World Religions Review

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World Religions Review
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Polytheism

• The worlds most ancient belief system
• Animism nature
• Can also be a collection of defined
  gods/goddesses
• Belief in divine forces that are manifest in
  nature
• Many ancient societies were polytheistic Greece,
  Rome, Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, Americas, and
  African animism

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Hinduism

• Originated in India and is the religion of the
  majority
• Worlds oldest organized religion
• Polytheistic and an overarching deity
• Ancient scriptures Rig Vedas (tell of multiple
  gods/goddesses)

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Development

• Developed gradually over centuries (no founder
  or central figure this makes it different from
  all other major religions)
• Its origins lie in the Vedic and Epic Ages as the
  Aryan religion gained greater sophistication
• Fluid religion

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Fundamental Tenets

• Can be used to encourage economic, political, or
  social goals
• Key many paths. Its openness to many gods
  allows it to be perceived as more tolerant and
  may win converts for that reason (for example,
  Greeks who were stationed there after Alexander
  the Great)
• The basic holy essence is called Brahma
• Priestly caste is the Brahman

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Fundamental Tenets

• There are ceremonies attached, but there is also
  an emphasis on mystical ideas that seek out the
  divine soul (gurus)
• Belief in reincarnation every living thing
  participates in the divine essence and should
  seek union. When union occurs, suffering ceases
• Divine essence is seen in several key deities
  Shiva and Vishnu

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Fundamental Tenets

• There is an emphasis on prayer for aid in
  reincarnation
• There are epic poems that illustrate the
  principles and urge people to pursue dharma
  moral law that places consequences for our
  actions
• Be honorable, but it also allows for pleasure,
  aggressive merchants, warriors (upholds caste
  system)

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Spread of Hinduism

• Across India
• At least briefly to other parts of Asia because
  it was seen as tolerant
• Provided satisfying rules for living morally

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Hinduism and Gender

• Heavily influenced gender structures girls were
  excluded from studying sacred texts
• Some Hindu texts indicate a woman cannot reach
  the final stage of bliss until she has been
  reborn as a man
• However, women do have some power there are
  strong Hindu goddesses
• Woman perform rituals on their own or with their
  husbands and were often participants in
  devotional activities
• Hindu stories stressed devotion to men, but also
  praised women
• Family life and procreation were part of ones
  religions duties
• Sati

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Hinduism and Social Structure

• Caste system was tied to religion
• Reinforced the caste system while giving people
  hope for a future life

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Symbols
Lotus Flower roots in the mud, but blooms above
the water, like a person seeking release
Dancing Shiva
Aum both a symbol sound
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Judaism

• Worlds oldest monotheistic religion
• Both a faith and an ethnic identity

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Development

• Abraham and his wife Sarah leave Mesopotamia for
  Israel
• Earliest Jews were pastoralists
• See some examples of diffusion between
  Mesopotamia and the Jewish kingdom lex talonis
  (eye for an eye Hammurabi), both have a flood
  story
• Moses led the people from Egypt
• Empire became a monarchy, but struggled with
  powerful Mesopotamian and Persian kingdoms

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Fundamental Tenets

• Firm belief in monotheism Jehovah
• Jehovah guides the destinies of the Jewish people
  (a special people) he is personally involved in
  the lives of his people
• Stresses a special compact between Jehovah and
  the Jews
• Hebrew Bible 10 Commandments The Torah

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Fundamental Tenets

• Emphasis on Jehovahs justice and expectations
  for human behavior (as opposed to others in the
  region that suggested gods were whimsical or
  capricious)
• Strong moral code to live by that focused on
  justice
• Way of life, not only a set of rituals
• Importance of the temple not a ziggurat (The
  Western Wall)

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Spread of Judaism

• No strong emphasis on converting other people
  because of the belief in a special covenant
  between Jehovah and his people
• This kept them in a minority in the Middle East
• Did spread via trade diffusion to Axum (Ethiopia)
• Diaspora

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Judaism and Gender

• Since they are monotheistic, there are no female
  goddesses
• There were prominent women in early Judaism
  (Sarah)
• No women priestesses
• Patriarchy was reflected in their moral laws
  authority of husband
• Moses code provides for the protection of widows

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Judaism and Social Structure

• There were poor classes and slaves, but the law
  said they must be taken care of

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Symbols
Star of David represents the interaction of the
divine with the human
Menorah one of the oldest symbols of Judaism
Four letters that make up the word Yahweh
(Jehovah)
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Confucianism

• Critical concept is the proper understanding or
  relationships
• Founder is Kung Fuzi, aka Confucius
• More of a philosophy that a religion
• Can be combined with other religious ideas
  (Buddhism)

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Development

• Confucius life was devoted to reading, traveling,
  and preaching
• He believed in a divine order, but refused to
  speculate on it
• This reflects that fact that ancient China values
  were predominantly secular, rather than religious
  like most others at the time
• He saw himself as a spokesmen for the great days
  of China before the Zhou declined

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Fundamental Tenets

• Confucius emphasized political virtue and good
  government
• People should emphasize personal virtue and
  should reverence tradition (this would create a
  solid political life)
• Stressed respect for ones superiors, but also
  argued that a leader has a responsibility to
  behave appropriately
• Leaders should be modest, love wisdom and
  venerate tradition and ritual this will create
  sound government

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Fundamental Tenets

• Confucianism is primarily a system of ethics
• Emphasizes loyalty to the group
• The Analects are the collection of writings and
  he believed in making education available
• The levels of relationships were interrelated a
  person could not be a good leader if they were
  not a good son and showed respect to their father

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Spread of Confucianism

• Some were not inclined to accept it because it
  failed to deal with spiritual issues
• Mostly appealed to the upper classes, although it
  did spread to some in the lower classes.
  However, most of the peasants were still
  polytheistic/worshipped ancestors. Gradually the
  values of Confucianism diffused throughout the
  classes
• Spread to Japan via diffusion
• Ideas were initially spread by his disciple
  Mencius

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Confucianism and Gender

• Fathers and husbands were the head of the family
  within Confucianism
• Emphasized a strict hierarchy that was made even
  stricter with the introduction of Neoconfuciansim
  in the Ming
• Stressed the 3 Obediences Father, husband, and
  son when she was widowed

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Confucianism and Social Structure

• Determined by a proper understanding of
  relationships
• Loyalty is called upon
• Be obedient to those above you
• The creed of Confucianism was most accepted by
  the upper class who had the time and resources to
  pursue and education and who benefited from the
  system

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Symbols
Shou
Trigram
Pa-Pao
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Daoism

• A more religious philosophy in ancient China than
  Confucianism

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Development

• Teachings of Laozi (aka Lao-tsu)
• In their work with nature, they were probably the
  first to discover explosives gunpowder and
  firework would be future uses

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Fundamental Tenets

• Emphasis on harmony with nature
• Emphasized the mystery of nature
• All of nature contains a divine impulse that
  directs all life
• True understanding comes from withdrawing from
  the world and contemplating this life force
• This life force is called the Dao (Tao) it
  means the way of nature

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Fundamental Tenets

• Did have a set of rituals as well as a set of
  ethics
• Be humble and live frugally
• Would later be influenced and even align with
  Buddhism after the collapse of the Han
• Was relatively compatible with Confucianism, so
  little was done to limit it

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Spread of Daoism

• Diffusion within China
• Some spread to Japan

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Daoism and Gender

• Did talk more than Confucianism about the
  compatibility and position of women, but it did
  support a patriarchal system in which women were
  to be subordinate and obedient

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Daoism and Social Structure

• First appealed mostly to the upper class who were
  interested in spiritual affairs

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Symbols
Yin and Yang idealized balanced forces
(moon/sun, women/men, cold/hot, etc
Symbol for the Dao
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Buddhism

• Is an outgrowth of Hinduism
• Siddhartha Gautama became the person known as the
  Buddha enlightened one
• Did not become the dominant religion in any
  region, instead it functions together with other
  religions

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Development

• The Buddha questioned the fairness of the earthly
  life that many seemed forced to endure because of
  the caste system he was actually born to a
  wealthy family
• Once he had fasted, studied, etc he felt he had
  found the truth and began traveling and gathering
  disciples

