Major Religions in WHAP prior to Major Religions in WHAP prior to 600 C.E.600 C.E.

• PolytheismsPolytheisms

• HinduismHinduism

• JudaismJudaism

• ConfucianismConfucianism

• DaoismDaoism

• BuddhismBuddhism

• ChristianityChristianity

PolytheismsPolytheisms

• ““poly” means many; these religions poly” means many; these religions worship multiple godsworship multiple gods

• Examples: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Shang, Examples: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Shang, Mesoamerica, Greece, RomeMesoamerica, Greece, Rome

• Similarities: many of these polytheisms Similarities: many of these polytheisms focused on appeasing the gods through focused on appeasing the gods through rituals, obedience to a priestly class, rituals, obedience to a priestly class, sacrifices (human and/or animal)sacrifices (human and/or animal)

• Differences: some gods were earth or Differences: some gods were earth or agriculturally based (Mesopotamia, agriculturally based (Mesopotamia, Greece), others were king based (Egypt)Greece), others were king based (Egypt)

Hinduism Hinduism (“what the Indians do”)(“what the Indians do”)

• Location: began in the Indus Valley region (has origins Location: began in the Indus Valley region (has origins in Vedic religion of those people) and is mostly found in in Vedic religion of those people) and is mostly found in IndiaIndia

• Sacred Text: the Vedas, Upanishads. Non sacred but Sacred Text: the Vedas, Upanishads. Non sacred but important: Mahabharata and Bhagavad-Gita (epic important: Mahabharata and Bhagavad-Gita (epic story)story)

• Important leaders: none-the evolution of Hinduism Important leaders: none-the evolution of Hinduism from Vedic religions of the past is fuzzy in historyfrom Vedic religions of the past is fuzzy in history

• Major beliefs: “Hinduism is not a homogeneous, Major beliefs: “Hinduism is not a homogeneous, organized system. Many Hindus are devoted followers organized system. Many Hindus are devoted followers of Shiva or Vishnu, whom they regard as the only true of Shiva or Vishnu, whom they regard as the only true God, while others look inward to the divine Self God, while others look inward to the divine Self ((atmanatman). But most recognize the existence of Brahman, ). But most recognize the existence of Brahman, the unifying principle and Supreme Reality behind all the unifying principle and Supreme Reality behind all that is.” that is.”

Hinduism Hinduism (“what the Indians do”)(“what the Indians do”)

• Major Beliefs cont’d: words to know:Major Beliefs cont’d: words to know:– Dharma: fulfill religious, moral, social dutiesDharma: fulfill religious, moral, social duties– Karma: deeds in a particular cycle of lifeKarma: deeds in a particular cycle of life– Atman: “breath” or soul, reborn in another Atman: “breath” or soul, reborn in another

body after death, based on previous life’s body after death, based on previous life’s karma “You are where you deserve to be.”karma “You are where you deserve to be.”

– Caste system: Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya Caste system: Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya (warriors & officials), Vaishya (merchants, (warriors & officials), Vaishya (merchants, artisans, landowners), Shudra (peasants, artisans, landowners), Shudra (peasants, laborers), Untouchables (nastiest jobs) laborers), Untouchables (nastiest jobs)

Hinduism Hinduism (“what the Indians do”)(“what the Indians do”)

• Deities: There is some debate on whether or Deities: There is some debate on whether or not Hinduism is polytheistic. In once sense it not Hinduism is polytheistic. In once sense it is monotheistic because all gods are is monotheistic because all gods are connected to Brahman or Ultimate Reality.connected to Brahman or Ultimate Reality.– The Vedas are full of mythologies concerning many The Vedas are full of mythologies concerning many

deities (Shiva and Vishnu most popular) that are deities (Shiva and Vishnu most popular) that are worshipped largely based on regional preferencesworshipped largely based on regional preferences

• Afterlife?: Hindus believe in reincarnation that Afterlife?: Hindus believe in reincarnation that never ends, but some branched out to believe never ends, but some branched out to believe in “moksha” or liberation, which was a release in “moksha” or liberation, which was a release from the cycle of reincarnation.from the cycle of reincarnation.

