Introduction to World Religions

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Introduction to World Religions
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Major World Religions

• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Taoism
• Confucius
• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam

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Hinduism
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Images of Hindu Gods
Vishnu Preserve
Shiva - Destroyer
Brahma Creator
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Buddhism

• Found mostly in Asia.
• Evolves from Hinduism.
• Believe in reincarnation and Nirvana.
• Follow teachings of the Buddha or Enlightened
  One.

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Teachings of the Buddha

• Four Noble Truths
• Eight Fold Path
• Reincarnation will end when you become
  enlightened and reach Nirvana.

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Teachings of the Buddha

• Four Noble Truths
• 1. Life means suffering.
• 2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
• 3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
• 4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

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Teachings of the Buddha

• The Noble Eightfold Path
• Right View
• Right Intention
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

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Taoism (Daoism)

• Found mostly in China and parts of Asia.
• Taoists want to live in harmony with nature.
• The Tao is a unspoken force present in all
  natural things.
• Found mostly in Asia.

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Confucius

• A quasi-religion and philosophy found in China.
• Based on the teachings of Confucius (b. 551 B.C.)
• Five Relationships guide life.
• Confucius was seeking order in society.
• Everyone should do what is expected of them.

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The Five Relationships

• Father to Son
• Elder Brother to Younger Brother
• Husband to Wife
• Ruler to Subject
• Friend to Friend
• Men and Age are valued.

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Judaism

• Oldest of the three major world religions.
• Jewish Diaspora kicked out of homeland in
  Palestine and spread out over many nations.
• Monotheistic
• Torah Jewish Holy Book

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The Western Wailing Wall

• Sacred site in Jerusalem for Jews.
• Location of the 2nd temple which the Romans
  destroyed.
• Named by Europeans who witnessed Jews loudly
  mourning the temples destruction.

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Christianity
Cross - Christian Holy Symbol
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Christian Facts

• Monotheistic
• Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
• Largest religion in the world (1.9 Billion)
• Bible is the Holy Book
• Important holidays include Christmas, Easter,
  and Palm Sunday.

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Christian Churches
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Islamic Symbols
Dome of the Rock
Crescent Moon
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Islamic Facts

• Based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad.
• Followers of Islam are known as Muslims.
• Two main divisions in Islam Sunni Shia.
• Muslims follow the Five Pillars.

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Five Pillars of Islam

• Declaration of Faith
• Prayer five times daily.
• Giving Alms (charity)
• Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
• Pilgrimage to Mecca once during your lifetime.

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World Religious Distributions