Major Religions of the Major Religions of the WorldWorld

What does religion mean to you?What does religion mean to you? something one believes in and follows something one believes in and follows

devotedly devotedly usually has some form of “higher power”usually has some form of “higher power”

Why do you think religion causes so Why do you think religion causes so many conflicts and wars in the world many conflicts and wars in the world when it is supposed to promote peace?when it is supposed to promote peace?

What religion are you?What religion are you?

Why do you practice that religion?Why do you practice that religion?

NumbersNumbers Christianity: 1.9 billion peopleChristianity: 1.9 billion people Islam: 1.1 billionIslam: 1.1 billion Hinduism: 800 millionHinduism: 800 million Buddhism: 325 millionBuddhism: 325 million Judaism: 13 millionJudaism: 13 million

ChristianityChristianity Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Based on the life and teachings of Jesus

ChristChrist Originated in Palestine in the 1st Originated in Palestine in the 1st

century AD century AD Believe that Jesus was the son of God Believe that Jesus was the son of God

who came and died for people’s sins who came and died for people’s sins and then rose so that all people could and then rose so that all people could be savedbe saved

Believe in one God(monotheistic) who Believe in one God(monotheistic) who created the universe and all things in itcreated the universe and all things in it

Christianity originally developed as a Christianity originally developed as a part of Judaism part of Judaism

Christian Way of LifeChristian Way of Life

Fellowship with GodFellowship with God Our relationships with othersOur relationships with others Obedience to God's commands Obedience to God's commands Discipline Discipline

Ten CommandmentsTen Commandments

Important DaysImportant Days Ash Wednesday-LentAsh Wednesday-Lent Palm SundayPalm Sunday Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday Good FridayGood Friday EasterEaster AscensionAscension PentecostPentecost AdventAdvent ChristmasChristmas EpiphanyEpiphany

JudaismJudaism Is a monotheistic religionIs a monotheistic religion Judaism is the oldest and smallest of Judaism is the oldest and smallest of

the world's five great religionsthe world's five great religions Being a part of a Jewish community Being a part of a Jewish community

and living one's life according to and living one's life according to Jewish law and traditions is very Jewish law and traditions is very important. important.

The fundamental beliefs of Judaism The fundamental beliefs of Judaism are:are:

-There is a single, all-powerful God, -There is a single, all-powerful God, who created the universe who created the universe

and and everything in it. everything in it. -God has a special relationship with -God has a special relationship with the the Jewish people due to covenant Jewish people due to covenant that that God made with Moses on God made with Moses on Mount Mount Sinai, 3500 years ago. Sinai, 3500 years ago.

Rambam’s 13 Principles of Rambam’s 13 Principles of FaithFaith

1.1. G-d exists G-d exists 2.2. G-d is one and unique G-d is one and unique 3.3. G-d is incorporeal G-d is incorporeal 4.4. G-d is eternal G-d is eternal 5.5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no

other other 6.6. The words of the prophets are true The words of the prophets are true 7.7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the

greatest of the prophets greatest of the prophets 8.8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible)

and Oral Torah were given to Moses and Oral Torah were given to Moses 9.9. There will be no other Torah There will be no other Torah 10.10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men 11.11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked 12.12. The Messiah will come The Messiah will come 13.13. The dead will be resurrected The dead will be resurrected

613 Mitzvot613 Mitzvot

Judaism 101: List of the 613 Judaism 101: List of the 613 MitzvotMitzvot

The Jewish place of worship is called a The Jewish place of worship is called a SynagogueSynagogue

The religious leader of a Jewish The religious leader of a Jewish community is called a Rabbi community is called a Rabbi

Unlike leaders in many other faiths, a Unlike leaders in many other faiths, a rabbi is not a priest and has no rabbi is not a priest and has no special religious statusspecial religious status

The Jewish holy day, or The Jewish holy day, or Sabbath(Shabbat), starts at sunset on Sabbath(Shabbat), starts at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday Saturday

During the Sabbath, Jews do not During the Sabbath, Jews do not work(drive, cook, etc)work(drive, cook, etc)

7 Holy Days7 Holy Days Rosh Hashanah-Jewish New YearRosh Hashanah-Jewish New Year Yom Kippur-A day of fasting and Yom Kippur-A day of fasting and

praying which occurs 10 days after praying which occurs 10 days after the first day of Rosh Hashanah. The the first day of Rosh Hashanah. The holiest day in the yearholiest day in the year

