Introduction To World Religion And Belief Systems PDF

Introduction To World Religion And Belief Systems Lesson 1: Religion In A Different Light Religions - Christianity - Islam  - Buddhism - Shintoism  - Taoism - Judaism  - Hinduism - Confucianism ![](media/ima...

Introduction To World Religion And Belief Systems Lesson 1: Religion In A Different Light Religions - Christianity - Islam  - Buddhism - Shintoism  - Taoism - Judaism  - Hinduism - Confucianism  Christians -- 33% Muslims -- 21% Hindus -- 13% Buddhist -- 6% Other Religions -- 13% Non-religious -- 14% Religion - Organized system of beliefs, ceremony and rules use to worship a God or group of Gods. (Dictionary 2014) - came from a Latin word "religare" meaning "to tie or bind together" - It is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. - Religion as a phenomena is a complex reality. Ninian Smart - May **9, 1927** -- Jan. **9, 2001** - Scottish writer and university educator. - Pioneer of the secular religious study. - The World Religion (1989) - Influence in defining religion studies. *"I like to annoy people who* *think that religion can contain the whole truth. No religion, it seems to me, contains the whole truth. I think its mad* *to think that there is nothing to learn from* *other traditions and civilization.* *If you accept that the other religions have something to offer and you learn from them, that is what you* *become: a Buddhist-Episcopalian* *or Hindu -- Muslim or whatever."* History of Religion History of Religion: Overview The word \"religion\" means different things to different people. French sociologist Emile Durkheim defines it as \"a unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things.\" In this context, religion functions as a communal belief system tying a community together. Throughout the history of humanity, there have been many such communal religious systems. The history of religion may be defined as the study of how these religious systems originated and developed. Forms of religion existed long before writing existed to record them. Archeologists have discovered evidence of religious practices as early as **60,000** BCE. Writing first appeared in Mesopotamia c. **3500-3000** BCE, making it possible to preserve records of religious beliefs and practices. Since the history of religion requires written records of religious systems, the period before writing appeared is known as prehistoric religion. Characteristics Of Religion - Belief in a deity's relationship with the world. - Belief in a deity. - Ways to worship a deity. - Rules follows as a result of beliefs. - Places and holy believed to be holy and sacred. LESSON 2: Positive and Negative Effects in Religion Worldview a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people. (The Free Dictionary 2014). Agnosticism God cannot be known. Religion came from the Latin word "religare" which means to tie or to bind together? Deity other term for "God" Positive Effects of Religion Promotes Social Harmony Religion trusts supernatural powers, and beings. It practices ceremonious rites, and rituals and respect religious leaders such as priests, shamans etc. By integrating and alleviating countries, and cultures, religion contributes to overall harmony in the world. Religion Provides Moral Values It offers an organized model of the entire universe that regulates sophisticated human behavior. By providing moral values, religion helps people to distinguish between right and wrong, evil and good. Religion Provides Social Change By inculcating moral value to people, religion serves as a platform for social change. Reduce Anxiety of the Unknown Many people are afraid of their future. Some have anxiety about how will be their life after death - Dharma - moral and social obligation that determines what will happen in the after life. - Karma - moral consequences of one act. - Ten Commandments -- being good to others and believing in Jesus Christ as a savior Lord will earn a reward in heaven. - Hajj -- Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca will gurantee them a place in heaven. Religion Gives Positive Goals in Life Religion gives you a purpose in life. it brings ignorant people on the right path and prevent them from getting misled. Negative Effects of Religion - Fills people with hatred - Discrimination among people - Economic tools for exploiting - Trigger fights and conflicts - Religion obstructs the use of reason Lesson 3.2: Judaism Judaism - One of the worlds oldest religion - Jews - **14** million Jews (Deming 2015, 270-271) - The term "Judaism" and "Jew" were derived from Judah, which was the name of the fourth **12** Son of Jacob - Bronze Age West Asia - Asian monotheistic religion - Abrahamic monotheistic religion Abraham - The **1^ST^** patriarch ( originally means father source ) real name 'Abram' - Sarah -- wife of Abraham her real name is Sarai, became Sarah when God called him Sarah. - The Grandfather of Jacob Isaac - The **2^nd^** patriarch of Israel - The Son of Israel - His wife is Rebecca - The father of Jacob Jacob - Grandson of Abraham - Son of Isaac - One of the founding fathers of Judaism - Father of the **12** Son of Israel Judah - According to the book of Genesis, he is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. - The founder of Israelite Tribe of Judah. - Most Powerful and Important Tribe King David - King of Israel King Solomon - The wisest king of Israel who built the first temple in Jerusalem  Lesson 3.2: Judaism Lunar the calendar utilized by the Jews Shabbat/Sabbath the most important day in the Jewish calendar Jerusalem place where the **1^st^** temple was built by king Solomon Abraham consider the father of all nations Synagogue Jewish temples of worship Judaism - **monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews.** - **It characterized by a belief in one transcendent.** - **God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets.** Sacred Scriptures (Tanakh) Torah/ Pentateuch - Genesis - Exodus - Leviticus - Numbers - Deuteronomy The Prophet Former Prophets: - Joshua - Judges - Samuel **(1&2)** - Kings (**1&2)** - Isiah - Jeremiah - Ezekiel - The **12** (Minor Prophets) The Writing - Poetry - Historical - Five Rolls Torah - The **Torah** is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is the central and most important document of Judaism and has been used by Jews through the ages. - **Torah** refers to the five books of Moses, **613** commandments or "mitzvot". - It is also known as Torat Moshe, the Law of Moses. **2** Kinds of Torah Sefer Torah Written on a scroll then wound around two wooden pales. Sofer Torah The who writes sefer torah and must copy the text perfectly*.* **Difference Among Hebrews, Jews, And Israelites** Hebrews descendants of the Abraham Israelites descendants of Jacob Jews followers of Judaism Gentiles called non-Jews in their bible Covenant of God **The Lord had said to Abraham "Go from your country, people and your father's household to land I will show you.** -Genesis **12:1** **Moses** - **Hebrew Prophet, teacher in the 13^th^ Century.** - **Delivered his people from Egyptian slavery** - **In the covenant ceremony in Mt. Sanai the 10 Commandments were promulgated.** - **He founded the religious community called Israel.** - **Mosaism or Mosaic Faith** YHVH - Jews says this refer to God - The God (*name of God in the old testaments*) - Jehovah, Yahweh supreme being - Tetragrammaton or tetragram the name of the national god of Israel (*translated as YHVH*) Important - In conversation Jewish people call God as "**HaShem**" in Hebrew "the name" - **G-D** instead of God - **Synagogue** -- Jews hold religious service includes prayer and readings of Torah. - **Rabbi** -- leads the religious services assisted by **Cantor.** Types Of Judaism **Orthodox Judaism** - **Orthodox Jews are typically known for their strict observance of traditional Jewish law and rituals. For instance, most believe Shabbat shouldn't involve working, driving or handling money.** **Reform Judaism** - **Reform Judaism is considered a liberal category of the religion that values ethical traditions over strict observance of Jewish laws. Most of the Jews living in the United States follow Reform Judaic traditions.** **Conservative Judaism** - **Many people consider this form of Judaism somewhere in between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Typically, conservative Jews honor the traditions of Judaism while allowing for some modernization.**