Religion, Philosophy and Judaism

Religion and Philosophy

• Religion is a system of faith and worship present since the beginning of narrative history.
• Philosophy emphasizes the use of reason and critical thinking.
• Religion incorporates faith, rituals, and sacred elements alongside reason.
• Philosophy relies solely on rationality and critical thinking, even questioning religion itself.

Judaism

• Originates in Mesopotamia, specifically from the Hebrews.
• Abraham is considered the founder of Judaism.
• The Exodus refers to Moses liberating the Hebrews.
• God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
• The three notable kings of Judaism were Saul, David, and Solomon.
• King Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonian empire.
• Judea was the name Jews gave to their homeland.
• Intimately connected with Jewish history, as seen in Jewish holidays.
• Abraham is seen as the founder.
• Isaac was the son of Abraham with Sarah.
• Ishmael was the son of Abraham with Hagar, forefather of Arabs in Islam.
• Moses was the leader who received the Ten Commandments.
• Saul was the first king to unite the 12 Tribes of Israel.
• David built the capital of Jerusalem.
• Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem.
• Monotheism, the belief in only one God, is central.
• The Shema is the foundational prayer.
• The Sabbath includes multiple prayer services and weekly Torah reading.
• The Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments).
• Tzedakah is the Jewish practice of giving to charity.
• Kaddish is a Jewish prayer recited in mourning.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the ceremony marking Jewish adulthood at age 13.
• Sabbath is the weekly Jewish day of rest and worship.
• Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year holiday.
• Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement.
• Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
• Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights.
• Purim celebrates Queen Esther’s rescue of Jews.
• Sukkoth is a festival celebrating the last harvest.
• Diaspora refers to the event when Jews were scattered worldwide.
• The Talmud contains rabbinic teachings and commentaries on how to carry out the commandments of the Torah.
• Pirkei Avot, or “ethics of our fathers,” includes stories and sayings from early leaders of Judaism that detail the ethics and morals of the faith.
• It was a monotheistic faith at a time when monotheism was uncommon.
• Abraham is also considered a Hebrew prophet and a believer in one God

Hinduism

• Emerged during the Vedic period of India.
• The Vedas are the oldest holy scriptures.
• Developed slowly over time and does not stem from a single founder.
• Brahmins were the priests.
• Kshatriyas were the rulers and warriors.
• Vaishyas were the peasants and traders.
• Shudras were the laborers and servants.
• Varnas were the major groups of social classes.
• Dalits were outcasts that performed tasks considered "impure".
• The religion in India can be traced back from the traditions of the Indus Valley civilization.
• The religions core beliefs like the caste system, dharma, karma, etc., were consolidated and solidified in the Vedic age.
• Dharma is the eternal and inherent nature of reality.
• Atman is the soul of an individual..
• Karma is the reaction to human action or conduct.
• Reincarnation is the cycle of birth and rebirth.
• The Caste System was based upon the skin color in relation to the Aryan’s perspective.
• Moksha is the state of unity of the atman and the Brahman.
• Samsara is the cycle of death and rebirth or the process of reincarnation.
• Purushartas are the four goals, or the purpose of life.
• The Caste system is a Social hierarchy influenced by karma and past deeds.
• The four goals, Purushatas:
• Dharma is a code of conduct
• Kama is desire
• Artha is wealth
• Moksha is liberation

Buddhism

• Siddhartha Gautama is the founder.
• Buddha is the title given to Siddhartha when he attained an understanding of life’s suffering.
• A religion that sprang from a hierarchical and rigid culture and society brought by Hinduism.
• Provides an alternative to attain one’s enlightenment through meditation and the right balance to every aspect of life.
• Siddhartha Gautama was a sheltered Kshatriya and an Indian Prince, who used to live a life of indulgence.
• First Noble Truth: Life is filled with suffering and sorrow.
• Second Noble Truth: The cause of all suffering is people’s desire for the temporary pleasures of this world.
• Third Noble Truth: The way to end all suffering is to end all desires.
• Fourth Noble Truth: The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the middle way between desires and self-denial.
• Nirvana is the state of enlightenment.
• The Four Noble Truths emphasize that life is full of suffering, and suffering is caused by desire.
• The Middle Way is the path to end suffering by following the Eightfold Path.
• The Four-spoked dharma chakra is the symbol of Four Noble Truths.
• The Eight-spoked dharma chakra is the symbol of Eightfold Path.

