The Five Major Religions of the
World
SPI: Compare and contrast the tenets of the
five major world religions (i.e., Christianity,
Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism).
Our Oath
I promise to be respectful at all times during
this unit. I will not discuss or debate the
beliefs of others nor will I say something that
could be considered disrespectful or out of
line. I understand that the United States of
America is a country where religious freedom
is a right of the citizens and that all people are
allowed to practice their own beliefs.
What is Religion?
Religion is:
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature,
and purpose of the universe, especially when
considered as the creation of a God or gods.
Religion usually involves devotional and ritual
observances and often contains a moral code
to govern the conduct of human behavior.
Worship
Honoring God/gods or a sacred person.
Monotheistic
Belief in the existence of one god.
Polytheistic
Belief in the existence of many gods.
What Will We Learn?
What we will learn about each religion:
•Symbol of Religion
•Names of God(s)
•Prophets/Religious Figures
•Sacred Writings
•Meeting Places
•Holy Places
•Holy Days
•Major Beliefs
Indigenous Religions
There are also religions called indigenous religions.
These are mostly tribal religions and often come from
isolated areas.
These religions are passed down from ancestors to
descendants.
Beliefs are often based on forces of nature (sun,
rivers, and natural disasters)
Major geographic features or landmarks are often
worshipped.
Indigenous Religions
Buddhism Basics
Symbols include:
Buddha
Dharma Wheel
Buddhism Basics
Buddhism is the world's
oldest universal religion and
it is the second fastest
growing religion.
Buddhism is a major religion
in China, Japan, India, and
Tibet.
Originated in Northern India
in the late 500s BC.
People who practice
Buddhism called “Buddhists”.
Gods and Religious Figures
Buddhists do not believe
in an individual god
Based on the religious
teachings of Siddhartha
Gautama the Buddha.
Dalai Lama- is a monk
and the leader of the
Tibetan Buddhists
Sacred Writings and Meeting Places
Sacred scriptures are called Sutras
Lectures and preaches about how
to make since of relationships in
world and reach the path of
Enlightenment.
Sacred meeting places include
temples, shrines, and monasteries
Buddhism Holy Days
Obon: celebration of remembering ancestors
Lanterns guide spirits back to
their world.
Buddhist Beliefs
Holy places include
stupas. Stupas are
places of offering
and represent
Buddha's body,
mind, and the path
to Enlightenment.
Buddhist Beliefs
Buddhism states that
existence is a continuing
cycle of death and rebirth
called reincarnation.
Each person's position in life
is determined by his or her
behavior in the previous life.
This is known as their
"karma" (also a Hindu belief).
Buddhist Beliefs
Four Noble Truths:
1. Suffering is Everywhere
2. Suffering comes from wants and
desires
3. To end suffering you have to
reach Nirvana (Enlightenment,
understanding all things)
4. To stop wanting, you must follow
the Eight-Fold Path of the
Buddha.
The Eight-Fold path is the Middle
road of the path of Moderation.
The Eight-Fold Path
Buddhism Philosophy
Love: without conditions
Compassion: or feeling at one with the person
who is suffering
Sympathetic Joy: Celebrate the happiness of
others, and do not resent their good fortune.
Impartiality: Treat everyone equally, and do not
use others for personal gain or to win approval.
Quick Quiz
Who do Buddhists worship?
Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha.
What is reasoning for celebrating Obon?
Celebration of ancestors.
Where do most Buddhists live?
China, Japan, India, and Tibet
When did Buddhism originate?
About 500 years BC.
Why would people want to live their life in a moral way?
To achieve Enlightenment. Buddhists also believe in
karma and reincarnation.
How can one achieve Nirvana? By ridding themselves of desires and
achieving Enlightenment.
Hinduism Basics
Hinduism is one of
the world's oldest
religions.
Over 2/3's of the
world's Hindus live in
India; large numbers
reside in Africa and
Asia.
Symbols: “Om”
represents Brahman
Gods and Religious Figures
Hindus believe in many
gods, numbering into the
thousands. They recognize
one supreme spirit called
Brahman ("the Absolute.")
There are many forms of god
to represent different
aspects of life such as nature
and luck.
Other gods include:
Ganesha
Hanuman
Shiva
Vishnu
Krishna
Lakshmi
Rama
Durga
Hindu Gods/Goddesses
Sacred Writings and Meeting Places
Sacred scriptures called
Vedas. The Vedas contain
hymns, prayers, and rituals
from ancient India.
Upanishads are the core
beliefs of Indian
philosophy. Many Hindu
teachings are found in the
Upanishads.
Sacred meeting place is
called a temple.
Holi
Holy Days and Places
The Ganges River is a holy
place. All rivers are sacred.
Dawali is a Holy day that
celebrates New Year.
Families gather for
traditional activities (lighting
lamps).
Holi is the celebration of
Spring and is also known was
the Festival of Colors.
Ganges River
In India, the sacred River
Ganges embodies for Hindus
the water of life. Bathing in
the Ganges frees the bather
from sin, the outward
purification serving as
symbolic support of inward
purification. The source of the
Ganges lies in the Himalayas,
the mountains of the Gods,
and descends to the plains of
India as if from Heaven.
