma

• You must obey the rules of the caste

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that

best explains this religion in Five Simple Words.

Buddhism

Founder: Siddharta GuatamaAn Indian Prince who gave up all his money and power to find “truth”.

Buddha- "awakened one”

1. Life is suffering.2. Human desire causes suffering.3. If you end desires you can end suffering.4. To end desires follow the Eight Fold Path. right action, speech, livelihood effort, mindfulness,

concentration, views and intention

4 Noble Truths

-We cause others to suffer because we are unhappy with

ourselves.

-Live in the HERE and NOW.

-We have a deep misunderstanding of who we are.

-Believe in what is vs. what might be.

Key Ideas

-The key to a wonderful life is to eliminate desires.

-The ultimate is to reach NIRVANA. (Ultimate Goal)

-Nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always

possible.

Key Ideas

Worship

•Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple

Texts

•Texts are divided into three different collections, known as the Tripitaka, or "three baskets“

•Buddhist texts today are not a uniform collection, as many different sects and schools have emerged over the centuries

A Hindu and a Buddhist meet for lunch….

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that

best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

Abraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Judaism

Monotheism - There is one god who is all powerful and all knowing.

This god made a special covenant or agreement with Abraham, who is the ‘father’ of the Jewish people.

G-d revealed his laws to his people through Moses and the ten commandments.

Key Ideas

• All people should live moral lives regardless of social class.

• All people are responsible for their own actions, people must choose between good and evil.

• Follow the Ten Commandments.• The Messiah will come to save the followers

of the faith.

Holy Texts

•Tanakh-Hebrew Bible•Torah•Talmud

Worship

Synagogue-Jewish house of worship

Sabbath-Jewish day of rest

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that

best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

The Story of Jesus

• Born in Bethlehem (in “Palestina” controlled by the Romans)

• Raised Jewish • Began preaching at the age of 30• Attracted many disciples (followers)

Jesus believed and taught…• in one God and followed the 10

Commandments

• God loved everyone regardless of status, all are equal in the eyes of God.

• God is forgiving.

• All people should be humble, merciful, and unselfish and will be rewarded in with eternal life

The Romans wanted to stop Jesus• Jesus was arrested and put

on trial for blasphemy.• Jesus was sentenced to die

by crucifixion.• This was a common

punishment during the time.

The Key to Christianity:The belief that Jesus rose from the dead and

ascended into heaven.

Sacred Text

Worship

Church

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that

best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

ISLAM

Submission to the will of Allah

Key Ideas Muslims are strict monotheists.

Allah is the Arabic word for god.

Founder of Islam is Mohammed

Key IdeasSacred Text-Qur’an

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.

House of Worship-Mosque

The 5 pillars of Islam

Shahadah - Witnessing• Professing the faith to one god, Allah and

Mohammed as his prophet.

Salat Daily prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca

Sawm - Fasting• Fasting is abstaining from the following between

dawn and sunset during the holy month of Ramadan:– Eating– Drinking – Sexual encounters

Hajj – Pilgrimage• Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s lifetime

Jihad…6th pillar?

Read and React

Based on what you learned today, create a saying that

best explains this religions in Five Simple Words.

World Religions Top Ten List Part 1

With on your own:1. Review all your notes on World Religions.

2. Create a list of the ten most important facts or ideas we should all know about World Religions

3. For each idea on the list, provide your reason as to why you put it on the list.

World Religions Top Ten List Part 2

With your partner:1. Share your World Religions Top Ten with your partner and vice versa.

2. After sharing collaborate to create one FINAL list of the ten most important facts or ideas we should all know about World Religions.

3. For each idea on the list, provide your reason as to why you put it on the list.

4. Prepare to present to the class.

World Religions Top 10!Fact from Notes We think you should know this because…

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Please include two ideas from each religion.