Unit 1: History of World Religions

In this unit, you will:

• Know the vocabulary and key figures in the history of the five major religions.

• Understand the effects of religious thought on societies. The similarities and differences between the major religions.

• Compare and contrast the major religions with 100% accuracy.

What is religion?

• Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

• Religion facets:

Judaism

• Essential Questions:– What are the main beliefs and who are the

key figures of Judaism?– How has Judaism acted as a foundation for

both Christianity and Islam?

How did Judaism start?

• It started with Abraham– Abraham (Abram) was a Semitic man who

was living in Mesopotamia.– Monotheistic– Made a covenant with Yahweh

Abraham’s Covenant with God

• Abraham gets Canaan– Becomes known as

Israel

Abraham’s JourneyAbraham’s Journey

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Ancient IsraelAncient Israel

• Abraham’s to Issac to Jacob leads.

• Jacob’s = Israel– 12 sons = 12 tribes of

Israel

Story of MosesStory of Moses

“Prince of Egypt”“Prince of Egypt” “Shepherd of His People”

“Shepherd of His People”

The ExodusThe Exodus

• Israelites work as slaves for Egypt

• Moses requests to take Israelites to “promised land”

• 10 plagues• Parting of the Red

Sea

Route of the ExodusRoute of the Exodus

Moses and the 10 Commandments

Moses and the 10 Commandments

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

Mount SinaiMount Sinai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TAtRCJIqnk

Resettlement

• Used Diaspora to expel the other peoples• Have claimed the land

since.

• Jubilee

• Synagogue– Levites

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

The TorahThe Torah

The TorahThe first 5 books of the Christian Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

The TorahThe first 5 books of the Christian Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

King David

• Story of David and Goliath

• David becomes King of Israel.

• As king, David created the most powerful nation in the World at the time.

King David’s EmpireKing David’s Empire

Psalms and Song of Songs

• A compilation of songs and poetry from the years of Israel rule

• Written mostly by David and Solomon

Psalm 23

23:1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 23:3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 23:6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Israelites in CaptivityIsraelites in Captivity

Israel’s History

• Very cyclical– Constant story of success and failure

• There is one God who is the creator and judge over us.

• Jews are the “chosen people” by god

Religious holidays

• Big three:– Passover – Rosh Hashanah – Yom Kippur

• Hannakuh

• Orthodox Jews

Israel Historical Law

• Talmud– Mishnah– Gemara

• Used in Israel Today– Independent since May 14, 1948

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Population

• Worldwide: 13,296,100– Israel: 5,593,000– USA: 6,444,000

• Mostly centered in NYC and Philadelphia

Christianity

• Essential Questions:– What led to the appeal of Christianity

becoming the most popular religion in the World today?

– What are the main beliefs and practices of Christianity?

History of Christianity

Prior to Jesus

• Christianity roots in Jewish culture/religion.

• Old Testament prophecy

Isaiah ScrollIsaiah Scroll

Culture at the time

• Jews were conquered by the Romans.

• Messiah theories

The coming of Jesus

• Roman emperor Augustus (31BCE-14AD)

• Decree for a new census to be taken to properly tax his empire.

• Everyone had to return to their tribal land/hometown

The coming of Jesus

• Story of Jesus’ birth– Immaculate conception– Stable birth

Early life of Jesus of Nazareth

• Jesus grew up Jewish.– Temple story

• He worked as a carpenter

• Jesus had several brothers and sisters, including James.

The ministry of Jesus

• Jesus began to teach at the age of 30.– Teaches for three yrs.

• Used miracles to show his power– First miracle

• Taught with parables.

• Recruited 12 disciples.

Death of Jesus

• Came to Jerusalem

• Pharisees claimed he had revolutionary ideas. Was found guilty by the Roman court.

• Crucified on Golgotha.

