4TH QTR: WORLD RELIGION

JUDAISM - HISTORICAL DEV

• Originated around 2000 BCE in the ancient Near East, with Abraham considered the first patriarch.

• The covenant between God and the Jewish people forms the foundation.

• Key events: Exodus from Egypt, establishment of Israel, destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

JUDAISM - CORE BELIEFS

• Monotheism

• Covenant

• The Messiah

• The Torah

MONOTHEISM

Belief in one God, Yahweh

COVENANT

The Jewish people are chosen to follow God’s commandments as revealed in the Torah.

THE MESSIAH

A future Jewish king from the Davidic line, expected to rule during the Messianic Age.

THE TORAH

Sacred texts, including the Law (Five Books of Moses)

JUDAISM - ISSUES

Modern concerns include the debate over Israel's political and social issues, religious interpretations (Orthodox vs. Reform), and the relationship with other religions.

ISLAM - LIFE AND MISSION

• Born in Mecca in 570 CE, Muhammad is considered the final prophet.

• Received revelations from God (Allah) through the Angel Gabriel, recorded in the Quran.

• His mission was to restore the monotheistic faith, guiding people to submit to God's will.

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

• Shahada

• Salat

• Zakat

• Sawm

• Hajj

SHAHADA

Declaration of faith (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger).

SALAT

Ritual prayer five times a day.

ZAKAT

Giving to charity (typically 2.5% of wealth).

SAWM

Fasting during the month of Ramadan.

HAJJ

Pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime for those able.

ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE ISLAMIC FAITH COMMUNITY

• The Five Pillars unify the Muslim community, ensuring shared practices, values, and devotion.

• Strengthens individual faith and the sense of belonging to the Ummah (global Muslim community).

CHRISTIANITY - HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

• Originated in the 1st century CE with the teachings of Jesus Christ in Roman-occupied Judea.

• Jesus' death and resurrection are foundational events, leading to the spread of Christianity through the Roman Empire and beyond.

• Key figures: Apostles (especially Paul), Constantine’s conversion, and the eventual dominance of Christianity in Europe.

CHRISTIANITY - BRANCHES

• Catholicism

• Orthodox Christianity

• Protestantism

CATHOLICISM

The largest Christian branch, led by the Pope, with a strong emphasis on tradition, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY

Focuses on Eastern traditions, the authority of councils, and practices like icons and liturgy.

PROTESTANTISM

Emerged from the Reformation in the 16th century, emphasizing scripture alone, faith alone, and individual relationship with God.

CHRISTIANITY - CORE BELIEFS

• Trinity

• Salvation

• The Bible

• The Incarnation

TRINITY

The belief in one God in three persons—Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

SALVATION

Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are saved and have eternal life.

THE BIBLE

Sacred scriptures, containing the Old and New Testaments.

THE INCARNATION

Jesus is both fully God and fully human.

BUDDHISM - LIFE STORY OF SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

• Born around 563 BCE in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) as a prince.

• Left his royal life in search of enlightenment after encountering suffering (old age, illness, death).

• Achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha ("Awakened One").

BUDDHISM - THE FOUR SIGHTS

Sights that led siddhartha to seek enlightenment:

1. Old man

2. Sick man

3. Dead body

4. Monk (representation of possibility of overcoming suffering)

BUDDHISM - 4 NOBLE TRUTHS

• Dukkha

• Samudaya

• Nirodha

• Magga

DUKKHA

Life involves suffering (birth, aging, sickness, and death)

SAMUDAYA

Suffering arises from desire and attachment.

NIRODHA

Suffering can be ended by overcoming desire.

MAGGA

The path to end suffering is the Eightfold Path

BUDDHISM - EIGHTFOLD PATH

1. Right Understanding: Understanding the Four Noble Truths.

2. Right Intention: Cultivating good will and renouncing harmful desires.

3. Right Speech: Speaking truthfully and kindly.

4. Right Action: Acting ethically.

5. Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.

6. Right Effort: Cultivating positive mental states.

7. Right Mindfulness: Being aware of the present moment.

8. Right Concentration: Developing deep concentration through meditation.

NIRVANA

The ultimate goal of Buddhism, the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth, achieved through enlightenment.

CONFUCIANISM - DEVELOPMENT

• Founded by Confucius (551–479 BCE) in China during the Zhou Dynasty.

• Developed as a response to political chaos, aiming to restore order through ethical leadership and proper social relationships.

CONFUCIANISM - CORE TEACHINGS

• Ren (Humaneness)

• Li (Ritual)

• Xiao (Filial Piety)

• Yi (Righteousness)

REN (HUMANENESS)

The virtue of compassion and kindness toward others.

LI (RITUAL)

The importance of rites, manners, and proper conduct in social life.

XIAO (FILIAL PIETY)

Respect for one’s parents and ancestors.

YI (RIGHTEOUSNESS)

Acting accordingly to what is morally right

CONFUCIANISM - FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

• Mandate of Heaven

• Rectification of Names

• Ancestor Worship

• Five Key Relationships

MANDATE OF HEAVEN

The belief that rulers must govern virtuously, or they will lose the mandate to rule.

RECTIFICATION OF NAMES

The principle that social roles and names should align with their true nature.

ANCESTOR WORSHIP

Honoring deceased ancestors through rituals.

FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIPS

1. The core social relationships that govern societal harmony:

   • Ruler and subject

   • Parent and child

   • Husband and wife

   • Older sibling and younger sibling

   • Friend and friend