Sukkot-8 day festival of thanksgivingSukkot-8 day festival of thanksgiving Hanukkah-The Feast of Lights is an 8 Hanukkah-The Feast of Lights is an 8

day day Feast of Dedication.Feast of Dedication. It recalls the It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom  cause of religious freedom 

Purim-The Feast of Lots recalls the Purim-The Feast of Lots recalls the defeat by Queen Esther of the plan to defeat by Queen Esther of the plan to slaughter all of the Persian Jews, circa slaughter all of the Persian Jews, circa 400 BC400 BC

Pesa(Passover)-The 8 day festival Pesa(Passover)-The 8 day festival recalls the exodus of the Israelites from recalls the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt circa 1300 BCE. A slavery in Egypt circa 1300 BCE. A holiday meal, the Seder, is held at holiday meal, the Seder, is held at homehome

Shavouth-Pentecost recalls God's Shavouth-Pentecost recalls God's revelation of the Torah to the Jewish revelation of the Torah to the Jewish people people

Menorah-It is a Menorah-It is a symbol of the symbol of the nation of Israel and nation of Israel and a mission to be "a a mission to be "a light unto the light unto the nations. nations.

A Yarmulke is worn A Yarmulke is worn during prayer to during prayer to shoe respect to shoe respect to G_dG_d

The Star of David is The Star of David is the international the international symbol of Judaismsymbol of Judaism

Flag of Israel has itFlag of Israel has it

Kosher FoodsKosher Foods Foods are kosher when they meet all Foods are kosher when they meet all

criteria that Jewish law applies to criteria that Jewish law applies to food food

Characteristics that make a food Characteristics that make a food non-kosher:non-kosher: the mixture of meat and milk the mixture of meat and milk the use of cooking utensils which had the use of cooking utensils which had

previously been used for non-kosher previously been used for non-kosher foodfood

The type of animal it is The type of animal it is

Leviticus 11:3 says that Jews may eat all Leviticus 11:3 says that Jews may eat all animals that have cloven hooves and animals that have cloven hooves and chew their cudchew their cud

Leviticus 11:4 explicitly prohibited the Leviticus 11:4 explicitly prohibited the consumption of animals that do not have consumption of animals that do not have these characteristics designating them these characteristics designating them "unclean to you." "unclean to you."

Six mammals are specifically not allowed:Six mammals are specifically not allowed: The camel The camel The hyraxThe hyrax The hare The hare The pigThe pig Whales and dolphinsWhales and dolphins

Kosher animals are as follows:Kosher animals are as follows: Cows, goats, sheep, antelope, deer, giraffes, okapis Cows, goats, sheep, antelope, deer, giraffes, okapis

and pronghornsand pronghorns Most fish(excluding shellfish, sharks, octupus, eels Most fish(excluding shellfish, sharks, octupus, eels

and squid)and squid) Chicken, duck, turkeyChicken, duck, turkey Milk and cheese are kosher but cannot be eaten with Milk and cheese are kosher but cannot be eaten with

meat or mixed with meat.meat or mixed with meat.

PreparationPreparation the slaughter of animals is designed to minimize the the slaughter of animals is designed to minimize the

pain—usually done by a slice across the throatpain—usually done by a slice across the throat this eliminates the practice of hunting for food unless this eliminates the practice of hunting for food unless

it can be captured alive and ritually slaughtered. it can be captured alive and ritually slaughtered. All blood and veins must be removed from All blood and veins must be removed from

meat(salting and broiling are common methods)meat(salting and broiling are common methods)

IslamIslam Islam is the world's second most followed Islam is the world's second most followed

religionreligion It began around 1400 years ago in Arabia, but It began around 1400 years ago in Arabia, but

swiftly become a world faith, and now has swiftly become a world faith, and now has around 1.2 billion peoplearound 1.2 billion people

"Islam" is an Arabic word which means "Islam" is an Arabic word which means “surrendering oneself to the will of God”“surrendering oneself to the will of God”

One will achieve peace and security by doing soOne will achieve peace and security by doing so

A person surrenders to the will of Allah by living A person surrenders to the will of Allah by living and thinking in the way Allah has instructed.and thinking in the way Allah has instructed.

Islam is more than a system of beliefs. The faith Islam is more than a system of beliefs. The faith provides a social and legal system and governs provides a social and legal system and governs things like family life, law and order, ethics, things like family life, law and order, ethics, dress, and cleanliness, as well as religious ritual dress, and cleanliness, as well as religious ritual and observance—Islamic Republicand observance—Islamic Republic

Where is Islam practiced?Where is Islam practiced?