Hindu Beliefs
Hindus believe in “karma”– what goes around
comes around.
Reincarnation:
Cycle of death and rebirth depending on present
life behaviors.
At death, the Hindu's deeds (karma) determine
what the next life will be.
Caste System:
Divided people into groups based on how
important or worthless they are. This is
decided by birth.
Brahmin are highest. “Untouchables” were the
lowest in society.
Holy Cow
Cows are sacred and holy to Hindis
Compare and Contrast
How are Buddhism and Hinduism alike? Name three ways they are
alike. How are they different? Name five ways they are different.
Judaism Basics
The Jewish symbol
is the Star of
David.
Judaism is a
religion of just
one people: the
Jews.
Judaism Basics
Today there are over 18 million
followers of Judaism scattered
throughout the world. A large
number of those people live in
the Jewish nation of Israel. Over
six million live in the United
States.
During World War II, Adolf
Hitler tried to extinguish the
Jewish race (genocide) killing 6
million Jews in the Holocaust.
God and Religious Figures
Judaism was the first to teach belief in only one
God.
Two other important religions developed from
Judaism: Christianity and Islam.
Important prophets and figures include
Abraham (the Father) and Moses (bringer of
the law; deliverer)
Sacred Writings and Meeting Places
Sacred scriptures are in the
Torah, (Christian Old
Testament)
The Jewish house of worship
is called a synagogue.
Rabbis (spiritual leaders)
conduct services, act as
interpreters of Jewish laws,
and deliver sermons.
Holy Places and Holy Days
Jerusalem located in Israel is
the “Holy City”.
Holy Days are Yom Kippur
(Day of Atonement), Rosh
Hashanah (New Year) Pass
Over (emancipation of
Israelites), and Hanukkah
(dedication of Holy Temple).
Jewish Beliefs
Jews think that God will send a Messiah (a
deliverer) to unite them and lead them in His
way.
Judaism teaches that death is not the end and
that there is a world to come.
Major Beliefs: The Ten Commandments
Kosher diet: certain restrictions on what they can
eat.
4-3-2-1
4 Jewish Holidays
3 Facts about Judaism
2 Religions that come from Judaism
1 Jewish Nation
Islam Basics
Symbol: Crescent and star is widely believed to be symbol,
but it existed long before Islam
The Islamic religion started in the area known as Palestine in
the year 600AD.
Islam means “peace”; It is the name given to the religion
preached by the prophet Muhammad in the 600s A. D.
Practiced in the Middle East, Northern Africa, Asia/Indonesia,
and all over the world.
Two branches are Sunni and Shi’ite.
Gods and Religious Figure
Allah, is the Islamic God.
Abraham is the Father,
Mohammed is the
Prophet.
Sacred Writings and Meeting
Places
The holy book of Islam is the "Koran” (Qu’ran)
Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah
himself, spoken to Muhammad by an angel.
Muslims practice their religion in places called
mosques.
Holy Places and Holy Days
Mecca is the holiest of cities to all Muslims. It
is where the Prophet Muhammad was born. It
is built. Ka’ba is a mosque built around a black
stone where Muslims come to pray.
Muslims fast (do not eat or drink) during the
40 days of Ramadan from sun up to sun down.
Ramadan is when Muslims try to make peace
with those they have wronged.
Islam Beliefs
Muslims pray five times daily in their mosques
(churches).
While praying, they face the holy city of Mecca (in
Saudi-Arabia) and sometimes kneel with faces
to the ground.
All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage
(trip to a sacred place) to Mecca at least once in
their lifetime. This pilgrimage is called a hajj.
Islam
Muslims believe in the Five Pillars of Islam:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Belief in one God- Allah.
Prayer toward Mecca five times a day.
Giving alms (charity) to the poor.
Fasting (especially during Ramadan).
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca once in each
person’s life.
Christianity Basics
Symbols: The Cross, the Fish
Christianity started about 2000 years ago about
the same time as the birth of Jesus.
Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Religions all
originate from Christianity. Under these
branches are several different denominations.
God and Religious Figures
Christians believe in one God. God is the Creator of
the universe.
Abraham (father) and Jesus is the Son of God
(Messiah, Savior)
The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the
followers were his 12 disciples.
Sacred Writings and Meeting Places
The sacred scriptures of the Christianity are
called the Bible, consisting of the Old
Testament (Jewish Torah) and New Testament.
The Bible is the Holy Book that records God's
revelation.
The meeting place of Christians is the church.
Holy Days and Holy Places
Holy Places include Jerusalem (Jesus birth place)
and Vatican city (Home to the Pope; Catholics)
Important Holidays are Christmas (birth of
Jesus), Easter (Resurrection of Jesus), and Lent
(40 days of Fasting in preparation for Easter).
Major Beliefs of Christianity
The central point of Christian belief is that God, the Father,
entered into human history as the Son, Jesus of Nazareth, and
arose as the Holy Spirit.
Sin and Evil are realities in our existence.
All believers are promised life everlasting.
Death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus
Many Jewish Laws
Baptism (Forgiveness of sins) and Communion (Relationship
between Christians and Church, Celebration of Jesus)
Religion Jeopardy