JudaismJudaism

• Location: the crossroads of Anatolia, Location: the crossroads of Anatolia, Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia. Modern Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia. Modern day Israel is the Jewish nation (with day Israel is the Jewish nation (with complications.) The Diaspora, or complications.) The Diaspora, or scattering, caused Jews to live all over the scattering, caused Jews to live all over the world; a large concentration live in Eastern world; a large concentration live in Eastern Europe.Europe.

• Sacred Text: Hebrew Bible (The Christian Sacred Text: Hebrew Bible (The Christian Old Testament) (Torah is first 5 books)Old Testament) (Torah is first 5 books)

• Important Leaders: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Important Leaders: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, King David (transferred Israel to a Moses, King David (transferred Israel to a monarchy), King Solomon (built the First monarchy), King Solomon (built the First Temple in Jerusalem)Temple in Jerusalem)

JudaismJudaism

• Major Beliefs: There is one God (Yahweh) and the Major Beliefs: There is one God (Yahweh) and the 10 Commandments (part of a larger book of the 10 Commandments (part of a larger book of the law containing over 600 laws) say to worship him law containing over 600 laws) say to worship him only, making them God’s Chosen People by only, making them God’s Chosen People by covenant. God led them from captivity in Egypt covenant. God led them from captivity in Egypt (using Moses) and through the desert for 40 (using Moses) and through the desert for 40 years, a wandering ending in the Promised Land years, a wandering ending in the Promised Land of Canaan (modern Israel and Palestinian of Canaan (modern Israel and Palestinian territories).territories).– Concerned with the coming of the Messiah who will save Concerned with the coming of the Messiah who will save

the Jewish peoplethe Jewish people

• Deity: God, called Yahweh, meaning “I Am.”Deity: God, called Yahweh, meaning “I Am.”• Afterlife?: Jews do not emphasize this, but some Afterlife?: Jews do not emphasize this, but some

do believe in an afterlife like heaven.do believe in an afterlife like heaven.

ConfucianismConfucianism

• Location: founded in China, mostly Location: founded in China, mostly confined to China todayconfined to China today

• Sacred Text: Analects (the sayings of Sacred Text: Analects (the sayings of Confucius, probably written by Confucius, probably written by followers)followers)

• Important leader: ConfuciusImportant leader: Confucius

• Deity: None. He did talk about Heaven, Deity: None. He did talk about Heaven, which was “a positive and personal which was “a positive and personal force in the universe” but not a godforce in the universe” but not a god

• Afterlife? Not addressed.Afterlife? Not addressed.

ConfucianismConfucianism

• Major Beliefs: purpose in life is to fulfill role in Major Beliefs: purpose in life is to fulfill role in society (hierarchy) with honesty, propriety, society (hierarchy) with honesty, propriety, loyalty to family & nation. loyalty to family & nation. – Optimistic religion that says people can be guided Optimistic religion that says people can be guided

to the right path through education, good role to the right path through education, good role models, and self-improvementmodels, and self-improvement

– Women should not participate in public lifeWomen should not participate in public life– Absolute authority rests with the father, the Absolute authority rests with the father, the

intermediary between the living and their intermediary between the living and their ancestorsancestors

– Practices involve following Chinese religions Practices involve following Chinese religions (important in ancestor worship), or even Buddhism (important in ancestor worship), or even Buddhism

Daoism Daoism (may be spelled Taoism)(may be spelled Taoism)

• Location: China during the Warring Location: China during the Warring States Period, also southeast AsiaStates Period, also southeast Asia

• Sacred Text: Tao Te Ching, a small tractSacred Text: Tao Te Ching, a small tract• Important Leader: LaoziImportant Leader: Laozi• Deity: polytheistic Chinese religion, Deity: polytheistic Chinese religion,

Daoism can also be purely philosophicalDaoism can also be purely philosophical• Afterlife?: try to revert back to a state of Afterlife?: try to revert back to a state of

non-being, which is the other side of non-being, which is the other side of beingbeing

Daoism Daoism (may be spelled Taoism)(may be spelled Taoism)

• Major Beliefs: Urges people to accept Major Beliefs: Urges people to accept the world as they find it, avoid the world as they find it, avoid violence and struggle, adhere to the violence and struggle, adhere to the path (Dao) of nature. path (Dao) of nature. – An alternative to Confucius’s strict An alternative to Confucius’s strict

hierarchy, it idealizes finding your own hierarchy, it idealizes finding your own path to righteousnesspath to righteousness