The countries with the largest Islamic The countries with the largest Islamic populations are not in the Middle populations are not in the Middle East as most would thinkEast as most would think

The largest are Indonesia (170 The largest are Indonesia (170 million), Pakistan (136 million), million), Pakistan (136 million), Bangladesh (105 million), and India Bangladesh (105 million), and India (103 million)(103 million)

Islam's three holiest places, the cities Islam's three holiest places, the cities of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, are of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, are all in the Middle East all in the Middle East

The present form of Islam began in Arabia in The present form of Islam began in Arabia in 622 AD 622 AD

It is based on the ministry of a man named It is based on the ministry of a man named Muhammad and on the words that Allah gave Muhammad and on the words that Allah gave to the world through himto the world through him

Muhammad did not found Islam. Islam was Muhammad did not found Islam. Islam was created by Allah at the beginning of time, created by Allah at the beginning of time, and in fact Muslims regard Adam as the first and in fact Muslims regard Adam as the first MuslimMuslim

Muhammad was the final messenger through Muhammad was the final messenger through whom Allah revealed the faith to the worldwhom Allah revealed the faith to the world

There had been earlier messengers, among There had been earlier messengers, among them Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and them Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.Jesus.

5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

1. 1. Shahada(witness)Shahada(witness) is the Muslim is the Muslim profession of faithprofession of faith

- - "I witness that there is no god "I witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad but Allah, and that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah"is the prophet of Allah"

Muslims say this when they wake Muslims say this when they wake up in the morning and just before up in the morning and just before they go to sleep at nightthey go to sleep at night

2. 2. Salat(daily prayer)Salat(daily prayer) is a is a prayer prayer ritual performed 5 times a day by ritual performed 5 times a day by all Muslims over the age of 10all Muslims over the age of 10

Between first light and sunrise Between first light and sunrise After the sun has passed the middle After the sun has passed the middle

of the sky of the sky Between mid-afternoon and sunset Between mid-afternoon and sunset Between sunset and the last light of Between sunset and the last light of

the day the day Between darkness and dawn Between darkness and dawn

3. 3. Sawm(fasting)Sawm(fasting) is abstaining each day is abstaining each day during Ramadan during Ramadan

Sawm helps Muslims develop self-Sawm helps Muslims develop self-control, gain a better understanding of control, gain a better understanding of God's gifts and greater compassion God's gifts and greater compassion towards the deprived. towards the deprived.

Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It marks when Muhammad had the Qur-an marks when Muhammad had the Qur-an revealed to himrevealed to him

Sawm is usually described as fasting, but Sawm is usually described as fasting, but it actually involves abstaining from all it actually involves abstaining from all bodily pleasures between dawn and bodily pleasures between dawn and sunsetsunset

Not only is food forbidden, but also Not only is food forbidden, but also things like smoking, chewing gum, things like smoking, chewing gum, negative thoughts and sexual activitynegative thoughts and sexual activity

4. 4. Zakat(almsgiving)Zakat(almsgiving) is giving alms to is giving alms to the poor the poor

This is a compulsory gift of 2.5 % of This is a compulsory gift of 2.5 % of one's savings each year one's savings each year

Giving in this way is intended to Giving in this way is intended to free Muslims from the love of free Muslims from the love of money money

It reminds them that everything It reminds them that everything they have really belongs to God. they have really belongs to God.

4. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all 4. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all physically/financially able Muslims should physically/financially able Muslims should make at least once in their lifemake at least once in their life

Mecca is the most holy place for MuslimsMecca is the most holy place for Muslims Takes place during days 8-13 of the 12Takes place during days 8-13 of the 12thth

month of the Islamic Lunar calendarmonth of the Islamic Lunar calendar They circle the Kaaba seven times on They circle the Kaaba seven times on

three occasions, say prayers, drink from three occasions, say prayers, drink from a holy spring, walk to Mount Arafat to a holy spring, walk to Mount Arafat to pray, feast, cast stones at three pillars(to pray, feast, cast stones at three pillars(to fight Satan’s temptations), shave hair, fight Satan’s temptations), shave hair, run seven times between some hills run seven times between some hills

The KaabaThe KaabaKaabaKaaba - - WikipediaWikipedia

, the free encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Masjid_Al_Haram_in_the_night.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Changing_cover.jpg

Other InfoOther Info The Qur’an is the Islamic holy bookThe Qur’an is the Islamic holy book The Qur'an is the actual word of God, The Qur'an is the actual word of God,

and contains the fundamental beliefs and contains the fundamental beliefs of Islam of Islam

