🎻Intro to Humanities Unit 3 – World Religions & Belief Systems

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Monotheism belief in one supreme god or deity (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
• Polytheism worship of multiple gods or deities (Hinduism)
  • Henotheism devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of other gods
• Atheism rejection of belief in the existence of deities
• Agnosticism view that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable
• Animism belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence
• Pantheism belief that reality is identical with divinity or that all things compose an all-encompassing god
• Theocracy system of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler and divine guidance is used for governance
• Secularism indifference to or rejection of religion and religious considerations in public affairs

Major World Religions Overview

• Christianity largest world religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ with over 2 billion followers
  • Main branches include Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism
• Islam second-largest religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad with over 1.8 billion followers (Muslims)
  • Two main branches Sunni and Shia
• Hinduism third-largest religion originating in the Indian subcontinent with over 1 billion followers
  • Diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority
• Buddhism fourth-largest religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) with over 500 million followers
  • Main branches include Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana
• Sikhism fifth-largest organized religion founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region with over 30 million followers
• Judaism oldest Abrahamic religion with over 14 million adherents worldwide
• Traditional African Religions diverse set of traditional beliefs and practices of the peoples of Africa

Historical Development and Origins

• Hinduism oldest major world religion with roots tracing back to the Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE)
  • Developed over many centuries through a fusion of various Indian cultures and traditions
• Judaism emerged in the Middle East over 3,000 years ago
  • Foundational figures include Abraham, Moses, and the Prophets
• Buddhism originated in ancient India as a result of Siddhartha Gautama's teachings (c. 563-483 BCE)
  • Gautama, known as the Buddha, taught a path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering
• Christianity emerged in the 1st century CE based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles
  • Spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond in the following centuries
• Islam founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE in Mecca, Arabia
  • Rapid expansion during the early Islamic conquests, spreading from the Arabian Peninsula to vast territories in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond
• Sikhism developed in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century
  • Founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539) and shaped by his successors

Sacred Texts and Scriptures

• Bible central religious text of Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament and New Testament
  • Old Testament includes the Torah, Prophets, and Writings
  • New Testament includes the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation
• Quran central religious text of Islam, believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to Muhammad
  • Divided into 114 chapters (surahs) and 6,236 verses (ayahs)
• Vedas oldest scriptures of Hinduism, including the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda
  • Upanishads philosophical texts that form the theoretical basis for Hinduism
• Tripitaka (Pali Canon) collection of the Buddha's teachings, the earliest Buddhist scriptures
  • Consists of three "baskets" Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka
• Guru Granth Sahib central religious scripture of Sikhism, considered the final Guru
  • Compilation of hymns and writings by Sikh Gurus and various saints and scholars
• Torah central scripture of Judaism, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
  • Includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Beliefs, Practices, and Rituals

• Christianity belief in one God, the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and Jesus Christ as the savior
  • Practices include prayer, worship, reading the Bible, and observing sacraments (baptism, communion)
• Islam belief in one God (Allah) and Muhammad as the final prophet
  • Five Pillars of Islam Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
• Hinduism belief in one supreme being (Brahman) manifested through multiple deities
  • Practices include puja (worship), meditation, yoga, and observing festivals (Diwali, Holi)
• Buddhism belief in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to achieve enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth
  • Practices include meditation, mindfulness, and following the Five Precepts (ethical guidelines)
• Sikhism belief in one God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus
  • Practices include reciting the Guru Granth Sahib, singing hymns (kirtan), and serving the community (seva)
• Judaism belief in one God and the importance of following the commandments and teachings in the Torah
  • Practices include observing the Sabbath, dietary laws (kashrut), and celebrating holidays (Passover, Hanukkah)

Religious Symbols and Art

• Christianity cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a central symbol of the faith
  • Ichthys (fish symbol) used as a secret symbol by early Christians
• Islam crescent moon and star, while not mentioned in the Quran, have become widely associated with Islam
  • Calligraphy highly valued art form, often featuring verses from the Quran
• Hinduism Om (or Aum) sacred sound and spiritual symbol representing the essence of the universe
  • Swastika ancient symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune (not to be confused with the Nazi appropriation)
• Buddhism Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) represents the Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment
  • Lotus flower symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening
• Sikhism Khanda emblem consisting of a double-edged sword, a chakkar (circle), and two single-edged swords
  • Ik Onkar symbol represents the unity and oneness of God
• Judaism Star of David (Shield of David) six-pointed star that has become a widely recognized symbol of Jewish identity
  • Menorah seven-branched candelabrum used in the ancient Temple and a symbol of Judaism

Impact on Culture and Society

• Religion has played a significant role in shaping moral codes, laws, and social norms throughout history
  • Religious teachings often promote values such as compassion, charity, and respect for others
• Religious institutions have been centers of learning, preserving knowledge and promoting education
  • Monasteries in medieval Europe served as centers of scholarship and literacy
• Religion has inspired countless works of art, architecture, music, and literature
  • Examples Gothic cathedrals, Islamic calligraphy, Hindu temples, and Buddhist stupas
• Religious holidays and festivals have become integral parts of many cultures
  • Christmas, Ramadan, Diwali, and Passover are celebrated by millions worldwide
• Religion has been a source of social cohesion and community building
  • Places of worship serve as gathering spaces for people to connect and support one another
• Religious beliefs have also been a source of conflict and division throughout history
  • Religious differences have been used to justify wars, discrimination, and persecution

Contemporary Issues and Debates

• Secularization the trend of declining religious influence in public life and increasing separation of religion and state
  • Debate over the role of religion in government, education, and public policy
• Interfaith dialogue efforts to promote understanding and cooperation among different religious communities
  • Initiatives to foster peace, tolerance, and collaboration in addressing global challenges
• Religion and science ongoing discussions about the compatibility of religious beliefs with scientific findings
  • Debates over topics such as evolution, cosmology, and bioethics
• Religious extremism and fundamentalism the rise of radical and militant interpretations of religious teachings
  • Challenges posed by religious extremism to social harmony and global security
• Religion and human rights ensuring that religious freedoms are protected while preventing discrimination based on religion
  • Balancing the right to practice one's faith with the rights of others
• Role of women in religion addressing issues of gender equality, leadership roles, and women's rights within religious contexts
  • Efforts to promote greater inclusion and empowerment of women in religious institutions
• Adaptation to modern society religions grappling with changing social norms and values
  • Discussions about the interpretation of religious texts and the application of teachings to contemporary issues (same-sex marriage, abortion, artificial intelligence)