Major World Religions

Judaism Who – Abraham, Moses When – circa 3000 BC Where – Israel Holy Books - Torah, and

Talmud Major Divisions –

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform

Basic Beliefs Monotheistic – one God Jews are the chosen

people of God, must follow his laws.

Jerusalem/Israel are holy lands.

Christianity• Who – Jesus of Nazareth

• When – circa 30AD

• Where – Israel

• Holy Books – Old and New Testaments

• Major Divisions – Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox

Basic Beliefs• Jesus Christ is the son of God• Death and resurrection• Came to redeem mankind from

sin.

IslamWho – Mohammed

When – circa 620AD

Where – Arabian Peninsula

Holy Books – Quran and the HadithMajor Divisions – Sunni, Shia

Basic Beliefs There is no god but Allah,

and Muhammad is the messenger of God

Quran is word of God. Muslims must perform the

“Five Pillars of Faith”.

HinduismWho – Ancient priests of IndiaWhen – 5000 –3000 BCE Where – IndiaHoly Books – VedasMajor Divisions – Numerous schools and traditionsBasic Beliefs Polytheistic Reincarnation and Karma – cause

and effect Ultimate goal – oneness with

“Brahman” (God, Reality) Caste System-system of social

classes

Buddhism

Who – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)When – 500 BCWhere – Northern India

Basic Beliefs Life is suffering, caused by wanting

things, caused by ignorance. Reincarnation and karma “8-fold Path” allows escape to

Nirvana Four Noble Truths

Animism• Retained tribal ethnic religion of people

around the world

• Today, adherents number at least 100 million

• Animists believe certain inanimate objects possess spirits or souls

– Spirits live in rocks, rivers, mountain peaks, and heavenly bodies

– Each tribe has its own characteristic form of animism

• A Shaman — tribal religious figure usually serves as the intermediary between people and the spirits

• Sub-Saharan Africa is the greatest surviving stronghold of animism

Sikhism

• Monotheistic • Found mainly in Northern

India• Meditation• Reincarnation like Hindus