Mecca, Medina and Jerusulem are holy Mecca, Medina and Jerusulem are holy citiescities

According to tradition, the Qur'an was According to tradition, the Qur'an was dictated to Muhammad dictated to Muhammad

Two major sectsTwo major sects Sunni-920 million people(everywhere else)Sunni-920 million people(everywhere else) Shiite-120 million people(Iran)Shiite-120 million people(Iran) Comparing the Sunni and Shiite branches Comparing the Sunni and Shiite branches

of Islamof Islam

Islamic LawIslamic Law

The Sharia outlines all of the The Sharia outlines all of the laws(comes from the Koran)laws(comes from the Koran)

5 Major Crimes:5 Major Crimes: theft, highway robbery, intoxication, theft, highway robbery, intoxication,

adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery adultery

ShariaSharia - - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia

Food LawsFood Laws Very similar laws to the Jewish Very similar laws to the Jewish

kosher foodskosher foods No alcohol, pork, blood, no pork fat No alcohol, pork, blood, no pork fat

products, scavenger animalsproducts, scavenger animals Food must be prepared similarly to Food must be prepared similarly to

the Jewsthe Jews Slice to the jugularSlice to the jugular Drain bloodDrain blood

HinduismHinduism Hinduism includes a very wide range Hinduism includes a very wide range

of beliefs and practices, so there of beliefs and practices, so there aren't many things that are common aren't many things that are common to all Hindu groupsto all Hindu groups

Hinduism has no founder, no single Hinduism has no founder, no single book of faith, no creed, and no single book of faith, no creed, and no single source of authority(such as Jesus)source of authority(such as Jesus)

Hinduism is very individualistic but a Hinduism is very individualistic but a big part of a person’s everyday lifebig part of a person’s everyday life

There are 750 million Hindus in the There are 750 million Hindus in the world, mostly in Indiaworld, mostly in India

For many Hindus, religion is a matter of For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. It's more practice rather than of beliefs. It's more what you do than what you believe.what you do than what you believe.

Behind Hindu practice is the belief that Behind Hindu practice is the belief that every soul is trapped in a cycle of birth-every soul is trapped in a cycle of birth-death-rebirth(reincarnation). Every Hindu death-rebirth(reincarnation). Every Hindu wants to escape from this cycle.wants to escape from this cycle.

Hindus aim to live in a way that will cause Hindus aim to live in a way that will cause each of their lives to be better than the each of their lives to be better than the life before.life before.

Whether one is reborn into a better life, a Whether one is reborn into a better life, a worse life, or even to live as an animal, worse life, or even to live as an animal, depends on Karma, which is the value of a depends on Karma, which is the value of a soul's good and bad deeds.soul's good and bad deeds.

Dharma is a “cosmic natural law” that forms the Dharma is a “cosmic natural law” that forms the basis for Hindu philosophies, beliefs and basis for Hindu philosophies, beliefs and practices and holds everything togetherpractices and holds everything together

People that live in harmony with Dharma proceed People that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly toward Mokshamore quickly toward Moksha

Hindus ultimate aim is escape from the life cycle Hindus ultimate aim is escape from the life cycle altogether and achieve the ultimate liberation—altogether and achieve the ultimate liberation—MokshaMoksha

Hindus believe the universe doesn't have a Hindus believe the universe doesn't have a beginning and an end. It's a cyclical pattern, so beginning and an end. It's a cyclical pattern, so once it ends, it begins again. once it ends, it begins again.

One attains Moksha when one has "overcome One attains Moksha when one has "overcome ignorance" and no longer desires anything at ignorance" and no longer desires anything at all(and yes, that includes the desire for Moksha) all(and yes, that includes the desire for Moksha)

Hindu BeliefsHindu Beliefs All good things in life are gifts from All good things in life are gifts from

GodGod Finding out what your life’s calling is Finding out what your life’s calling is

as Dharma suggest/requires is a very as Dharma suggest/requires is a very important goalimportant goal

Being a fair and decent person is Being a fair and decent person is very importantvery important

Wealth, power and material Wealth, power and material belongings are good goals as long as belongings are good goals as long as they don’t become all importantthey don’t become all important

Moksha is the ultimate goalMoksha is the ultimate goal

Four Stages of LifeFour Stages of Life1.1. Ages 12-24 you get educated and trainedAges 12-24 you get educated and trained2.2. Ages 24-48 you get married, raise a family, Ages 24-48 you get married, raise a family,

make money, get involved in many thingsmake money, get involved in many things3.3. Ages 48-72 you become a mentor to a Ages 48-72 you become a mentor to a

young person and start isolating young person and start isolating themselves from the outside worldthemselves from the outside world

4.4. At age 72 you end ties to the outside world At age 72 you end ties to the outside world and get rid of your worldly possessions. and get rid of your worldly possessions. Prayer and devotion become very Prayer and devotion become very important.important.

