World Religions
ICCF Bible Bootcamp
2009
What is Religion?
Definition

Religion

A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which
usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and
practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality,
that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life
through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate
truth.

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of
the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a
superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional
and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code
governing the conduct of human affairs.

a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally
agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian
religion; the Buddhist religion.

That which is ultimate for or supreme concern for individuals
or groups

Comparing religions

“I mix a little truth with every lie to tickle itching ears. I’m
drawing people just like flies, they like what they hear.”
Keith
Green

Common Development



Beginnings
Adding Ritual
Folk adaptations


Saints, Holy Places, Talismans, Magic
Explanations for life / Protections against powers
Major Religions

“Western”




Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Eastern



Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Confusianism,
Daoism, Shintoism
Hinduism – Sanatana Dharma


Introduction
God – 330 million gods




Four yogas: jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), karma (works), raja
(‘royal’ – meditative techniques)
Morals



Brahman, atman, samsara, maya, karma, moksha
Salvation and the afterlife


God is "Absolute" universal spirit; everyone is part of God (Brahman)
like drops in the sea.
Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma
Avatars (Krishna, Rama, etc.)
Man and the Universe


900 million
Stages – “renouncing the fruits of your labors” is supreme
Reincarnation and karma have supported caste system
Worship

Animals, Rivers, Holy Men, ecstatic prayer, songs, folk religion
Buddhism
360 million



Introduction to the “Middle Way”
God – primarily atheistic/non-theistic
Man and the Universe



Salvation and the afterlife






Illusory, all is changing
Transmigration rather than Reincarnation
Ignorance not sin keeps from nirvana
4 Noble Truths – 1) life is suffering, 2) which lies in desire, 3) with only
solution to cease desire, 4) solution is Noble Eight Fold Path
Meditation
Bodhisattvas and merit
Morals – the Five Precepts
Worship
Judaism
14 million

Introduction





God – personal, just yet loving
Man and the Universe
Salvation and the afterlife



Obey God’s commandments
“Fuzzy” on afterlife
Morals


Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed
Tanakh, Talmuds
Obey God’s commands and live ethically
Worship
Islam
1.4 billion


Introduction – Sunni, Shi’a, Suffi
God



Man and the Universe




5 Pillars – Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj
Holy Cities
Jihad
Morals



Not sinful, just disobedient
Salvation and the afterlife


radical monotheism – distant, unknowable Mohammed and the Koran (Qur’an)
“Straight Path”
Women, Dhimmitude
Worship
Christianity

By History




By Theology



Catholic
Orthodox
Protestant
Conservative
Liberal
By Practice


Charismatic
Secessionist
2 billion
Christian Cults

Definition – sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or

Marks of a Cult
extremist, with members often living outside of
conventional society under the direction of a charismatic
leader.



Jesus – Authority – Leadership
Salvation – Control
Examples


Mormons
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Other

Atheism

New Age
(1.1 billion, includes agnostics and nonreligious, communists)


Wicca
Gnosticism
So What?

Apologetic Needs
Witness
Spiritual Warfare
Glory of God

Web sites







http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
http://www.wamware.com/world-religions/comparative/index.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.
htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/catholic_protestant.htm