Major Belief Systems Major Belief Systems & Religions& Religions

Comparison and influences on Comparison and influences on the ancient worldthe ancient world

By Kailey RuizBy Kailey Ruiz

Confucianism in ChinaConfucianism in China400 b.c.e400 b.c.e Confucianism focused on an ethical instead of a religious system. Confucianism focused on an ethical instead of a religious system. Confucianism formed the basis for Chinese philosophical and Confucianism formed the basis for Chinese philosophical and

religious beliefs for over 2000 years.religious beliefs for over 2000 years. Government leaders embraced it; it was intended to create orderly Government leaders embraced it; it was intended to create orderly

society. society. Created tight-knit communities where members had responsibilitiesCreated tight-knit communities where members had responsibilities The technological advancements, scholar-gentry bureaucracy, and The technological advancements, scholar-gentry bureaucracy, and

agrarian state motivated many great American and European agrarian state motivated many great American and European thinkers.thinkers.

Was the main religion of the Zhou, Qing, Han, Tang, and Song Was the main religion of the Zhou, Qing, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties of China.dynasties of China.

RESTRICTED TO CHINARESTRICTED TO CHINA

Buddhism Buddhism Spread Throughout Spread Throughout AsiaAsia483 b.c.e483 b.c.e

Buddhists did not believe at all in the caste system but Buddhists did not believe at all in the caste system but more in dharmamore in dharma

Promoted equality of believers, no social discriminationPromoted equality of believers, no social discrimination Appealed to lower classesAppealed to lower classes

No social structure meant it could apply to anyone - No social structure meant it could apply to anyone - spread to China, Japan, and southeast Asia via trade spread to China, Japan, and southeast Asia via trade routesroutes

Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in 260 B.C.E.Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in 260 B.C.E. Brought about one of the first centers of learning – Brought about one of the first centers of learning –

universitiesuniversities Stirred strong opposition by Brahmans in IndiaStirred strong opposition by Brahmans in India Anti- Buddhist backlash by Confucian and Dao Anti- Buddhist backlash by Confucian and Dao

supporters under emperor Wuzong in 9supporters under emperor Wuzong in 9thth century. century. Destroyed shrines and monks were forced to abandon religionDestroyed shrines and monks were forced to abandon religion

Hinduism in IndiaHinduism in India

Powerful local leaders promoted arts & education Powerful local leaders promoted arts & education Major Hindu philosophies like Vedanta emergedMajor Hindu philosophies like Vedanta emerged Caste system became more enforcedCaste system became more enforced You were born into a caste level and you could not You were born into a caste level and you could not

switch levels or intermarry – strictly patriarchalswitch levels or intermarry – strictly patriarchal Brought about social divisions and discrimination between classesBrought about social divisions and discrimination between classes

Indian rulers supported the caste system – more powerIndian rulers supported the caste system – more power

Medical advancements and improvements to the Medical advancements and improvements to the numerical/decimal systemnumerical/decimal system

Social restrictions stirred negative response with the Social restrictions stirred negative response with the globeglobe

Not accepted by many western nationsNot accepted by many western nations

Spread of HinduismSpread of Hinduism

Islam in the Middle EastIslam in the Middle East622 c.e.622 c.e.

Egalitarianism for all believersEgalitarianism for all believers 5 pillars of faith – concept of jihad5 pillars of faith – concept of jihad Founded by prophet Muhammad Founded by prophet Muhammad

Later caused tension between Sunnis and Shia: led to Umayyad Later caused tension between Sunnis and Shia: led to Umayyad declinedecline

Gathered large following – leaders convertedGathered large following – leaders converted Later alarmed Christian leaders – power threatLater alarmed Christian leaders – power threat

During Umayyad dynasty the capital was moved to During Umayyad dynasty the capital was moved to Damascus (Mecca remained spiritual center)Damascus (Mecca remained spiritual center)

Patriarchal society, but women were respected under Patriarchal society, but women were respected under the Qu’ranthe Qu’ran

VeilingVeiling HaremHarem

Catholicism in EuropeCatholicism in Europe1515thth century c.e. century c.e.

