AP WORLD RELIGION PROJECT

RELIGIONS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

JUDAISM

JUDAISM'S ORIGIN AND ESTABLISHMENT

Founded 2,000 BCE, By a man named Abraham. He believed that he heard God's voice, and is needed to bring his people to the "promised land" he started off in Palestine, and that's where Judaism started.

Later on, The Jews migrate to Egypt, where they are enslaved for a period of time. Moses, is able to free the people and continue the journey to the promised land that his forefather started.

The Jews find the land that was promised them, Jerusalem, and many wars and battles surround the city that will threaten control of it for centuries to come. Kings are established, Israel eventually splits into two sects; The north being "Israel" and the south being "Judah"

RELIGIOUS TEXTS IN JUDAISM

• Torah- this is written in Hebrew, the five books of the Old Testament. (Genesis-Deuteronomy) These also contain the Ten Commandments, which are the laws believed to be given to Moses directly by God himself, as his first written law to His people.
• Talmund- this is the source of where Jewish law comes from. It is comprised of the "Mishnah" and the "Gemara" which have conflicting views on various Jewish topics and discussions.

PROMINENT FIGURES IN JUDAISM.

• Abraham- called the "father of Judaism" he received the vision from God to set out and create a new nation.
• Moses- was a Prophet among his people, and a sort of savior, leading them out of Egyptian bondage led by God's hand. He received the Ten Commandments from God, and aided in leading his people to the promised lands, but never actually made it there himself.

Judaism beliefs include:
-There's only one God.
-You contribute to the faith by your actions.
-Missionaries aren't needed.

HINDUISM

A religious group, called the Aryans brought their ideas about philosophy and beliefs to the Indus Valley, making it the birthplace of Hinduism. Hinduism does not have a singular founder or primary holy figure. Instead, there are many aspects to the gods they worship and texts that the Hindus believe in.

THE HINDU CASTE SYSTEM
A class order put into place to control the people of India. Four castes, the lowest being "Untouchable" and the highest being "Brahmin". This was a system of deference that had followers of Hinduism looking down on each other for years, until it was completely outlawed in later years.

HINDU BELIEFS

• Reincarnation- death, life, rebirth cycle
• Polytheistic
• Dharma-Following religious moral ethics
• Karma- influencing actions affecting other actions

HINDU GODS
-Brahmin, chief god
-Brahma, god of creation
-Vishnu, god of preservation
-Shiva, god of destruction
Moksha=Heaven

HINDU TEXTS INCLUDE
"Vedas" most ancient text.
"Samhitas"
Hymns
"Brahmanas" rituals and prayers
"Aranyakas"
Worship, and meditation
"Upanishads"
Teachings

BUDDHISM

ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM

• Also started in India
• Was founded there, on account of a man named Siddhartha Gautama, who questioned aspects of life no one had dared think of before. He later becomes "Bhudda" and is a significant figure for this religion.

After leaving his life of supreme luxury, S.G embraces the life of "one who has gone forth", a monk, and creates a large following. With time, Buddha becomes thought of as a divine being himself.

INSTEAD OF A TEXT

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

• Life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow
• The cause is due to desire for illusions
• The cure for suffering is to overcome desire
• To overcome desire, follow the eightfold path...

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

• Right views
• Right speech
• Right livelyhood
• Right effort
• Right aspirations
• Right conduct
• Right mindfulness , 8 Right contemplation

Buddhists:
-Have rejected the Caste System
-Don't have any priests
-ultimate goal is Nirvana

CONFUCIANISM

The main figure in Confucianism is a man named Confucius (also known as K'ung Fu-tse). Based in Han (Classical) China, Confucius was a man who believed that basic moral standards were the key to a peaceful civilization.

CONFUCIANISM ORIGINS

• This religion stemmed from Chinese views on the world, and politics.
• Confucianism focused on political order, and good moral standards. It also emphasizes respect towards elders/Men, because of the Chinese culture or way of life.
• Confucianism became a system of ethics that one was expected to follow.

