A Study of the World’s ReligionsGrade 8

Religions of the World• Christianity: 2.1 billion• Islam: 1.5 billion• Hinduism: 900 million• Chinese traditional religion

(includes Taoism): 394 million• Buddhism: 376 million• Sikhism: 23 million• Judaism: 14 million• Baha'i: 7 million• Shintoism: 4 million

Christianity• Main Points• Video

• Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God• Belief that Jesus rose from the dead to save us

from our sins (The Resurrection)• Sacred text is the Bible, made up of the Old

Testament and the New Testament• Belief that God is three persons in one -

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Christian Denominations Include:

• Roman Catholic• Protestant Religions• Anglican• United Church of Canada• Salvation Army• Pentecostal• Presbyterian• Seventh Day Adventist• Mormons - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints• Jehovah's Witness

Islam• Main Points• Video• Belief that Allah is the one true God• Mohammed was Allah's prophet• Followers of Islam are called Muslims• Muslims must pray 5 times a day• Muslims must visit the holy city of Mecca at least once

during their lifetime• Their Sacred Text is the Qu'ran• Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of

Ramadan• Their place of worship is a mosque

Hinduism• Main Points• Video• Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world• Hinduism originated in India• Hindus believe in one supreme being "Brahman".

"Brahman" is represented by many gods and goddesses.• Hindus believe in reincarnation• Hindus believe in karma• Hindus see the cow as sacred, as a symbol of life. Hindus

do not eat beef.• They have many sacred texts• Their place of worship is a temple

Buddhism• Main Points• Video• Buddhists do not believe in one God, but follow the spiritual practices set

out by the Buddha.• The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was a man who lived in India between

500-400 BCE. He was considered an "enlightened one".• Buddhist sacred texts include the Sutras, which were the teachings and

writings of the Buddha.• Buddhist practices are set out in the Eightfold Path.• Buddhist spiritual practices include meditation and mindfulness - living in

the moment, and mental discipline.• Buddhists believe in Karma - a law of cause and effect set in motion by

human actions and thoughts.• There are no special places set aside for Buddhist worship, as Buddhists do

not worship a God. They are more concerned with their philosophy and way of life, and this can be practiced anywhere.

Judaism• Main Points• Video• There is one God• Jesus was a great prophet, but he was not the Son

of God. The Jewish people are still waiting for their Messiah

• Their sacred text is the Torah• Their place of worship is the synagogue• Their religious feasts include Chanukah, Rosh

HaShana, and Yom Kipper• Jewish people follow certain dietary laws - kosher

Group Research Project on World Religions

•Your group must create a poster that provides information on your assigned World Religion. • Include the following:

– Main beliefs– Place of origin– Customs and Traditions– Founder– Religious Symbols– Major Festivals– The Sacred Text– Other interesting facts– Place of Worship