TOP 5 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
Presentation created by Matt McCullough
CHRISTIANITY
Overview of Christianity
Background
Jesus of Nazareth started Christianity
and Christianity originated in Palestine and was formed in 33 CE.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Christianity is a monotheistic religion.
Names of God/Gods
As Christianity is a monotheistic religion, its one god, is referred to respectively and simply as "God."
Holy Book/Books
Christianity has one holy book called the Holy Bible. There is also a book for songs called a hymnal.
Major Holidays
Christmas: The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who is the son of God in the respective beliefs of Christianity.
Palm Sunday: This Christian holiday falls on the Sunday prior to Easter Sunday. It is traditional a feast and the laying of palms throughout individual churches.
Easter: It is a holiday practiced by Christians to celebrate the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead which according to the Bible happened on a Sunday.
Lint: Is a holiday in which Christians fast or give up some form of their enjoyment for 40 days prior to Easter Sunday. They do this so it may symbolize the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for them, which was dying for their sins.
Highly Practiced Rituals
Praying: Christians pray to their God and to Jesus when they are in need. They do those throughout various times of the week, especially during Church on Sundays.
Attending Church on Sundays: Christians are, according to Holy Bible, supposed to attend the holy service known as church. Sundays to Christians is a holy day, in which they are not permitted to work and instead they are supposed to worship God, for it was on that Sunday that he rested from all of his work, creating the earth for seven straight days, also according to the Bible, in the Book Genesis.
Communion: Depending on the individual branch off and Church in the Christianity religion, their is a practice known as Communion Sunday. The Catholics practice it ever Sunday, while others like the Methodists practice it only once every first Sunday of every monday. It all depends entirely on the Church itself and its own believes and traditions.
Video on Christianity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvwsd4A8L84
JUDAISM
Overview of Judaism
Judaism originated in Canaan in 2000 B.C.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
The religion of Judaism is monotheistic.
Name of God/Gods
Tetragrammaton is the name of the Jewish God.
Holy Book/Books
The Tanakh which is the Jewish bible and the Torah which is the Holiest book in Judaism.
Major Holidays
The two main holidays are Rosh Hashanah which is the Jewish new year, Yom Kippur which is the day of Atonement, Sukkot- Feasts of Booths(or Tabernacles), Pesach- Passover, Shavuot- Feasts of Weeks- Yom HaBikurim, and Shabbat- The Sabbath.
Highly Practiced Rituals
The Torah has 613 commands, and in addition there are many details and customs. But to name a few examples of Judaism rituals and practices; Sabbath, Kosher food laws, prayers, Torah-reading, learning the Torah and Talmud, charity, avoiding slander or violence, the Holy Days and festivals, etc.
Video on Judaism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAJ6dBXbIvs
BUDDHISM
Overview of Buddhism
Buddhism was formed in India in 5th century B.C.E.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Buddhism is a polytheistic religion.
Name of God/Gods
Buddhism has countless gods, but one major one is Buddha.
Holy Book/Books
Buddhism has many sacrid and holy books including, Pali Tipitika, Mahayana and Vajrayana Canons.
Major Holidays
There are many Bhuddist holidays, but to name a few, Uposatha, Makha Bucha and Vesakha.
Highly Practiced Rituals
Buddhism envolves many various types of rituals, including meditation, Mantras and Mudras.
Video on Buddhism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvZC4SHtuSM
HINDUISM
Overview of Hinduism
Hinduism originated in India in 2000 B.C.E.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Hinduism is a monotheistic religion, but it has been criticized and referred to as a polytheistic religion.
Name of God/Gods
Hinduism has one god, the "Supreme God."
Holy Book/Books
Veda is the holy book of Hinduism.
Major Holidays
Hinduism has many holidays including, Holi, Mashashivaratri and Dassera.
Highly Practiced Rituals
Hinduism has many rituals such as Diksha.
Video on Hinduism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQgcWYrCEDg
ISLAM
Overview of Islam
Islam originated in the Arabian peninsula in 622 C.E.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Islam is a monotheistic religion.
Name of God/Gods
The name of the Islamic god is Allah.
Holy Books
Qur'an is the holy book of the Islamic religion.
Major Holidays
Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr are the two main Islamic holidays.
Highly Practiced Rituals
Fasting, charity, praying and pilgrimage are all major rituals in the Islamic religion.
Video on Islam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3UHNhQ1Zk