World Religions AP World

1. Zoroastrianism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated around the 6th century BCE in Iran.

  • Deity(s): Ahura Mazda is the main god, representing truth and goodness, in constant battle with the evil spirit Angra Mainyu.

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by Zarathustra (Zoroaster).

  • Key Texts: The Avesta is the key text, including sections like the Gathas, Yasna, Visp-rat, Vendidad, Yashts, Hadhoxt Nask, and Khurda Avesta.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Zoroastrianism introduces the dualistic concept of good (Ahura Mazda) versus evil (Angra Mainyu).

    • The idea of an afterlife, a creator, and the fight between good and evil are central.

    • Practices include worship at fire temples, where fire symbolizes purity and the divine, and specific death rituals.

  • Expansion/Influence: Spread to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East, influencing religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

  • Political & Social Role: Used by empires like the Sassanian Empire to assert political control, reinforcing social hierarchies by elevating Zoroastrians over others.

2. Legalism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated between 475 BCE and 221 BCE in China during the Warring States period.

  • Deity(s): N/A

  • Founder/Leaders: Leaders include Shang Yang, Han Feizi, and Li Si.

  • Key Texts: Important texts include The Book of Lord Shang, Han Feizi, Shenzi, and Guanzi.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Legalism emphasizes that humans are inherently selfish and need strict laws to maintain order.

    • Practices include implementing strict laws and severe punishments, alongside rewards to enforce obedience.

  • Expansion/Influence: Predominantly stayed in China, significantly influencing the Qin Dynasty, which used it to unify China.

  • Political & Social Role: Legalism justified strong, centralized power and strict control, reinforcing the ruling class’s authority and determining social hierarchies by rigid laws.

3. Confucianism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Founded between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE in China.

  • Deity(s): N/A

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by Confucius.

  • Key Texts: Important texts include the Lunyu (Analects), Spring and Autumn Annals, and Mencius.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Central concepts include "Ren" (benevolence), "Li" (proper conduct), "Xiao" (filial piety), and "Yi" (righteousness).

    • The Five Relationships outline key social roles: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger, and friend-friend.

    • Practices include ancestor worship and rituals at Confucian temples.

  • Expansion/Influence: Mostly stayed in China but spread to other parts of East Asia by 1200 C.E.

  • Political & Social Role: Confucianism became the official state philosophy during the Han Dynasty, used to maintain social order and justify the authority of rulers. The Civil Service Exam system based on Confucian teachings promoted meritocracy.

4. Daoism (Taoism)

  • Time/Place of Founding: Founded around the 6th century BCE in China.

  • Deity(s): N/A

  • Founder/Leaders: Traditionally attributed to Laozi.

  • Key Texts: Important texts include the Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi, and Liezi.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Key beliefs include living in harmony with the Tao, or "the Way," which is the guiding force of the universe.

    • The concept of "Wu Wei" (non-action) emphasizes naturalness and simplicity, opposing forced actions.

    • Practices include meditation, breathing exercises, and pursuing balance through the Yin and Yang concept.

    • Daoism also includes alchemy and practices aimed at achieving longevity and immortality.

  • Expansion/Influence: Predominantly stayed in China, with limited spread outside by 1200 C.E.

  • Political & Social Role: Used to assert political authority during the Tang Dynasty, where rulers claimed descent from Laozi. This connection reinforced their legitimacy and loyalty among the people.

5. Hinduism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated around the 2nd millennium BCE on the Indian subcontinent.

  • Deity(s): Hinduism is polytheistic, with three main deities: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

  • Founder/Leaders: N/A (Hinduism developed over time with no single founder).

  • Key Texts: Key texts include the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Hinduism emphasizes Dharma (duty), Karma (actions), and Samsara (cycle of rebirth).

    • The spirit or spark of god in a person reflects their true nature, beyond the physical body and mind.

    • Practices include temple worship, festivals, pilgrimage to sacred sites like the Ganges, and observing the caste system, which divides society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits.

  • Expansion/Influence: By 1200 C.E., Hinduism had spread throughout the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.

  • Political & Social Role: Reinforced social hierarchies through the caste system and supported the idea that rulers were representatives of gods, thus legitimizing their political power.

6. Buddhism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated in the 6th to 5th centuries BCE on the Indian subcontinent.

  • Deity(s): N/A (Buddhism does not focus on gods but on achieving enlightenment).

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.

  • Key Texts: Key texts include the Tripitaka (Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka), and the Dhammapada.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Central teachings include the Four Noble Truths: life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, the end of suffering is attainable, and the Eightfold Path is the way to end suffering.

    • Practices include meditation, ethical conduct, and following the Eightfold Path to achieve Nirvana.

