1F.+Major+Belief+Systems+(New)

Major belief systems I. Quick Reference Chart a. Compare the basic features of major religions and belief systems; including their locations prior to 600 C.E: i. Polytheisms ii. Hinduism iii. Judaism iv. Confucianism v. Daoism vi. Buddhism vii. Christianity b. Identify their commonalities and influences.

I. Quick Reference Chart
 * Key Person ||  Date  ||  Location  ||  Religion/Philosophy  ||  Key Ideas  ||
 * Hebrew Prophets ||  9th-6th centuries B.C.E.  ||  Palestine/Israel/Mediterranean  ||  Judaism  ||  Social Justice, One must be close with God.  ||
 * Anonymous writers of Upanishads ||  800-400 C.E.  ||  India  ||  Hinduism  ||  Brahma, Karma, *Rebirth cycle*- goal to be realeased from it.  ||
 * Confucius ||  6th Century B.C.E.  ||  China  ||  Confucianism  ||  Social Harmony, Live by example, Education important.  ||
 * Siddhartha Gautama ||  6th Century B.C.E  ||  India  ||  Buddhism  ||  Suffering is caused by desire, Sufffering ends when desire stops.  ||
 * Lao Tzu ||  6th – 3rd Centuries B.C.E.  ||  China  ||  Daoism  ||  Live with nature  ||
 * Jesus ||  Early 1st Century  ||  Palestine/Israel  ||  Christianity  ||  One all powerful God  ||

A) Comparing Major Religions Using Components of AGMSPRITE.

//**Polytheisms**// - - - - [] - Military had a small role in polytheisms. One of largest polytheistic societies, Greece did believe that the military conquest of rival states was directly related to a war in the heavens. - As a society, polytheistic peoples worshipped many gods. For Example Zeus, the God of the gods. And Poseiden, God of water. - In ancient times, many priests of polytheistic civilizations were "able" to communicate with the gods. This helped develop distinct classes in society, the priest class being one of the highest. - Notable societies that were polytheistic include: Sumer, the city-states of ancient Greece, and Egypt. All worshipped many gods.

//**Hinduism**// - - []

- Date of Emergence: First millenium C.E. - Relative Location: India - Hinduism was widely practiced around present day India in southern Asia. - Hinduism did recognize two types of war. One, a noble war, called dharmayuddha, and the other type of kutayudda. - The Caste System kept order in society. This system allowed followers to move up and down the system according to their Dharma. The goal was to be released of the birth cycle. - Hinduism was a polytheistic religion. - They believe in reincarnation, which means rebirth, helping to free yourself from the birth cycle. - In politics, the Caste System once again plays a role; by determining who has political power, based on your current caste level.

//**Judaism**// - - [] - - [] - Date Of Emergence: 9th --> 6th Century B.C.E. - Relative Location: Modern day Palestine/Israel. It also developed in Egypt/Persia. - Followers of Judaism are suggested to follow 13 moral codes. They are: 1. God exists 2. God is one and unique 3. God is incorpreal 4. God is eternal 5. Prayer is to be directed to God, and no other 6. The words of the prophets are true 7. Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets 8. The Torah was given to Moses 9. There will be no other Torah 10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men 11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked 12. The Messiah will come 13. The dead will be resurrected - [] - A main focus of the religion as a whole is to focus on one's relationship between themselves, and God.

//**Confucianism**// - - [] - - [] - Date of Emergence: 551 B.C.E. - Relative Location: East Asia - Founding Individual: Confucius - Confucianism as a religion is less concerned with a "god", but focuses on living a healthy, natural life. - While Confuciansim doesn't appear to have directly affected politics, //Confucius// himself sought political power before he died. - An important principle of Confucianism: Be a leader, have others look up to you.

//**Daoism**// - - [] - - [] - Founded by Lao Tzu. - Daoism encouraged followers to live a simple life, and live //with// nature. - During the conception of Daoism, politics in China were chaotic, rulers changed rapidly. - A basic life was promoted by Daoism.

//**Buddhism**// - - [] - - [] - Founded by Siddaharta Gautama around 600 B.C.E. - Originated in India but later spread throughout Asia. - Buhhdism was a system that rejected social hierarchies. - Cycle of rebirth to reach enlightenment ("nirvana") - The cycle was based on Karma - Followers worshipped no gods - Four Noble Truths were to be followed;

1. Life involves suffering, is imperfect and unsatisfactory 2. Suffering originates in our own desires 3. Suffering will stop once desires stop 4. There is a way to realize this state

//**Christianity**// - - [] - - [] - Relative Location: modern day Palestine/Israel - Date of Emergence: 32 C.E. - Founding Individual: Jesus Christ - In the early days of Christianity, military leaders became threatened by the new religions power, and crucified Jesus Christ to show an example. - The Roman/Jewish leaders wanted to keep their political power. - Christianity is a monotheistic religion - 10 Commandments acted as a code of conduct for the religion.

