By Mrs. Agosta and Mrs. Page
Top 5 World Religions
Religion
Believers are called…
Christianity (2.1 billion)
Christian
Islam (1.5 billion)
Muslim
Hinduism (900 million)
Hindu
Buddhism (376 million)
Buddhist
Sikhism (23 million)
Sikh
DON’T WRITE
Definition

A set of beliefs about the nature of
the universe, the existence of one or
more gods, and the meaning of life.

A set of customs related to the
worship of god(s) and rules for
proper conduct.

Religious Concepts:
 Creation
 Salvation
I. Polytheism

Belief in many gods

Oldest form of religion
A. Animism
Animism categorizes a
plethora of traditional religions
in the world.
• worship nature & believe all
living things have spirits/
souls.
•

Ancestors watch over them from
the spirit world.
No sacred text
 Strong oral
traditions
 Ceremonies
conducted by
Shaman

An early 20th century Igbo 'medicine man' in
Nigeria, West Africa. Igbo people, also
referred to as the Ibo(e) are an ethnic group
living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria.

Examples:
Native Americans
African tribes
Voodoo in the Carribean
DON’T WRITE
Animists believe in a world of spiritual
powers- gods (creators), demons (destroyers),
the forces of nature, the deceased (ancestors),
and the living (healers or witches). Through
rituals, sacrifices and trance, these powers can
be influenced.
B. Shintoism
Traditional religion
in Japan.
 focuses on nature
and ancestor
worship.

EVERYTHING has a
spirit called Kami
Shintos worship at
shrines or places of
natural beauty (like
waterfalls or mtns).
 The entrance to
shrines is a torii gate.

Mr. and Mrs. Page at Disney World
Torii Gate, Miyajima Island
Torii Gate in Winter
C. Other Polytheistic Religions



Riv Civs
Ancient Greek gods
Ancient Roman
Pantheon
Religions of India
Religion
Percentage in India
Hindu
82.6%
Islam
11.4%
Christian
2.4%
Sikh
2.0%
Buddhist
.7%
Jain
.5%
DON’T WRITE
A. FACTS


About 80% India is Hindu.
There’s no founder and no
formal religious leaders.


Hindus may
worship at a
temple
The Ganges River
is considered
sacred.
B.
BELIEFS
1. Brahman



The all-powerful, spiritual
force in everything.
It’s like the world’s soul.
Hindus worship many gods
that represent the many forms
of Brahman:
1.
2.
3.
Brahma –the Creator
Vishnu- the Preserver
Shiva- the Destroyer
2. Reincarnation



Rebirth of the soul in
another form
A person’s soul
never dies. It
reappears after
death in another
person or animal.
Symbol: wheel of life
3. Moksha




The end of the reincarnation cycle
The soul is free of pain and
merges with Brahman.
It’s like heaven and is the goal of
Hindus.
It cannot be achieved in one
lifetime. One must go through
reincarnation.
4. Karma
Actions in this life that determine
your status in the next life.
GOOD deeds = HIGHER status in next life
BAD “ “ = LOWER “ “ “
“

5. Dharma



Religious and moral duties done in
this life to acquire merit for the
next life.
These vary based on class
(caste), gender, job and age
You must overcome your own
desires to do your duty.
6. The Caste System

It’ s a rigid social
class system in
Hindu society. You
are born into your
caste and cannot
change it until you
are reincarnated!
6. Ahimsa


Non-violence
All people and things are aspects
(parts) of Brahman and should be
respected
UN Declares Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth
Anniversary As “International NonViolence Day”
The United Nations General Assembly has
decided to declare October 2 - the birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as
‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in
recognition of his role in promoting the
message of peace around the world.
544c
7. Sacred Texts




The
The
The
The
Vedas
Upanishads
Mahabharata (the Bhagavad Gita)
Ramayana