Founding Father Abraham Monotheistic 2. Famine drove the Hebrews out of their homeland to Egypt. Egypt enslaved the Hebrews 3. Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt in the “Exodus", and recorded his peoples religion in the Torah (including the Ten Commandments) 1. 2. Jews founded and continued the 1st monotheistic religion Because of their unique religion they were persecuted Main religion of Persia, though other religions were tolerated Monotheistic Belief in 2 opposing forces (good and evil) in the world Ahura Mazda, God of Zoroastrianism Persepolis, Iran Buddhism and Hinduism -worship of many forms of one deity -belief in reincarnation (cycles of rebirth) -belief in karma (good behavior in your present life will raise your status in the next) -sacred texts are the Vedas and Upanishads **Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Major Points Uphold the 4 Noble Truths Follow the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment Confucianism and Taoism (Daoism) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. People are naturally good Respect elders Follow code of politeness Emphasis on education Ancestor worship 1. 2. 3. 4. Be humble Live simply Find inner peace Live in harmony with nature Founder: Lao Tzu In both philosophies, yin and yang represent how opposite forces are interconnected in the natural world Had its roots in Judaism 1. 1st Christians were all Jewish by either birth or conversion—known as the “Jewish Christians” Originally revered the Jewish Bible; added the gospels and letters of Paul, etc. as they developed Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah 2. Exact birth and death unsure 4 BC-30ish BC Monotheism Jesus as both Son and incarnation (“embodied in flesh”) of God Life after Death (Heaven or Hell) New Testament—sacred text 1. 2. 3. 4. Contains accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians Christian doctrine established by early church councils 5. Council of Nicaea, 325 AD—decided which books became part of the Bible we have today Mosque: Allah: The Word of God Mecca and Medina: “God” (monotheistic) Qur’an (Koran): Muslim place of worship Important Cities on Arabian Peninsula Muslim: Follower of Islam Literally means: “One who submits” Muhammad, “Founder” and Prophet Born in 570 AD, in Mecca Accept Judeo-Christian prophets, including Abraham and Jesus