Nov 1-
Islam
Middle east and North Africa, Indonesia
The islamic crescent and star is the international symbol for Islam
Islam means “submission” in arabic
“Allah” is an arabic word which means “the one true God”
Muslims believe that the Quran is God’s word as revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel
Muslims do not believe that jesus was the Messiah, although they do believe he was a prophet
Islam is family oriented
The primary means of transmitting the religion are through the family
- Muslims are people that practice Islam
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was the founder
Buddha means “the awakened one”
He grew up in a wealthy family but decided to follow a path of self-denial
He did not find truth until he sat down under a tree, now known as the Bo tree
There he was “enlightened” and obtained the knowledge he had been looking for
He discovered four noble truths and the Eightfold Path to Nirvana or ultimate bliss
Existence is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving and attachment
Suffering ceases at some point and turns to Nirvana
There is a path to Nirvana which is made up of 8 steps called the Eightfold Path
Eightfold path- the right...
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Intension
Speech
Actions
Livelihood
Effort
Concentration
Mindfulness
Buddhists believe in reincarnation
One must stop the cycle of rebirth as a suffering selfish individual, and must attain Nirvana
About 1% of Americans are Buddhist
Differences between Hinduism
No Caste system
No gods
No priesthood
Worship Practices
Meditation- deep thought and reflection
Importance of the lotus flower
Believer can blossom while rooted in the impurity of the world
Dalai Lama- the president spiritual leader of buddhism
14th- 60+ years
- Exiled to India since 1959
Nov 2-
The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her race, nationality, or background
Any person who is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim
Two Main Sects of Islam: Sunni and Shiite
Main differences are in their beliefs about who were the leaders following the death of prophet Muhammad
Sunni-accepted the succession of Muhammad’s elected successors (majority of Muslims)
Shiite-believe leaders must be descendants of Muhammad through his daughter and her husband (Iran and Iraq)
5 Pillars of Islam
Shahada- Muslim profession of faith (when they wake up and before they go to sleep)
Salat- a prayer ritual performed 5 times a day by all Muslims over the age of 10 (face Mecca)
Sawm- abstaining each day during Ramadan (holiest day for Islam; when the Quran was revealed to Muhammad)
About self-control and sacrifice (food and other pleasures)
Zakat- giving money to the poor (2.5% of savings; intended to free Muslims from the love of money)
Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca that al physically and financially able Muslims should make at least once in their life
- Circle the Kaaba seven times, say prayers, drink from a holy spring, walk to Mount Arafat to pray, feast, cast stones at three pillars, shave hair
Nov 3-
Sharia law- outlines laws for Muslims and is based from the Quran
The belief component of Shariah commands Muslims to believe in God, angels, etc
In terms of character, chariah commands Muslims to strive for traits like humility and kindness
Actions include those relating to God, such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage, as well as actions relating to other humans, such as marriage, crime and business
Many African and Middle Eastern countries laws are based on Sharia Law
5 major crimes
Theft, highway robbery, intoxication, adultery and false accusing another of adultery
Food laws are similar to Kosher foods
Issues facing Islam
Radical Islamic Terrorists (ISIS, Al-Qaeda)
Racial profiling in US
Women’s rights
Koran calls for both men and women to cover and be modest
Does not explicitly say you have to cover yourself in burkas
Dress is open to interpretation and has been shaped by centuries of cultures in different nations
Scholars argue that it is a religious obligation, particularly the more conservative faction within the Muslim world
Nov 4- Test
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