A9: World Religions
Religion
Chapter 10
Historic Role of Religion
Humans seek explanations for their existence and the natural world
Search for meaning in everyday life
A code of ethics
Provide display and comfort of rituals
Fostering of community and caring
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Nature of Religion
One modern view:
Belief in supreme being(s)
Belief shapes moral precepts and behaviors
Concept of what is sacred
Religions vary
Spiritual and civil elements in all
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What Is Religion?
Religion may be defined, in its broadest sense, as the relationship between man and the superhuman power he believes in and feels himself to be dependent upon.
Hans-Joachim Schoeps
Religions of Mankind
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Five Great Modern Religions
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
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Figure 10.1: (a) Religious identification of U.S. population; (b) Religious identification of world population
Hinduism
Primarily in India
No founder, no distinct creeds
All life is sacred, all life has a soul
Soul inhabits successive bodies during journey through universe
Cows are revered (symbol of Mother Earth)
All beings die, are reborn in endless cycle
Vishnu (creator) and Siva (destroyer)
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Hinduism (continued)
Four castes (in order):
Scholars and priests
Administrators of the state
Commercial and agricultural entrepreneurs
Workers
Caste is hereditary
Sikhs are a special type of Hindu
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Buddhism
Developed from early Hinduism
Founded by young Hindu prince, 500 B.C. (Buddha)
Sought release from life’s suffering by overcoming earthly desires
Nirvana (enlightenment) can be achieved by right thinking, self-denial
Focuses on gentleness, compassion, rationality, and moderation
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Buddhism (continued)
Spread throughout East
Underwent changes
Many sects
Reached U.S. in 1970
Eight stages to reach Nirvana:
Right views
Right aspiration
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right contemplation
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Judaism
Monotheistic
Developed from ancient Hebrew tribe
Israelites migrated to Egypt (then enslaved)
Moses leads to freedom/Ten Commandments
This becomes Torah/Five Books of Moses
Jewish scriptures AND Christian Old Testament
Israelites become “chosen followers”
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Judaism (continued)
Most modern Jews can trace ancestry to ancient Israelites
Believe they are chosen by God (but are not special)
Often scattered, persecuted throughout history
One God as creator and ruler of universe
Still waiting for coming of Messiah
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Judaism (continued)
Rights often restricted until nineteenth century
Anti-Semitism
Pogroms (Russia), the Holocaust (Europe)
Modern divisions in faith (Orthodox, Reform, Conservatives)
Not a race of people
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Christianity
Monotheistic
Principal religion of Western world
Developed from Judaism
Major part of Bible from Jewish sacred texts
Jesus of Nazareth (birth year marks time for all Western cultures)
Jesus as Messiah (divine son of God), begins ministry and gathering disciples
Writings of disciples (Gospels, Epistles)
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Islam
Monotheistic
Founded by Muhammad (born A.D. 570)
Believed he was chosen by Allah (God) to receive divine messages from Gabriel
Revelations assembled into the Qur'an by Abû Bakr (Muhammad’s first successor)
Major teachings:
God is one and is eternal
Qur'an is infallible
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Islam (continued)
Devout Muslims perform Five Pillars of Islam:
Acceptance and frequent repetition of the creed, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”
The performance five times a day of prescribed rituals of prayer and devotion
The giving of alms to the needy
The fast during Ramadan, the month when the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad
The pilgrimage to the Kaaba stone at Mecca once in a lifetime by those who can afford it
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Islam (continued)
Most prevalent today in Arabian peninsula, North and West Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Afghanistan, Indian subcontinent, part of the former U.S.S.R., and Indonesia
Two factions:
Shiites (the sectarians, followers of Ali, cousin to the Prophet) must follow Imam
Sunni (the traditionalists) can follow secular ruler
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Role of Religion in Society
Integrative influence in primitive societies
Controlled behavior
Supported custom and tradition
Socially disruptive force (conflict over who is “right”)
Impact on economic and political institutions
“Protestant ethic”
Force for social change
Civil rights
Antislavery movement
Economic and social equality
Adding morality to politics
Can also be a negative force (Crusades, jihad terrorism)
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Influence on Education and Arts
In past, church had leading role in creating and preserving literature
Founder of most colleges and universities
Inspiration for much art and music in every culture
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