JudaismChristianity

IslamBuddhismHinduism

c. Describe the major religions in SWA; include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.

Ethnic Group Religious Group

A group of people who share cultural

ideas and beliefs that have been a part of their community for

generations. The characteristics they

may have in common could include

language, religion, history, types of

foods, and a set of beliefs, or

celebrations.

A group of people who share a belief system in a god or

gods, with a specific set of rituals and literature. People

from different ethnic groups may share the

same religion, though they may be from very different

cultures.

Ethnic groups share –

language physical features customs traditions

Religious groups share common

belief systemsBUT

are not necessarily a single

ethnic group.

Arabs may be Muslims or Christians.

Which concept relates to religion rather than ethnicity?A. Kimba is Ashanti.B. Mustafa follows the Quran.C. Kemal is a nomadic herder.

D. Jambo speaks Swahili.

Shara is Arab. Why can’t it beassumed that Shara is Muslim?

A. All Arabs are not Muslim B. All Arabs are Christian C. Muslims are not Arab D. Christians are not Arab

We study different religious faiths in order to understand other people. Many people have strong religious convictions, and it would be impossible to understand them without first understanding their beliefs.

People are often mistreated for their beliefs. In the last century as many as six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Religious conflicts persist in Ireland, the Middle East and in many other parts of the world. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 are likely the result of religious conflicts.

By understanding one another, we can hope to develop tolerance and respect for all people

These faiths are often called western religions to distinguish them from the eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) practiced primarily in Asia.

JudaismChristianity

IslamBuddhismHinduism

Do you think there a relationship between personal freedoms and religion?

The first monotheistic (one God) religion, Judaism traces its roots back thousands of years.

The Jewish Holy Book is The Torah

The Torah, which means "teaching", is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish People. The Ten Commandments are considered the most important commandments of the Torah.

Jews believe there is one God who created and rules the world. This God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (in all places at all times). God is also just and merciful.

1. God exists. 2. God is one and unique.3. God is incorporeal.(having no material body or form )4. God is eternal.5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone.6. The words of the prophets are true.7. Moses was the greatest prophet, and his prophecies are

true.8. The Torah was given to Moses.9. There will be no other Torah.10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked.12. The Messiah will come.13. The dead will be resurrected.

13 Principles of Judaism

Judaism is the twelfth most popular religion in the world.  It contains about 14 million adherents (followers). The chart shows how they are distributed throughout the world

Rank Country Jews % of World Jewish Population

1 Israel 5,313,800 40.60%2 United States 5,275,000 40.30%3France 491,500 3.80%4Canada 373,500 2.90%5United Kingdom 297,000 2.30%6Russia 228,000 1.70%7Argentina 184,500 1.40%8Germany 118,000 0.90%9Australia 103,000 0.80%

10Brazil 96,500 0.70%11Ukraine 80,000 0.60%12South Africa 72,000 0.60%13Hungary 49,700 0.40%14Mexico 39,800 0.30%15Belgium 31,200 0.20%

The Bible is the Holy Book of Christians.

It is believed to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative written Word of God, penned by man with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The birthplace of Christianity is an area now known as the Holy Land. It is located in Israel/Palestine in the city of Jerusalem.

Christians believe that:

1. God created all that is seen and unseen2. Jesus is the Son of God and is one with God3. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary4. Jesus suffered and was crucified5. Jesus died and was buried6. Jesus rose again (the Resurrection)7. Jesus ascended into Heaven8. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead9. Anyone can have salvation10. People who repent their sins will be forgiven

Christianity has about 1.9 billion adherents (followers).  It is the most popular religion in the world.  However, it is difficult to find a Christian in the Middle East and Asia. The chart shows where most Christians live.

Rank Nation Number Percent

1 USA 224,457,000 85%

2 Brazil 139,000,000 93%

3 Mexico 86,120,000 99%

4 Russia 80,000,000 60%

5 China 70,000,000 5.7%

6 Germany 67,000,000 83%

7 Philippines 63,470,000 93%

8United Kingdom

51,060,000 88%

9 Italy 47,690,000 90%

10 France 44,150,000 98%

11 Nigeria 38,180,000 45%

The Arabian Peninsula is the birthplace of Islam The word

"Islam“ means "Submission to Allah."

The Qur'an is the sacred book of the Muslim religion, believed in the Islamic faith to be the word of God, or Allah, as revealed by the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad, the last prophet of the Judeo-Christian God.

