Philosophy Develops Alongside World Religions World religions tried to explain the answers to important questions, such as where humans came from, why we are here, what does it mean to be good, and so on. As world religions were emerging, so were other belief systems that tried to answer these questions. However, in contrast to world religions these belief systems focused on investigation, discussion, and rational argument, and tried to base the search for answers more in the human world and less in the supernatural world of gods. These systems developed into what we now call philosophy, the pursuit of knowledge through thought and inquiry based on reasoning, and they were connected to the beginnings of what we now call science. In Greece, for example, people believed in a number of gods, but Greek scholars developed a method of scientific and moral questioning known as natural philosophy. According to natural philosophy, human reason could be effectively used to explain natural, cosmic, and psychological phenomenon. These thinkers saw no contradiction between their efforts to understand the natural world through observation and study and their belief that the gods fundamentally ruled it. In China, the writings of Confucius offered another system of beliefs and guidelines for moral behavior, suggesting that humans had the ability to improve and develop moral behavior on their own. Confucius used his writings to suggest guidelines for good leadership, moral behavior, family relationships, and overall human improvement for the good of the community. Reading adapted from: World History For Us All…and Stearns SUMMARIZATION PRACTICE: Identify and write in your words at least five important points from this reading: 1) 2)
Amount of followers Where largest percentage of followers exist Name of Deity origin Date started Sacred Text Leadership Basic Beliefs Symbols/Icons Hinduism Today: Over 1 billion followers mainly in India and South East Asia with smaller groups in Europe and the US Brahman – the one supreme being Believed in other forms of the same god, such as Vishnu and Shiva, and Shakti, are worshipped separately and treated almost as different gods. Don’t want to label their religion as having one or many gods. No one founder India Uncertain, but before 1,500 BCE No single book; sacred texts: The Vedas: existed in oral form for centuries before they were written down. The Puranas: long stories of Hindu myths, gods, goddess and heroes. -Upanishads -Rig Veda -Laws of Manu Guru, Holy Man, Brahmin priests Famous Teachers -- Gandhi People in this religion generally believe that... The soul never dies, but it is continually reborn; this is called reincarnation. Persons achieve happiness and enlightenment after they free themselves from their earthly desires. Freedom from earthly desires comes from a lifetime of worship, knowledge, and virtuous acts. Good deeds and thoughts will result in later good results, whereas bad deeds result in bad outcomes... this is Karma. Worship and praying to god(s) brings blessings and protections and expresses devotion. The relationships with favorite gods/goddesses are very personal. The sound OM, or AUM, is the most sacred syllable for Hindus. It is often used in prayers. Belief System Founder
Name Amount of followers Where largest percentage of followers exist Name of Deity Location of origin Date started Sacred Text Leadership Basic Beliefs Symbols/Icons Taoism (Daoism) 550 BCE Today: Around 225 million in China, South East Asia Mainly Taiwan; Some reside in North America and Canada as well Polytheistic Tao is not a god, but a unifying force in the universe. Some Taoists believe in many gods, most borrowed from other cultures. These gods themselves are subject to the Tao. Lao-Tzu (“The Old One”)—he is looked upon as a god by some Taoists. China 550 BCE The two most important Taoist texts are the Tao Te Ching, said to have been written by Lao-tzu and the Chuang Tzu, named after its author. Spiritual leader: Sage People in this religion generally believe that... There is no all-powerful god. Some worship more personal gods in order to try to be in harmony with Tao, to achieve balance in their lives. Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. It is basically indefinable. It has to be experienced. It "refers to A power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark) Chinese character "Tao" Belief System Founder
Name Amount of followers Where largest percentage of followers exist Name of Deity Location of origin Date started Sacred Text Leadership Basic Beliefs Symbols/Icons Buddhism Today: 376 million In China, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, and South East Asia (India, Korea, and Vietnam) The Buddha did not teach a personal deity (God). Sects: original teachings of Buddha Mahayana-- the modified version salvation and popular that Buddha was a god The Buddha— Siddhartha Guatama India Approx. 500 BCE No one texts include the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra or The Tripitaka Buddhist Monks and Nuns People in this religion generally believe that... Persons achieve complete peace, known as nirvana, by eliminating their attachment to things. Nirvana is achieved by following the Eightfold Path. There are Four Noble Truths 1) Suffering exists 2) There is a reason that people suffer. 3) There is an end to suffering. 4) To end suffering, follow the Eightfold Path: know the truth, resist evil, say nothing that might hurt, respect life, free the mind from evil, service to others, control evil thoughts, and meditation. The soul is reborn into new life after death. Living a good life can help you escape the cycle. Wheel of the Law The Buddha is said to have "set in motion the wheel of the dharma" during his first sermon. His teachings are often symbolized by a wheel.
Belief System Name Amount of followers Where largest percentage of followers exist Name of Deity Founder Location of origin Date started Sacred Text Leadership Basic Beliefs Symbols/Icons Judaism No around 3000 years ago Today: 13.5 million in Israel and the United States, smaller numbers in Europe Monotheistic God (Yahweh) Abraham Middle East No around 3000 years ago Hebrew Bible, known as the Torah The Talmud is contains stories, laws, medical knowledge, debates about moral choices, etc. It also includes a series of debates or of passages of the Torah. Rabbis People in this religion generally believe that... There is only one God, who watches over and cares for his people. God loves and protects his people, but also holds people accountable for their sins and short-comings. Persons serve God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings. Jewish sacred texts have little to say about what happens after death. It is more focused on actions than on beliefs. Also called the Shield Of David, it is the universal symbol of Judaism. The emblem refers to King David, who ruled the kingdom of Israel from about 1000-962 BCE
Belief System Name Amount of followers Where largest percentage of followers exist Name of Deity Founder Location of origin Date started Sacred Text Leadership Basic Beliefs Symbols/Icons Christianity Today: 2.1 billion, most in Europe and the Americas, but present in Africa and Asia/Pacific as well Monotheistic One God, and The Trinity holds that there are three in one and one in three aspects of God: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Ghost St. Paul founded it based on his of Jesus Christ’s life and mission Middle East 30 CE Bible Includes the Torah, Old Testament, and the Gospels and New Testament (accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and St. Paul’s mission amongst Jews and Gentiles) Clergy (Pope, priests and ministers) People in this religion generally believe that... There is only one God, who watches over and cares for his people. Jesus Christ was the son of God. He died to save humanity from sin. His death and resurrection made eternal life possible for others. The 10 Commandments are a guide for moral behavior (thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not murder, etc.). There are different beliefs within the larger Christian religion about life after death, but Christians generally hold that there is an afterlife, and that the worthy will go to Heaven to be rewarded and that the unworthy will go to Hell. There is disagreement, however, about who is worthy and who is unworthy. The Cross, a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, represents Jesus' love for humanity in dying for its sins.
Student Handout 4 – Global Belief System Comparison/Contrast Matrix Place an X in the appropriate box for each characteristic that applies to each religion. Then answer the questions. Religion/Belief System Approximate date of origin (fill in the closest date) Polytheistic Monotheistic Basic beliefs distinguish between right and wrong Belief in an after-life (for example, heaven or hell) Belief in reincarnation Has sacred text(s) Has leaders that are seen as religious authorities Animism (not a world religion) Zoroastrianism (use the article, not the chart) Hinduism Judaism Buddhism Daoism(Taoism) Christianity