    • Buddhism split into two main branches: Theravada, focusing on individual enlightenment, and Mahayana, emphasizing collective salvation and the role of Bodhisattvas.

  • Expansion/Influence: By 1200 C.E., Buddhism had spread to South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia, including China, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, largely due to the efforts of rulers like Emperor Ashoka and the Silk Road trade routes.

  • Political & Social Role: Buddhism was used by empires like the Mauryan Empire to unify subjects and legitimize their rule. Laws were sometimes based on Buddhist principles, and the spread of Buddhism helped maintain social harmony.

7. Judaism

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated in the Middle East nearly 4000 years ago.

  • Deity(s): Monotheistic, worshipping one God, referred to by names such as Jehovah and Adonai.

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by Abraham, a Hebrew patriarch.

  • Key Texts: The Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, with the Torah as a central part.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Central to Judaism is the concept of a covenant between God and the Israelites, who are expected to follow God's laws in exchange for His protection.

    • Beliefs include the importance of ethical behavior and good deeds in daily life, with practices such as temple worship, observing Jewish holidays, and following kosher dietary laws.

  • Expansion/Influence: Due to the diaspora, Judaism spread to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East by 1200 C.E.

  • Political & Social Role: Judaism was used to assert political authority by requiring respect for rulers and religious leaders, reinforcing social hierarchies through the power of priests and rabbis over communities.

8. Islam

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated in the 7th century CE in Mecca, Arabia.

  • Deity(s): Monotheistic, worshipping Allah as the one true God.

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by the Prophet Muhammad.

  • Key Texts: The Qur'an, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Five Pillars of Islam:

      • Shahada: Declaration of faith, professing that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.

      • Salat: Performing ritual prayers five times a day facing Mecca.

      • Zakat: Giving to charity and helping those in need as an obligation.

      • Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn until sunset.

      • Hajj: Undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if possible.

    • Beliefs also include the Day of Judgment, the existence of angels, and prophets, with Muhammad being the final prophet.

  • Expansion/Influence: By the end of 1200 C.E., Islam had spread from the Arabian Peninsula to parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, parts of Africa, and Europe (notably Spain), through conquest, trade, and missionary activities.

  • Political & Social Role:

    • Caliphate System: The Caliphate system, which combined religious and political leadership, was used to unify and govern the Islamic empire. Caliphs, as successors to Muhammad, played a central role in both governance and religious matters.

    • Legal and Social Influence: Islamic law (Sharia) influenced legal systems, and social structures were shaped by Islamic teachings. Conquest and expansion were sometimes justified through religious principles, reinforcing the social hierarchy within the Muslim world and distinguishing between Muslims and non-Muslims.

9. Christianity

  • Time/Place of Founding: Originated in the 1st century CE in the region of Judea, part of the Roman Empire.

  • Deity(s): Christianity is monotheistic, worshiping one God, who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (Trinity).

  • Founder/Leaders: Founded by Jesus Christ, considered the Son of God and the central figure of Christianity. Key early leaders include the Apostles Peter and Paul.

  • Key Texts:

    • The Bible: Divided into the Old Testament (shared with Judaism) and the New Testament.

    • New Testament includes the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Acts of the Apostles, Epistles (letters by Paul and other apostles), and Revelation.

  • Basic Beliefs & Practices:

    • Core Beliefs:

      • Jesus as the Messiah: Christians believe that Jesus is the Savior who was crucified and resurrected for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

      • Salvation: Achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and acceptance of God’s grace.

      • The Trinity: The belief in one God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

    • Practices:

      • Sacraments: Major practices include Baptism (initiation into the faith) and Eucharist/Communion (commemorating Jesus' Last Supper).

      • Worship: Includes attending church services, prayer, and reading from the Bible.

      • Festivals: Major holidays include Christmas (celebration of Jesus' birth) and Easter (celebration of Jesus' resurrection).

    • Creeds: Statements of faith such as the Nicene Creed, formulated in the early councils, which define key Christian doctrines.

  • Expansion/Influence:

    • Early Spread: Christianity initially spread through the Roman Empire, facilitated by missionary work, especially by Paul of Tarsus, and was formalized as the state religion by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century CE.

    • By 1200 CE: Christianity had spread throughout Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Iberian Peninsula, and parts of Eastern Europe (such as Hungary and Poland). It had also made inroads into parts of North Africa and the Near East.

  • Political & Social Role:

    • Roman Empire: After Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313 CE, Christianity became a state religion, which led to the establishment of the Church as a major political and social institution.

    • Medieval Europe: The Church wielded significant influence over European rulers and politics. The Pope was a central figure in medieval politics, and the Church played a key role in shaping societal norms and laws.

    • Feudal System: Christianity was integral to the feudal system, with religious leaders often holding significant land and power, reinforcing social hierarchies.