ANALECTS:

CONFUCIANISM ESTABLISHES FIVE EXPECTED RELATIONSHIPS

• Father over son
• Older brother over younger brother
• Husband over wife
• Ruler over subject
• Friend is equal to a friend

The Analects contained moral rules and standards of Confucianism, such as what we know of today as "The Golden Rule". They were implemented in government and schools to be taught among the society as common practice.

Legalism was an alternate system of thinking that combated Confucianism. Rising up around the same time in China, Legalist writers were thought to be evil, and both sides loathed each other's way of thinking.

CHRISTIANITY

ABOUT CHRISTAINITY

• Christianity started in Palestine, the place where Jesus is from. Under roman rule, the Jews who were also roman citizens grew to dislike Jesus and plan his death, and later, he resurrected from the dead.

The main figure in this religion is Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the Son of God, and a Devine entity at the same time. Born around 4-6 B.C.E, Jesus acquired many followers as he preached the truth about the forgiveness of sins, and the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders of his time. This ultimately lead to his crucifixion, said to have occurred 30-33 C.E. Christ's pretense on the earth is critical to the Christian belief, confirming what Christians believe to be a second coming, where Jesus will come gather all his followers and take them to heaven.

MAIN CHRISTIAN BELIFS

• Jesus is the Son of God
• Jesus is also part of the Trinity, the Father (God), the Son (Jesus himself), and the Holy Spirit.
• After you die, there are two places you can go; eternal SALVATION-with God in heaven or, eternal DAMNATION-Burning in Hell indefinitely, with Satan.
• Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven
• Missionary work is encouraged
• God has given us free will, He wants us to choose to follow him and not lead a life of sin.

THE BIBLE

ABOUT THE BIBLE:

The bible contains sixty six books and is divided into two parts; The Old Testament, which contains the creation of the earth all the way to the time of the prophets, and the New Testament, which tells the story of Jesus's birth, death, resurrection, and anticipated return. The books of the bible are written by various authors, including prophets, Kings, a doctor, a priest, and some of Jesus's disciples. The Bible contains stories of miraculous accounts involving God and His people, along with a guide to good Christian living and moral code that Christians believe and abide by.

ISLAM

ISLAMIC BELIEFS

• Monotheistic
• They believe there is a coming day of judgement
• Believes in the Justice of God
• Believe that prophets are important, and that there are many significant prophets before and after Muhammad.

ABOUT MUHHAMAD

• Muhammad was a prophet born in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. It was there that he is said to receive a message from this voice. The "voice" told Muhammad that he was to be a prophet for God, specifically chosen. After that encounter, Muhammad set out to speak out about God and father followers around his region.

Islam is based on "THE FIVE PILLARS"
"Shahada" to say your belief in God, and the works of Muhammad
"Salat" Praying five times a day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening);
Zakat: to give charity to those in need;
"Sawn" a fast preformed to show control during one month
"Haj" Traveling to Mecca at least once in your lifetime

Rreligous texts include:
The Koran-Comsidered to be the sacred, or holy text in Islam. Contains a seamless record of the angel Gabriel's "the voice" revelations to Muhammad that started his journey to spread Islam.

Hadith-A record of Muhammad's actions and sayings, accounts of his family and friends. Basically a travel guide for Muhammad. It is not as high in value as the Koran, but is still used in teachings, and Islamic law today.

CHRISTIANITY

IN TODAYS MEDIA

Religion has both positive and negative influence. People use religion as excuses for rash decisions, but often, most followers of that religion just want to believe in their faith and that's it. Religion is used to protest, educate and keep societies in check. All in all, still a key component of our world.

RELIGION GROWTH (0 MEANS

Islam and Christianity are the two top largest religions. Why? Both religions have similar values, and do missionary work, which attract followers over the years. Christianity and Islam also have similar beliefs, including believing in a "day of judgement/atonement" and monotheism.

Christianity is the religion that is declining in followers. Why? Many people are leaving to Ilam, because that religion welcomes converts, and are accepting all people.