World Religions and Belief Systems AP World History

World Religions and Belief Systems AP World History 2016

Religion vs. Belief System • Religions – Generally are a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and meaning of the universe and often include the belief in a supernatural being (God) • Belief Systems – Generally are a set of mutually supportive beliefs, which are often religious, philosophical, or ideological and can be a combination of these three

Polytheistic vs. Monotheistic • Polytheistic – the belief in more than one god or deity – Ancient religions of the Greeks, Romans, Nordic peoples, Egyptians, Aztecs, etc. • Monotheistic – the belief in one god or supreme being – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism

Various Ancient Religious Beliefs • Prior to the formation of structured religions around the world, ancient peoples often put their faith in various polytheistic, nature based (Animism), or elemental divinities (Pantheism - god is present in all things AND is the creator). • Many belief systems of the past, and present, incorporate one or more of these outlooks in their ways of understanding the world, and in the practices of their daily lives.

Chinese Philosophies • Period of the Warring States § As the Zhou dynasty broke down during the 5 th – 3 rd B. C. E, China entered a period of violence and political confusion § Three new philosophies (belief systems) emerge to shape Chinese history 1. Confucianism 2. Daoism 3. Legalism

Chinese Philosophies • Period of the Warring States

Confucianism • Started by Confucius (551 -479 BCE) during the Warring States Period in China • Offers solutions to the problems plaguing China – Focus on life rather than the afterlife • Does not advocate a specific deity – Emphasizes worship of ancestors Drawing of Confucius • Teachings compiled in book known as the Analects

Confucianism • Goal is to promote harmony through relationships – Less concerned with political affairs • Five Relationships – Filial Piety – relationship between children and parents • Show respect for elders Dacheng Temple in Confucius’ hometown of Qufu in China.

Confucianism • Emphasized studying and practicing the values of the Five Relationships – Believed those who observed them would gain influence in society • Promoted peace, education, and harmony between people • Traditional Chinese education based on the learning of Confucian values – Government posts earned through cycle of studies of it

Social Impact of Confucianism • Becomes foundation of Chinese government • Reinforced importance of patriarchal relationships • Reinforced family as the center of Chinese society • Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore are influenced by Confucian ethics Family altar in Malaysian Chinese home. Family is inviting ancestors to partake in the Hungary Ghost festival

Daoism • Emerged about same time as Confucianism – Contrasted it and considered it wasteful to try and create solutions to problems that cannot be solved • Political quarreling • Founded by Laozi • Belief that humans should strive to live in harmony with nature – Eventually bring peace and harmony to society

Daoism • Based on teaching of the Daodejing • Everything revolves around the Dao – Invisible force that governs the world – Goal: create societal harmony by living according to the natural laws of the universe (Dao) • Centers on action of wuwei – “without action” – remove self from engagement in world affairs

Impact of Daoism • Encourages respect for nature • Heavily influenced Chinese art and literature – Landscape paintings • Yoga and meditation • Hygiene and cleanliness • Medicine Balance between Yin (feminine, dark) and Yang (masculine, light)

Legalism • Philosophy seeking to strengthen and expand the state at any cost • Did not seek principles of relationships of Confucianism and Daoism • Emerged from teachings of Shang Yang

Legalism • Encouraged the development of strong agriculture and military • Focused on clear and strict laws (hence legalism), with harsh punishment for offenders – Fear as a deterrent to crime

Impact of Legalism • Belief system of Qin Dyansty – Unify China using Legalist beliefs and put end to the Period of Warring States – Centralized administration – Use of Iron Weapons and Great Wall of China • Later Han Dynasty built on this centralized state about the same time as Roman empire

Impact of Legalism

Religions of India • About the time of the emergence of the Chinese belief systems, several new religions solidified themselves in the regions of India: 1. Jainism 2. Buddhism 3. Hinduism • All three were heavily influenced by the Vedas and ancient Indian beliefs of reincarnation

