Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems PDF

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND o Philosophy of religion is concerned with BELIEF SYSTEMS religion itself, i.e., with themes such as the existence and...

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND o Philosophy of religion is concerned with BELIEF SYSTEMS religion itself, i.e., with themes such as the existence and nature of God, the knowledge of Lesson 1: Concept of Belief System and God, the problem of evil, religious experience, Worldview religious language, salvation, and immortality. Definitions of Religion Different Types of Religion Religion is a search for the order of things and a Monotheism is belief in a single god and includes search for personal meanings. religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam Religion is a socially constructed institution with Polytheism is belief in multiple gods and includes particular historical contexts and trajectories religion like Hinduism and belief systems of the depending on the physical and social constraints ancient Greeks and Romans that it is faced with. Atheism is often contrasted with theism is atheism, Latin origins of the word religion: which is disbelief of the existence of any deity o “Religare” –to bring together and Animism - belief in non-human beings (animals, o “Relegere” – to rehearse painstakingly, as in plants, natural world), Indigenous nature worship the case of collective rituals. (Shinto) Two Ways of Defining Religion o SUBSTANTIVE - It is concerned with what The places of origin of the World religions fall into two constitutes religion. In this sense, religion Geographical areas, the WESTERN FAITH (MIDDLE involves beliefs and practices “which assume EAST) and the FAR EAST. the existence of supernatural beings” (Davie 2007) Western Beliefs o FUNCTIONAL - It is more concerned with the MONOTHEISTIC- believe in one GOD social consequences of religion; it has to do Humans must enter into an interpersonal with the sociological dimensions of beliefs and relationship with God practices in the context of an organization. Morality is based on learning the will of God, RELIGION from point of view of Social Science understanding and living it out individually and as “It is a system of beliefs and practices by which a a community group of people interprets and responds to what Time is viewed as linear, from beginning to end they feel is sacred and, usually, supernatural as The Bible (Christianity), Torah (Judaism) or well” (Johnstone 2004,13) Koran (Islam) are the central books studied and Religion as a Social Reality in four respects lived by. (Johnstone 2004) 1. Religion is a collective phenomenon. Eastern Beliefs 2. Religion is concerned with ordering behaviour Polytheism - belief in more than one god in relation to the sacred and/or the Main concern is to live a good, happier, better life supernatural. right here and now 3. Religion involves a body of beliefs and moral Creation contains God within it. All elements of prescription. creation from plants to animals have an animated 4. Religion is a set of practices that relate to the spirit notion of sacred. Meditation- is central to these faiths Life is balanced Theology, Spirituality, and Religion Holy books are not central to the belief and THEOLOGY practice o It is the systematic study of the nature of the Time is viewed in cycles. divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. o It is taught as an academic discipline, typically There is a belief in reincarnation or rebirth in universities and seminaries. Things can be made better or worse through o Basically, Theology is the study of God. karma. SPIRITUALITY o It means different things to different people. − For some, it's primarily about a belief in God and active participation in organized Lesson 2: Historical Background of Different religion. Religions − For others, it's about non-religious Scholars hold the view that religion is universal experiences that help them get in touch and can be found in all known contemporary with their spiritual selves through quiet societies (Ember & Ember 1997). reflection, time in nature, private prayer, The existence of humankind for so long a time has yoga, or meditation. resulted in the formation of religion and belief PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION system. o ‘Philosophy of Religion’ refers to that branch of THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM philosophy that studies the origin, nature, and The prophet and patriarch Abraham played a purpose of religion from a rational perspective. major role in the establishment of the three o Philosophy of religion begins with reason at its monotheistic religions: namely, Judaism, foundations. Christianity, and Islam, which account for more than half of the world’s total population at present. 1  Samuel and Kings; while the Latter Prophets include the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets. o Ketuvim – “Writings.” The third part of the Jewish Scriptures which contains the poetic books and the remaining canonical books of the Jewish Scriptures not included in the Torah or the Nevi'im. Talmud & Mishnah o The Talmud is the source from which the code of Jewish Halakhah (law) is derived. It is made THE INDIAN MOSAIC up of the Mishnah and the Gemara. With its history dating back to at least 6500 B.C.E., o The Mishnah is the original written version of India is one of the world’s oldest surviving the oral law and the Gemara is the record of civilizations. With great movements of various the rabbinic discussions following this writing people in the past came their customs, arts, down. languages, literature, beliefs, and many more facets of their culture. Who is the founder of Judaism? The origins of Jewish faith are explained throughout the Torah. According to the text, God first revealed himself to a Hebrew man named Abraham, who became known as the founder of Judaism. Abraham’s son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob, also became central figures in ancient Jewish history. Jacob took the name Israel, and his children and future generations became known as Israelites. More than 1,000 years after Abraham, the prophet Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt after being enslaved for hundreds of years. According to scriptures, God revealed his laws, known as the Lesson 3: Judaism Ten Commandments, to Moses at Mt. Sinai. It is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. Jewish Principles of Faith 1. God exists. Tracing their roots to Abraham, the Jews believe 2. God is one and unique. that God, whom they call YHWH, has chosen them 3. God is incorporeal. to serve as an example of holiness and ethical 4. God is eternal. behaviour. 