Mostly aimed at men and is not followed as Mostly aimed at men and is not followed as much as it used to bemuch as it used to be

Hindu GodsHindu Gods One would think Hinduism is polytheistic. One would think Hinduism is polytheistic.

Most Hindus would say they worship one Most Hindus would say they worship one God.God.

There is only one ultimate God, Brahman, There is only one ultimate God, Brahman, but shows itself in many formsbut shows itself in many forms

The gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, for The gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, for example, are different aspects of Brahman:example, are different aspects of Brahman:

BrahmaBrahma reflects God's divine work of reflects God's divine work of creating the universe creating the universe

Vishnu Vishnu reflects God's work in keeping the reflects God's work in keeping the universe in existenceuniverse in existence

ShivaShiva reflects God's work in destroying it reflects God's work in destroying it

BuddhismBuddhism

Founded in India around 500 BC by Founded in India around 500 BC by Siddhartha GuatamaSiddhartha Guatama

Became Buddha, the Enlightened One, Became Buddha, the Enlightened One, when he was 29when he was 29

He was trying to find the true meaning He was trying to find the true meaning of life and eventually, through four of life and eventually, through four trance-like stages of meditation, he trance-like stages of meditation, he was enlightened to the Buddhist was was enlightened to the Buddhist was of lifeof life

His main teachings was to eliminate His main teachings was to eliminate human wants as they are the cause of human wants as they are the cause of suffering in the worldsuffering in the world

Buddhism has no unique creed, no single Buddhism has no unique creed, no single authority and no single sacred bookauthority and no single sacred book

Buddhism focuses on each individual seeking Buddhism focuses on each individual seeking to attain enlightenmentto attain enlightenment

Key beliefs and values are contained in "The Key beliefs and values are contained in "The Four Noble Truths“Four Noble Truths“

1. Life means suffering1. Life means suffering 2. The origin of suffering is attachment to 2. The origin of suffering is attachment to

worldly thingsworldly things 3. The end to suffering is attainable through 3. The end to suffering is attainable through

eliminating physical wants/needseliminating physical wants/needs Eventually can achieve Nirvana(no wind)Eventually can achieve Nirvana(no wind) Nirvana means freedom from all worries and Nirvana means freedom from all worries and

troublestroubles

4. The path to the end suffering 4. The path to the end suffering and achieve Nirvana is to follow and achieve Nirvana is to follow the Eight Fold Paththe Eight Fold Path

Eight Fold PathEight Fold Path 1. Right View1. Right View

To see and view things as they really To see and view things as they really areare

Attained true wisdomAttained true wisdom 2. Right Intention2. Right Intention

Think and do the right things at all timesThink and do the right things at all times 3. Right Speech3. Right Speech

Do not lie, curse, slander, or gossipDo not lie, curse, slander, or gossip 4. Right Action4. Right Action

Do not harm yourself or others, do not Do not harm yourself or others, do not steal, and no sexual misconductsteal, and no sexual misconduct

5. Right Livelihood5. Right Livelihood No jobs dealing in weapons, in living No jobs dealing in weapons, in living

beings (including raising animals for beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), working in meat production prostitution), working in meat production and butchery, and selling alcohol and and butchery, and selling alcohol and drugsdrugs

6. Right Effort6. Right Effort Give 100% effort in what you doGive 100% effort in what you do

7. Right Mindfulness7. Right Mindfulness Having the power to control our thought Having the power to control our thought

process and see the truth behind thingsprocess and see the truth behind things 8. Right Concentration8. Right Concentration

Ability to have deep concentration and Ability to have deep concentration and ability to focus on wholesome thoughts ability to focus on wholesome thoughts and actions and actions

AssignmentAssignment

Try to follow Buddhist’s Eight Fold Try to follow Buddhist’s Eight Fold Path for 48 hours. Path for 48 hours.

Blog your results. Did you make it Blog your results. Did you make it through? If so, was it tough? If not, through? If so, was it tough? If not, what made it challenging?what made it challenging?