CHAPTER 8: THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

SHTRAKHMANISM

You can use religion in almost any essay in AP.- Which country had what- How it spread- Who ruled and when- How each religion treated women- How each religion treated other religions- Etc.

Religion has caused political, cultural and economic or stratification, or conflict for thousands of years. In fact, Religion has started more wars than land, gold, and power combined.

At the same time, many of these religions and belief systems provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by. Some of the greatest sense of community comes from Churches, Temples or Mosques, the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Koran, the Hindu Upanishads and the Buddhist Sutras. In addition, new belief systems and cultural traditions started to emerge, and they all said that they are in possession of ‘universal truths’.

We getold beliefs and new beliefs. In fact, some older beliefs ran parallel to the new codified, or written, core religions/civilizations.

And of course, many leaders said they were divine:1. The Pharaohs2. Mandate of Heaven in China3. The Brahmins in India4. Me

MISCELLANEOUS RELIGIONS

1. ANIMISM: Believing that animals, plants, mountains and rivers are all sacred and full of spirits. In Japan, this is called Shintoism! In SHINTOISM, one of the most sacred landmarks is Mount Fuji in Tokyo.

2. ZOROASTRIANISM: - The world’s first state-run monotheistic religion was started by

the Persians.- Remember, their god was Ahura Mazda (I drive a Honda)

3. DAOISM OR TAOISM IN ADDITION TO CONFUCIANISM Started by Lao Tzu in China ‘Dao’ means energy. Also spelled ‘Tao’ Based on the core belief of a balance between humans and

nature. Eventually Taoism and Confucianism will work together in the

cities and towns. Daoism may have changed Chinese culture a little bit but it will

NEVER change the Chinese political system. Chinese bureaucracy will ALWAYS be based on Confucianism and will ALWAYS remain centralized and highly bureaucratic, kind of like my classroom.

Based on the Yin and Yang

GREEK PHILOSOPHYDon’t forget that Greek philosophy is based on reason,

logic and empirical observation, not religion

PART 1: JUDAISM

It is the first MAJOR monotheistic religion The language of the Jews is Hebrew. It is written from right to left

just like the Arabic language of the Middle East. In fact, Jews and Arabs are all cousins, basically. Actually, the Jews got their legal principle, “an eye for an eye” from the Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi of the Middle East region as well.

And of course, Israel, the Jews’ original homeland, is in the Middle East as well.

Anyway, the most ancient Hebrew Scriptures, or books, are known as the Old Testament. The Bible is the New Testament cuz Jesus was Jewish.

First comes the codification (translation), of the ancient Hebrew scriptures, called the Torah, and then comes the Bible.

**Did you know that an authentic Torah costs about $30,000 and is not allowed to touch the floor! Also, Saturday is the holy day, not

Sunday, and in a Kosher Jewish diet you can’t eat pork or shellfish like lobster or shrimp (Yum!)

Jews are also called Hebrews, Semites, Canannites, Israelites or Semites **That’s why discrimination against Jews is called anti-semitism.

Judaism’s treatment of women:1. Just like in Hinduism many Jewish marriages are arranged. The

parents pick the girl and make sure that both the boy and the girl are Jewish. My friend’s mom made his girlfriend convert before she gave him ‘permission’ to marry her. I couldn’t believe it! He totally capitulated.

2. Women ARE NOT allowed to read the Torah or be a Rabbi. In Catholicism women cannot be Priests or the Pope but in Christianity they can.

3. Boys are Bar Mitzvad and become a man at age 13. Girls are Bat Mitzvad and become a woman at age 12.

** Have any of YOU ever been to a Bar Mitzvah?

4. My Bar Mitzvah video you will NEVER see!

***IMPORTANT STUFF ALERT*****UNFORTUNATELY, THE JEWS WERE CONSTANTLY BEING

THROWN TO THE WIND First, in the Middle East, they were conquered by the Assyrians,

and then by the Babylonians

Then, when they came back to Israel, the Roman Empire took over all of North Africa and the Middle East.

**Remember, the Roman Empire would let you practice whatever religion you wanted as long as you celebrated the Roman Gods on Roman holidays as well

***Eventually, however, the Jews got tired of praying to false Gods (Polytheism). When that happened, the Romans came in and crushed all of the Jewish temples. The Jews were then kicked out of Israel and they have been trying to get back ever since.

