Religions of the World

1
Religions of the World

• Modern Global Studies
• Unit 1

2
Religion

• Is defined as an organized system of beliefs,
  ceremonies, practices, and worship that centers
  around one or many gods
• Religion has guided the beliefs and actions of
  billions throughout world history
• A dominant force in the global community

3
World Populations Religious Affiliations
4
World Religions By Region
5
World Religions By Region
6
World Regions By Religions
7
Buddhism

• Has influenced Asian religion, society and
  culture for 2,500 years Began in India
• Sri Lanka, East Southeast Asia, Japan
• Several Sects a group within a religion with
  differing beliefs

8
Buddhism

• Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, became
  founder (563 B.C. 483 B.C.)
• The Enlightened One
• Son of a Prince, at the age of 29, left palace ?
  began to question life and search for the answers
• Great Renunciations put aside all worldly
  possessions to search answers

9
Buddhism

• Buddhas Teachings
• The Four Noble Truths
• All human life involves suffering sorrow
• Desire for a life of pleasure and material gain
  causes suffering
• That renunciation of desires frees people helps
  them achieve NIRVANA (perfect peace)
• The Eightfold Path leads to renunciation

10
Christianity

• Worlds largest religion ? 2 billion people
• Based on the life teachings of Jesus Christ
• 3 Major Groups Roman Catholic, Protestant,
  Eastern Orthodox
• Teaches only one god, and Jesus is the son of
  that god
• Believe Jesus entered the world and died to save
  the world from its sins
• Believe salvation can be reached by following
  Jesus teaching

11
Hinduism

• One of the worlds oldest surviving religions
  Indias major religion
• Brahmin priests interpretations of the Vedas.
• Brahmin Atman are one, God and Humans are one
• Mind Matter are the same ? Monism
• Gods
• Brahma creator of the universe
• Vishnu preserver of the universe
• Shiva destroyer of the universe

12
Hinduism

• World to our senses is an illusion called maya
• People are delivered from their suffering when
  they realize this ? Reincarnation
• 2 Elements of Reincarnation
• Dharma fulfillment of ones moral duty so soul
  can reincarnate
• Karma positive/negative force generated by a
  persons actions which will determine their
  status in the next life

13
Judaism

• Religion of more then 14 million throughout the
  world
• Was the first major religion to teach the
  existence of only one god
• Basic laws and teachings of Judaism come from the
  Torah, first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible
• Teaches a person serves god by reading the Torah
  and living by its teachings
• Orthodox Jews obey the Torah without question

14
Islam

• Islam is a religion based on the teachings of
  Muhammad
• Followers of Islam, Muslims, believe god revealed
  these teachings to Muhammad through the angel
  Gabriel
• Islam teaches there is only one god, Allah
• The Holy Book of Islam is the Quran

15
Islam

• Sunni Muslims believe that their leaders should
  follow Muhammads example
• Shia Muslims believe that their leaders are the
  decedents of Muhammad
• 5 Pillars of Islam
• Faith, prayer, almsgiving (charity), fasting,
  pilgrimage to Mecca