Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism Hinduism

Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism Hinduism

Do you think there a relationship between personal freedoms and religion?

The first monotheistic (one God) religion, Judaism traces its roots back thousands of years. Jews believe there is one God who created and rules the world. This God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (in all places at all times). God is also just and merciful. Holy Book: The Torah, which means "teaching", is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish People. The Ten Commandments are considered the most important commandments of the Torah. 13 Principles of Judaism 1. God exists. 2. God is one and unique. 3. God is incorporeal. 4. God is eternal. 5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone. 6. The words of the prophets are true. 7. Moses was the greatest prophet, and his prophecies are true. 8. The Torah was given to Moses. 9. There will be no other Torah. 10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. 11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked. 12. The Messiah will come. 13. The dead will be resurrected.

Judaism is the twelfth most popular religion in the world. It contains about 14 million adherents (followers). The majority of the Jewish population is found in the United States and Israel. In Israel there are about 5,600,000 Jews. 76% of Israel is Jewish. The United States has about 5,275,000 Jews, which is about 38% of the world population of Jews. Any other country in the world contains less than 1% of the Jewish population.

Christian beliefs 1. God created all that is seen and unseen 2. Jesus is the Son of God and is one with God 3. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary 4. Jesus suffered and was crucified 5. Jesus died and was buried 6. Jesus rose again (the Resurrection) 7. Jesus ascended into Heaven 8. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead 9. Anyone can have salvation 10. People who repent their sins will be forgiven The birthplace of Christianity is an area now known as the Holy Land; Israel/Palestine in the city of Jerusalem. The Holy Bible is the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative written Word of God, penned by man with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Christianity has about 1.9 billion adherents (followers). It is the most popular religion in the world. However, it is difficult to find a Christian in the Middle East and Asia.

The Arabian Peninsula the birthplace of Islam The word "Islam" itself means "Submission to Allah." 1. Shahada (testimony of faith) One is required to say "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." 2. Salat (prayer) Muslims pray toward Mecca five times daily, at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. 5 Pillars of Faith 3. Zakat (almsgiving) Charitable giving is a requirement for all Muslims. Almsgiving is incumbent upon the individual Muslim - except for in Saudi Arabia, where Zakat is strictly enforced by the rule of Islamic law. Holy book is the Quran 4. Siyam (fasting) fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dawn to dusk for the entire month 5. Hajj (pilgrimage) To go to the holy city of Mecca for the Hajj, or pilgrimage. Every ablebodied Muslim is required - if their finances permit - to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Islam has about 1.1 billion adherents (followers). It is the second most popular religion in the world (after Christianity). However, it is the most popular religion in the Middle East. As seen below, there is hardly any Muslim population outside of the Middle East.

There are two sects, Sunni and Shi'a. Islam in the Middle East is predominantly Sunni, with the exception of Iran.

Basic beliefs of Hinduism Dharma (ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara) Hinduism believes that there is only one supreme Absolute called "Brahman (Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, and being ). The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In addition to many gods and goddesses, Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets. The basic scriptures of Hinduism, are called the Vedas and the Upanishads. Hinduism is the world's oldest religious tradition (circa 10,000 BC), with a billion followers, making it the world's third largest religion. Hinduism is a mixture of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India. Ganesha creates the faith to remove all obstacles. Hindu prayers begin by invoking his name. He is the son of Shiva

Brahma Creator Vishnu Preserver Shiva Destroyer Brahma is self-born (without mother) in the lotus flower which grew from the navel of Vishnu at the beginning of the universe. He is responsible for day and night. Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. When evil overtakes good in the world, Vishnu will come in human form to set things right again. Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits. Shiva lives on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas.

Hindu Population in the World

The Five Precepts: These are rules to live by. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not misuse sex. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs Siddhartha Gautama Buddha was born the son of a king, around 565 B.C. in Lumbini in modern day Nepal. The Eightfold Path: The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of: Panna: Discernment, wisdom: 1) Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths 2) Right thinking; following the right path in life After many incarnations, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. Sila: Virtue, morality: 3) Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language 4) Right conduct by following the Five Precepts 5) Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others Samadhi: Concentration, meditation: 6) Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts 7) Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings 8) Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure) Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.) Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and nonattachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.) Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. Buddhist Flag Hindus believe that Buddha was the 9 th incarnation of Vishnu. Buddhists don t believe this because they don t believe in Gods.

Buddhist Population in the World

Created by: Dorothy Williams Yeager Middle School 2009

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