//**Sources**//: Armstrong, Monty, David Daniel, Abby Kanarek, and Alexandra Freer. // Cracking the AP World History Exam 2011 Edition //. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.Strayer, Robert W. // Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources //. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. Print.

Class GoogleDoc "Basics to Religion".

**__Polytheisms__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Most ancient cultures worshiped it b. Worshiped nature as a god. B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. Center of art and architecture C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Separate city-states had separate gods so when one succeeded or failed, it was attributed to the gods interacting. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Emerged as a primary way to explain the universe. b. As individual city-states competed to please their gods, they put increasing demands for lavish displays of worship, which spurred the economy. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Because many early religions were highly complicated, only a select few could manage them, which gave rise to the priestly class. **__Hinduism__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Believe Brahman/Atman created the world and they have a deep connection with nature which they call Vedanta. B. Development and the interaction of cultures C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Because of caste system, Hinduism was rejected in many parts of the world b. Recently, Hindus have been discarding the caste system. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Emerged in the first millennium C.E. and was created by anonymous writers of Upanishads E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Had rigid caste systems b. Only way to move was through a cycle of rebirth
 * __I. 5 Major Themes__**

**__Judaism__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Believed that they, the Hebrews, were God’s chosen people B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. Originally lived by the teachings of Abraham. b. lived by the Torah (Law of Moses) and the Ten Commandments C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Were enslaved in Egypt 1428 B.C.E. to 1392 B.C.E. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Originated in Israel as well as Egypt and Persia while the Jews were enslaved there. Began 6th to 9th century B.C.E. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Spawned two later great monotheistic religions: Christianity and Islam.

**__Confucianism__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. It is not a religion; it is a political and social philosophy. b. Dealt solely with the question of how to restore political and social order. B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. As mentioned above, dealt with the restoration of social order. C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Confucius had goals of a high office but his ideas often conflicted with that of the state. b. However, his ideas prevailed after his death and changed the Chinese system, as most adapted to it. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Emerged primarily for the Chinese culture. b. Began 400 B.C.E. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Five fundamental relationships: ruler and subject, parent and child, husband and wife, older brother and younger brother, and friend and friend. b. When each person does his part in each of these relationships society is said to be stable and orderly.

**__Daoism__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Daoists were encouraged to withdraw into the world of nature b. Were encouraged to be spontaneous, unique, and true to themselves. B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. Founded by Lao-Tzu around 500 B.C.E. b. Believe in the Dao, a passive and unyielding force that accomplishes everything yet does nothing. C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Very little conflict, very little expansion or state-building as the point of the religion was to be unambitious and submissive to nature. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Used the symbol of water, soft and gentle, yet capable of wearing away stone. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Daoist priests often used magic to influence spirits.

**__Buddhism__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Believed Buddha’s enlightenment came under a bodhi tree. B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. Have similar ideas to Hindu, in that Buddhists believe in reincarnation. C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. Four Noble Truths i. All life is suffering ii. Suffering is caused by desire iii. One can be freed of this desire iv. One is freed of desire by following what’s called the Eightfold Path b. After Buddha’s death in 483 B.C.E., Buddhism split into two groups i. Theravada (Hinayana), which means “The Lesser Vehicle”. ii. Mahayana, which means “The Way of The Elders”. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Founded by Hindu prince Siddhartha Gautama. b. Founded between 563 and 483 B.C.E., his lifetime. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Women cannot live a religious life and cannot achieve spiritual salvation except through devotion to their husbands. b. Developed from Hinduism.

**__Christianity__** A. Interaction between humans and the environment a. Many Jews and subjects of the Roman Empire believed Jesus was the son of God. b. Believed Jesus as the link between God and man. B. Development and the interaction of cultures a. Emphasis on compassion, grace through faith, and the promise of eternal life. C. State-building, expansion (of state), and conflict a. The Roman and Jewish leaders disagreed with Jesus’ teachings and so in 30 C.E., they crucified him. D. Creation, expansion (of economic systems), and interaction of economic systems a. Although initially outlawed, eventually it was adopted as the main religion of the Roman Empire, making it the most popular religion in the world. E. Development and transformation of social structure a. Appealed to the lower class and women because of its dogma that eternal life was not based on personal circumstances. b. Women were still excluded from serving the Church however.