This is known as the Jewish DIASPORA! !!!!!!!!!!! Diaspora means “spread around the world”, and “kicked out of

your homeland” That’s why my mom comes from Russia, my dad from Poland,

my grandmother from Israel, and now we live in America!

PART 2: CHRISTIANITY

- Based on the teachings and divinity of Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples

- Based on Judaism (Jesus was a Jew!)

- That’s why the Bible is called the New Testament. Because the Torah is the Old Testament.

- Also, the word ‘AMEN’ means ‘so be it’ in Hebrew.- Christians rejected Greco-Roman influences cuz they were

monotheistic, and BOTH Greece and Rome were polytheistic of course.

- After Constantine, Christianity eventually spread throughout the whole Roman Empire

- First spread by missionaries like monks and nuns

A missionary is someone who walks around ‘spreading the word’ of Jesus. My friend was a missionary in Tijuana, and we have many students in Plantation High School who are missionaries during the summer.

A monk and a nun are obviously people who devote themselves completely to their religions.

- Christianity was then THEN SPREAD BY MERCHANTS AND BUSINESSMEN THROUGH ALL OF AFRO-EURASIA (AFRICA, EUROPE-AND ASIA) cuz, hey, you gotta make a living!

THINKING QUESTION: What do you think about the following quote from Jesus? “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven.”

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JESUS’S DISCIPLES (FOLLOWERS)- PAUL : THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY, SPREADING CHRIST’S

TEACHING THROUGHOUT THE ROMAN EMPIRE- PETER : THE 1ST POPE- POPE JOHN PAUL II : THE POPE FROM POLAND in the 90’s, HE

WAS JUST MADE A SAINT IN 2012.

SOMEONE TRIED TO ASSASSINATE HIM AND HE FAMOULSY WENT TO THE JAIL, FORGAVE THE ASSASSIN AND PRAYED WITH HIM. CAN YOU THINK OF WHY?

- POPE FRANCIS : THE CURRENT POPE. HE IS FROM ARGENTINA AND IS A REALLY COOL DUDE

- THE VATICAN : HOME OF THE POPE, IT IS IN ROME BUT IS CONSIDERED THE SMALLEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

ASSIGNMENT #1:EXPLAIN WHAT EACH OF THESE 3 QUOTES FROM JESUS

MEAN:

1. HOW YOU TREAT THE POOREST AMONG YOU IS HOW YOU TREAT ME.

2. LET HIM WHO HAS COMMITTED NO SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.

3. GIVE ALL THAT YOU OWN AWAY AND FOLLOW ME.

PART 3: HINDUISM

STARTED AS ANCIENT VEDIC RELIGIONSVedic was the first Indian religion. It is what the Brahmin priests at the top of the Indian caste system practiced. Vedic then turned into Hinduism after the year ‘0’.

WRITTEN IN SANSKRIT SCRIPTURESSanskrit is one of the oldest languages on Earth. All of Buddhism is written in Sanskrit as well. The word yoga is Sanskrit for…..I’m not telling you!

CASTE SYSTEM : SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROLES which we have already studied.

Hinduism was part of this because in Hinduism they say it’s your ‘KARMA’ to be born where you’re born

Again, its rulers and persist suing religion to justify their money and power.

That is, Hindu Priests would say that you deserve to be born an ‘untouchable’ so don’t get upset or revolt.

And of course they would say that if ur good, you will be REINCARNATED as a Shtrakhman

And ALL 300 MILLION GODS ARE REALLY JUST ONE, BRAHMA, WHICH MEANS ENERGY!

HERE ARE THE MAIN GODS:1. BRAHMA -THE CREATOR2. SHIVA -THE DESTROYER3. VISHNU -THE PRESERVER4. KALI -THE GOD OF DEATH5. SHTRAKHMAN- GOD OF HOMEWORK AND

COURAGE

BUDDHISM

New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread, often asserting universal truths, like Buddhism

THE BUDDHA’S 4 NOBLE TRUTHS:1. THERE IS SUFFERING IN THE WORLD2. THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING IS PEOPLE’S DESIRE

3. THERE IS A WAY OUT OF SUFFERING!4. THE WAY OUT IS THE 8-FOLD PATH which includes

things like meditation, right speech, right livelihood and right action.

