Religion remains one of the most important facets of the world we live in today. The SOLs suggest that the course begin with an overview of the five major religions of the world. To understand the world around you, you must first understand the world's top five belief systems.
Religion can be explained as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Judaism
- Monotheism
- Ten Commandments of moral and religious conduct
- Torah—Written record and beliefs of Hebrews
Christianity
- Monotheism
- Jesus as Son of God
- Life after death
- New Testament—Life and teachings of Jesus
- Establishment of Christian doctrine by early church councils
Islam
- Monotheism
- Muhammad the prophet
- Quran / Koran
- Five Pillars of Islam
- Mecca and Medina
Buddhism
- Founder—Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
- Four Noble Truths
- Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
- Spread of Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia, resulting from Asoka’s missionaries and their writings
Hinduism
- Many forms of one deity
- Caste system
- Reincarnation
- Karma—Future reincarnation based on present behavior
The SOL wants you to know where the 5 Major Religions of the World were in 1500.
CLIP FOUR: TEN COMMANDMENTS