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Why are we here?
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Why do bad things happen to good people?
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What happens to people when they die?
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Religions were created to explain the
unexplainable
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Gives humans a way to impact things beyond
our control
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Earthquakes, storms, creation
Prayer/sacrifice could earn better weather/harvests
Answer philosophical questions
What’s the meaning of life?
 What happens when it’s over?
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Polytheism = belief in many gods
Ancient Egypt
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Theocracy (gov’t officials divinely guided)
Religion guided all aspects of life
Mesopotamia
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Each city claimed a god
Gods are unpredictable and selfish
Afterlife was grim
Angry gods to be appeased
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Powerful gods caused events in physical world
Gods were feared, humans serve
Human forms, superhuman powers
City-States had a home god
Zeus was chief god
 Mt. Olympus: home of 12 gods
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In pairs, you must design a bumper sticker
related to one of the Greek gods. This
bumper sticker must include the following:
Symbol or Picture connected to your Greek
god
A slogan representing your Greek god
Colorful, Neat, & Professional looking
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The best two from each class will win candy!
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Zeus: Father of the gods, Would hurl a
thunderbolt to bring order
Hera: Goddess of marriage, children & the
home (Zeus’ wife)
Poseidon: God of the sea (Zeus’ brother)
Hades: God of the dead (Zeus’ brother)
Ares: God of war (Zeus’ son)
Hephaestus: God of fire
Hermes: Messenger of the gods, Noted for
his pranks & speed (Zeus’ son)
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Apollo: God of the sun, light, & music
(Zeus’ son)
Artemis: Goddess of the hunt
Dionysus: God of life, hospitality, & wild
things
Athena: Goddess of wisdom
Aphrodite: Goddess of love & beauty
Eros: God of love, had a bow & arrow to
shoot people & make them fall in love
Pan: God of all nature, half man & half
horse
Hercules: Half god & half man, known for
strength (Zeus’ son)
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
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1. Become an “expert” on your religion.
Complete the reading + fill out its portion of
the chart.
2. Meet with someone with one religion you
don’t have… Share your religion/Get theirs
3. Repeat Step 2 for your last religion.
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Explain some of the similarities among
the three religions.
What are the major differences among
the religions?
Are you surprised that the religions are
so similar? Why?
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Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Monotheistic (belief in a single god)
Judaism founded ~1000 B.C.
Christianity ~50 A.D.
Islam ~600 A.D.
Deity: God, Allah, Yahweh (Same person,
different names)
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A man named Jesus Christ existed… but who
was he??
Christianity: Divine, Son of God
Islam: A Prophet, sent by Allah
Judaism: Normal Jew, not divine, not a prophet
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Originated from Jewish/Hebrew Bible
Book 1 of Christian Bible
Portions of the Hebrew Bible in the
Quaran/Koran
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Oldest monotheistic religion that is practiced
today
“Ethnoreligion” – share religion and culture
Torah/Tanakh – Holy Book
Holidays include: Rosh Hashanah, Yom
Kippur, Hanukkah, & Passover
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Founded last of Christianity, Judaism & Islam
2nd largest religion in the world today
Muharram (New Year), Ramadan, Malid alnabi (Muhammad’s birthday)
Central tenets called 5 Pillars of Islam
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Faith: Must say & believe, “There is no god but
Allah, & Muhammad is the messenger of
Allah.”
Prayer: Pray 5x/day facing Mecca, may be in a
Mosque
Alms: Charity, Support the less fortunate,
religious tax
Fasting: No eating dawn-sunset during
Ramadan (spiritual needs > physical needs)
Pilgrimage: Muslims who can afford it must
travel to Mecca at least once in their lives
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Jesus Christ = Prophet and Son of God
Followers work to follow teachings of Jesus to
be saved
Ten Commandments = behavior
Holidays: Christmas, Easter
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Founded in India
1 billion followers
One of the oldest extant religions
Polytheistic (sort of)
Three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
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Brahma = creator of universe
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Matter of practice, not beliefs
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Basis in respect and karma
Everything in universe is cyclical
Reincarnation of soul
All living things have souls  respect all lives
Dharma (righteousness) = main goal
Each person has their own dharma
 Reborn until you reach dharma
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No founder or prophet
No single holy book (though has vedas)
Om (Aum) = most sacred sound = root of
universe
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Refers to self/soul & ultimate reality (Brahma)
Inspired Yoga
Health, emotional well-being, mental clarity
 Helps reach dharma
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Make a T-chart in your notes and
compare/contrast Hinduism & Christianity (> 5
things)
Hinduism
No founder
Christianity
Jesus Christ = Founder
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375 Million followers
Primarily in Asia (China)
Founded ~500 B.C.
Siddhartha Gautama = founder & Buddha
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Not a god
No central text
Reincarnation until enlightenment is reached