Ethnic Religions
Judaism and Hinduism
What is an Ethnic Religion?
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Ethnic religions generally appeal to one
group of people of a particular culture and
region.
Ethnic religions generally do not have
founder and do not diffuse very far.
Ethnic calendars and holy days are tied to
seasons and lunar cycle.
Hinduism
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Hinduism is the largest ethnic religion, concentrated in its
hearth of India.
Its collection of holy writings are the Vedas.
Its polytheistic & teaches reincarnation based on karma.
In Hinduism, temples are homes to one or more gods,
and are usually small since Hindus don’t worship in large
groups.
In Hindu landscapes, crematoriums are important
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Ganges is the holiest river, with Hardwar being the most popular
spot to bath in the river.
Mt. Kailas is also holy as the source of the Ganges.
There are thousands of local shrines that Hindus visit in a tirtha
(pilgrimage for purification).
Question
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What are ways
pilgrimages may affect
an area?
Judaism
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Judaism is the first monotheistic religion (Yahweh),
hearth in Palestine, and its founder was Abraham.
It is the only ethnic religion diffused across planet,
because of the diaspora.
Its holy books are the Torah and the Talmud.
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They follow this covenant closely as “chosen” people.
Jews worship in synagogues and bury their dead in
cemeteries, and their symbol is the star of David.
Jerusalem is the holiest site for Jews, with one wall
left from its ancient temple, called the Western Wall
or Wailing Wall.
Summary
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What do you notice about distribution of
Hinduism and Judaism?