The Major Religions (cont.)

Judaism 

• practice religion in synagogue
• in synagogue there us a "bimah" which is where they read the Torah
• this is an Abraham religion
• over 5 million Jews in the US
• 13 million Jews in the world (most in US and Israel)
• 81% live in the US and Israel 
• the leaders of Judaism include the patriarchs (Abraham and Moses) 
• Moses and Isaac were the main teachers of Judaism 
• Abraham is the father of Judaism 
• 14,500,00 people that follow Judaism 

Christianity

• 2.2 billion (largest in the world)
• call them: Christians  
• Europe, America is where they are found
• founder is Jesus (Abrahamic in origin)
• holy book is the Bible
• beliefs- Jesus is both human and divine/ son of God 
• clergy: the Pope is head of the church 
• priests are local authorities 

Islam 

• called Muslims 
• location: Middle East, North Africa
• denominations: Sunnis (75-90%) Shiites (10-20%)
• Muhammad (570-632) their founder
• beliefs: monotheistic, Abrahamic 
• Qur'an is their holy book
• they have five pillars (testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, pilgrimage)
• Purpose: serving and submitting to Allah (God) and observing Islamic law 

Hinduism 

• 1.1 billion (third largest)
• we call them Hindus 
• India, Nepal - locations 
• holy book- Vedas- eternal truths revealed to ancient sages; written  in verse form 
• don't have distinct founder 
• thought to be a way of life not necessarily a religion

Buddhism

• just because your Buddhist doesn't mean you can't practice another religion
• locations- Southeast Asia, China, Nepal, Japan
• founder- Siddhartha Gautama 
• denominations- Tibetan, Zen, Theravada, Amidist 
• four noble truths (there is suffering, attachment to desire, there is a cessation of suffering, the eightfold path)