There are twelve classical world religions

—those religions most often included in history of world religion surveys and studied in world religions classes: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. Here are overviews of nine of these classical religions.

Hinduism - 4000 to 2500 BCE*
   
The origins of Hinduism can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization sometime between 4000 and 2500 BCE. Though believed by many to be a polytheistic religion, the basis of Hinduism is the belief in the unity of everything. This totality is called Brahman. The purpose of life is to realize that we are part of God and by doing so we can leave this plane of existance and rejoin with God. This enlightenment can only be achieved by going through cycles of birth, life and death known as samsara. One's progress towards enlightenment is measured by his karma. This is the accumulation of all one's good and bad deeds and this determines the person's next reincarnation. Selfless acts and thoughts as well as devotion to God help one to be reborn at a higher level. Bad acts and thoughts will cause one to be born at a lower level, as a person or even an animal.
Hindus follow a strict caste system which determines the standing of each person. The caste one is born into is the result of the karma from their previous life. Only members of the highest caste, the brahmins, may perform the Hindu religious rituals and hold positions of authority within the temples.

Tolerance.
    Judaism - 2000 BCE

Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i faith all originated with a divine covenant between the God of the ancient Israelites and Abraham around 2000 BCE. The next leader of the Israelites, Moses, led his people out of captivity in Egypt and received the Law from God. Joshua later led them into the promised land where Samuel established the Israelite kingdom with Saul as its first king. King David established Jerusalem and King Solomon built the first temple there. In 70 CE the temple was destroyed and the Jews were scattered throughout the world until 1948 when the state of Israel was formed.
Jews believe in one creator who alone is to be worshipped as absolute ruler of the universe. He monitors peoples activities and rewards good deeds and punishes evil. The Torah was revealed to Moses by God and can not be changed though God does communicate with the Jewish people through prophets. Jews believe in the inherent goodness of the world and its inhabitants as creations of God and do not require a savior to save them from original sin. They believe they are God's chosen people and that the Messiah will arrive in the future, gather them into Israel, there will be a general resurrection of the dead, and the Jerusalem Temple destroyed in 70 CE will be rebuilt.
More Resources on Judaism
Judaism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Judaism.
Sacred Texts of Judaism - Jewish sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Judaism at OCRT - Article on Judaism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
  

Zoroastrianism - 1000 BCE

Zoroastrianism was founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia which followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion at the time. He preached what may have been the first monotheism with a single supreme god, Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians belief in the dualism of good and evil as either a cosmic one between Ahura Mazda and an evil spirit of violence and death, Angra Mainyu, or as an ethical dualism within the human consciousness. The Zoroastrian holy book is called the Avesta which includes the teachings of Zarathushtra written in a series of five hymns called the Gathas. They are abstract sacred poetry directed towards the worship of the One God, understanding of righteousness and cosmic order, promotion of social justice, and individual choice between good and evil. The rest of the Avesta was written at a later date and deals with rituals, practice of worship, and other traditions of the faith.
Zoroastrians worship through prayers and symbolic ceremonies that are conducted before a sacred fire which symbolizes their God. They dedicate their lives to a three-fold path represented by their motto: "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." The faith does not generally accept converts but this is disputed by some members.
More Resources on Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Zarathushtra and Zoroastrianism.
Sacred Texts of Zoroastrianism - Zoroastrian sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Zoroastrianism at OCRT - Article on Zoroastrianism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
   

Buddhism - 560 to 490 BCE

Buddhism developed out of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who, in 535 BCE, reached enlightenment and assumed the title Buddha. He promoted 'The Middle Way' as the path to enlightenment rather than the extremes of mortification of the flesh or hedonism. Long after his death the Buddha's teachings were written down. This collection is called the Tripitaka. Buddhists believe in reincarnation and that one must go through cycles of birth, life, and death. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. In general, Buddhists do not believe in any type of God, the need for a savior, prayer, or eternal life after death. However, since the time of the Buddha, Buddhism has integrated many regional religious rituals, beliefs and customs into it as it has spread throughout Asia, so that this generalization is no longer true for all Buddhists. This has occurred with little conflict due to the philosophical nature of Buddhism.
More Resources on Buddhism
Buddhism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Buddha and Buddhism.
Sacred Texts of Buddhism - Buddhist sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Buddhism at OCRT - Article on Buddhism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
  

