Global History and Geography Review Sheet: Belief Systems and Religions
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Belief Systems and Religion
Polytheistic – belief in many gods
Monotheistic – belief in one god
Animism – belief that every living and nonliving thing in nature has a spirit
Hinduism
Developed from a collection of religious beliefs over a period of time
No single founder
Brahman – the universal unifying spirit. The goal in life is to achieve union with Brahman
Reincarnation – rebirth of the soul in a new body allows people to continue on their journey toward union with Brahman
Karma – the good and bad things you do affect your existence in your next life
Dharma – the moral and religious duties that are expected of an individual. Your dharma is dependent upon your gender, class, age, and occupation
Caste – social groups into which people are born and out of which they cannot move during a lifetime.
Hindu Caste System
Brahmins – priests
Kshatriyas – warriors
Vaisyas – farmers, merchants, artisans
Sudras – servants
Untouchables – bottom of social system
Moksha – a state of perfect understanding of all things; liberation from desires and suffering
Buddhism
Founded by a prince named Siddhartha Gautma
Siddhartha was a Hindu
He left his palace after the birth of his son to search for the meaning of human suffering
After 49 days he found the answer to this question, while meditating under a tree
He then became known as Buddha or enlightened one
The Four Noble Truths
All life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
The way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire
Following the Eightfold Path will help people overcome desire
Eightfold Path
Following the Eightfold Path will enable you to reach nirvana
Nirvana – union with the universe and release from the cycle of death and rebirth (Buddhist believe in reincarnation like Hindus, but reject the caste system)
Confucianism
Founded by Chinese philosopher Confucius
All proper relationships have a superior and inferior
Confucius’ Five Key Relationships
Ruler – Subject
Father – Son
Husband – Wife
Older Brother – Younger Brother
Friend – Friend
Filial Piety – respect for parents and elders
Following the Five Relationships and practicing filial piety would bring social order and harmony to China.
Individuals should know and do what is expected of them
Judaism
- Monotheistic religion
- Sacred scripture is called the Torah
Ten Commandments dictate the morality and behavior
Covenant – agreements made between the Hebrews and God
Spread of Judaism
Romans expelled Jews from Palestine in 135 AD
This leads to a diaspora, or scattering of people
Christianity
Founded by Jesus Christ
Christ is believed to be the God’s son and the Messiah or savior sent from God
Teachings of Christ
Compassion for poor and helpless
Equality of people before God
Love your neighbor and your enemy
Most popular religion in the world today; over 2 billion followers
Sacred text is the Bible
Old Testament – prophetic writing, laws, details of God and the Jews
New Testament – about life and teachings of Christ
Spread of Christianity
St. Paul and the apostles
Rome makes it the official religion of the empire
European exploration in 1400s
Islam
Founded in 622 AD by Muhammad
Five Pillars of Islam
Faith – “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”
Prayer – Every Muslim must prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca
Alms – giving charity
Fasting – no food or drink from sunrise to sunset during holy month of Ramadan
Hajj – every able-bodied Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime
Fastest growing religion in the world today; over 1 billion followers
Sacred text is the Qur’an
Two sects of Islam
Sunni
Shi’a
Spread of Islam
Trade
Military conquest and invasion
Southeast Asia, Middle East, Southern Spain
Shintoism
Japanese religion that means “way of the gods”
Kami – spirit that is found in all living and nonliving things
Stress on the beauty of nature
REGENTS: Likes to ask how Shintoism and Animism are similar Spirits in nature
Zoroastrianism
Dualistic religion
Good vs. Evil (Truth vs. Lies)
Heavily influenced Christianity
Persian religion
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