Religious groups

A socially integrative factor (Ecclesiastical, or

official "State" Religions)

A reinforcer of customs and norms (separating the

"sacred" from the "profane" A source for moral values and ethics (giving divine

authority to our principles) An influence in Education, the Arts, and Literature

(shaping knowledge and aesthetic views)

Animism - belief that everything that exists has

both a material and a spiritual essence (e.g., water) Polytheism - belief in many Supreme Beings, each

having areas of dominion (mountains; forests; seas) Monotheism - belief in a single Supreme Being,

creator of the universe and all existence • Anthropomorphism - belief in a Supreme Being with human(e) qualities; and who has an intimate

relationship with - and in the affairs of - humankind

Originated @ 3,500 years ago

Belief in Polytheism Social caste is determined at birth; seven levels from

Brahman to Untouchable

Reincarnation - it takes many life attempts to reach

Nirvana

There are many diverse groups of Hindus

Originated @ 2,500 years ago People should look within themselves to find

truth, and follow its path through life Through meditation and enlightenment, one can end pain and suffering, be free from materialism,

and can reach Nirvana within a single lifetime

There are many diverse Buddhist groups

Originated @ 2,400 years ago Judaism exemplifies mankind's living under

God's law until the coming of the Messiah • The Torah is the law revealed by God through the

Prophets, it contains the Ten Commandments Followers of Judaism share in the covenant

between God and Abraham (through Isaac)

Identity based on ethnic heritage for some; religious affiliation for others; followers are found in all races

• Historical experiences of exclusion and expulsion, even in the U.S.

• Two-thirds of male immigrants were skilled workers

• Placing a strong emphasis on education was also a benefit to them

• By 1990, 52% of marriages were interfait

• 
  

Originated @ 2,000 years ago Redemption from inherent sin, and resurrection

from death to eternal life through belief in Christ • The Bible holds the truth revealed by God through

the Apostles and Disciples, of mankind's salvation Followers of Christianity share in the covenant

between God and Abraham (through Jesus)

Prior to 1830, the U. S. was almost exclusively a Protestant nation (Maryland was established to foster Catholic immigration)

• Reading of King James Bible in public schools prompted
  Catholics to establish parochial schools

• Several organizations were established to keep Catholics out of public office:
  American Protective Association (APA)
  Guardians of Liberty
  Ku Klux Klan

• Today, there are over 57 million Catholics in the U. S

• Descendents of Swiss Anabaptists (believers in adult

  baptism only) Highly integrated communities; cultural patterns and

  lifestyle based on their religious beliefs No public office-holders; endogamous marriage is

  required; beards for married men; plain dress for all No modern machinery; no electricity; education only to

  eighth-grade or age 15

• Begun in 1830 by Joseph Smith, in New York state in pelled in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois; settled in Utah U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the practice of Pos syny in 1890; discontinued by Mormon Church in Founded University of Utah and Brigham Young

  University @ 4.5 million members today; "Possibly the richest

  church in the world" (increases @ $12.8 million daily)

• Originated @

  1,400 years ago There is no one or nothing more important in one's

  daily life than God (Allah) The Quran contains the truth for mankind today, revealed by God through the prophet Mohammed,

  successor in the line of prophets since Moses

  • Followers of Islam share in the covenant between

  God and Abraham (through Ishmael)

• @ 950 million worldwide; most are not arabic;

  a

  million in the U. S.

  • @ 10% of the early Syrian immigrants were Muslim.
    In 1916, a large group settled in Dearborn; today, it's the largest U. S. Muslim community

  • @ 1,100 mosques are found in the U. S.; 80% of them built since 1981

  • Muslims discourage materialism and self-indulgent pleasures at the expense of obligations to family and community, female immodesty, drugs, and alcohol

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Established over 200 years ago; the oldest commune movement in the U.S.

• Begun by Ann Lee in England; migrated to New York colony in

1774. Lee claimed to be the female reincarnation of Christ

• Beliefs: sex is the root of evil, they practice celibacy; equality of all members gave women equal status; recruited members from all segments of our society

• Invented many useful items: the clothes pin; circular saw;
  threshing machine

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CONFUCIANISM

What you don't want done to yourself, don't do to others.

Sixth Century B. C.

BUDDHISM

Hurt not others with that which pains thyself.

Fifth Century B. C.

JAINISM In happiness and suffering, joy and grief, we should

refrain from such injury as would be undesirable to us.

Fifth Century B. C.

ZOROASTRIANISM

Do not do unto others all that which is not well for oneself.

Fifth Century B. C.

CLASSICAL PAGANISM

May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me.

Plato - Fourth Century B. C.

HINDUISM

Do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain

Mahabharata - Third Century B. C.

JUDAISM

What is hateful to yourself, don't do to your fellow man.

Rabbi Hillel - First Century B. C.

CHRISTIANITY

to them

Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so

SIKHISM

Treat others as thou wouldst be treated thyself.

Sixteenth Century A. D.

Religion focuses on matters of faith and reasoning

• Religion deals with many things that cannot be detected or measured

• Religious leaders rely on some material elements to support their beliefs

Science focuses on matters of fact and evidence

• Science deals only with things that can be detected or measured

Scientific leaders o rely on some faith to support their belief