1. Shahada (testimony of faith)One is required to

say "There is no god but Allah, and

Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

2. Salat (prayer)Muslims pray toward

Mecca five times daily, at dawn, noon,

mid-afternoon, sunset and night.

3. Zakat (almsgiving)Charitable giving is a

requirement for all Muslims. Almsgiving is

incumbent upon the individual Muslim - except for in Saudi

Arabia, where Zakat is strictly enforced by the

rule of Islamic law.

4. Siyam (fasting)fasting during the

month of Ramadan. From dawn to dusk for the entire month

5. Hajj (pilgrimage)To go to the holy city of Mecca for the Hajj, or

pilgrimage. Every able-bodied Muslim is required - if their finances permit - to

make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Islamic principles are based on the

5 Pillars of Faith

Islam has about 1.1 billion adherents (followers).  It is the second most popular religion in the world (after

Christianity). While Muslims can be found in nearly every country the 10 countries with the largest Muslims

populations are shown below. The US ranks 41st with 4 million Muslims.

Rank Country Muslim Population

#1   Indonesia 213,469,356 

# 2   Pakistan 156,491,617 

# 3   India 138,188,726 

# 4   Bangladesh 127,001,272 

# 5   Egypt 70,530,237 

# 6   Turkey 68,963,953 

# 7   Iran 67,337,681 

# 8   Nigeria 64,385,994 

# 9   China 39,189,414 

# 10   Ethiopia 34,700,310 

There are two sects, Sunni and Shi'a.  Islam in the Middle East is predominantly Sunni, with the exception

of Iran.

Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job.

The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his descendents. Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself.

There are two sects, Sunni and Shi'a.  Islam in the Middle East is predominantly Sunni, with the exception

of Iran.

Hinduism is the world's oldest religious

tradition (circa 10,000 BC), with a billion

followers, making it the world's third largest

religion. Hinduism is a mixture of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and

practices that originated in India.

The basic scriptures of Hinduism, are

called “the Vedas and

the Upanishads”.

Basic beliefs of HinduismDharma (ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara)

Hinduism believes that there is only one

supreme Absolute called "Brahman“ (Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time,

space, and being ). The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

In addition to many gods and

goddesses, Hindus also

worship spirits, trees, animals

and even planets.

Brahma Creator

Brahma is self-born (without mother) in the lotus flower which grew from the navel of Vishnu at the beginning of the universe. He is responsible for day and night.

Vishnu Preserver

Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. When evil overtakes good in the world, Vishnu will come in

human form to set things right again.

Shiva Destroyer

Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding

of old habits. Shiva lives on Mount Kailas in the Himalayas.

Ganesha creates the faith to remove all obstacles. Hindu

prayers begin by invoking his name.

He is the son of Shiva

Hindu Population in the World

World Top Ten Countries With Largest Hindu Populations

Country Hindu Population

India 755,135,000

Nepal 18,354,000

Bangladesh 15,995,000

Indonesia 7,259,000

Sri Lanka 2,124,000

Pakistan 1,868,000

Malaysia 1,630,000

USA 1,032,000

South Africa 959,000

Myanmar 893,000

The founder of Buddhism in this world is Buddha Shakyamuni. He was born as a royal prince in 624 BC in a place called Lumbini, which was originally in northern India but is now part of Nepal. ‘Shakya’ is the name of the royal family into which he was born, and ‘Muni’ means ‘Able One’. His parents gave him the name Siddhartha and there were many wonderful predictions about his future. In his early years he lived as a prince in his royal palace but when he was 29 years old he retired to the forest where he followed a spiritual life of meditation. After six years he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India.

The Five Precepts: These are rules to live by. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not misuse sex. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism:Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and almost

universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure)

Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)

Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)

Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path:Panna: Discernment, wisdom:

1) Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths 2) Right thinking; following the right path in life

Sila: Virtue, morality:3) Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language 4) Right conduct by following the Five Precepts 5) Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others

Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:6) Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts 7) Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings 8) Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

Hindus believe that Buddha was the 9th incarnation of Vishnu. Buddhists don’t believe this because they

don’t believe in Gods.

After many incarnations, if a

person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is

a state of liberation and freedom from

suffering.

Buddhist Population in the WorldWhile estimates vary between 200-500 million adherents, the generally agreed number of Buddhists is estimated at around 350 million (6% of the world's population). This makes Buddhism the world's fourth largest (in terms of number of adherents) religion.

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