Themes of Jesus

• Jesus’ teachings focused mainly around:– Love – Need for personal morality– Prayer and meditation– Self-control – Service to others– Jesus is the only way to heaven

Ministry of Paul

• Paul was a Roman

• Learned from disciples writings, converted to Christianity– Apostle

St. Paul: Apostle to the GentilesSt. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

Christianity gains popularity

• Paul established Christian churches

• Martyrdom

• Constantine accepts Christianity in …– Edict of Milan

• Becomes dominant religion in Europe by middle ages

Christian Bible

• Contains the 36 Old Testament books plus 27 New Testament books– Old Testament- Hebrew, before Jesus– New Testament-

• Jesus’ teaching written down (first 4 books)• Apostle’s teachings for the rest

• Judaism – 23If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth,

hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. – 26 When a slave-owner strikes the eye of a male or female slave, destroying it,

the owner shall let the slave go, a free person, to compensate for the eye. 27If the owner knocks out a tooth of a male or female slave, the slave shall be let go, a free person, to compensate for the tooth.

• Christianity• You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell

you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

• —Matthew 5:38-42, NIV

Christianity today

• 3 main Sects1) Eastern Orthodox-

2) Roman Catholic-

-most popular

-Based in Rome

3) Protestant-

(Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, UCC, Anglican, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Amish, Mennonite)

Holidays

• Most important holidays:– Easter

– Christmas

– Pentecost

– Lent

Islam

• Essential Questions:– What are the main beliefs of Islam?

– What is the origin of Islam and how does it connect with Christianity?

What is a Muslim?

Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.

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

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

Diagram of prophets

Muhammad's Life Cave of Hira

Hijrah

Qur’an (Koran)

Mecca

The Koran (Qur’an)

Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

Written in a oral story form. Written in Arabic.

The Five Pillars

• The five pillars of Islam are essential to Islamic life.

• The Five Pillars separate Islam from Christianity and Judaism.

The testimony.

The declaration of faith:

1. The Shahada

The mandatory prayers 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat

The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.

2. The Salat

3. The Zakat Almsgiving

(charitable donations).

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm Fasting during Ramadan

Considered a method of self- purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

5. The Hajj

“Hajji”

Reasons to join Islam Easy to learn and practice.

No priesthood.

Teaches equality

Dhimmi

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Muslims around the World

Other important info.

• After the establishment of the Muslim religion, leaders in Islamic countries have called themselves Caliphs.– Modern-day examples:

• Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia

– Used Sharia Law as the basis for gov’t

Buddhism

• Essential Question– What are the origins and main beliefs of

Buddhism?– What did Buddha achieve in order to start the

religion and how?

The essence of BuddhismThe essence of Buddhism

The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”

2,500 year old tradition. The 3 jewels of Buddhism:

Buddha Dharma Sangha

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

History: Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

History: Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born in NE India

(Nepal). Raised in great luxury

to be a king. At 29… Rejecting this

extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana.

Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths1. There is suffering in the world.

To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths2) The cause of

suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths3)3) The solution is to The solution is to

eliminate desire and eliminate desire and attachments. attachments.

(Nirvana = extinction)(Nirvana = extinction)

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

4) To reach 4) To reach nirvana, , one must follow the one must follow the Eightfold Path. .

Buddhism today

• There are two sects of Buddhism– Theravada– Mahayana

• Buddhism is centered in…

Hinduism

• Essential Question:– Explain the history and main beliefs of

Hinduism and how it shaped the culture of South Asia…

Origins of Hinduism

• Hinduism is based in India, Nepal and Bangladesh

• Grew out of the geography and mixing groups of people over time

• Hinduism has over 1,000 gods

“God is one, but wise people know it by many names.”

AKA…the idea that as long as you believe in a God, no matter the name, you are similar and equal to others.

Some Hindu Gods

• Brahman-

• Shiva-

• Vishnu-

Hindu beliefs

• Improve your atman

• By improving your atman, you can reach moksha, or union with Brahman

Hindu beliefs

• Dharma-

• Karma-

• Reincarnation-

Caste system of India

Why does Hinduism survive?

How does it serve the caste system of India?

Connections between religions

• Using a graphic organizer, compare the connecting religions together…

• What are the main components of each religion? How are they similar/different to others?