Comprehensive Guide to World Religions: Beliefs, Symbols, and Practices

Atheists

Deny God's existence.

Agnostics

Believe God is unknown/unknowable.

Catholicism

Churches, rosary, crucifix, saints, nuns, priests.

Hinduism

Puja (offerings), Ganges River purification.

Islam

Holy Quran, Prophet Muhammad, angel Gabriel.

Buddhism

Monks in robes, temples, Buddha statues.

Shintoism

Family shrines, ancestor worship.

Protestantism

Sunday worship, sermons, hymns.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity.

Buddha

Central figure of Buddhism.

Muhammad

Central figure of Islam.

Confucius

Central figure of Confucianism.

Theory of evolution

19th century theory that challenged traditional religion.

Edward Tylor's Animism Theory

Religion began from belief in souls and spirits in nature (trees, rivers, rocks, etc.).

Animism

Belief in spirits of dead people or nature.

Judaism

One of the oldest religions, rooted in belief in one God (monotheism).

Abraham

Central figure of Judaism, father of faith, chosen by God.

Covenant with God

Agreement made by Abraham with God.

Moses

Led Exodus, received the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai.

Tanakh

Hebrew Bible consisting of Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.

Talmud

Oral law + rabbinic commentaries (Mishnah + Gemara).

Star of David

Symbol of Jewish identity, flag of Israel.

Menorah

7-branched lamp, symbol of light.

Kippa

Head covering for men (and women in some forms).

Synagogue

Center of worship & community.

Brit Milah

Circumcision (boys, 8th day).

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Coming of age (boys 13, girls 12).

Rosh Hashanah

New Year.

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement (fasting & repentance).

Christianity

Religion based on Jesus Christ and the Bible.

Christus

Latin for Christ.

Historical Background of Christianity

Began in 1st century C.E. Jerusalem as a Jewish sect.

380 C.E.

Became Roman Empire's official religion.

1054 Great Schism

Division between Catholic and Orthodox churches.

16th century Protestant Reformation

Movement led by Martin Luther that challenged Catholic practices.

Founder of Christianity

Jesus Christ, born ~4 B.C.E., grew up in Nazareth.

Ministry of Jesus

Taught, healed, and performed miracles.

Crucifixion of Jesus

Crucified ~33 C.E. under Pontius Pilate.

Resurrection

Became the foundation of Christian faith.

Main sources of Christianity

Four Gospels and Paul's writings.

Holy Trinity

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus in Christianity

Jesus is God in human form and Savior.

God's presence today

God is present today through the Spirit.

Holy Bible

Sacred scripture of Christianity.

Old Testament

Contains Law, History, Prophets, and Wisdom.

New Testament

Contains Gospels, Acts, Letters, and Revelation.

Cross/Crucifix

Symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus.

Ichthus (Fish)

Means 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'.

Alpha & Omega

Symbolizes God as the beginning and the end.

Chi Rho

Early Christogram represented as XP.

IHS

Abbreviation of Jesus' name.

Good Shepherd

Represents Jesus as protector of his people.

Church/chapel

Main place of worship in Christianity.

Sacred Sites in Christianity

Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth.

Baptism

Entry into Christian life.

Eucharist

Remembrance of Jesus' Last Supper.

Easter

Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Holy Week

Includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday.

Christmas

Celebration of the Birth of Jesus.

Advent

Preparation period for Christmas.

Lent

40 days of fasting before Easter.

Orthodoxy

Eastern traditions, split in 1054.

Hinduism followers

900 million followers, mostly in India (95%).

Meaning of Hinduism

From Sanskrit Sindhu, referring to the Indus region.

Hinduism origins

Believed to have started 2300-1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley.

Vedic Period

Period of sacrifices, rituals, and chanting (1500-500 B.C.).

Epic & Puranic Periods

Period of worship of deities (500 B.C.-500 A.D.).

Sacred texts of Hinduism

Vedas, Upanishads, Vedanta.

Atman

Every being has a soul.

Brahman

Supreme, eternal reality.

Samsara

Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Karma

Actions bring consequences.

Moksha

Liberation, union with Brahman.

Dharma

Duty, morality, good conduct.

Yoga

Spiritual discipline, union of self with spirit.

Deities in Hinduism

Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer/recreator), Devi (goddess of dharma), Lakshmi (wealth & purity), Saraswati (learning), Krishna (love & compassion).

Puja

Prayer with offerings (flowers, fruits, incense).

Tilaka

Mark on the forehead after worship.

Nitya

Daily rituals in Hinduism.

Naimittika

Occasional rituals (festivals, thanksgiving).

Kamya

Optional rituals (pilgrimages).

Diwali

Festival of Lights, victory of good over evil.

Holi

Festival of Colors, spring celebration.

Navratri

9 nights of worship.

Dussera

10th day of Navratri.

Maha Shivratri

dedicated to Shiva.

Krishna Janmashtami

birth of Krishna.

Ganesha Chaturthi

birth of Ganesha.

Raksha Bandhan

celebrates sibling love.

Om (Aum)

sound of the universe.

Swastika

symbol of purity and good fortune.

Sri Yantra

balance of male & female energy.

Lotus

creation and purity.

Ganges River

holy river, pilgrimage site.

Reincarnation

rebirth based on karma.

Maya

illusion; true reality is Brahman.

Code of Behavior (Dharma)

based on caste & stage of life.

Four varnas (castes)

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras.

Four stages of life

student, householder, recluse, holy man.

Non-violence (Ahimsa)

Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr.