What is religion? A religion is a set of beliefs in an ultimate
reality and a set of practices used to express those beliefs.
Religion is a key component of culture
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Why do we study religion? Its an important component of
civilization Shapes how people interact with one another, dress,
and eat
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Diffusion of Religion Throughout the World Has been caused by
variety of factors including migration, missionary work, trade and
war Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam three major religions that
spread their religion through missionary activities Religions such
as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Judaism are associated with particular
culture group Followers usually born into these religions Sometimes
close contact and differences in beliefs have resulted in conflict
between religious groups
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Terms to know Animism: belief that spirits inhabit natural
objects and forces of nature Atheism: disbelief in the existence of
any god Monotheism: belief in one God Polytheism: belief in more
than one God Secularism: belief that lifes questions can be
answered apart from religious belief Sect: a subdivision within a
religion that has its own distinctive beliefs and/or practices
Tenet: a belief, doctrine, or principle believed to be true and
held in common by members of a group
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Christianity
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Background and Important Facts Claims more members than any of
the other world religions (33% of world population) Spread through
missionaries Dates its beginning to the death of Jesus in A.D. 33
Monotheistic: belief in one God and on the life and teachings of
Jesus Believe that Jesus, who was born a Jew, is son of God and is
fully divine and human They regard him as the Messiah (savior) who
died for humanitys sins Believe that people are saved and achieve
eternal life by faith in Jesus
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Geographic Distribution Majority of North America and Europe
Some in South America Parts of Africa and India Portions of
Australia
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Major Forms of Christianity Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy
Protestantism
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Sacred Text Bible Broken down into Two large Sections Old
Testament New Testament Each sect has different number of books
Considered to be the best-selling book of all time
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Sacred Symbols Cross/Crucifix The simplest and most common
Christian cross is the Latin cross. It may not have come into use
until the 2nd or 3rd century. The empty cross, usually favored by
Protestants, reminds Christians of the resurrection, while the
crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, favored by Catholic and
Orthodox churches, is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Fish
(ICTHUS) Early symbol of Christians the Greek word for fish
(ICHTUS), works nicely as an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, God's Son,
Savior" the fish would not be an obvious Christian symbol to
persecutors Jesus' ministry is associated with fish: he chose
several fishermen to be his disciples and declared he would make
them "fishers of men." Triquetra Symbolizes the Trinity (God as
father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
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Sacred Sites Church of the Nativity, located in the heart of
Bethlehem, houses the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born
Catholics: Vatican City in Rome Seat of power where Pope lives
Church of Holy Sepulchre Believed to be on the site of Golgotha,
where Jesus was crucified
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Christian Worship Most Christians attend worship services on
Sunday (the Sabbath) Includes singing, prayer, a sermon, and
regularly participate in communion (aka The Eucharist) At home,
many Christians pray regularly and read the Bible All Christians
have been baptized (initiated by being blessed with holy water)
Recognizes 7 Sacraments (sacred rituals instituted by Christ
himself) Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, Confirmation,
Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick Believe in
devotionals like saying the rosary or going on pilgrimages Have
religious orders: monks, deacons, and nuns
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Christian Celebrations Advent: 4 week season that marks the
beginning of the Church year and the approach of Christmas
Christmas: celebration of the birth of Jesus
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Christian Celebrations Lent: 40-day period of fasting and
repentance in preparation for Easter No meat on Fridays Pick
something to sacrifice for 40 days Good Friday: Jesus dies on the
cross Easter: Jesus rises from the dead
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Christian Celebrations Palm Sunday: sixth Sunday of Lent and
last Sunday before Easter. Commemorates triumphal entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem Epiphany: recalls the visit of the Three Magi to the
baby Jesus