THE WORLD RELIGIONS
Classification:
1.
Monotheistic –
believe in existence of a single god
e.g. Christianity, Judaism, Islam
2.
Polytheistic –
believe in existence of many gods, with one being at the top
of the hierarchy – more dominant than the others
e.g.Hinduism
Christianity – basic facts
•
The largest religion in the world – 2,2 bil. followers
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division:
Roman Catholic (cca ½ of all the Christians)
Eastern Orthodox (160 mil.)
Protestants (800 mil.)
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believe in one God – trinity of Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
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based on Jesus of Nasareth‘s life and his teaching (his coming was predicted in the
Old Testament)
•
the basic principles: 10 commandments – prohibit murder, theft, adultery,
blasphemy, worshipping idols – 7 deadly sins
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holy text: The Bible: The Old Testament
The New Testament (Jesus‘ teaching and his life)
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angels, demons, purgatory, eternal heaven or hell
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symbol: cross, fish ...
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places: church, chapel, cathedral, basilica
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people: priests, bishops, archbishop, the Pope, patriarchs, pastors, preachers,
deacons, nuns, monks .....
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practices: baptism, prayers, holy communion
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holidays: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Good Friday, Easter (death,
crucifixion, resurrection of Jesus Christ)
Judaism – the basic facts
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the world oldest religion- dates back 4,000 years
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14 mil. (Israel, the USA)
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believe in one god who established a covenant with them
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the God communicates through prophets, rewards good deeds, punishes evil
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most Jews believe their Messiah hasn‘t come yet
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God revealed himself to Abraham (the founder of Judaism) – Abraham & his
descendants = chosen people who would create a great nation
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Abraham‘s son  Isaac Jacob (took the name Israel) = Israelites
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after 1,000 years – prophet Moses led Israelites out of Egypt, God revealed his
commandments to him at Mt. Sinai
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place of worship: synagogue
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people: rabbis (educated Jews)
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symbol: six pointed Star of David
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the sacred text:
Tanakh (the same books as in the Old Testament – different
order)
Torah (laws for the Jew to follow)
Talmud (teaching and commentaries)
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Shabbat: the day of rest & prayer (sunset on Friday – nightfall on Saturday), they
refrain from physical labour, using of the electronic devices
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Kosher guidelines: strictly prohibit the pairing of any meat and dairy product. This
also means that all utensils and equipment used to prepare meat and dairy must
always be kept separate.
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holidays:
Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement – the holiest day
- fasting and praying
Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year
Hanukkah – the festival of lights – lasts 8 days
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ceremonies: Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah – passage into adulthood
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Jewish – mother Jewish (God spoke to the woman first) – artery through which
Judaism is transmitted
Islam – the basic facts
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the youngest of all world religions
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the second largest , the fastest growing
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started in Mecca (modern day Saudi Arabia)
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Islam = submission to the will of Allah (God) – nothing can happen without Allah‘s
permission but humans have free will
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Allah‘s word was revealed to the prophet Muhhamad through the angel Gabriel
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respects some of the prophets: Abraham, Moses, Jesus but Muhhamad was the
final prophet
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place of worship: mosque (men and woman pray separately)
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symbol: crescend moon and star
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sacred text: Quran (Koran)
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central idea: jiddah = struggle (to defend the faith)
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5 pillars:
1. declare your faith in Allah and belief in Muhhamad
2. pray 5x a day
3. give those in need
4. to fast during Ramadan
5. to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Kaaba – the sacred shrine) at least
once in a lifetime
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Sharia law = Islam‘s legal system and the code of conduct
- requires men and women to dress modestly
- marriage giudelines and other moral principles
- harsh punishments (theft – amputating a hand, adultery – stoning)
but most muslims do not support such measures