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OVERVIEW OF
BELIEF SYSTEMS
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AP WORLD HISTORY
Original Power point from Windward H.S. with additions
by L. Keeney September 2007
POLYTHEISM
• Polytheism
POLYTHEISM
• Belief in, or worship of, multiple deities or gods.
• Gods are conceived as complex personages of
greater or lesser status, with individual skills,
needs, desires and stories.
• The gods are not always omnipotent or
omniscient; rather, they are often portrayed as
similar to humans in their personality traits, but
with additional individual powers, abilities,
knowledge or perceptions.
• Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the Ancient
Greek religion, Norse Æsir and Vanir, the
Yoruba Orisha, the Aztec gods, and many
others.
HINDUISM
The sound OM, or
AUM, is the
most sacred
symbol for
Hindus. It is
often used in
prayer
HINDUISM
• Collection of beliefs that developed over
thousands of years (combo of Aryan beliefs w/
native beliefs). No founder. India.
• Brahman is most divine spirit
• Holy Men, GURUS, are spiritual teachers. They
interpret the religion.
• Sacred Books: Vedas/Upanishads
• Liberation from desires and suffering: Moksha.
• Reincarnation based on Karma and Darma
• Caste System (ex: Brahmin)
JUDAISM
Star of David (shield of
David)…is the universal
symbol of Judaism. It
refers to King David, who
ruled the kingdom of Israel.
JUDAISM
• First monotheistic religion.
• Sacred Book: Torah
• God chose Abraham to be the “father” of the Hebrew
people.
• To Hebrews, God (Yahweh or Y’hwh) was not a physical
being and no images were made of Yahweh.
• Migrated to Egypt from Canaan (today’s Israel) and were
forced into slavery.
• Exodus: 1300-1200 BCE…Moses led them from slavery.
• 900 BCE – Two kingdoms: Judah and Israel. Judah was
destroyed by Assyrians.
• Fighting for Jerusalem still exists today.
CONFUCIANISM
Confucius
CONFUCIANISM
•
•
•
•
•
•
Confucius lived during Zhou Dynasty (500’s
BCE)
His influence wasn’t appreciated until Han
Dynasty (200’s BCE)
5 Basic Relationships (loyalties)
1.Ruler/Subject
2. Father/Son
3.Husband/Wife
4. Older brother/younger brother
5. friends
FILIAL PIETY – respect for parents and elders.
Social Order/Harmony
Education is critically important
DAOISM
YIN YANG
represents harmony
YIN
EARTH/FEMALE/PASSIVE
YANG
HEAVEN/ MALE/ ACTIVE
DAOISM
• Laozi (600 BCE).
• Natural Order is KEY!
• Of all creatures of nature, only humans fail
to follow the Dao or “the way”.
• Government should do as little as possible
and leave the people alone.
• Communion with nature instead of political
chaos.
BUDDHISM
WHEEL OF LAW – his teachings are
often a symbol of the wheel and
interconnectedness of life and all
living things.
BUDDHISM
• Siddartha Guatama – 563 BCE
• Wandered to find “Enlightenment”.
• 4 Noble Truths about suffering and how to
get rid of it.
• 8-Fold Path = steps to Nirvana (release
from selfishness and pain.
• Draws from Hinduism – but also a reaction
to harsh Hindu traditions (Caste).
• Spread throughout all of Asia
Spread of Buddhism
CHRISTIANITY
CROSS = symbol of crucifixion of
Jesus Christ…represents
Jesus’ love for humanity in
dying for its sins.
CHRISTIANITY
• Worship of Roman gods was impersonal,
practiced without a great deal of emotion.
Christianity was accepted and spread.
• Emphasized individual relationships with God.
• Jesus (prophet) was born a Jew in Judea (4
BCE). Christians believe he is the son of God.
• Bible = combo of Jewish and new Christian ideas
• Constantine was first Roman emperor to accept it
as the Romans expanded East. It became official
religion of Rome, eventually.
ISLAM
Crescent Moon – became symbol
during Ottoman Empire. Maybe
5 points on the stars represent
Pillars? Some Muslims
actually do not accept it. It is
often used on political flags to
represent Islamic nations.
ISLAM
• Mecca, Saudi Arabia – holy city
• Muhammad – Final Prophet (accepts
Abraham and Jesus as well. )…about
1000 years after AXIAL AGE!
• 5 Pillars of Faith
• Monotheistic
• Islamic Empire – becomes it own empire!
• Trade and Commerce spread its ideas and
it became a huge empire.
Picture Credits
• http://sd71.bc.ca/sd71/school/courtenayjr/School/BUDDHISM/maps/spread.JPG
• http://www.freethinkingatheist.com/wpcontent/uploads/spread.gif
• http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/obje
cts/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_156.g
if