WORLD RELIGIONSThe Big 5 and Beyond

RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD – WHERE YOU FIND THEM

CHRISTIANITY BASICSMainly Located Today: North and South America, Europe and Australia. Also in parts of Africa.

Founded by: Jesus Christ/Jesus of Nazareth around 30-33 AD/CE

Founded In: Israel/Palestine around 30-33 AD/CESects of Christianity: 3 Major: Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox. Each sect has a number of separate denominations/ sub sects

Sacred Writings: The Holy Bible – including the Old Testament and the New Testament (Gospels)

Holy Days: Christmas (Birth of Jesus), Easter (Death and Resurrection of Jesus)

CHRISTIANITY BASICSPlaces of Worship: Churches, Cathedrals, HousesMajor Beliefs and Ideas: A. Jesus is the Son of God, lived a sinless life and was crucified for the sins of all mankind. B. Jesus rose from the dead after three days. C. Faith in Jesus is the pathway to Heaven.D. Jesus came to fulfill Old Testament/Jewish propheciesE. Faith is Jesus requires Christians to do good worksF. The Holy Trinity = God the Father

Jesus the Son The Holy Spirit

HINDUISM BASICSMainly Located Today: IndiaFounded by: Unknown. Many believe that Manu was the “first” Hindu

Founded In: India probably between 2000 – 1500 BC/BCE

Sects of Hinduism: 4 Major: Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta & Smarta

Sacred Writings: The Vedas, The Brahmanas, The Upanishads

Holy Days: Diwali (Festival of Lights/New Year), Navaratri (Nine Nights-Good over Evil), Janamashtami (Birth of Krishna)

HINDUISM BASICSPlaces of Worship: Hindu TemplesMajor Beliefs and Ideas: A. One god, Brahman, in which many other gods come from.B. Has a trinity of key gods; Brahma – Creator, Vishnu – Preserver, Shiva – Destroyer.C. Has as many as 300 million other “gods”.D. Reincarnation: Belief that the soul goes through a cycle of being reborn into new bodies.E. Karma: the force that determines the quality of each life & is based on behavior. Good behavior = good Karma, Bad bbehavior = bad Karma.F. Moksha: Escaping the cycle of reincarnation when one’s Karma is good enough for enough lives.

BUDDHISM BASICSMainly Located Today: China and Southeast AsiaFounded by: Siddhartha Gautama in the 400s BC/BCEFounded In: Started in India- then spread to ChinaSects of Buddhism: 3 Major: Theravada (Way of the Elders), Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) & Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle)

Sacred Writings: The Tripitaka (Mahayana) & The Sutras (Theravada)

Holy Days: Vesak (Birth, Enlightenment & Death of the Buddha), Abhidhamma Day (When the Buddha went to Heaven), The Ploughing Festival (The Buddha’s first moment of enlightenment)

BUDDHISM BASICSPlaces of Worship: Vihara (Buddhist Temple)Major Beliefs and Ideas: A. The purpose of life is to end suffering through EnlightenmentB. The 4 Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering2. Suffering is caused by desire (wanting what we don’t have)3. Suffering can be stopped4. To end Suffering ..follow the 8-Fold Path of Enlightenment

C. The 8-Fold Path = Being “Right” in all things* Right knowledge, motive, speech, action, work, effort,

mindfulness (caring), concentration (meditation)

D. Living an enlightened life can lead to the soul achieving Nirvana (Heaven)

JUDAISM BASICSMainly Located Today: Israel, United States & EuropeFounded by: Abraham about 2000 – 1900 BC/BCEFounded In: Canaan (Modern Day Israel)Sects of Judaism: 4 Major: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative & Hasidic

Sacred Writings: The Torah (Hebrew/Jewish Bible), The Talmud (Books of Jewish Law and Tradition), 10 Commandments (First Laws given to Moses by God)

Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement (Forgiveness of Sin), Sukkot (Remembrance of wandering in the dessert), Chanukkah (Festival of Lights), Passover (Remembering the exodus from Egypt)

JUDAISM BASICSPlaces of Worship: SynagogueMajor Beliefs and Ideas: A. One god – creator of all – strict monotheismB. Jews/Hebrews are God’s chosen peopleC. Dedication to God is shown through observing God’s LawD. God will send a Messiah to rescue His peopleE. The 10 Commandment are the root/start of all moral and ethical lawF. Obedience allows followers to get to Heaven

ISLAM BASICSMainly Located Today: Middle East & North AfricaFounded by: Muhammad in 310 AD/CEFounded In: Mecca (Modern Day Saudi Arabia)Sects of Islam: 2 Major: Sunni & Shia (Shi’ite)Sacred Writings: The Qur’an Holy Days: Ramadan (Month of Prayer and Fasting), Hajj/Umrah (Pilgrimage), Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast)

ISLAM BASICSPlaces of Worship: MosqueMajor Beliefs and Ideas: A. One god – creator of all – strict monotheismB. Muhammad is God’s last prophetC. The 5 Pillars of Islam

1. Shahadah – Profession of Faith2. Salat – Ritual Prayers3. Zakat – Charity & Tithing4. Sawm – Fasting (During Month of Ramadan)5. Hajj - Pilgrimage