Introduction to World Religions
Major World Religions, Beliefs, and Practices
Christianity
Overview
The world's largest religion with over 2 billion followers. Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Originated in the 1st century CE in the Middle East.
Core Beliefs
- Trinity: God as Father, Son, Holy Spirit
- Salvation: Through faith in Jesus Christ
- Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead
- Afterlife: Heaven and Hell
- Second Coming: Jesus will return
Sacred Text
The Bible
- Old Testament: Jewish scriptures
- New Testament: Life and teachings of Jesus
- Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
- Letters of Paul and other apostles
Major Denominations
Roman Catholic
Pope as head, Vatican
Largest: 1.3 billion
Protestant
Reformation (1517)
Many branches
Eastern Orthodox
Patriarchs lead
Russia, Greece, etc.
Practices & Sacraments
- Baptism: Initiation into faith
- Eucharist/Communion: Remembrance of Last Supper
- Prayer: Lord's Prayer (Our Father)
- Holy Days: Christmas, Easter, Lent
- Sunday Worship: Day of rest and mass
Islam
Overview
Second largest religion with 1.8 billion followers (Muslims). Founded by Prophet Muhammad in 7th century Arabia. Islam means "submission to God (Allah)."
Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahada: Declaration of faith - "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger"
- Salat: Prayer five times daily (facing Mecca)
- Zakat: Almsgiving/charity (2.5% of wealth)
- Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan
- Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca (once in lifetime)
Sacred Text
The Quran
- Revealed to Muhammad through Angel Jibril (Gabriel)
- 114 Surahs (chapters)
- Original Arabic considered sacred
- Hadith: Sayings of Prophet Muhammad
Key Beliefs
- Tawhid: Oneness of Allah
- Prophets: Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, Muhammad
- Angels: Created beings of light
- Day of Judgment: Accountability for deeds
- Predestination: Allah's divine will
Major Branches
Sunni (85-90%)
Follow the Sunnah (Prophet's example). Elected caliphs after Muhammad.
Shia (10-15%)
Follow Ali (Muhammad's cousin/son-in-law). Imams as spiritual leaders.
Eastern Religions
Hinduism
World's oldest religion. 1.2 billion followers, primarily in India.
Key Beliefs:
- Brahman: Ultimate reality/God
- Atman: Individual soul
- Karma: Actions affect future
- Samsara: Cycle of rebirth
- Moksha: Liberation from cycle
Major Deities:
- Brahma (Creator)
- Vishnu (Preserver)
- Shiva (Destroyer/Transformer)
- Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha
Sacred Texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata
Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in India ~500 BCE. 500 million followers.
Four Noble Truths:
- Life is suffering (Dukkha)
- Suffering comes from desire
- Suffering can end
- The Eightfold Path ends suffering
Eightfold Path:
Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
Goal:
Nirvana - end of suffering/rebirth
Branches: Theravada (Southeast Asia), Mahayana (East Asia), Vajrayana (Tibet)
Confucianism
Chinese ethical system by Confucius (551-479 BCE).
- Ren: Benevolence, humaneness
- Li: Ritual propriety
- Xiao: Filial piety
- Five Relationships (ruler-subject, parent-child, etc.)
Taoism (Daoism)
Chinese philosophy by Laozi. Balance with nature.
- Tao: The Way, natural order
- Wu Wei: Non-action, effortless action
- Yin & Yang: Complementary opposites
- Text: Tao Te Ching
Indigenous & Philippine Religions
Characteristics of Indigenous Religions
- Animism: Belief that spirits inhabit natural objects
- Ancestor Worship: Reverence for deceased family members
- Oral Tradition: Beliefs passed down through stories
- Ritual & Ceremony: Connection to spirits and nature
- Sacred Places: Mountains, rivers, trees as holy sites
Pre-Colonial Philippine Beliefs
- Bathala: Supreme deity (Tagalog)
- Diwata: Nature spirits, fairies
- Anito: Ancestor spirits
- Babaylan/Catalonan: Priestesses, spiritual leaders
- Moriones, Atang: Rituals and offerings
Philippine Indigenous Groups
- Igorot: Cordillera traditions
- Lumad: Mindanao indigenous peoples
- Mangyan: Mindoro traditions
- Aeta/Agta: Oldest inhabitants
Judaism
First Abrahamic religion. 14 million followers.
- Torah: First 5 books (Pentateuch)
- Covenant: Agreement with God
- Sabbath: Day of rest (Saturday)
- Holidays: Passover, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah