World Religions- Unit 1

Religion

A system of beliefs, practices, and traditions that connects people to what they consider sacred or meaningful.

Religious Literacy

The ability to understand religions and their influence on people and society.

Why Study World Religions?

Helps us understand people and cultures, reduce stereotypes, and understand religion's influence on history and society.

Sacred Stories

Stories that explain a religion's beliefs, origins, values, or traditions.

Sacred Scriptures

Written religious texts considered important or holy.

Beliefs

What followers believe to be true about God, humanity, life, death, and the world.

Practices

What followers DO because of their beliefs.

Sacred Time

A time considered holy or special, such as holidays or festivals.

Sacred Places

Locations considered holy, such as Jerusalem, Mecca, or the Ganges River.

Sacred Spaces

Spaces set apart for religious activity or worship, such as churches, mosques, or temples.

Exclusivism

Belief that ONLY my religion is true and other religions are wrong.

Inclusivism

Belief that my religion has the fullest truth, but other religions have SOME truth.

Relativism

Belief that religious truth depends on the person or culture.

Pluralism

Belief that MANY religions can contain truth and be valid religious paths.

Totalitarianism

A system where ONE authority controls society and does not tolerate religious disagreement or diversity.

Christianity

One of the world's largest religions.

Islam

One of the world's largest religions.

Hinduism

Religion concentrated mainly in India.

Buddhism

Religion concentrated mainly in Asia.

Judaism

A relatively small religion with major historical and cultural influence.

Nones

People who do not identify with a particular religion; they can be atheist, agnostic, spiritual, or unaffiliated.

Ecumenism

Different CHRISTIAN groups working or talking together to promote Christian unity.

Interfaith Dialogue

People from DIFFERENT RELIGIONS talking or working together to build understanding and respect.

Dignitatis Humanae

Catholic document supporting the RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

Nostra Aetate

Catholic document recognizing truth and goodness in OTHER RELIGIONS and promoting respect and dialogue.

Unitatis Redintegratio

Catholic document promoting UNITY AMONG CHRISTIANS and ecumenism.

Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

Agreement between CATHOLICS AND LUTHERANS about justification, especially God's grace and faith.

Agnostic

A person who DOES NOT KNOW whether God exists or believes it cannot be known.

Atheist

A person who DOES NOT BELIEVE in God or gods.

Liturgy

Formal public worship or religious ceremony.

Myth

Traditional sacred story that communicates religious meaning, beliefs, or truths; it does NOT simply mean fake.

Evangelization

Sharing the Gospel or Christian message with others.

Witnessing

Showing or sharing your faith through your words and actions.

Proselytizing

Trying to persuade someone to CONVERT to your religion.

Religious Diversity

The existence of different religious beliefs, identities, and traditions.

Exclusivism Memory Trick

EXCLUSIVE = ONLY ME.

Inclusivism Memory Trick

MY religion + SOME truth from others.

Relativism Memory Trick

TRUTH DEPENDS.

Pluralism Memory Trick

MANY ARE VALID.

Totalitarianism Memory Trick

ONE CONTROLS ALL.

Ecumenism Memory Trick

CHRISTIAN ↔ CHRISTIAN.

Interfaith Memory Trick

RELIGION ↔ RELIGION.

Dignitatis Humanae Memory Trick

FREEDOM.

Nostra Aetate Memory Trick

OTHER RELIGIONS.

Unitatis Redintegratio Memory Trick

UNITY.

Joint Declaration Memory Trick

CATHOLICS + LUTHERANS + JUSTIFICATION.

Agnostic Memory Trick

DON'T KNOW.

Atheist Memory Trick

DON'T BELIEVE.

Nones Memory Trick

NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.

Liturgy Memory Trick

WORSHIP.

Myth Memory Trick

MEANINGFUL SACRED STORY.

Evangelization Memory Trick

SHARE THE GOSPEL.

Witnessing Memory Trick

SHOW YOUR FAITH.

Proselytizing Memory Trick

TRY TO CONVERT.

Stories

TELL.

Scriptures

WRITE.

Beliefs

THINK.

Practices

DO.

Sacred Time

WHEN.

Sacred Places

WHERE.