~~~ OVERVIEW OF BELIEF SYSTEMS ~~~

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OVERVIEW OF BELIEF SYSTEMS
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POLYTHEISM

• Polytheism

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POLYTHEISM

• Belief in, or worship of, multiple deities or
  gods.
• Gods are conceived as complex personages of
  greater or lesser status, with individual skills,
  needs, desires and stories.
• The gods are not always omnipotent or omniscient
  rather, they are often portrayed as similar to
  humans in their personality traits, but with
  additional individual powers, abilities,
  knowledge or perceptions.
• Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the Ancient
  Greek religion, Norse Æsir and Vanir, the Yoruba
  Orisha, the Aztec gods, and many others.

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HINDUISM

• The sound OHM, or AUM, is the most sacred symbol
  for Hindus. It is often used in prayer

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HINDUISM For the Exam

• Know
• -The Caste System (no social mobility),
• determined at birth, good behavior moves up
  caste after death.
• -Oldest organized religion in history
• -Polytheistic
• -Belief in Reincarnation

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HINDUISM

• Collection of beliefs that developed over
  thousands of years (combo of Arayan beliefs w/
  native beliefs). No founder. India.
• Brahman is most divine spirit
• Holy Men, GURUS, are spiritual teachers. They
  interpret the religion.
• Sacred Books Vedas/Upanishads
• Liberation from desires and suffering Moksha.
• Reincarnation based on Karma and Darma
• Caste System (ex Brahmin)

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BUDDHISM

• WHEEL OF LAW his teachings are often a symbol
  of the wheel and interconnectedness of life and
  all living things.

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BUDDHISM

• Know
• -Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• -Created to overcome Suffering
• -4 Noble Truths
• Life is Suffering,
• Suffering comes from desire
• End desire and suffering ends,
• End desire by following the 8-fold path
• -Does not agree with the Caste System (all life
  is equal)

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BUDDHISM

• Siddartha Guatama 563 BCE
• Wandered to find Enlightenment.
• 4 Noble Truths about suffering and how to get rid
  of it.
• 8-Fold Path steps to Nirvana (release from
  selfishness and pain.
• Draws from Hinduism but also a reaction to
  harsh Hindu traditions (Caste).
• Spread throughout all of Asia

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CONFUCIANISM

• Confucius

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CONFUCIANISM

• Know
• -The Five relationships
• Ruler-Ruled, Father-Son, Husband-Wife, Older
  Brother-Younger Brother, Friend-Friend
• -Created to restore social order
• -Focus on Filial Piety
• -Holy Text The Analects
• -Founded by Confucius (Kung FuTzi)

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CONFUCIANISM

• Confucius lived during Zhou Dynasty (500s BCE)
• His influence wasnt appreciated until Han
  Dynasty (200s BCE)
• 5 Basic Relationships
• Ruler/Subject 2. Father/Son 3.Husband/Wife 4.
  Older brother/younger brother 5. friends
• FILIAL PIETY respect for parents and elders.

• Social Order/Harmony
• Education is critically important

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DAOISM

• Know
• -Founded by Lao Tzu
• -Created to restore balance/harmony
• -Based on Nature (water imagery)
• -Believed nature is pure, society corrupts

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DAOISM

• YIN YANG, represents harmony if YIN
  (EARTH/FEMALE/PASSIVE) and the YANG (HEAVEN/
  MALE/ ACTIVE)

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DAOISM

• Know
• -Founded by Lao Tzu
• -Created to restore balance/harmony
• -Based on Nature (water imagery)
• -Believed nature is pure, society corrupts

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DAOISM

• Laozi (600 BCE).
• Natural Order is KEY!
• Of all creatures of nature, only humans fail to
  follow the Dao or the way.
• Government should do as little as possible and
  leave the people alone.
• Communion with nature instead of political chaos.

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Legalism

• Know
• -Founded by Han Feizi
• -Created to restore order/peace
• -Based on rewards/punishments
• -Believed nature corrupts society (and laws)
  can make us better
• Largely supported only during the Qin Dynasty

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Monotheism

• Belief in One God (Mono 1 Theism God)

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JUDAISM

• Star of David (shield of David)is the universal
  symbol of Judaism. It refers to King David, who
  ruled the kingdom of Israel.

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JUDAISM

• Know
• -Oldest Monotheistic religion known
• -Holy Book Torah
• -First of the Abrahamic Faiths
• -Migratory population based on racism
• -Founded by Abraham/Moses

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JUDAISM

• First heavily followed monotheistic religion.
• Book Torah
• God chose Abraham to be the father of the
  Hebrew people.
• To Hebrews, God (Yahweh) was not a physical being
  and no images were made of Yahweh.
• Migrated to Egypt from Canaan (todays Israel)
  and were forced into slavery.
• Exodus 1300-1200 BCEMoses led them from
  slavery.
• 900 BCE 2 kingdoms Judah and Israel. Judah was
  destroyed by Assyrians.
• Fighting for Jerusalem still exists today.

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CHRISTIANITY

• CROSS symbol of crucifixion of Jesus
  Christrepresents Jesus love for humanity in
  dying for its sins.

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CHRISTIANITY

• Worship of Roman gods was impersonal, practiced
  without a great deal of emotion. Christianity was
  accepted and spread.
• Emphasized individual relationships with God.
• Jesus (prophet) was born a Jew in Judea (4 BCE?).
  Christians believe he is the son of God.
• Bible combo of Jewish and new Christian ideas
• Constantine was first Roman emperor to accept it
  as the Romans expanded East. It became official
  religion of Rome, eventually.

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ISLAM

• Crescent Moon became symbol during Ottoman
  Empire. Maybe 5 stars represent Pillars? Some
  Muslims actually do not accept it. It is often
  used on political flags to represent Islamic
  nations.

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ISLAM

• Know
• -5 Pillars of Islam Statement of Faith, Pray 5
  times a day, Give to the needy, Fast during
  Ramadan, Perform the Hajj trip to Mecca once in
  your life
• -Founded by Muhammad in the 7th century (600s)
• -Sunni-Shia split after the death of Muhammad
  Why? Does it still exist?
• -Caliph Islamic Political Leader

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ISLAM

• Mecca, Saudi Arabia holy city
• Muhammad Final Prophet (accepts Abraham and
  Jesus as well. )
• 5 Pillars of Faith
• Monotheistic
• Islamic Empire becomes its own empire!
• Trade and Commerce spread its ideas and became a
  huge empire.