Islam

• Originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread through trade and conquest.
• Prophet Muhammad is the founder.
• The Hirjah marked a turning point in history.
• Muhammad's teachings were based on monotheism, belief in Allah, and social justice.
• Trade routes connected Arabia to the main sea and land trade routes.
• Medina was the new name of Yathrib.
• Quran is the holy book.
• Ulama are religious scholars.
• Sunna is the Muslim term for the example set by Muhammad.
• Allah is the god of Islam.
• The five pillars of Islam:
  • Shahada: Faith profession
  • Salat: Prayer
  • Zakat: Charity
  • Sawm: Fasting
  • Hajj: Pilgrimage
• Ishmael is considered the father of the Arab people

Greek Philosophy

• The Peloponnesian War ended in victory for Sparta and its allies; demise of Athenian naval/political hegemony.
• Socrates believed ignorance leads to evil, and true knowledge comes from self-awareness and dialogue.
• The Socratic Method encourages critical questioning, inspired by Socrates’ teachings.
• Plato, a student of Socrates, advocated for philosopher-kings, arguing only intellectuals are fit to lead.
• The Republic critiques democracy and suggests leadership should be in the hands of the wise.
• Aristotle, a student of Plato, focused on reason and experience.
• The Doctrine of the Mean suggests that happiness comes from moderation.
• Socratic Method is useful in educational settings, as it encourages critical thinking.
• Philosopher-King Rule is applicable to political leadership, where intellectuals govern for the good of society.
• Doctrine of the Mean is applicable in personal decision-making, encouraging balance.
• Syllogism is useful in legal and logical reasoning, providing a clear structure for deduction and argument.
• The Hellenistic Age was when it flourished.
• Aristotle organized and analyzed many fields of knowledge.
• Plato attempted to outline a society free from the defects of Athenian democracy.
• Socrates encouraged self examination

Roman History and Early Christianity

• Roman religion focused on rituals rather than personal connections.
• Christianity emerged as a new religious movement within Judaism.
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth.
• Nero was the emperor who blamed Christians for Rome's fire.
• Constantine was the emperor who legalized Christianity.
• Theodosius I was the emperor who made Christianity Rome’s official religion.
• Jesus’s resurrection strengthened Christianity.
• Peter and Paul were the main Apostles who spread Christianity.
• Paul spread Christianity to Jews and Gentiles through letters.
• The poor and powerless were attracted to Christianity.
• Jesus was seen as a revolutionary threat to Rome.
• Before Christianity, Religious practices in Rome were Ritual based, and polytheistic

Chinese Philosophies

• The Late Warring States Period in Dynasty, China was plagued with rebellions, wars, and numerous social problems.
• Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism Share the same objective of restoring social order and harmony in Chinese society.
• Confucianism emphasizes that the ruler should base his government on virtuous principles and should be a role model of virtuousness and goodness.
• Confucianism views people as inherently good.
• Legalism views people inherently bad and naturally greedy
• Legalism’s solve social problems with strict laws and harsh punishments
• Daoism believes that people are born as an uncarved block (puh) with both good and bad forces.
• Wu-wei: Non-action in Daoism.
• Conflict in society (per philosophy):
• Confucianism: Loss of duties, respect, and Confucian values
• Legalism: People’s greed and disobedience to laws
• Daoism: Disruption of natural balance by unnatural institutions
• Laozi is considered the first teacher of Daoism.
• Shang Yang, Hanfeizi and Li Si are considered the founders of Legalism.
• Confucius is thought to have founded Confucianism.
• Daoism's good and bad energy: Ying and Yang