5. Prayers is to be directed to god alone and to no Followers of Judaism were called Hebrews or other. Israelites or Jews. 6. The words of the prophets are true. 7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the Judaism Beliefs greatest of the prophets. Jewish people believe there’s only one God who 8. The Written Torah and the Oral Torah were given has established a covenant—or special to Moses. agreement—with them. Their God communicates 9. There will be no other Torah. to believers through prophets and rewards good 10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. deeds while also punishing evil. 11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked. Jewish people worship in holy places known as 12. The Messiah will come. synagogues, and their spiritual leaders are called 13. The dead will be resurrected. rabbis. The six-pointed Star of David is the symbol of The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-18) Judaism. 1. You shall have no other gods before me. Tanakh - The Hebrew Bible. It is a collection of 24 2. You shall not make any graven image to worship. books, divided into 3 parts: 3. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. o Torah – “Teaching or Law.” It is the first part of 4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. the Jewish bible. Torah refers to the five books 5. Honor your Mother and Father. of Moses. It contains the early history of 6. Do not murder. Judaism, as well as the law and teaching 7. Do not commit Adultery. ‘’handed down’’ to Moses by Yahweh or God 8. Do not steal. Himself. 9. Do not testify or bear false witness against your Torah or Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, neighbour. Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy 10. Do not covet. o Nevi’im – “Prophets.” The second major division of the Hebrew Bible. It is divided into two groups. The Former Prophets consists of the narrative books of Joshua, Judges, 2 The Temples of Judaism o Hanukkah: This Jewish celebration, also Around 1000 B.C., King David ruled the Jewish known as the “Festival of Lights,” lasts eight people. His son Solomon built the first holy Temple days. Hanukkah commemorates the in Jerusalem, which became the central place of rededication of the Jewish Temple in worship for Jews. Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the The kingdom fell apart around 931 B.C., and the Syrian-Greeks over 2,000 years ago. Jewish people split into two groups: Israel in the o Purim: This is a joyous holiday that celebrates North and Judah in the South. Sometime around a time when the Jewish people in Persia were 587 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed the first saved from extermination. Temple and sent many Jews into exile. A second Temple was built in about 516 B.C. but Judaism and Persecution was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 70 Throughout history, Jewish people have been A.D. persecuted for their religious beliefs. Some well- The destruction of the second Temple was known events include: significant because Jewish people no longer had o 1066 Granada Massacre: On December 30, a primary place to gather, so they shifted their 1066, a Muslim mob stormed the royal palace focus to worshipping in local synagogues. in Granada and killed more than 1,000 Jewish families. The group also kidnapped and Shabbat crucified Joseph ibn Naghrela, the Jewish Shabbat is recognized as a day of rest and prayer vizier to the Berber king. for Jews. It typically begins at sunset on Friday o The First Crusade: In the first of and lasts until nightfall on Saturday, almost 25 the Crusades—a series of medieval holy wars hours to be precise. involving Christians and Muslims—thousands It commemorates God’s completion of creation of of Jews were killed, and many were forced to the universe and his rest after the six-day toil. convert to Christianity. o The Spanish Expulsion: In 1492, Spain’s rulers Types of Judaism issued a royal edict that declared all Jews who Orthodox Judaism: Orthodox Jews are typically refused to convert to Christianity would be known for their strict observance of traditional expelled from the country. Experts estimate Jewish law and rituals. For instance, most believe about 200,000 people were ousted and tens of Shabbat shouldn’t involve working, driving or thousands died while trying to reach safety. handling money. o The Holocaust: In the Holocaust, the most Reform Judaism: Reform Judaism is considered a infamous of modern-day atrocities, liberal category of the religion that values ethical the Nazis murdered more than 6 million Jews. traditions over strict observance of Jewish laws. Holocaust – killing of million Jews and other Followers promote progressive ideas and people by the Nazis during World War II. adaptation. Most of the Jews living in the United Nazis- german political party controlled by States follow Reform Judaic traditions. Adolf Hitler. Conservative Judaism: Many people consider this Antisemitism form of Judaism somewhere in between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Typically, conservative Antisemitism is prejudice, discrimination, or hatred Jews honor the traditions of Judaism while against Jewish people or institutions. It can be allowing for some modernization. expressed through violence, rhetoric, or other means. Jewish Holidays Historically antisemitism has led to Jews being Jewish people observe several important days forced out of their homes, discriminated against and events in history, such as: and killed. o Passover: This holiday lasts seven or eight The Holocaust, during which Nazis and their days and celebrates Jewish freedom from collaborators murdered 6 million Jews, is the worst slavery in Egypt. Specifically, Passover refers example of antisemitism in history. to the biblical story of when the Hebrew God “passed over” houses of Jewish families and Zionism saved their children during a plague that was Zionism is the movement for the self- said to have killed all other first-born babies in determination and statehood for the Jewish people Egypt. in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel. o Rosh Hashanah: Jews celebrate the birth of It is based on the idea that the Jewish people have the universe and humanity during this holiday, a right to self-determination and a homeland in the which is also known as the Jewish New Year. Land of Israel. o Yom Kippur: This “Day of Atonement” is considered the holiest day of the year for Jews who typically spend it fasting and praying. o High Holy Days: The 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are also known as the High Holidays, the Days of Awe or Yamim Noraim. The High Holy Days are considered a time of repentance for Jewish people. 3