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Fundamental Tenets

• Kept many of the fundamental truths about
  Hinduism, like reincarnation
• Denied other ideas in Hinduism like the caste
  system
• The world is warped because people have desire
• Eliminate desire and you eliminate pain and can
  achieve enlightenment and be freed from the cycle
  of reincarnation

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Fundamental Tenets

• Nirvana is the state one achieves once they have
  broken the cycle
• Live a holy life
• Dont really need rituals and denied the
  necessity of priests (an attack on Indian social
  system)
• The Buddha gradually came to be seen as divine
• There is an emphasis on living a holy life on
  earth

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Fundamental Tenets

• The religion did evolve some an emphasis on
  prayers and the belief that some who died
  remained close in order to intervene
• Some came to see Buddha as divine

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Spread of Buddhism

• It spread and was coherent because of the works
  of monks who preached
• Initially gained many followers in India,
  including the conversion of the Mauryan emperor
  Ashoka, but is was strongly opposed by the
  Brahmans

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Spread of Buddhism

• Did not gain a large following in India
• Spread to China, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan
• Had a meaningful impact in China after the
  collapse of the Han, but did not result in the
  elimination of other religions
• East Asian Buddhism (China and Japan) spurred new
  art (statues and pagoda style)
• Used Silk Roads to move towards Asia

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Buddhism and Gender

• Men and women both have souls and can actively
  participate
• In China it should have disputed patriarchy,
  but it didnt it actually reinforced it ex
  husband supports wife was changed to husband
  controls wife a mixture with Confucianism
  (syncretism)
• It did allow her to participate, but it did not
  free women from patriarchy

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Buddhism and Social Structure

• Rejected the class explanation of Hinduism
• Some in China disliked it, because they thought
  it would interfere with Confucianism and loyalty
  by the peasant to the emperor

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Symbols (8)
The Treasure Vase
Wheel
Conch Shell
Lotus
Endless Knot
Parasol
Golden Fishes
Victory Banner
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The Stupa

• Represent the enlightened mind of Buddha
• It represents enlightened understanding and
  offerings
• Usually contains a holy tree and relics of
  teachers
• Supposed to be shaped like the body of the Buddha

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Christianity

• One of the two largest faiths in the world
• Is exclusive in that it teaches it is the only
  way (as opposed to inclusive religions that say
  there are many ways)

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Development

• Originated within Judaism
• Spread throughout the Roman Empire persecution
  until Constantine (sometimes cited as one thing
  that weakened Roman Empire)
• Split in 1054 and after 1517
• Placed more emphasis on organization and
  hierarchy (RCC, Pope, etc) than other faiths

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Fundamental Tenets

• Jesus Christ was the Messiah that the Jews has
  been looking for
• He taught that he was divine and was the Savior
• Crucifixion and Resurrection
• Jesus or his disciples did not initially seem
  intent on starting a new religion, but they were
  alienated from Judaism

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Fundamental Tenets

• Teaches monotheism, but explains it in terms of
  the Trinity God, Jesus, Holy Spirit
• The Bible (including the Jewish Torah) is the
  Holy Book
• Teaches the Second Coming and Judgment, but also
  salvation
• Baptism and Communion (other sacraments)

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Fundamental Tenets

• Development of monasteries (Benedict) for study
  (and keepers of knowledge during the Dark Ages)

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Spread of Christianity

• Moved westward from the Middle East into Europe
• Used the construction of Roman Roads to
  facilitate spread (compare to Buddhism using Silk
  Roads)
• People within the Roman Empire were open and they
  were drawn to the teaching of purity and
  simplicity and the large nature of the Empire
  made it possible for the religion to really spread

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Spread of Christianity

• Huge emphasis on missionary activity and converts
  (even more than Buddhism)
• Also spread to Persia and Africa Egypt
  (Coptics) and Ethiopia (also had a Jewish
  tradition)
• Paul was an important missionary who wrote a lot
  of the New Testament

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Spread of Christianity

• When Constantine converted, only about 10 of the
  empire were Christians. Church/State struggles
  occurred within the Byzantine Empire then
  became official

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Christianity and Gender

• Special appeal for women
• Equal importance for mens and womens souls
• Did not teach social equality, though
• Encouraged men and women to worship together
  (unlike many other religions)
• Nuns
• Reformation

