The Five Major Religions

The teachings of Jesus are rooted in Judaism. The Zealots made up a branch of Judaism that

was formed to overthrow the Romans. Paul of Tarsus is credited with establishing

Christian churches throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

Over time, bishops in Rome felt that the Roman bishop, or pope, should be recognized as the head of the entire church.

Christianity was finally allowed in the Roman Empire when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313.

Christianity

Where the founder sat and meditated was the Bodh Gaya The central truths of Buddhism were the four noble truths. A series of steps that lead to enlightenment and salvation is the

Eightfold Path. The founder of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama

Buddhism

A basic tenet of Hinduism is the belief that everything in the world is an aspect of Brahman.

The concept of karma is best described as the sum effect of one’s actions during life.

In Hinduism, a person’s dharma, or set of spiritual duties and obligations is based on their class and station in life.

The sacred texts of Hinduism include the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

Hinduism

Muhammad was raised by his uncle and grew up to become a merchant in the city of Mecca.

Muhammad reported that the angel told him that Allah was the one and only true and all-powerful God.

Most Muslims were polytheistic. The five Pillars of Islam include a profession of

faith, five daily prayers, charity for the poor, and making the journey to Mecca.

The record of Muhammad’s behavior and teachings is known as the Sunna.

Islam

The Hebrews' religion was known as Judaism. Accounts of the Hebrews’ early history appear in five sacred books called a

Torah. The Hebrew people made a covenant, or a solemn agreement, to follow

God’s law. In a journal known as the Exodus, the Hebrews made their journey to

Mecca. According to Hebrew history, Moses was chosen by God to receive a

collection of moral laws known as the Ten Commandments. The Hebrews believed the land of Canaan was promised to them by God. Israel's first king was a man named Saul, chosen for his military leadership. Shortly after the death of King Solomon, Israel’s Twelve Tribes formed two

kingdoms. One was called Israel and the other was called Judah. Unlike most other ancient peoples, the Hebrews practiced Monotheism,

belief in only one god. Written by early Jewish scholars, the Talmud contains explanations and

interpretations of the other sacred texts.

Judaism