World Religions Religions of the World I. Buddhism - Dominant religion in South East Asia A) Main beliefs: Self-denial and meditation B) Peace and harmony can be found by rejecting Materialism and Desires C) Buddhists are taught to follow the "Eightfold Path" to give up their pursuit of material objects D) Buddhists strive to achieve Nirvana, a state of bliss and an escape from the cycle of reincarnation E) Buddhism influences life in South East Asia by providing a code of behavior that guides how people live their lives.   II. Christianity - Dominant religion in Western Europe A) Jesus Christ is the son of God who was sent to Earth to spread his teachings, was crucified for his beliefs and miraculously ascended into heaven. B) Most Christians believe that those who are baptized believe in God, and follow the 10 Commandments will live a life  after death in heaven. They accept the Bible as the holy book C) The Spanish Inquisition (1400-1600) sent thousands of people to their deaths for heresy or for refusing to convert to Christianity   III. Hinduism - 80% of the people of India follow Hinduism A) Major Beliefs: caste system and reincarnation B) Caste System: a person is born into a certain level of society and may advance to a different level only by death and reincarnation. Caste system determines a person's social class, way of life, occupation and limits who he/she can marry. C) Hindu beliefs: Karma - their actions will help them in the next life. They also follow the Dharma - their obedience to family and caste will determine if they will be reincarnated into a better life. D) The caste system is discouraged by the government of India, which has banned discrimination based on caste. E) The "Caste System" continues to exercise a strong influence on the lives of the people.   IV. Judaism - Religion of Israel A) Jews were the first to believe in one God (monotheism) - Yahweh B) Jews believed that they were God's chosen people when God spoke to them through Moses at Mt Sinai. There God gave Moses a set of rules regarding ethical behavior, family relations and forms of worship. (10 Commandments) C) Holy Book - Torah, the first five books of the bible- basic principles of Judaism D) Jews have been dispersed throughout the world for over 2,000 years. (Diaspora) Jews have retained their common beliefs, ethic and religious identity. Israel was created in 1948. It gave Jews and independent homeland   V. Islam  - major religion of the Middle East A) Believe in one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his prophet B) Holy Book - Koran - contains the word of God revealed to Muhammed - The Koran provides an ethical code that emphasizes honesty and protection of the weak. C) Muslims are supposed to follow the Five Pillars of Wisdom 1. Faith in Allah - There is only 1 God - Allah and Muhammed is his messenger 2. Pray five times a day facing Mecca 3. Give alms (charity) to the poor 4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Make  a pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime. D) The spread of Islam changed the lives of many people because Arabic became the spoken language, culture, political structure and ethnic makeup of a large part of the Middle East and Africa.