Religions In ancient & Classical Civilizations

Religions in Ancient & Classical Civilizations

Looking at Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity

• One of the oldest religions in the world

• Hinduism absorbed diverse cultural and religious influences, leading to a rich tapestry of philosophies, rituals, and deities

• Hinduism has no Known founder.

• ​It tracing its roots back over 4,000 years to ancient India

​Founder?

Hinduism: History and Founder?

They revere the Vedas, which is their sacred text.

Hindus believe in a spiritual power called Brahman who is the source of existence and present in everything

​
Hindus believe in many gods, but believe one of them is the supreme ruler

Hindu Beliefs

They believe in reincarnation, which is when your soul is reborn into another body or form. You only stop this cycle when you reach enlightenment.
They believe in Karma, Which is good or bad deeds that are rewarded or punished in their next life when they are Reincarnated

What do Hindus believe?

​Subheader text

What is Buddhism?

​Creation Story of Buddhism

Religion founded more than 2500 years ago.
The legend goes that...
Siddhartha Gutama was born wealthy but went off on his own to search the world for the way to end suffering.
He eventually reached Nirvana, which is when he freed himself from the cycle of reincarnation.
People that practice Buddhism, follow the rules set out by Gutama, also known as Buddha

​

What do Buddhists believe?

• They do not worship a creator but rather an energy that links all human beings together.

• Buddha is not a god and asked not to be worshiped as one

• They also believe in reincarnation and karma

• Buddhism does not have a holy book. Buddha's teachings were passed down by people until about 400 years after his death.

Zoroastrianism

• At first the Persians worshiped many gods.

• Then in the 600s b.c., a religious teacher named Zoroaster started preaching a new religion called Zoroastrianism.

• Zoroaster taught that there was one god, named Ahura Mazda and he was the creator of all things and the leader of the forces of good.

• Zoroaster believed people were free to choose between good and evil, but at the end of time, goodness would win.

• Most Persians accepted Zoroastrianism and they also began to view the monarchy as sacred.

• Persian kings believed they ruled by the

  power of Ahura Mazda.

​Judaism

​Christianity

• Christianity is a religious movement that Grew out of Judaism during Roman Rule

• Founding Figure is Jesus ( a man born in Nazareth who worked as a carpenter until he attracted attention as a teacher and preacher)

• He would be be regarded as the son of God