The World's Major Religions

Key Terms
Theism/Theist: To have a belief in a god or a higher being.
Monotheism/Monotheist: To believe in one god.
Polytheism/Polytheist: To believe in many gods.
Atheism/Atheist: To believe there is no god or gods.
Agnosticism/Agnostic: Not sure whether a god exist.
Credo: A philosophy or a set of beliefs.
Devil: The spirit of evil in Jewish and Christian belief.
Ethics: A system of morals; rules for human conduct.
Evolutionary: a person who believes that evolution explains the origins of species.
Multi-faith: A society with many faiths living together.
Ritual: A prescribed religious procedure or performance.
Sacred: Anything connected with religion.
Soul: The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or an animal.
Spiritual: Concerned with sacred or religious things and related to the human spirit or soul.
Symbol: A mark, character, or object that serves to represent an idea, process, or function.
Theology: The study of religion, especially religions with a belief or god.

The Ism's

Idealism: Sees a wonderful, ideal world, which is somehow "covered" by the dreary shadow of
everyday events and ideas.
Materialism: Is the view that the world is entirely dependent on matter. Matter is the final and
ultimate reality. There is no such thing as a soul outside of the physical body.
Consumerism: Is an important type of materialism. It is the idea that you are what you own.
Individualism: Places a high value on freedom and choice. The good o the individual is what is
important.
Collectivism: The Individual is not as important as the social collective (i.e. state, nation, race,
social class).
Secularism: Rejects all forms of religious faith, morals or worship in political or social affairs.
They can believe in a god but make decisions without religious influence.
Fundamentalism: Taking everything (all beliefs, texts, etc) as literal. Can be widely
misinterpreted which leads to conflicts. It is regarded as a major reason for terrorism.
Humanism: An outlook or system of thought that views humankind, rather than spirituality or
religion, as the source of all value and meaning.
 Paganism: A person holding religious beliefs other than those of any of the other main religions
of the world. In the past, this term was sometimes used by Christians to describe other non-
Christian faiths.
Religious Pluralism: A positive attitude toward the existence of many faiths in one society.

Timeline
BC means Before Christ. BCE means Before Common Era.
AD means Anno Domini otherwise “In the Year of Our Lord”. CE means Common Era.

Both used to date and time periods. They are also centred around the year 0.

Axial Period

The Axial Period is the most important period in the history of Religion. It extends roughly from 600
BCE to 600 AD. During this period many important religious founders lived and taught.

When Did Religion Begin?

400,000 to 300,000 BCE

Preserved skulls stained in red ochre have been found.
Red symbolized the colour of blood for many cultures.

30,000 BCE
Homo sapiens as we know them were in existence.

30,000 to 9,000 BCE

Cave paintings in remote areas suggest sacred places.
Symbols of natural phenomena (fire, death, etc.) suggest people trying to answer some of life's
difficult questions.

4,000 to 2,500 BCE

Formation of distinct cultures, each developing their own myths and religion.

Hinduism (2500 BCE)

Hinduism means "the religions of India", as it is not a single religion, but rather a variety of beliefs and
spiritual practices combined into one.

Hinduism is believed to be over 6000 years old and the oldest of the remaining living world
religions
When India started to have a recorded history.
It is a vast and complex task to date the religion as it comes from many traditions that have
compiled over the years.
The Founding Story:
Krishna

Judaism (2000 BCE - 18000 BCE)

Judaism appears in around 2000-1800 BCE.

Judaism records God's attempts to make many covenants with His chosen people.
This is the first Monotheistic Religion.
Monotheistic is defined as the belief in only one God.

The Founding Story:

Buddhism (500 BCE)

Buddhism "grew out of" Hinduism (in a similar way to Christianity did from Judaism)
Started with the prince Siddhartha.

The Founding Story:

Christianity (100 BCE)

Although Christ was born around 4-6 BCE and died at the age of 33, Christianity became
recognizable in the 1st century BCE.

