Major Religions

Judaism

• Founded by Abraham• 3,300+ years old, (1300 BCE)• Origins in Mesopotamia (Palestine)• Kingdom of Israel• One god (MONOTHEISM)• Sacred Writings: Torah• Types of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative,

and Reform• Number of followers today: 15 million

Judaism (cont’d)

Beliefs: 13 Principles of Faith1. God exists2. God is one and unique3. God is incorporeal4. God is eternal5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other6. The words of the prophets are true7. Moses’ prophecies are true and he was the greatest prophet8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (found in the

Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses9. There will be no other Torah10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men11. God will reward good and punish the wicked12. The Messiah will come13. The dead will be resurrected

Christianity

• Founder: Jesus Christ, a Jewish carpenter• 2,000 years old (33 CE)• Origins in Mesopotamia (Palestine and Israel)• One god (MONOTHEISM)• Sacred Writings: Bible• 41,000 denominations• 2.1 billion followers• 1.2 billion Catholics• 600-800 million Protestants• 230 million Eastern Orthodoxy

Christianity (cont’d)

Beliefs:1. There is only one God2. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent3. God is sovereign, holy, and just (righteous)4. God is love, true, and spirit5. God is the creator of everything that exists6. God is infinite, eternal, and does not change7. Jesus is the son of god and died for our sins8. Those who reject Jesus Christ will go to hell

Islam

• Founded by Muhammed• 1,400 years old (622 CE)• Origins in Mecca, Saudi Arabia • One god (MONOTHEISM)• Sacred Writings: Quran (Koran)• Types of Islam: Ahmadiyya, Shi’a, Sufism, and

Sunni (vast majority)• 1.3 billion followers

Islam (cont’d)

Beliefs: Five Pillars1. Profession of Faith2. Prayer3. Charitable giving4. Fasting (dawn to sunset) during month of

Ramadan5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once

Hinduism

• No founder• 3,500 years or older (1,500 BCE)• Origins in India• Many gods: all gods and goddesses

considered different forms of the Supreme Being

• Vedas and Upanishads• No single belief system unites• 900 million followers

Hinduism (cont’d)

Beliefs:1. Reincarnation means all living things in cycle of death and rebirth2. Life ruled by laws of karma, means rebirth depends on behavior.

Buddhism

• Founder: Siddharta Gautama (“the Buddha”), an Indian prince

• 2,500+ years old (520 BCE)• Origins in Northeastern India• No gods, only enlightened beings (Buddhas)• Tripitaka, or “Three Baskets of Wisdom”• Fourth largest religion• 360 million followers

Buddhism (cont’d)

• Beliefs• The Three Practices

• Sila (Virtue), Samadhi (Meditation), Prajna (Enlightenment)• The Four Noble Truths

• All suffer• Desire equals suffering• Desire can be overcome

• The Eightfold Path (Middleway)• Path away from desire

• Five Precepts• Do not harm or kill living things• Do not take things unless they are freely given• Lead a decent life• Do not speak unkindly or tell lies• Do not abuse drugs or drink alcohol

Nirvana!

Confucianism

• Founder: Confucious• 2,500 years old (500 BCE)• Origins in China• No god• Writings: Analects, The Five Classics, and the

Four Books• 350 million followers

Confucianism (Cont’d)

• Beliefs:• The teachings of Confucius• Emphasizes mercy, social order, and fulfillment of

responsibilities• Five Cardinal Relations• The Family is the center and comes before the

individual• Central Ethical Principle, “Ren”• The Golden Rule

• The Proper Way “Li”• Control of emotions, restraint, obedience