Belief Systems Religions and Philosophies Religions Monotheism The

Belief Systems Religions and Philosophies

Religions Monotheism • The belief in one God • Ex. Judaism, Christianity, Islam Polytheism • The belief in many gods • Ex. Ancient Egypt, Hinduism

• The Hebrews founded Judaism , the oldest known monotheistic religion • Sacred text: Torah (Christian Old Testament) • Basic teachings: Ten Commandments- the Hebrew code of laws Holy City: Jerusalem

• Founder: Jesus of Nazareth • Holy City: Jerusalem • Sacred text: Christian Bible (Old Testament and New Testament) • Monotheistic • Practices: Seven sacraments

• Christian Churches divide numerous times • Major churches: Roman Catholic (headed by Pope), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant Faiths (Lutheran, Calvinist, Church of England)

• Founder: Prophet Muhammad (6 th Century AD) • Sacred text: Qur’an (Koran) • Monotheistic: One God (Allah- means God in Arabic) • Basic teachings: 5 pillars • Divisions: Sunni and Shiah Holy Cities: Mecca (Makkah), Medina, Jerusalem

POLYTHEISTIC No Single Founder Holy books: Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabarata Reincarnationrebirth of one’s soul

Beliefs: Karmaall the good and bad deeds done in one’s life Dharma- duties one must fulfill in life Moksha- union with Brahman at the end of life cycle Caste systemrigid social class system based on birth

Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) 500’s BC No Single Godbelieve in universal spirit Basic teachings: Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

Beliefs: Karma Reincarnation Ahimsanonviolence to all living things Nirvana- release from the cycle of rebirth

Founder-There is no one person Geographic Origin- Africa Significant Writings- Animism has an oral tradition of story-telling, rather than a developed writing system. Places of Worship-Animist rituals tend to take place outdoors in nature. Teachings and Beliefs- Animists practice nature worship. They believe that everything in the universe has a spirit.

Founder: Confucius 500’s BC Text: The Analects Beliefs: Filial Piety- respect for parents and elders 5 relationships: guide conduct in all interactions in family and society

Founder: Laozi 500’s BC Text: Dao De Jing Beliefs: harmony with nature Yin and Yang: must balance 2 opposing forces in nature The Dao: the force that guides all things