Shinto - 500+ BCE

Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion, closely tied to nature, which recognizes the existance of various "Kami", nature dieties. The first two deities, Izanagi and Izanami, gave birth to the Japanese islands and their children became the deities of the various Japanese clans. One of their daughters, Amaterasu (Sun Goddess), is the ancestress of the Imperial Family and is regarded as the chief deity. All the Kami are benign and serve only to sustain and protect. They are not seen as separate from humanity due to sin because humanity is "Kami's Child." Followers of Shinto desire peace and believe all human life is sacred. They revere "musuhi", the Kami's creative and harmonizing powers, and aspire to have "makoto", sincerity or true heart. Morality is based upon that which is of benefit to the group. There are "Four Affirmations" in Shinto:
Tradition and family: the family is the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved.
Love of nature: nature is sacred and natural objects are to be worshipped as sacred spirits.
Physical cleanliness: they must take baths, wash their hands, and rinse their mouth often.
"Matsuri": festival which honors the spirits.
More Resources on Shinto
Shinto Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Shinto.
Sacred Texts of Shinto - Shinto sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Shinto at OCRT - Article on Shinto at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
   

Confucianism - 500 BCE

K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu in China. He traveled throughout China giving advice to its rulers and teaching. His teachings and writings dealt with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power. He stressed the following values:
� Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
� Hsiao: love among family members
� Yi: righteousness
� Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
� Jen: benevolence towards others; the highest Confucian virtue
� Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.
Unlike most religions, Confucianism is primarily an ethical system with rituals at important times during one's lifetime. The most important periods recognized in the Confucian tradition are birth, reaching maturity, marriage, and death.
More Resources on Confucianism
Confucianism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Confucianism and Confucius.
Sacred Texts of Confucianism - Confucian sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Confucianism at OCRT - Article on Confucianism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
   

Jainism - 420 BCE

The founder of the Jain community was Vardhamana, the last Jina in a series of 24 who lived in East India. He attained enlightenment after 13 years of deprivation and committed the act of salekhana, fasting to death, in 420 BCE. Jainism has many similarities to Hinduism and Buddhism which developed in the same part of the world. They believe in karma and reincarnation as do Hindus but they believe that enlightenment and liberation from this cycle can only be achieved through asceticism. Jains follow fruititarianism. This is the practice of only eating that which will not kill the plant or animal from which it is taken. They also practice ahimsa, non-violence, because any act of violence against a living thing creates negative karma which will adversely affect one's next life.
More Resources on Jainism
Jainism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Jainism.
Sacred Texts of Jainism - Jain sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Jainism at OCRT - Article on Jainism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
  

Taoism - 440 CE

Taoism was founded by Lao-Tse, a contemporary of Confucius in China. Taoism began as a combination of psychology and philosophy which Lao-Tse hoped would help end the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts of his time. His writings, the Tao-te-Ching, describe the nature of life, the way to peace and how a ruler should lead his life. Taoism became a religion in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion.
Tao, roughly translated as path, is a force which flows through all life and is the first cause of everything. The goal of everyone is to become one with the Tao. Tai Chi, a technique of exercise using slow deliberate movements, is used to balance the flow of energy or "chi" within the body. People should develop virtue and seek compassion, moderation and humility. One should plan any action in advance and achieve it through minimal action. Yin (dark side) and Yang (light side) symbolize pairs of opposites which are seen through the universe, such as good and evil, light and dark, male and female. The impact of human civilization upsets the balance of Yin and Yang. Taoists believe that people are by nature, good, and that one should be kind to others simply because such treatment will probably be reciprocated.
More Resources on Taoism
Taoism Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Taoism.
Sacred Texts of Taoism - Taoist sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Taoism at OCRT - Article on Taoism at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
Exploring Tao with Fun - Informative site written by Taoists for beginners and non-beginners.
Images of Taoism from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching - Illustrated Tao Te Ching based on Jeff Rasmussen's "Spirit of Tao Te Ching", introduction to Taoism, literal pictograph-by-pictograph translation, annotated links.
   

