Which of the following do you think should be considered a religious group?

Lutherans Hindus Outkast Muslims

American Medical Association Catholics Jews

Republican Party Lions Club Kansas City Chiefs

Baptists Grateful Dead Mormons

US Marines

You visit a cemetery. One tombstone reads: “Born in the 15th century, died in the 16th century.” What are the possible dates that this person may have been born and died?

What is Religion?

Helps people answer questions about meaning and purpose of life – set of beliefs.

Monotheism: belief in only one god.

Polytheism: belief in more than one god.

Four Common Elements of Religious Groups

1. Deals with the sacred—extraordinary, mysterious, awe inspiring (vs. profane)

2. Rituals—established pattern of behavior in which believers experience the sacred.

3. Organization—hierarchy

4. Social functions—gives meaning to life, emotional support, sense of community,

answers important questions.

B.C.: Before Christ

B.C.E.: Before the Common Era

A.D.: Anno Domini (the year of our Lord)

C.E.: Common Era

50BCE 0 50CE

Reading a Timeline

Centuries…1st century = 1-99 CE

2000BCE 1500BCE 1000BCE500BCE 0

Hinduism

Abraham (Judaism

and Islam)

Moses (Judaism) Confucius 551-479

(Confucianism)

Lao-Tzu (Taoism)

Guatama Buddha 563-486 (Buddhism)

0 500CE 1000CE 1500CE 2000CE

Jesus Christ 4 BCE-30CE(Christianity)

Muhammad 570-632 CE

(Islam)

Guru Nanak1469-1539

CESikhism

1.Who is older, someone who was born in 1760 BCE or someone born in 1450 BCE?

2.How many years difference is there between 250 CE and 250 BCE?

3.How many years difference is there between 1524 CE and 1436 BCE?

4.What century are we living in?

Semitic Religions refers to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and people who came from the Middle East.

Semitic religions are all monotheistic and have Abraham as a forefather

(wife Sarah/son Isaac—Judaism/Christianity; servant

Hagar/son Ishmael—Islam).

Through a mapping activity you will learn about the connections

between the Semitic Religions.

In your groups answer the following questions on one sheet of paper per group. Use the article to help answer these questions. Be sure to discuss your opinions in the group.

1. Is it legal for a teacher to teach about religion in the classroom? Explain.

2. Should a teacher be allowed to begin class with a prayer? Explain.

3. Can a high school basketball team be allowed to say a prayer before its game? Explain.

4. Explain what you think a Supreme Court Justice meant when he said “The history of man is inseparable from the history of religion.”

5. List 5 specific ways in which we can study religion in school.6. Why is it important to study world religions in geography?