The Founding Story:

Islam (570 CE)

Islam reaches back to the history of Israelites as Ishmael (a descendant of one of the founders,
Muhammed being the founder).
Islam is centred around the idea of 5 pillars: Profession of Faith (shahada), Prayer (salat),
Alms (zakat), Fasting (sawm), Pilgrimage (haji).
Declare their faith (shahada), they pray 5 times a day (salat), give money to charity or
those in need (zakat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), pilgrimage to Mecca (haji).

The Founding Story:

Sikhism (1469 CE - 1708 CE)

The youngest religion originating from India.

It can be dated from 1469 CE to 1708 CE according to the teachings of the leading Gurus.

The Founding Story:

Why Practice Religion?

Religion can provide you with a better mindset, discipline, helps you answer philosophical questions
pertaining to nature, natural phenomena, and our origins, along with what happens in the afterlife. It
also gives you a moral compass, a purpose, hope, community, a feeling of comfort and/or security,
and even helps you heal from any trauma or past mistakes.
Common Elements: A god(s) is always present (mono vs polythene), beliefs, prayer, places of
worship, guidelines (values, scriptures, etc), a sacred text.

World Religions
The Religious Impulse
The religious impulse is the inner desire to believe in something greater than the self. All humans are
born with this desire, but some choose to ignore it or turn away from it. However, many are lead to
follow religion as a result of such a desire.

Approaches to Studying World Religions

Theocentric

Definition: Having God as the central interest and the ultimate concern.
The meaning of life comes from its relationship with a higher power beyond our understanding.
The universe is created by God.
Each person shares in this divine life, and is created in the image of God. Life has a sacred purpose.
Society organizes its values to mirror the presence of God

Sociological

Definition: Concerning the development, structure, and functioning of human society.

Major social institutions - how the religion is set up to preserve and implement its teaching and
practice, what kind of leadership it has and, how it interacts with the larger society.

Anthropocentric (Human Centred)

Definition: Regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence, especially as
opposed to God or animals.
A modern worldview where the values of the individuals and communities are the main focus.
Humans are free and responsible individuals.

Elements of Religion (The 4 C's)

Creed: The basic shared beliefs.

What is divine? What is humanity and nature? What is salvation?

Code: The rules of conduct & behaviour.
How should we live? What is the right way of living?
Cult: The methods of worship.
 How should one worship?
Community: The definition of the religious group.
How is the religious group perceived by the outside world?

Roles in Religion

There are a variety of tasks that one can perform within a religion:
Founder: a witness to a revelation that establishes a new religion. Legends usually are created
around his/her life.
Prophet: An enunciator or interpreter of the divine message, imparted in visions or auditions.
Prophets are often persecuted or martyred for delivering unpopular messages.
Mystic: A person who seeks a personal union with the divine (yoga in Hinduism).
Priest: A representative of the community empowered to watch over, worship, and sacrifice.
Religious: Monks or nuns who join together in communities that are dedicated to living out a religious
vision.
Reformer: An innovator who protests practice that are inconsistent with the original vision of the
religion.
Theologian: A scholar who studies religious faith, practices and experience.

Religion and Culture

Religion: Concerned with beliefs, rituals and practices.

Ethnicity: concerned with a persons origins and culture, but not necessarily their religion.
80% of India practices Hinduism, but many still practice Christianity.
Music, movies, and social media may often place negative characteristics or stereotypes on
certain religions, often associating them with specific groups of people (associating big families
with South Asians).
Many religions, such as Christianity, fear that their holidays (such as Christmas) have lost
the true message due to the excitement flooding the event.
Jesus' birthday (Christmas) is actually unknown.
The non-religious aspect of the Christmas Holidays originated as Winter Solstice
Festival to prepare for the difficult winter and to celebrate the return of the sun. The
idea of bringing the evergreen would bring fertility.
In Canada, religion is separate from the state.
Canadians can choose to follow any religion without consequences.