You can kind of see the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. Even Socrates and Plato say these things as well. Actually, all the religions say the same things: Be a good person and don’t be greedy!

The Vedic Priests in India (The Brahmins) were so rich and the rituals so corrupt, a guy came along who said “we need to change all this corruption!”

This is kind of like what happened with Jesus and the Jews.

Here’s the story of the Buddha. You don’t need to know it for the AP test but I’ll explain it to you anyway.

The Buddha was actually a prince from India named Siddartha Gautama. The area where he was born is now the country of Nepal. He may have been born a prince but we know from people like Socrates and Jesus that money isn’t everything.

Siddartha was very unhappy and left the palace to meditate by himself for 6 years. When he came out his mind had reached Enlightenment, which means that he realized the true nature of the universe, which is that his mind and the universe were one. After that point, he is said to have reached nirvana, and

started teaching to whoever decided to come by. His teachings are named the Sutras. BUDDHA MEANS ‘AWAKE’ IN SANSKRIT

Just like Christianity, Buddhism was first spread by monks, nuns and other missionaries.

Then, it was spread by merchants (businessmen) as well There will also be LOTS of schools and stuff built to teach

people about Buddhism so it will change from country to country

Don’t 4get that Buddhism goes from India-China, China-Japan, Japan-Korea, Korea-Vietnam. Eventually, in the 20th century, it will even come to America.

**Remember, it will be King Asoka of India who spreads Buddhism into China. King Asoka would build little houses all over India and Asia for monks and nuns to sleep in.

Buddhism IS NOT really a religion because Buddhism does NOT have a God. Buddhism wants you to examine your own mind and your own life to figure things out.

Most Important Tings About Buddhism:1. It started in India and spread to China2. King Asoka spread it3. It was spread by monks, missionaries and businessmen.

PART 5: ISLAM

AP DEFINITION OF ISLAM: - Islam, based on the revelations of the prophet

Muhammad, developed in the Arabian peninsula. This is where Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are today. It is a peninsula (Duh!)

- The beliefs and practices of Islam reflected interactions among Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians with the local Arabian peoples. (Muslims accept Jesus and Abraham as Prophets so Christians and Jews were part of the fun).

**Remember, any time you’re talking about the Middle East, you’re talking about Jews, Christians and Muslims.

- Muslim rule expanded to many parts of Afro-Eurasia due to military expansion, and Islam subsequently expanded through the activities of merchants and missionaries (juts like Christianity and Buddhism)

When we studied India we found that women are treated really badly in some parts of the country. Well, with Muslim countries we have the same thing.

WOMEN IN ISLAM:

1. In the beginning, Islam liberated many women. 2. It allowed women to own property and get divorces. 3. It also banned female infanticide (which is: the killing of

babies if they’re born as a girl. This still happens today. Can you think of wh?y)

4. Eventually, however, Islam became a very patriarchal religion

5. And in many places men were allowed to have 4 wives. I have only 3.

6. Women started to have to wear veils covering their faces and bodies.

WOMEN IN ISLAM:4. Girls are sometimes sold at a very young age just like in India.

5. In Afghanistan girls couldn’t go to school or learn how to read and write when the Taliban and Osama bin Laden were in charge.

3. In Saudi Arabia, women can’t drive.- They also can’t leave the house without a male relative- They also can’t vote!

4. In Yemen, just south of Saudi Arabia, a woman is only considered ½ a person in court or as a witness

5. In some places in India and Pakistan, you need 4 witnesses to prove a rape! And in many of those places, the rape victim is shunned by her parents for bringing ‘dishonor’ down on the family. That means the victim is blamed!

