Where are the Religions Judaism First

Where are the Religions?

Judaism • First Monotheistic religion • Founders – Abraham – Moses • God is called Yahweh • Followers called – Jews • Origin and Spread –Started in Middle East (Canaan, Israel Palestine) –Today most followers live in Israel and the United States Torah Abraham & Isaac Moses & the 10 Commandments

Beliefs and Customs • Holy City – Jerusalem • Holy Books – The Torah: It teaches Jews how to act, think and even feel about life and death. – Ten Commandments: Moral and religious code – Talmud: Other Writings of the Jewish Tradition • Religious Customs – Prayer 3 x a day – Worship on the Sabbath day Saturday – Diet – Food must be Kosher

Basic Christianity • Monotheistic • Founder – Jesus of Nazareth • Followers called Christians • Followers believe that Jesus is the son of God • Origin and Spread –Started in Middle East (Canaan, Israel Palestine) –Today most followers live in Europe and the Americas Christ on the Cross, Velazquez The Holy Trinity, Albrecht Duerer Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea

Basic Christianity • Texts – The New Testament: Life and teachings of Jesus – Bible • Beliefs – The Holy Trinity – Immaculate Conception – The Afterlife and heaven • Customs & Holidays – Weekly Worship – Good Friday – Easter – Christmas

Islam • Monotheistic • Muhammad is known as “The Prophet” • God is known as “Allah” • Followers are called Muslims • Origin and Spread –Started in Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Mecca) –Today most followers live in North Africa and the Middle East. • Holy Cities: Mecca, Medina. Jerusalem • Text: Quran

Islam: The 5 Pillars 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Faith – There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger Prayer (Salat) – 5 x daily Charity (Zakat) – All Things belong to God so we should donate to the Needy Fast – During Ramadan, form sun up to sundown. Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Once in a lifetime trip to Mecca and the Ka’ba

Hinduism • Polytheistic • Brought to India by Aryans • Followers called Hindus • Origin and Spread: India • Texts: Vedas & Upanishads • Beliefs: – Caste system – Reincarnation – Karma – Moksha Hindu Gods: Many Forms of One God Brahma: The Creator Siva: The Destroyer Vishnu: The Preserver

Buddhism • Founder: Siddartha Gautama • Origin and Spread –Started in India –Today most followers live in China and South east Asia • Buddhist Beliefs – No Real Gods or Deities – Goal: Nirvana not Brahma • Four Noble Truths 1. Life is Suffering 2. Suffering is caused by desire & resistance to change 3. We can end suffering by ending desire 4. We can end desire and suffering by following the eightfold path • Eight Fold Path 1. Right Understanding 5. Right Livelihood 2. Right Effort 6. Right Thought 3. Right Mindfulness 7. Right Speech 4. Right Concentration 8. Right Action Asoka: 273 -232 BC