1 / 13

World Religions

World Religions. ICCF Bible Bootcamp 2009. What is Religion?. Definition. Religion

alamea
Download Presentation

World Religions

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. World Religions ICCF Bible Bootcamp 2009

  2. What is Religion?

  3. Definition • Religion • A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth. • a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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. • a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. • That which is ultimate for or supreme concern for individuals or groups

  4. Comparing religions • “I mix a little truth with every lie to tickle itching ears. I’m drawing people just like flies, they like what they hear.”Keith Green • Common Development • Beginnings • Adding Ritual • Folk adaptations • Saints, Holy Places, Talismans, Magic • Explanations for life / Protections against powers

  5. Major Religions • “Western” • Judaism • Christianity • Islam • Eastern • Hinduism • Buddhism • Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Confusianism, Daoism, Shintoism

  6. Hinduism – Sanatana Dharma900 million • Introduction • God – 330 million gods • God is "Absolute" universal spirit; everyone is part of God (Brahman) like drops in the sea. • Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma • Avatars (Krishna, Rama, etc.) • Man and the Universe • Brahman, atman, samsara, maya, karma, moksha • Salvation and the afterlife • Four yogas: jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), karma (works), raja (‘royal’ – meditative techniques) • Morals • Stages – “renouncing the fruits of your labors” is supreme • Reincarnation and karma have supported caste system • Worship • Animals, Rivers, Holy Men, ecstatic prayer, songs, folk religion

  7. Buddhism360 million • Introduction to the “Middle Way” • God – primarily atheistic/non-theistic • Man and the Universe • Illusory, all is changing • Transmigration rather than Reincarnation • Salvation and the afterlife • Ignorance not sin keeps from nirvana • 4 Noble Truths – 1) life is suffering, 2) which lies in desire, 3) with only solution to cease desire, 4) solution is Noble Eight Fold Path • Meditation • Bodhisattvas and merit • Morals – the Five Precepts • Worship

  8. Judaism14 million • Introduction • Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed • Tanakh, Talmuds • God – personal, just yet loving • Man and the Universe • Salvation and the afterlife • Obey God’s commandments • “Fuzzy” on afterlife • Morals • Obey God’s commands and live ethically • Worship

  9. Islam1.4 billion • Introduction – Sunni, Shi’a, Suffi • God • radical monotheism – distant, unknowable - • Mohammed and the Koran (Qur’an) • Man and the Universe • Not sinful, just disobedient • Salvation and the afterlife • 5 Pillars – Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj • Holy Cities • Jihad • Morals • “Straight Path” • Women, Dhimmitude • Worship

  10. Christianity2 billion • By History • Catholic • Orthodox • Protestant • By Theology • Conservative • Liberal • By Practice • Charismatic • Secessionist

  11. Christian Cults • Definition – sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. • Marks of a Cult • Jesus – Authority – Leadership • Salvation – Control • Examples • Mormons • Jehovah’s Witnesses

  12. Other • Atheism (1.1 billion, includes agnostics and non-religious, communists) • New Age • Wicca • Gnosticism

  13. So What? • Apologetic Needs • Witness • Spiritual Warfare • Glory of God • Web sites • http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm • http://www.wamware.com/world-religions/comparative/index.htm • http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm • http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/catholic_protestant.htm

More Related