Roused religious rivalsRoused religious rivals Jean Calvin – calvinism, predestinationJean Calvin – calvinism, predestination Martin Luther – Lutheran, disagreed w/ chastityMartin Luther – Lutheran, disagreed w/ chastity Protestantism – revolt against Catholic churchProtestantism – revolt against Catholic church

Catholic Reformation: major church council to revive Catholic Reformation: major church council to revive Catholic doctrines – response to ProtestantismCatholic doctrines – response to Protestantism

Catholicism spread with explorers to Philippines, and Catholicism spread with explorers to Philippines, and South AmericaSouth America

Calvinists vs Catholics = Treaty of NantesCalvinists vs Catholics = Treaty of Nantes Catholicism stirred tensions w/ everyoneCatholicism stirred tensions w/ everyone

Christian unity could not be restoredChristian unity could not be restored

Eastern Orthodox Christianity:Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Russia & ByzantineRussia & Byzantine

Hagia SophiaHagia Sophia Emperor Justinian – supported churchEmperor Justinian – supported church

Secular rulers headed the churchSecular rulers headed the church Disagreed with Catholics on sacrament of Disagreed with Catholics on sacrament of

communion, priests not marrying and local communion, priests not marrying and local languages of the churchlanguages of the church

Leaders excommunicated each otherLeaders excommunicated each other

Religion was localizedReligion was localized Emperors had power over church and stateEmperors had power over church and state

More secular than the WestMore secular than the West

Spread of ChristianitySpread of Christianity

ChristianityChristianity Christian missionaries traveled to Christian missionaries traveled to

Americas and tried to convert IndiansAmericas and tried to convert Indians Built churches & missions, taught the BibleBuilt churches & missions, taught the Bible

Emphasis on compassion, eternal lifeEmphasis on compassion, eternal life Appealed to lower class and womenAppealed to lower class and women

By 3By 3rdrd century c.e. became the most century c.e. became the most influential religion in the Mediterraneaninfluential religion in the Mediterranean

Official religion of the Roman EmpireOfficial religion of the Roman Empire The West centralized power in the The West centralized power in the

ChurchChurch Power came from RomePower came from Rome

Polytheism Polytheism 600 c.e. - 1450600 c.e. - 1450

Latin America, Greece, and Egypt all had religions Latin America, Greece, and Egypt all had religions with numerous gods who were higher than humanswith numerous gods who were higher than humans

Mesoamerica:Mesoamerica: Gods of rain, agriculture, fire, water, warGods of rain, agriculture, fire, water, war

Greece:Greece: Gods of the universe, the sea, the underworld, Gods of the universe, the sea, the underworld,

love, wisdom, harvest, battle, music, poetrylove, wisdom, harvest, battle, music, poetry Egypt:Egypt:

Gods of the sun, harvest, deathGods of the sun, harvest, death

Was the center of art & architectureWas the center of art & architecture Filled w/ rituals Filled w/ rituals led to rise of priestly led to rise of priestly

class who controlled interaction between class who controlled interaction between people & godspeople & gods

Priestly class rose to the top of societyPriestly class rose to the top of society

Christians and Muslims in Christians and Muslims in AfricaAfrica600 c.e.600 c.e. Islam entered north Africa in 640 c.e.Islam entered north Africa in 640 c.e. Islam’s egalitarianism help African people with the Islam’s egalitarianism help African people with the

acceptance of new rulersacceptance of new rulers African kings liked the idea of uniting state and church African kings liked the idea of uniting state and church

powers under one rulerpowers under one ruler Social stratifications still remained important in African Social stratifications still remained important in African

societiessocieties Christian kingdoms:Christian kingdoms:

NubiaNubia EthiopiaEthiopia

Translated the GospelsTranslated the Gospels Strongly resisted Muslim forces/ influenceStrongly resisted Muslim forces/ influence Attempts by the Portuguese to bring Ethiopian Christianity Attempts by the Portuguese to bring Ethiopian Christianity

into the roman Catholic church failedinto the roman Catholic church failed Ethiopia remained isolated and independentEthiopia remained isolated and independent

JudaismJudaism1200 b.c.e.1200 b.c.e. Became one of the first monotheistic faithsBecame one of the first monotheistic faiths Promoted ethicsPromoted ethics Maintained identity of the peopleMaintained identity of the people Both a religious practice and societal custom - a way of Both a religious practice and societal custom - a way of

lifelife Gave birth to Islam and ChristianityGave birth to Islam and Christianity

All 3 believed to be ancestors of Moses, followed the Laws of All 3 believed to be ancestors of Moses, followed the Laws of MosesMoses

No premium placed on converting non-JewsNo premium placed on converting non-Jews Kept them in minority position in middle eastKept them in minority position in middle east

Changed the way humankind viewed God:Changed the way humankind viewed God: He was powerful, just, orderly, and linked to proper moral He was powerful, just, orderly, and linked to proper moral

behaviorbehavior