Unit 4Belief Systems

Belief Systems

1. Definitions:- Religion- Social Philosophy

2. Beliefs of….- Animism, Shintoism, Taosim, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, & Christianity

3. Expansion of…- Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, & Islam

4. Map and Timeline

Map of World Belief Systems

Islam

JudaismChristianity

Animism

Hinduism

&

Buddhism

Confucianism Taoism

Shintoism

Timeline of Belief Systems

2100

1800

1500

1200

900

600

300

1300

600

900

Animism

Hinduism

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism

Shintoism

Important Terms

1. Religion: - Organized set of beliefs and rituals of a culture- Usually associated with a “god” (diety) or “spiritual force” (worship)

2. Social Philosophy:- A set of guiding principles that a community follows- They have a great influence on how the community behaves

System Origin Holy Text Main Beliefs Culture Affect

Animism Africa ------------ Ancestor Worship; Worship spirits of nature (trees, animals)

Great respect for nature

Shintoism Japan ------------ The Spirits of “Kami” exist in all things including their emperor

Great respect for natural world (especially the ruler)

Hinduism India Vedas Reincarnation Lead a good life

Buddhism India (moved to China)

------------ 4 Noble Truths Learn to accept what life brings you

Taoism China Tao Te Ching Follow nature: accept things you cant change

Don’t challenge the natural process

Confucianism China Analects All need to accept their role in society

Respect for elders, parents, and country

Judaism Middle East Torah (Old Testament)

1 God – MonotheismGod will send a messiah to save them

Follow the 10 Commandments so the messiah will come

Christianity Middle East Bible (Old/New Testament)

1 God; Jesus is the son of God and the messiah

Simple rules won many converts to Christianity

Islam Middle East Koran (Qur’an)

1 God; Follow Allah; Mohammed is the messiah who spread his word

The religion laws of Islam are so important that they become political laws of nations

Animism

Shintoism

Taoism

Confucianism

Hinduism

Buddhism

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

Expansion of Religion

Missionaries

Trade

Military Conquest

Exploration

BuddhismBegan in India but

was not accepted there (the Hindu social order was too strong)

Missionaries: people who spread religion by teaching others about the beliefs

Judaism Kicked out of Palestine

by the Romans

Removed from Palestine during the Diaspora – the scattering of the Jewish people during the 1st century CE

Most Jews went to the cities of Europe where they lived in ghettos, there was much persecution and oppression

ChristianityAfter the death of

Jesus, missionaries (disciples) spread his world

Roman Empire:◦Persecuted Christians◦Slowly accepted

Christian ideas◦Eventually became

the official religion◦Romans spread

Christianity throughout the empire

Islam

Out of Mecca, east to India, went across North Africa and on into Spain

Islam spread by military conquest

Arab (Muslims – followers of Islam) were also great traders

Essential Elements of Selected Belief Systems

HINDUISM: Important Terms

1. Reincarnation: The belief that the soul comes back in another form after the body’s death

2. Karma: Behavior of a Hindu (Thoughts & Actions)

3. Dharma: The overall values and rules of Hinduism

4. Caste System: The social order of separate castes (classes of people) through Karma – people move up or down the caste system which organized Indian society by the type of job a person held

BUDDHISM: “Four Noble Truths”

1. Everyone Suffers

2. Suffering is caused by Desire

3. To end suffering, End your desires

4. To end your desires – follow Eightfold Path to reach Nirvana (State of supreme bliss)

CONFUCIANISM: “5 Relationships”

1. Father to Son

2. Older Brother to Younger Brother

3. Husband to Wife

4. Ruler to Subjects

5. Friends = Friends

ISLAM: “5 Pillars of Faith”

1. Recite: Say each day “there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet”

2. Pray: 5 times a day, facing Mecca

3. Charity: Give regularly to the poor

4. Fast: Go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset during the Holy Month of Ramadan

5. Pilgrimage: Try to make a journey (hajj) to Mecca at least once in your life

Essential Questions

1. What concept – important to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism – has become an important element of Chinese culture?

a. They accept what life brings themb. They accept their role in societyc. They don’t look for change

2. What do the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have in common?

a. All started in the Middle Eastb. Jerusalem is a sacred city for all threec. Monotheism (belief in one God–same God)d. All follow ethical (morally good) set of

rules for behavior

Questions continued…..3. What are the various methods that were used to spread

religions to other lands?a. Missionariesb. Military conquestc. Traded. Migration- Diaspora – forced (Ex. Jews by the Romans)- Willing – (ex. Buddhism, Pilgrims to America)

4. What are 4 of the main principles of Confucianism?a. Education is important for a well run societyb. Government officials should be good role models for societyc. Everyone should know and accept their role in societyd. Respect your elders (Filial Piety)