ISLAMIC VOCABULARY TERMS1. MUHAMMAD: GOD’S #1 PROPHET. BORN IN 570 AND

DIED IN 6322. ALLAH MEANS GOD

FUN FACT: MUHAMMAD IS THE MOST POPULAR NAME IN THE WORLD (150,000,000 boys…and one girl)3. ISLAM IS THE WILL OF GOD 4. MUSLIM MEANS ONE WHO FOLLOWS ISLAM5. IMAM: Muslim PRIEST6. QUR’AN (KORAN) : ISLAM’S HOLY BOOK

7. MECCA : BIRTHPLACE OF MUHAMMAD IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA: MODERN DAY SAUDI ARABIA. SAUDI ARABIA IS MOSTLY DESERT AND WAS ALWAYS FILLED WITH CAMEL USING NOMADS

8. ALI: MUHAMMAD’S COUSIN. 9. KHADIJA: MUHAMMAD’S WIFE

10. AISHA : MUHAMMAD’S 2ND WIFE11. ABU BAKR: AISHA’S DAD AND THE FIRST CALIPH (THE

FIRST RULER AFTER MUHAMMAD DIED)

12. SUNNI MUSLIMS: BELIEVE THAT REGULAR PEOPLE CAN BE RULERS (CALIPHS).

13. SHIA MUSLIMS: “THE PARTY OF ALI”a. BELIEVE RULERS HAVE TO BE BLOOD RELATIVES OF

MUHAMMAD AND ALI.

14. MOSQUE : MUSLIM TEMPLE15. SHARIA : MULSIM OR ISLAMIC LAW16. MADRASSA : RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS17. SUFIS: ISLAMIC MYSTICS18. JIHAD: MEANS BOTH SPIRITIAL STRUGGLE TO PURIFY

ONE’S SELF AND TO STRUGGLE AGAINST NON-MUSLIMS

** One of the BIGGEST problems that Muslims face is the fight between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

When Muhammad died, in the 7th century, he made his cousin Ali the next dude in charge. 4 years later, however, someone assassinated him.

Shia’s believe that ONLY blood relatives of Mohammad, like Ali, can be kings. Shia is known as “the party of Ali”.

Sunnis believe that anyone can be ruler as long as they are chosen. They don’t have to be related.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES THAT ARE EITHER SUNNI OR SHIA SHIA SUNNI IRAN SAUDI ARABIA IRAQ PAKISTAN

AFGHANISTANTURKEY

ASSIGNMENT #1: JUDAISMLOOK AT THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BELOW. CAN ANY OF THEM EVER BE BROKEN?

1. You shall have no other gods before ME.2. You shall not make idols (false gods)3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. (No

blasphemy)4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Saturday or Sunday)5. Honor your father and your mother. 6. You shall not murder!!!7. You shall not commit adultery. (Don’t cheat on your husband or

wife)8. You shall not steal!!!!!9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Don’t lie)10. You shall not covet what’s not yours. (No desire!!!!!)

1.Define the following terms. They may be on the AP Multiple Choice Test. Judaism:

A. What is meant by the ‘Jewish diaspora’?B. What is meant by ‘monotheism’?C. What is #1 Hebrew Scripture?D. How did Jews take on ancient Mesopotamian ‘legal traditions’?E. How do you think Judaism is different from Christianity?F. ‘Codification’ is another word for:

Hinduism:A. How do you think Hinduism and the Indian Caste System are related?B. Hindus believe in MANY GODS + Shtrakhman. This is known as_______________.C. Hinduism comes from the ________ tradition (starts with a ‘V’)

BuddhismA. What is meant by ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’?B. Which 4 groups spread most religions?1) 2) 3) 4)C. Taoism is based on the relationship between _____ and

nature.

ChristianityA. Who made Rome Christian and why?B. Jesus was born in __________.C. How is philosophy different from religion?

D. What is ‘shamanism’: ‘animism’: ‘ancestral veneration’:

Extra Credit Question (see if anyone can get this): How are ‘Socrates’ and ‘Jesus’ kind of the same?

IslamA. Muhammad was born in the city of ________ on the

_________ peninsulaB. Islam is kind of based on the religions of ______ and

________.C. Which areas did Islam spread to and how?D. How would you explain Islam’s relationship to women:

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ASSIGNMENT #2: LONG RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

1. Should it be legal for a Christmas Tree to be placed in front of the White House or is that a violation of other people’s Freedom of Religion?

2. Should a teacher be allowed to hang a big cross in their classroom?

3. Should the words ‘Under God’ be taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

4. Polygamy (having more than one wife) is legal in many Middle Eastern countries. Should it be legal in the United States? Why or why not?

5. We get A LOT of oil from Saudi Arabia. Yet, they don’t let their women drive, vote, or leave the house. Should we stop doing business with them even if our gasoline prices will go WAY UP?