By Mrs. Agosta and Mrs. PageBy Mrs. Agosta and Mrs. Page

Top 5 World ReligionsReligion Believers are

called…

Christianity (2.1 billion) Christian

Islam (1.5 billion) Muslim

Hinduism (900 million) Hindu

Buddhism (376 million) Buddhist

Sikhism (23 million) Sikh

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DefinitionDefinition A set of beliefs about the nature of A set of beliefs about the nature of

the universe, the existence of one or the universe, the existence of one or more gods, and the meaning of life.more gods, and the meaning of life.

A set of customs related to the A set of customs related to the worship of god(s) and rules for worship of god(s) and rules for proper conduct.proper conduct.

Religious Concepts:Religious Concepts: CreationCreation SalvationSalvation

I. PolytheismI. Polytheism BBelief in many godselief in many gods

Oldest form of religion Oldest form of religion

A. AnimismA. Animism

• Animism categorizes a Animism categorizes a plethora of traditional religions plethora of traditional religions in the world. in the world.

• worship nature & believe worship nature & believe all living things have all living things have spirits/ souls.spirits/ souls.

Ancestors watch over them Ancestors watch over them from the spirit world.from the spirit world.

No sacred textNo sacred text Strong oral Strong oral

traditionstraditions Ceremonies Ceremonies

conducted by conducted by ShamanShaman

An early 20th century Igbo 'medicine man' in Nigeria, West Africa. Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo(e) are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria.

Examples:Examples:Native AmericansNative AmericansAfrican tribesAfrican tribesVoodoo in the CarribeanVoodoo in the Carribean

Animists believe in a world of spiritual Animists believe in a world of spiritual powers- gods (creators), demons (destroyers), powers- gods (creators), demons (destroyers), the forces of nature, the deceased (ancestors), the forces of nature, the deceased (ancestors), and the living (healers or witches).  Through and the living (healers or witches).  Through rituals, sacrifices and trance, these powers can rituals, sacrifices and trance, these powers can be influenced. be influenced.

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B. ShintoismB. Shintoism

Traditional Traditional religion in Japan.religion in Japan.

focuses on focuses on nature and nature and ancestor ancestor worship.worship.

EVERYTHING has a EVERYTHING has a spirit called spirit called KamiKami

Shintos worship at Shintos worship at shrines or places of shrines or places of natural beauty (like natural beauty (like waterfalls or mtns).waterfalls or mtns).

The entrance to The entrance to shrines is a shrines is a torii torii gategate..

Mr. and Mrs. Page at Disney World

Torii Gate, Miyajima Torii Gate, Miyajima IslandIsland

Torii Gate, Miyajima Torii Gate, Miyajima IslandIsland

Torii Gate in WinterTorii Gate in WinterTorii Gate in WinterTorii Gate in Winter

C. Other Polytheistic ReligionsC. Other Polytheistic Religions Riv CivsRiv Civs Ancient Greek godsAncient Greek gods Ancient Roman Ancient Roman

PantheonPantheon

Religions of IndiaReligion Percentage in India

Hindu 82.6%

Islam 11.4%

Christian 2.4%

Sikh 2.0%

Buddhist .7%

Jain .5%

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A. FACTSA. FACTS About 80% India is Hindu.About 80% India is Hindu. There’s no founder and no formal There’s no founder and no formal

religious leaders.religious leaders.

Hindus may worship Hindus may worship at a templeat a temple

The Ganges River is The Ganges River is considered sacred. considered sacred.

1. Brahman1. Brahman The all-powerful, spiritual force in The all-powerful, spiritual force in

everything.everything. It’s like the world’s soul.It’s like the world’s soul. Hindus worship many gods that Hindus worship many gods that

represent the many forms of represent the many forms of Brahman:Brahman:

B. BELIEFS

1.1. BrahmaBrahma –the Creator –the Creator

2.2. VishnuVishnu- the Preserver- the Preserver

3.3. ShivaShiva- the Destroyer- the Destroyer

2. Reincarnation2. Reincarnation Rebirth of the soul in Rebirth of the soul in

another formanother form A person’s soul never A person’s soul never

dies. It reappears dies. It reappears after death in another after death in another person or animal. person or animal.

Symbol: wheel of life Symbol: wheel of life

3. Moksha3. Moksha The end of the reincarnation cycle The end of the reincarnation cycle The soul is free of pain and merges The soul is free of pain and merges

with Brahman.with Brahman. It’s like heaven and is the goal of It’s like heaven and is the goal of

Hindus.Hindus. It cannot be achieved in one lifetime. It cannot be achieved in one lifetime.

One must go through reincarnation. One must go through reincarnation.

4. Karma4. Karma Actions in this life that determine Actions in this life that determine

your status in the next life.your status in the next life.

GOOD deedsGOOD deeds = = HIGHER status in next lifeHIGHER status in next life

BAD “ “ BAD “ “ = = LOWER “ “ “ “ LOWER “ “ “ “

5. Dharma5. Dharma RReligious and moral duties done in eligious and moral duties done in

this life to acquire merit for the next this life to acquire merit for the next life.life.

These vary based on class (caste), These vary based on class (caste), gender, job and agegender, job and age

You must overcome your own desires You must overcome your own desires to do your duty. to do your duty.

It’ s a rigid social It’ s a rigid social class system in class system in Hindu society. You Hindu society. You are born into your are born into your caste and cannot caste and cannot change it until you change it until you are reincarnated!are reincarnated!

6. The Caste System6. The Caste System

6. Ahimsa6. Ahimsa Non-violenceNon-violence All people and things are aspects All people and things are aspects

(parts) of Brahman and should be (parts) of Brahman and should be respectedrespected

UN Declares Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary As “International Non-Violence Day”

The United Nations General Assembly has decided to declare October 2 - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in recognition of his role in promoting the message of peace around the world.

7. Sacred Texts7. Sacred Texts

The VedasThe Vedas The UpanishadsThe Upanishads The Mahabharata The Mahabharata (the Bhagavad (the Bhagavad

Gita)Gita) The RamayanaThe Ramayana

Scene from the Ramayana. Prince Rama wins the heart of Princess Sita and obtains her hand in marriage after stringing and breaking the mighty bow belonging to Shiva, which no other man could even lift. 

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