– Yin and yang, the complementary Yin and yang, the complementary nature of female and male roles in the nature of female and male roles in the natural worldnatural world

BuddhismBuddhism

• Location: began in India, spread through South Asia Location: began in India, spread through South Asia into East Asiainto East Asia

• Sacred Text: Tripitaka (collection of Buddha’s Sacred Text: Tripitaka (collection of Buddha’s teachings)teachings)

• Important Leader: Siddhartha Guatama (The Important Leader: Siddhartha Guatama (The Buddha, or “Enlightened One”. He was a princely Buddha, or “Enlightened One”. He was a princely Hindu who decided to wander until he gained Hindu who decided to wander until he gained spiritual insight. Under a lotus tree he is said to have spiritual insight. Under a lotus tree he is said to have learned The Four Noble Truths then preached his learned The Four Noble Truths then preached his first sermon, beginning the “Wheel of the Law”first sermon, beginning the “Wheel of the Law”

• Deities: Buddhism doesn’t reject gods, but says they Deities: Buddhism doesn’t reject gods, but says they are unhelpful in finding enlightenment. Mahayana are unhelpful in finding enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhism is considered polytheistic, Theraveda Buddhism is considered polytheistic, Theraveda Buddhism is atheisticBuddhism is atheistic

• Afterlife?: Reincarnation until enlightenment Afterlife?: Reincarnation until enlightenment (nirvana) is achieved, which is a state of permanent (nirvana) is achieved, which is a state of permanent tranquility (no suffering)tranquility (no suffering)

BuddhismBuddhism

• Major Beliefs: The true nature of reality is the Major Beliefs: The true nature of reality is the Four Noble Truths:Four Noble Truths:

1)1) Life is sufferingLife is suffering2)2) Suffering comes from your desiresSuffering comes from your desires3)3) The solution to suffering is curbing desiresThe solution to suffering is curbing desires4)4) Desire can be curbed if you follow the Eightfold Path: Desire can be curbed if you follow the Eightfold Path:

right views, aspirations, speech, conduct, livelihood, right views, aspirations, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and meditationeffort, mindfulness, and meditation

• Buddhism split into two parts: Mahayana and Buddhism split into two parts: Mahayana and Theraveda. Mahayana is “Great Vehicle” Theraveda. Mahayana is “Great Vehicle” Buddhism, or accessible to the masses. Buddhism, or accessible to the masses. Theraveda is the “Teachings of the Elders” or Theraveda is the “Teachings of the Elders” or the most original of Buddha’s teachings.the most original of Buddha’s teachings.

ChristianityChristianity

• Location: modern day Israel; Rome ruled the area Location: modern day Israel; Rome ruled the area and came in conflict with the monotheism of and came in conflict with the monotheism of Judaism (the caesar should be worshipped, not Judaism (the caesar should be worshipped, not just God)just God)

• Sacred Text: The Bible, which includes the Hebrew Sacred Text: The Bible, which includes the Hebrew Bible plus the New Testament, a collection of Bible plus the New Testament, a collection of Jesus’ teachings and writing by his followersJesus’ teachings and writing by his followers

• Important leaders: Jesus, PaulImportant leaders: Jesus, Paul• Deity: God, who has three parts: Father, Son Deity: God, who has three parts: Father, Son

(Jesus), Holy Spirit(Jesus), Holy Spirit• Afterlife?: Heaven or hell. Heaven for those who Afterlife?: Heaven or hell. Heaven for those who

claim Jesus as their savior, hell for those who do claim Jesus as their savior, hell for those who do not.not.

ChristianityChristianity

• Major Beliefs: All have sinned and are Major Beliefs: All have sinned and are thereby separated from God. thereby separated from God. Salvation is through faith in Christ Salvation is through faith in Christ and, for some denominations, and, for some denominations, sacraments and good works. sacraments and good works. – There is a wide range of beliefs beyond There is a wide range of beliefs beyond

this depending on denomination.this depending on denomination.– Remember: Under the title Christianity Remember: Under the title Christianity

come both Catholicism and come both Catholicism and Protestantism!Protestantism!