2 - WRBS - Origin OF RELIGION
2 - WRBS - Origin OF RELIGION
2 - WRBS - Origin OF RELIGION
Taoism
Picture 2
Islam
Picture 3
Buddhism
Picture 4
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Religions of the World
How World
Religions
Began?
The Need for Understanding and Explanation
Natural Phenomena: Early humans faced
mysteries they couldn’t explain, such as
thunderstorms, earthquakes, the sun rising and
setting, or the changing seasons. They attributed
these events to powerful, unseen forces or
beings.
Existential Questions: Questions about life,
death, and the afterlife drove humans to seek
answers. For instance, what happens after
death? Why do we exist? Religion provided a
framework for these answers.
Early Spiritual Practices
Animism: One of the earliest forms of
religion was animism, the belief that
everything in nature—trees, rivers, animals
—has a spirit or soul.
Shamanism: In early communities,
shamans or spiritual leaders emerged. They
were believed to communicate with spirits or
the divine, guiding their communities in
spiritual practices, healing, and decision-
making.
3. The Role of Community and Ritual
Rituals and Ceremonies: Shared rituals,
such as dances, sacrifices, or burial
practices, helped strengthen community
bonds and gave people a sense of control
over their environment.
Moral and Social Order: Early religions
provided moral guidelines for living in
harmony within communities. Rules about
behavior (e.g., honesty, generosity) were
often tied to spiritual beliefs.
4. Transition to Organized Religion
Written Traditions: As societies grew
more complex, oral traditions were
eventually written down, leading to the
codification of religious beliefs and
practices (e.g., the Vedas in Hinduism,
the Torah in Judaism).
Temples and Priesthoods: Organized
religions developed hierarchies and
places of worship.
6. Factors Influencing the Growth of
Religion
Geography: The environment played
a significant role in shaping religious
beliefs (e.g., river worship in
agricultural societies).
Cultural Exchange: As civilizations
interacted through trade or conquest,
religious ideas spread and influenced
one another.
Human Psychology: Religion
fulfilled emotional needs, such as
comfort in times of fear or loss, and
created a sense of belonging.
How religions sp
read around the
worlds?
Types of
Religions
1. Monotheistic
Religions
Belief in one god
Originated in Middle East
(Mesopotamia, Israel and Saudi
Arabia)
Judaism Christianity
Islam
2. Polytheistic
Religions
Believe in
many gods.
Hinduis
m
3. Animistic or
Traditional Religions
es, and
urop Eastern
e
What is Judaism?
es, and
urop Eastern
e
What is Judaism?
Oldest
monotheistic
es, and
Eastern
religion
Judaism
Some of the major beliefs of Judaism are:
A. Monotheism - There is one god who is
all powerful and all knowing.
B. This god made a special covenant or
agreement with Abraham, who is the
‘father’ of the Jewish people.
C. God revealed his laws to his people
through Moses and the ten
commandments.
Origins of Judaism
temp
le
Christianity
Christianity was heavily influenced
by Judaism. Some of the major
beliefs of Christianity are:
A. Monotheism - There is one god
who is all powerful and all
knowing.
B. Jesus Christ died for the sins
of humankind.
C. Salvation comes from faith in
Origins of Christianity
• Began in Ancient Israel
• Founded by Jesus
• Began nearly 2000 years
ago
–
Christianity
Some branches of
Christianity are: Roman
Catholicism,
Protestantism, and
Eastern Orthodox.
Orthodox Christianity
Saint Basil’s
Icons
Sacred Places
Islam
Philosop
c hy
Hinduism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDRdclRhmts