Belief Systems Animism Geographic Origin-Developed

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Belief Systems

• Animism
• Geographic Origin-Developed simultaneously in
  different parts of the world.Currently
  Practiced-World-wide, but most common in areas of
  Africa and the Americas.Significant
  Writings-Most traditional cultures that practice
  Animism also have an oral tradition of
  story-telling, rather than a developed writing
  system.Places of Worship-Animist rituals tend to
  take place outdoors in nature.Significant
  Religious People-Animist rituals are typically
  conducted by a Shaman, Medicine Man, or Medicine
  Woman.

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Review Strategies for Content CHRONOLOGICAL
ERAS Graphic organizer/ timeline for era Outline
of important content Chart of important
themes/concepts Geography Revolutions Conflict
Political systems Nationalism Science
Tech. Economic systems Imperialism Movement of
Goods Belief systems Human Rights Change Inter
actions
People
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Belief Systems

• Hinduism
• Associated with India, primarily
• Big Idea Hindu's believe in Re-incarnation
• Your
• Karma (material actions resulting from the
  consequences of previous actions)
• Dharma (fulfilling one's duty in life).
• determine your afterlife

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Belief Systems

• A key issue in Hinduism is the Caste System
• It is believed that if one leads a good life,
  following good karma and dharma, then they will
  be rewarded by being reincarnated as a person
  belonging to the next highest level in the Caste
  System.
• This actually hinders any social mobility
• A good example of how religious beliefs can
  hinder social development.

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Belief Systems

• You can achieve Moska, which is somewhat like the
  Buddhist concept of Nirvana.
• It frees you from the endless cycle of birth,
  death, and rebirth known as Samsara
• Moska is a final state of perfection.

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Belief Systems

• The concept of reincarnation can best be
  represented by the infinity symbol.
• When one is born, they are given life by Brahma,
  as the pass through life, they are preserved by
  Vishnu, until finally Shiva claims you in death.
• Then the cycle is repeated over and over again
  until one finally achieves moksha.

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Belief Systems

• The caste system in India is an example of how
  religion can have an impact on social and
  economic development.
• Essentially, the higher caste you are born into
  the closer you are to achieving moksha.
• And you can change your caste based on your
  behavior, and being reincarnated into a higher
  caste.

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Belief Systems

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Belief Systems

• Heres a key concept in global history if you
  have an economy that is essentially agrarian,
  there is very little chance or social mobility.
• By social mobility, we mean the ability to change
  your economic and social status based on the work
  you do.

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Belief Systems

• Consequently, because Hindus are locked into
  specific caste, and because a cast is essentially
  a social and economic class, being religious also
  meant resigning yourself to existing within a
  particular social class.
• Hence, being holy meant accepting your fate in
  this life.

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Belief Systems

• Buddhism.
• Also developed in India, but was spread through
  cultural diffusion to China, Indo- China and
  Japan.
• Siddhartha, the story goes, was discontented with
  human misery. He saw the root of misery as
  desire.
• After a long period of introspection, the Buddha
  arrived at his realization.
• From here, he created the Four Noble Truths

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Belief Systems

• Life is full of pain and suffering.
• Human desire causes this suffering.
• By putting an end to desire, humans can end
  suffering.
• Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold
  Path.
• The path is based on righteous behavior.

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Belief Systems

• Know that suffering is caused by desire.
• Be selfless and love all life.
• Do not lie, or speak without cause.
• Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous
  acts.
• Do not do things which promote evil.
• Take effort to promote righteousness.
• Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind,
  and emotions.
• Learn to meditate

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Belief Systems

• Buddhists also believe in Reincarnation
• Buddhists also accept the laws of karma and
  dharma.
• However, there are no formal priests in Buddhism
  as there are in Hinduism
• Individuals are encouraged to seek their own
  Enlightenment.

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Belief Systems

• Confucianism
• Associated with China
• It is as much a way of life, a philosophy, as it
  is a religion
• The Regents will often refer to it in reference
  to the order and family honor that permeates
  Chinese society.

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Belief Systems

• Confucianism teaches that there is a natural
  social order to society which can best be
  explained through the Five Relationships
• Ruler to Ruled.
• Father to Son.
• Older brother to Younger brother.
• Husband to Wife.
• Friend to Friend.

