Religions

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Religions Philosophies

• The Order of Adherents
• (notes are grouped by region)
• Christianity
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Animism
• Sikhism
• Judaism

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Christianity
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Map of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism Concentrations
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CHRISTIANITY

• Followers are Christians
• Believe in one God
• Central/Sacred Figures God Jesus
• Sacred Site Jerusalem, Bethlehem

• Areas of concentration
• North South America,
• Europe
• Russia
• Australia
• New Zealand
• the Philippines
• Sub-Saharan Africa

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ISLAM

• Followers are Muslims
• Believe in one God
• Sacred/Central Figures Allah (God) the
  Prophet Muhammad
• Sacred Site Jerusalem, Mecca
• Areas of Concentration The Middle East, Africa
  Europe, as well as the US, and both Central
  South Asia, China

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JUDAISM

• Areas of concentration widely scattered,
  however, an overwhelming majority are located in
  the US Israel

• Followers are Jews
• Believe in one God
• Central/Sacred Figure God
• Sacred Site Jerusalem

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HINDUISM

• Followers are Hindu.
• Belief in many (1000s) gods polytheism.
• Areas of Concentration India Nepal
• Central Figure is the highest Caste Member, the
  Brahmin as well as the many gods.
• The Caste System Although the practice has been
  banned in India, many still follow the traditions
  of the caste system which states that you can not
  marry outside of the class you were born into.

• Sacred Site Ganges River in India. For Hindus
  is a sacred duty to bathe in the holy waters at
  least once in your lifetime. It is believed that
  it cleanses the bathers mind and spirit.

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Sikhism

• Followers Sikh
• Believe in one God
• Sacred/Central Figures God the founder Guru
  Nanak
• Sacred Places The Golden Temple in Punjab, India
• Areas of Concentration India , SE Asia,
  Pakistan, UK, Europe.

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Animism

• Followers animists
• Indigenous peoples including Shinto, some
  forms of Islam Hinduism, Buddhism, Pantheism,
  Christianity, Neopaganism.

• Central Beliefs
• Spirits exist in everything, animals, plants
  people.
• Non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at
  least embody some kind of life-principle.

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The following are mostly considered Philosophies
rather than religions
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Shintoism

• Followers Shinto
• Polytheistic
• More of a way of life than a religion
• Native Religion in Japan (not an official
  religion of Japan)
• Creation story Spirits created then lived on
  the Japanese islands
• Kami supernatural force inclusive of gods,
  spirit figures, human ancestors.
• Followers go to shrines to worship kami

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Confucianism

• Confucius Politician, advisor to the king.
• Way of life taught by Confucius.
• Was so successful that the king gave him his own
  province.
• Others were jealous and convinced the king to
  throw Confucius out.
• Once Confucius dies, people began to write down
  many of his thougths.
• Philosophy goes well with communism because a
  major premise is obey your government
  humans are teachable

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BUDDHISM

• Followers Buddhists
• A philosophy, Buddhism does not believe in a
  God
• Sacred Figure Indian prince named Buddha
  (Siddhartha Guatama) AKA The Enlightened One
• Buddhism Concentrated in China, Tibet, Japan,
  Australia, Russia.
• Spread throughout Asia in various forms
  (Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism)
• The Dalai Lama - Buddhist monk, leader of the
  Tibetans (more about the Dalai Lama and the
  struggles in Tibet soon).

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Taoism (Daoism)

• Emphasis on living in harmony with Tao
• Prefers little (govt involvement) anarchism
  laissez-faire government.
• Emphasize compassion, moderation humility
• Largely influences Chinese culture.
• Not truly a religion, has some religious aspects.

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