Fundamentalism
There is a growing movement against secularization and modernity in various faith groups.
Given the increasing influence of secularism and some peoples dissatisfaction with mainstream
religion, it has lead to the rise of fundamentalist sects.
Examples of fundamentalism stem from all mainstream religions.
Some common characters associated with religious fundamentalism groups are:
 They hold the belief that their sacred scripture is without error.
Sacred scripture is interpreted literally.
They have a strong hold to the history of their faith tradition.
They hold a different worldview. This is the belief that everyone is wrong who holds worldly
views rather than a godly world view.
Have a fixed understanding of moral conduct.
They are connected to a strong leadership.
They oftentimes project feelings of anger, resentment and frustration against secular views,
challengers, political systems, and other mainstream religions. This may show an inclination
of violence.

Distinguishing Between Authentic Religion and Cults, Extremism

and False Prophets
Authentic Religion
Leader

Most have a significant founder who introduced the development of the faith.
Most religions have current religious leader who are the authority of the faith and lead at religious
events. They do not call attention to themselves. Examples: Pope Francis, Dalai Lama
Religious leaders do not control or dominate the religious adherents (followers in faith)

Rules of Conduct

Most religions have a code of conduct/ethics that guides the religious adherents and moral
behaviour.
Offer set of answers to most pressing life questions, such as the meaning of suffering, what
happens after death, etc...

Sense of Community/Family

Promotes strong sense of faith and community with milestones: rituals and festivals.
Concern is expressed for unity, peace, the welfare of others, social justice, environment, global
obligations, etc

Belief System

Most religions have a creed outlining their belief system relating holy texts, afterlife, ethical
teaching, etc. that give a religious adherents a guideline for living.

Cults/Extremism
Leader
 Most cults/extremists groups are focused on a living leader to whom members have an
unquestioning commitment. Members believe the leader has some special mission to save
humanity (False prophet).
The living leader is very charismatic who is usually a single male who dominates the
membership, demanding total obedience and discourages independent thinking from members.
The leadership may tell members how to think, act and feel. This may include who to marry, what
types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth.

Rules of Conduct

Cults are focused on a conduct that involves altering members' behaviour. Mind-numbing
techniques (used to suppress doubts about the group) and questioning is seen as disobedience.
Members are usually sleep deprived and not given a proper diet. Members often experience love
bombing.
The leadership induces guilt feelings in members in order to control them. Leaving the
"faith" is virtually impossible (if not from the brainwashing that has occurred it can be made
physically difficult).

Sense of Community/Family

Most cults will require you to severe your ties with those who don't follow the teachings. They are
usually isolated in one area and they try to foster a "family" atmosphere.
Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group. Members are
encouraged to or required to live and/or socialize only with the other group members.

Belief System

Most cults have Apocalyptic Beliefs. The leader's preaching is heavily dependant on the end of
the world. In some cases, suicide is offered as an answer to escape the devastation that is
believed to come to the world. Most cults advocate intense personal training into the dogma of
the cult, questioning is not permitted and sometimes punishable. Most cults take a polarized
view. In other words, everything the cult teaches is good and the outside world is bad.

Pluralism
Benefits & Negatives

Benefits Negatives
Political correctness. Leaves room for discussion.
Strengthens our communities and Conflicts from difference of beliefs/can lead to
promotes tolerance, respect, hositilities.
understanding, and equality for all
religions.
No religion is false. Self-contradictory.
Benefits
By agreeing with other religions, there is
less conflict.
Exposed to many different religions.
Less prejudice.
Helps consumer outlook.
All roads to God
No one can say that one religion is better
than the rest.
No one feels invalidated.
Each religion has one piece of truth.
Negatives
Discriminates against certain faiths.
Does not tolerate other religions but instead blindly
accepts it as truth.
Catholics reject pluralism; contradictions exist (i.e.
What happens when we die? Reincarnation,
heaven, etc).
Risk of alienation.
Favouritism from authorities towards any particular
group over time.
In a pluralistic society, children are taught what they
say has to be weighed for fear of offending
someone, this limits their freedom expression.

Nostra Aetate
Second Vatican council created two documents: Nostra Aetate & diticantus huminates (i have no
clue wth this is not accurate). after ww2
The church wants us to collaborate with other religions and has a high regard for muslims.
Promotes moral values and social justice.
The church recognizes what's true and holy in other religions as well.
The world youth day is celebrated and organized by this group fo individuals.