Jainism • Everything in the universe possesses a soul – humans, animals, plants, rocks, etc… • Need to escape this physical existence to relieve suffering • Do so by observing “ahimsa” or nonviolence to other living things or their souls – Taken to extremes by Jainist Monks • Appealed to lower classes because it does not draw distinctions between social groups (castes)

Buddhism • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563 -483 BCE) – Commonly known as the Buddha • Life is a spiritual quest to escape the suffering of human existence • Use methods such as meditation, fasting, and vows of silence

Basic Beliefs of Buddhism • Four Noble Truths – – Life is suffering Desire causes suffering End suffering by ending desire To end desire follow the Eightfold Path • Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration Buddhist Wheel of Life; the eight spokes represent the Eightfold Path

Impact of Buddhism • Spreads throughout central and SE Asia – The conversion of Ashoka (Mauryan emperor) • Appeals to many lower social classes because did not recognize social distinctions (Castes)

Hinduism • Began in India c. 1500 BCE • God reveals self in many different forms (known as Brahman) – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva – Krishna • Sacred Texts – Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads Shiva, the Destroyer

Basic Beliefs of Hinduism • Souls are reincarnated after death • Ultimate goal is to escape the cycle of rebirth and become one with Brahman (known as Moksha) • Major Ideas – – Dharma (duty) Karma (action) Samsara (cycle of life) Moksha (liberation) Kali, goddess of death and destruction

Impact of Hinduism • Ultimately becomes religion of India – Gupta Empire adopts it • Leads to development and solidification of the Caste System • “Untouchables” considered the lowest in society based on their rebirth into that class – Think Karma and how their previous life would be perceived

Social Impact of Hinduism

Social Impact of Hinduism

Monotheistic Faiths • Several ancient belief systems were Monotheistic (i. e. the Aten Cult in Egypt; Zoroastrianism of Persia) • The three most followed and impactful today are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Abrahamic Religions • The three “great” monotheistic religions of today all share common origins • All share the same founding figure of Abraham, or pay reverence to him • All share basic core tenets (beliefs), including central figures, prophets, writings, etc. • All worship the same God

Judaism • Dates back at least to 1000 B. C. E in the region of Egypt • The founding figure is Abraham who is believed to have made a covenant (pact) with God • God made Abraham’s tribe a chosen people who could receive salvation by following God’s core principles of love and faith • God promised Abraham, his tribe, and their descendants a promised land

Judaism • Tanakh is the Jewish Bible; the first 5 books is called the Torah (teachings) • Given by God to Abraham and Moses (10 Commandments) • Both Christian and Islamic beliefs are rooted in Judaism • There around 17 million Jewish people today

Christianity • Dates back to approximately the years 0 -33 C. E. • Jesus of Nazareth is considered the founding figure • Christianity is based around the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth • The Christian Bible is comprised of the Old (Jewish Bible) and New Testaments (Gospels, etc. )

Christianity • Central to the Christian religion is that Jesus is mankind's savior and the son of God • Faith in Jesus and God (usually considered the same) will lead to salvation (eternal spiritual life in heaven) • Salvation is available to all who believe

Islam • Dates to 610 C. E. on the Arabian peninsula • Muhammad is the founding figure of the Islamic faith • Muslims (adherents) believe that the final instructions for mankind were revealed to Muhammad

Islam • Muslims accept that Muhammad is the final prophet of god and that the Qur'an (Islamic holy book) contains the verbatim word of God (instructions for mankind) • Islam incorporates many Judaic and Christian beliefs and values, including God’s (Allah) love and compassion, and salvation for believers

Spread of Belief Systems

Spread of Belief Systems • All belief systems and religions spread for many interconnected reasons, but three main themes include: 1. Trade 1. Buddhism into China along the Silk Road 2. Islam into West Africa along Saharan caravan routes 2. War and Conquest 1. 2. 3. Expansion of Islamic empire Charlemagne's empire across Europe Spanish Conquistadors conquest of the Americas

Spread of Belief Systems 3. Conversion of Elites (Political, Military, and Commercial leaders) 1. Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism 2. Gupta empires acceptance of Hinduism 3. Constantine’s conversion to Christianity

Major Religions Today by Region