Major+Belief+Systems

= = = = =By Shannon Liik, Nick Ruppino, Andrew Cho, Raffaele Lo Basso = = Confucianism = • Founder was Confucius. • Summary of teaching o “The moral example of superiors is the answer to disorder” o As long as there is respect, it will go back around to them. • Human nature: o Saw that education was important for humans to improve. o Society is based on unequal relationships • Ideal Government o The king must be relaxed and respectful for more to be done by the workers. o Moral examples of the superiors were very important. • Advantages: o More freedom. • Disadvantages: o Idea of unequal relationships was the downfall.

= = = = =  Buddhism = i. Siddhartha Gautama (Indian Prince) was the founder 1. He was sheltered growing up and all he knows is happiness 2. He wants to know why people suffer a. He found out that people have too much desire 3. Sacred Writings a. The Four Noble Truths i. The existence of impermanence 1. Nothing lasts forever ii. The arising of suffering because of craving 1. Say you want something and you don’t get it—you’d get sad or frustrated. But say you want something and you do get it. Eventually you’ll get bored with it and you’ll start wanting something else and so you start all over again iii. The cessation of suffering 1. You can end eternal suffering by ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering iv. The noble eightfold path 1. The Path is grounded in a program of meditation. It delineates a plan of self-discipline regarding ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. The Path avoids two extremes—the pursuit of complete and ultimate sensory pleasure, or the pursuit of utter self-denial 4. Main Beliefs a. Reincarnation i. The idea of rebirth is the belief that consciousness arising in the new person is neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum. b. Karma i. The law of karma is cause and effect and understanding that every deed produces fruit (something positive) c. Meditation d. Nirvana i. A state of mind where you are at peace e. Live for the greater good of everyone f. Pro equal society-anti-cast system = = = = = Hinduism = i. Has no historical founder ii. Sacred Writings 1. Vedas a. Poems, hymns, prayers, rituals b. Mostly about ancient Indian cultures, numerous gods, ritual sacrifices 2. Upanishads a. Mystical and highly philosophical 3. Ramayana a. Epic iii. Main Beliefs 1. Brahman was the world soul 2. Brahmin priests performed rituals to make the God’s happy. These rituals made them rich and powerful 3. Goal of life was to make one with Brahman a. Moksha b. If you have a good life, you soul will be reborn into a better being in the next life 4. Life is an illusion iv. Social Relationships 1. Male dominated 2. Women are subjects of men 3. Caste system

= = = = = Daoism = i. Founder 1. Laozi ii. Summary of Basic Teachings 1. Basic teachings include naturalness, vitality, peace 2. Simple and peaceful life 3. Ideal Government a. No government at all b. Simple Life 4. Advantages/Strengths a. No worries at all 5. Disadvantages/Weaknesses a. No government

= = = = = Polytheism = i. The worship of multiple deities, called Gods and Goddesses ii. These are usually assembled into a pantheon, with their own mythologies and rituals iii. Religions that believe in Polytheism 1. Hinduism 2. Ancient Greek Polytheism 3. Roman Polytheism 4. Polytheists do not always worship all the Gods equally, but be monolatrists, specializing in the worship of one particular deity

= = = = = Christianity = - Monotheistic religion - Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth - Christians follow the belief that Jesus is the son of the savior of humanity, God - Main books include the Old and New Testament - Seven Sacraments- Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Holy Orders, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony - Originated in the Eastern Mediterranean, but spread rapidly eventually dominating the Roman empire

= = = = = Judaism = • Judaism was heavily influenced by Zoroastrian beliefs. o Had God and Satan and notions of resurrection and final judgment. o Believed in the coming of the Messiah. • Judaism is the foundation of Christianity and Islam (Old Testament) • Creation is recorded in the Old Testament • Israel was established as a state in 1000 BCE and was divided into two regions: Israel (north) & Judah (south)