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Christianity and Society

• Did face challenges heresy nature of God
  early Church writers like Augustine addressed
  this
• They did incorporate traditions (winter solstice)
  another example of syncretism
• Accepted the state, but did not put it first

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Christianity Social Class

• Was not merely an elite religion
• Did play a political role
• Popular message of salvation was especially
  appealing to the poor
• Did provide some unity where no existed (sort of
  like Hinduism)
• Provided equality among different social groups
• Worked against slavery, although they did not
  outlaw it

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Symbols
Crosses
The Trinity
Agnus Dei
Icthus
Alpha and Omega
Dove
Anchor
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Islam

• The latest appearing of the worlds major
  religions
• 7th century (only new religion in the second time
  period)

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Development

• Origination of the religion is centered around
  the life of Mohammed
• Received revelations in the deserts outside Mecca
  (Kabba was in Mecca)
• Had to flee because of persecution the hijra to
  Medina
• Returned with followers and conquered Mecca

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Development

• Tied to religion and politics together
• Early converts were from local Bedouin tribes and
  villages (similar to early Christianity which
  focused on local Jewish converts)

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Fundamental Tenets

• Monotheism with no intermediaries no saints,
  angels were merely messengers
• Recognized others as prophets Abraham, Moses,
  Jesus (not divine)
• Said that Mohammed was the last prophet
• No priests in the way that Judaism or
  Christianity had them

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Fundamental Tenets

• Provided an ethical system
• Did develop a large body of laws to help people
  prepare for eternity
• 5 pillars Confession of faith, prayer, fast,
  zakat (charity), haij to Mecca

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Spread of Islam

• The unity that resulted set in motion a strong
  movement of conquest that took the religion with
  them (but did not force conversions it was
  motivated by unity, desire to release Bedouin
  energy, etcas well as religion)
• Didnt force conversion b/c then they would have
  to share the riches and not collect the tax
• Did practice relative tolerance as they spread
  (pay a tax if you dont convert) Cordoba

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Spread of Islam

• Had a special place for people of the book
  (called the dhimmi, who paid the jizya tax)
• Spread throughout northern Africa trade,
  conquest
• South Asia (India) some conflicts (caste system
  vs. equality) monotheism vs. polytheism).
  Spread through a variety of ways traders, Sufi
  mystics, warriors, pastoralists. Religion
  diffused into India and Indian science and tech
  (algebra, numbers, medicine, etc) diffused into
  the Islamic empire. Later turned to Muslim
  conquest.

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Spread of Islam

• Merchants (Silk Roads, Indian Ocean and others)
  helped spread into India and beyond favorable
  trading arrangements
• Sufi mystics
• Spread to Southeast Asia trade contacts
  (Indonesia, Sumatra, Malaysia) the rapid spread
  shows people were receptive. Slower progress in
  Java and Bali which was Hindu was almost
  unreachable)

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Islam and Gender

• Taught equality before Allah
• Early on, womens position was good probably
  better than other Middle Eastern women
• Mohammed emphasized marriage bonds and the value
  of family. He forbade infanticide and adultery
  and forbade polygamy if the husband couldnt
  support all wives equally
• Supported legal rights for women

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Islam and Gender

• Couldnt lead prayers, but were actively involved
• Position of women worsened in later caliphates,
  especially the Abassid
• Veiling and seclusion (Persia)
• Harem (Turks)
• Rich women were allowed essentially no public role

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Islam and Social Structure

• Gave them a unity because the faith belonged to
  no single tribe or village
• Helped end feuds from between the various groups
  the umma the community went beyond tribal
  boundaries and opened up the possibility of
  political unity (single source of authority)

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Islam and Social Structure

• Dignity of all believers
• All were equal in Allahs eyes
• Responsibility of those who can to take care of
  the poor, weak and infirmed (payment of the zakat
  was a charity tax)
• Rich couldnt charge high interest on loans
• Shouldnt enslave fellow Muslims

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Symbols
Limited symbols due to the prohibition of images
Kabba
Crescent moon not a religious symbol its
political
Dome of the Rock