Understanding World Religions (Friday)

Today we took a VERY short look at some of the larger world religions that are practiced throughout the world. Included in this list are...

• Abrahamic Religions - monotheistic religions that trace their history to the same starting point.
  
• Judaism - written text is the Torah
  
• Christianity - written text is the Bible
• Islam - written text is the Qur'an
• Eastern Religions/philosophies - tend to talk about ways of living
• Hinduism - believes in reincarnation based on the caste system. One moves up or down in society by following one's dharma, eventually reaching Nirvana
• Buddhism - Believes in the Four Noble Truths which state...

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path

• Taoism - life is about balance - there must be good and evil both, life and death, happiness and sadness.
• Shintoism - spirits inhabit all things known as kami