Judaism Christianity Founder or Patriarch Abraham is commonly attributed the role of Patriarch; Moses the founder of the religious law; the 12 tribes founded by the sons of Jacob & Joseph Jesus is the primary teacher and Messianic figure; Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was responsible for spreading the faith throughout the Mediterranean Place & Date of Origin c. 2000 BCE around the Mesopotamian city of Ur; early Hebrews were pastorialists who eventually settled along the eastern Mediterranean c. 30 CE in the Roman Province of Judea; quickly spreads throughout the Mediterranean region where it appealed to marginalized groups ranging from the urban poor to slaves. Modern Extent Large Jewish populations can be found in Israel and the United States North & South America, Europe, Australia; can be found in three primary divisions throughout: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, & Protestant Holy or Sacred Texts Tankah: includes the Torah (Books of Moses), Nevi’im (Books of the Prophets), Ketuvim (the Writings) Christian Bible; includes books of the Jewish Tankah (Old Testament) and early disciples of Jesus (New Testament) • Religion is non-proselytizing (does not seek converts); traditionally relies • Religion is proselytizing (actively seeks out converts from all walks of life) Symbol on the mother’s bloodline to establish ethnic Jewish identity • Core beliefs based on connection with Jewish faith (Jesus & Paul were Jews) • Was the first form of monotheism that STRICTLY forbade the acknowledgement of other gods. • Jesus offers a new perspective on ancient Jewish practices; establishes new religious laws and ethics beyond the Torah • Strong belief in Jews/Israelis as a “Chosen People” of God (Yahweh; YHWH) Teachings & Core Beliefs • Beliefs include: 1. There is one true eternal, incorporeal God (YHWH). 2. Prayer is directed to YHWH alone. 3. Moses is the greatest prophet, and his Torah is the final law 4. YHWH knows the deeds and thoughts of men; will reward & punish accordingly 5. Belief that the Messiah will come and establish a perfect kingdom on earth, YHWH will resurrect the righteous dead to partake in the new kingdom Role of Women • Women, while respected, have a subordinate role in the religion • Only men could achieve the role of priest; no formal priestesses 1. Jesus is the living Son of God & Messiah; was crucified and resurrected 2. Agrees with Jewish belief in God’s solitary eternal, incorporeal status 3. While Mosaic Law is to be respected, the teachings of Jesus take precedence as the “new testament” 4. Strong belief in the Apocalypse; the Second Coming of Christ (as outlined in the Book of Revelations) 5. Eternal life for the faithful and just; eternal damnation for the wicked 6. Faith, not wealth, is the true measure of one’s worth on earth • The status of women in the early Church was far more equal with men. This equality would fade in time as Christianity began to take on the Patriarchal traditions of converted peoples.
Hinduism Buddhism Founder or Patriarch No clear founder; the religion is an amalgam of regional religious practices of the last 3500 years Siddhartha Gautama (posthumously known as the Buddha, the Enlightened One) Place & Date of Origin Aryan Classical Theory: Indus River Valley after Aryan invasions (c. 1500 BCE) Emergence Theory: Indus River Valley w/o Aryan invasion (before 1500 BCE) Northern India c. 500 BCE; quickly spread throughout East Asia Modern Extent India, metropolitan areas of Great Britain, Australia, and the United States Mahayana Buddhism: Eastern Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. Theravada Buddhism: Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand) Holy or Sacred Texts Vedas: Rig Veda is the oldest with hymns, rituals, and oral traditions of Indus Upanishadas: Elaborates on the role of the soul and Karma Tripitika is important primary document; most Sutras stress and interpret the importance of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Symbol • Was at one time a proselytizing faith; now it is not • While polytheistic, three primary deities are stressed: 1. Brahma the Creator 2. Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver 3. Shiva, the Destroyer • Specific rituals and beliefs are regional, most urban followers subscribe to a Vishnu or Shiva dominated sect. • Caste System interwoven into beliefs; rigid social structure with the Priest Teachings & Core Beliefs (Brahmans) Class at the top, followed by warrior class, etc. (Laws of Manu) • Belief in reincarnation (transmigration of the soul) based on the summation of one’s life deeds, thoughts, and beliefs (karma). – Cycle of Samsara • Goal is to transcend Samsara and achieve enlightenment (end of rebirth, become one with the universal element that we were all once part) • Hindus base their daily lives around the Purusharthas (Four Aims): 1. Dharma (moral duty); 2. Artha (economic success); 3. Kama (earthly pleasures); 4. Moksha (the quest to break the cycle of Samsara) • Women are to be respected, but could not own property—many were Role of Women considered property of their husbands in a sense • Actual religious status was tied heavily to caste position • A proselytizing faith akin to Christianity and Islam in fervor • Core beliefs based upon Vedic (Hindu) doctrine—an offshoot of Hinduism that retains ideas of karma, reincarnation, and a universal “oneness” or enlightenment • Two major divisions: 1. Theravada—more traditional in form; holds tight to Buddha’s original philosophy 2. Mahayana—most popular form; introduces a pantheon of local traditional deities that have been turned into Buddha. Also pray to Bodhisattvas-those who have achieved enlightenment (Nirvana) • Buddha never deified himself; Mahayana hold him as a god of sorts, Theravada does not openly deify the Buddha • Buddhism is very decentralized, numerous sects stress different beliefs • Core beliefs common to most Buddhists: • Four Noble Truths: 1. There is suffering in life; 2. Suffering is caused by desire; 3. To eliminate suffering, you must eliminate desire; 4. To eliminate desire, one must follow the Eightfold Path • Eightfold Path: 1. Know the truth; 2. Resist Evil; 3. Harm nothing; 4. Respect all life; 5. Put the welfare of others before your own; 6. Resist evil thoughts; 7. Control your thoughts; 8. Practice meditation (VERY IMPORTANT!) • Role of women is heavily dependant upon the existing cultural norms of the society that adopted Buddhist beliefs • Generally, women are equal to men in their potential to reach spiritual enlightenment; differs greatly with Hindu beliefs
Daoism Confucianism Founder or Patriarch Laozi (Lao-tzu), otherwise known as the “Old Master”; birth/death dates unknown (probably c. 500 BCE) Kongzi, or in the Latin form, Confucius. Mengzi (Mencius) popularized his teachings later on. Place & Date of Origin c. 500 BCE during the Zhou Dynasty; would become popularized throughout China c. 200 BCE c. 500 BCE, during the late Zhou Dynasty; would become popularized throughout China c. 300 BCE Modern Extent China, as well as other regions formally under Chinese dynastic influence, including Japan, Indochina, and Korea Holy or Sacred Texts Tao-te Ching (Book of the Way) stresses the path toward wisdom through experience; I-Ching (Book of Changes) analyzes & predicts future events Works are commonly compiled in a series of Analects, as well as numerous interpretive works by later scholars, bureaucrats, and Emperors Symbol • Dictates that the universe and all within are permeated by a natural order that • Made a departure from old Chinese Legalism, which stated that human beings must be felt and experienced to be understood. were essentially wicked and could only be controlled by strict laws and punishment. • Temporal (worldly) matters are of little concern; seeking knowledge of the dao • Confucius stressed instead that positive human behavior can be effected more (or Way) through nature, poetry, and experience is all that matters. • Great emphasis on the individual and the balance with nature. (Yin-Yang) Teachings & Core Beliefs • A true Taoist embraces the nature of things, and does not waste effort effecting their whim on life, but rather surrenders themselves to “experience” • Taoist rituals permeated other ancient practices, and commonly became associated with the mystical. • Co-exists within Eastern concepts of Buddhism and Confucianism. • For Confucianism, the Taoist belief in balance accentuates the “balance” between benevolence and respect that superiors must show their subordinates. Role of Women • Daoism makes no concrete distinction between men and women; all individuals are equal in light of the Dao efficiently by strengthening a social tradition of mutual respect. • Social order is maintained by the interaction between righteous, benevolent rulers and their respectful, dutiful subjects. Only a good ruler can expect to retain the Mandate of Heaven. • Filial Piety: drew a parallel between respect and reverence within the family to the state. Stressed respect for ancestors in line with ancient practices • Stresses the Five Relationships (for Social Tranquility): 1. Ruler should be just toward his subjects, and subjects should loyal to their ruler; 2. Fathers should be loving, and sons respectful; 3. Husband should be righteous, the wife should be obedient; 4. Older brother should be genteel, younger brother respectful; 5. Older friend should be considerate, younger friend should defer to the elder. • Women were viewed as mothers and homemakers; they were to respect their husband father as authority figures • Women had no property rights, but could be educated.
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