Judaism Who – Abraham, Moses When – circa 3000 BC Where – Israel Holy Books - Torah, and
Talmud Major Divisions –
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform
Basic Beliefs Monotheistic – one God Jews are the chosen
people of God, must follow his laws.
Jerusalem/Israel are holy lands.
Christianity• Who – Jesus of Nazareth
• When – circa 30AD
• Where – Israel
• Holy Books – Old and New Testaments
• Major Divisions – Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox
Basic Beliefs• Jesus Christ is the son of God• Death and resurrection• Came to redeem mankind from
sin.
IslamWho – Mohammed
When – circa 620AD
Where – Arabian Peninsula
Holy Books – Quran and the HadithMajor Divisions – Sunni, Shia
Basic Beliefs There is no god but Allah,
and Muhammad is the messenger of God
Quran is word of God. Muslims must perform the
“Five Pillars of Faith”.
HinduismWho – Ancient priests of IndiaWhen – 5000 –3000 BCE Where – IndiaHoly Books – VedasMajor Divisions – Numerous schools and traditionsBasic Beliefs Polytheistic Reincarnation and Karma – cause
and effect Ultimate goal – oneness with
“Brahman” (God, Reality) Caste System-system of social
classes
Buddhism
Who – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)When – 500 BCWhere – Northern India
Basic Beliefs Life is suffering, caused by wanting
things, caused by ignorance. Reincarnation and karma “8-fold Path” allows escape to
Nirvana Four Noble Truths
Animism• Retained tribal ethnic religion of people
around the world
• Today, adherents number at least 100 million
• Animists believe certain inanimate objects possess spirits or souls
– Spirits live in rocks, rivers, mountain peaks, and heavenly bodies
– Each tribe has its own characteristic form of animism
• A Shaman — tribal religious figure usually serves as the intermediary between people and the spirits
• Sub-Saharan Africa is the greatest surviving stronghold of animism