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Belief Systems

• Hence, the core of Confucianism is the respect
  for the family.
• Regents will also use the term filial piety,
  which means family respect
• Respect your ancestors, and by doing so you will
  then create descendents that will do the same.
• This assures order and respect in society

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Belief Systems

• Legalism
• Order is to be achieved by passing strict laws
  and enforcing them with harsh Punishment
• It does not rely on the family unit, and puts the
  control mechanism in the Dynasty in charge?
• Hence, it become a matter of strength, not
  virtue, that will provide order in the state.

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Belief Systems

• Taoism.
• This is also a Chinese religion/Philosophy
• You are probably best familiar with the Yin and
  Yang Symbol
• It represents the natural harmony but also the
  struggle that exists in the world.

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Belief Systems
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Belief Systems

• It is a philosophy which teaches that nature has
  a "way" in which it moves, and that people should
  passively accept the "way" of nature, rather than
  resist it.
• One concept related to this is that of wu-wei,
  which means "not doing."
• This means that people should not act unnaturally
  by doing things, but rather should openly accept
  the natural way.

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Belief Systems

• Yin
• Light
• Male
• Heavenly
• Active

• Yang
• Dark
• Female
• Earthly
• Passive

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Belief Systems

• This leaves us with the Big Three religions
• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• All are monotheistic
• All have their origins in the Middle East
• All have had long contact and conflict with each
  other

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Belief Systems

• Judaism
• Abraham The founder
• Moses Led the Hebrews out of captivity
• The Ten Commandments are their basis for ethical
  behavior (Christians use it as well)
• The Holy Book is the Torah

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Belief Systems

• Judaism in a Global Context
• Key issues
• Anti-Semitism. This is prejudicial treatment of
  the Jews, by such groups as the catholic Church
  during the Spanish Inquisition
• Zionism the belief that the Jews should have
  their own homeland. Started By Theodore Hertzel

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Belief Systems

• The Holocaust the purposeful extermination of
  Jews by Hitler and the Nazis in WWII.
• It is also probably the best known example of
  genocide in the history of mankind.

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Belief Systems

• Christianity.
• Similar to Judaism in the focus on the ten
  Commandments and the monotheistic belief system
• Differs from Judaism in the sense that the
  Christians belief that the savior has already
  come down, While the Jews do not.

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Belief Systems

• Key Points on Christianity
• Byzantine Empire This is formed in Eastern
  Europe after the split in the early church. They
  are eastern Orthodox, and will have a great
  influence on Russia
• The Crusades. The attempt by the Christians to
  take back the Holy land from the Muslims. It was
  unsuccessful.

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Belief Systems

• The Catholic Church dominates during medieval
  Europe it has great political power as well
• The Protestant Reformation begun by a Catholic
  cleric named martin Lither, sees Christians
  breaking away from Rome over issues like the sale
  of indulgences and the sacraments.

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Belief Systems

• Islam - Mohammed received the word of God, or
  Allah, through the angel Gabriel while living in
  the city of Mecca.
• Townspeople soon became fearful of the Mohammed's
  preaching and he began to receive threats. As a
  result, he fled to the nearby city of Medina,
  where people began to believe in his message.
• The flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Median was
  instrumental to the founding of the religion of
  Islam, and is known as the Hegira.

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Belief Systems

• Key to Islam are the Five Pillars A behavioral
  code similar in a way to the Christian Ten
  Commandments.

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Belief Systems

• Confession of Faith The belief that "there is no
  God but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet."
• Prayer Muslims must pray five times per day,
  facing towards Mecca.
• Charity Muslims must give alms to the poor, and
  support the local Mosque by donating a portion of
  their income.
• Fasting During the Ramadan, the ninth month of
  the Muslim calendar, all Muslims must fast during
  daylight hours, except the very young or sick.
• Pilgrimage If possible financially, each Muslim
  must make a hajj, or holy pilgrimage, to the city
  of Mecca.

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Belief Systems

• Key facets of Islam
• The Growth of Islam, the Golden Age, is always
  mentioned on the exam.
• Islam will take control over much of the middle
  east and eventually the Byzantine Empire.
• 1453 Constantinople, formerly a Christian City
  is conquered and it becomes Istanbul.

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Belief Systems

• The present Situation in the Middle East sees
  Palestinian Muslims pitted against Jews over
  control of the Holy land.
• This will be delineated more in our Areas of
  Conflict.