Christianity - 30+ CE

Christianity started out as a breakaway sect of Judaism nearly 2000 years ago. Jesus, the son of the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph, but conceived through the Holy Spirit, was bothered by some of the practices within his native Jewish faith and began preaching a different message of God and religion. During his travels he was joined by twelve disciples who followed him in his journeys and learned from him. He performed many miracles during this time and related many of his teachings in the form of parables. Among his best known sayings are to "love thy neighbor" and "turn the other cheek." At one point he revealed that he was the Son of God sent to Earth to save humanity from our sins. This he did by being crucified on the cross for his teachings. He then rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and told them to go forth and spread his message.
Since Christianity and Judaism share the same history up to the time of Jesus Christ, they are very similar in many of their core beliefs. There are two primary differences. One is that Christians believe in original sin and that Jesus died in our place to save us from that sin. The other is that Jesus was fully human and fully God and as the Son of God is part of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. All Christians believe in heaven and that those who sincerely repent their sins before God will be saved and join Him in heaven. Belief in hell and satan varies among groups and individuals.
There are a multitude of forms of Christianity which have developed either because of disagreements on dogma, adaptation to different cultures, or simply personal taste. For this reason there can be a great difference between the various forms of Christianity they may seem like different religions to some people.
More Resources on Christianity
Christianity Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Christianity.
Sacred Texts of Christianity - Christian sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Christianity at OCRT - Articles on Christianity at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
   

Islam - 622 CE

Islam was founded in 622 CE by Muhammad the Prophet, in Makkah (also spelled Mecca). Though it is the youngest of the world's great religions, Muslims do not view it as a new religion. They belief that it is the same faith taught by the prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. The role of Muhammad as the last prophet was to formalize and clarify the faith and purify it by removing ideas which were added in error. The two sacred texts of Islam are the Qur'an, which are the words of Allah 'the One True God' as given to Muhammad, and the Hadith, which is a collection of Muhammad's sayings. The duties of all Muslims are known as the Five Pillars of Islam and are:
Recite the shahadah at least once.
Perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day while facing the Kaaba in Makkah.
Donate regularly to charity via the zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy.
Fast during the month of Ramadan, the month that Muhammad received the Qur'an from Allah.
Make pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in life, if economically and physically possible.
Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful. They also believe in Satan who drives people to sin, and that all unbelievers and sinners will spend eternity in Hell. Muslims who sincerely repent and submit to God will return to a state of sinlessness and go to Paradise after death. Alcohol, drugs, and gambling should be avoided and they reject racism. They respect the earlier prophets, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but regard the concept of the divinity of Jesus as blasphemous and do not believe that he was executed on the cross.
More Resources on Islam
Islam Books - Check out the most popular books concerning Islam.
Sacred Texts of Islam - Muslim sacred texts available for free online viewing at sacred-texts.com.
Islam at OCRT - Article on Islam at the web site of the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
www.jannah.org - Independent site on Islam with good information on the response of mainstream Muslims to terrorism.
The Islam Page - One of the oldest Islam pages on the web. Many articles/books and resources.
Islamic Circle of North America - Great resource with news, articles, family, youth pages, etc.
Islaam.com - Tons of informative articles and information.
  

Sikhism - 1500 CE

The Sikh faith was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab area, now Pakistan. He began preaching the way to enlightenment and God after receiving a vision. After his death a series of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement until 1708. At this time these functions passed to the Panth and the holy text. This text, the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, was compiled by the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh. It consists of hymns and writings of the first 10 Gurus, along with texts from different Muslim and Hindu saints. The holy text is considered the 11th and final Guru.
Sikhs believe in a single formless God with many names, who can be known through meditation. Sikhs pray many times each day and are prohibited from worshipping idols or icons. They believe in samsara, karma, and reincarnation as Hindus do but reject the caste system. They believe that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God. During the 18th century, there were a number of attempts to prepare an accurate portrayal of Sikh customs. Sikh scholars and theologians started in 1931 to prepare the Reht Maryada -- the Sikh code of conduct and conventions. This has successfully achieved a high level of uniformity in the religious and social practices of Sikhism throughout the world. It contains 27 articles. Article 1 defines who is a Sikh:
"Any human being who faithfully believes in:
� One Immortal Being,
� Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,
� The Guru Granth Sahib,
� The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
� the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh."

    Bah�'� - 1863 CE

The Bah�'� Faith arose from Islam in the 1800s based on the teachings of Baha'u'llah and is now a distinct worldwide faith. The faith's followers believe that God has sent nine great prophets to mankind through whom the Holy Spirit has revealed the "Word of God." This has given rise to the major world religions. Although these religions arose from the teachings of the prophets of one God, Bah�'�'s do not believe they are all the same. The differences in the teachings of each prophet are due to the needs of the society they came to help and what mankind was ready to have revealed to it. Bah�'� beliefs promote gender and race equality, freedom of expression and assembly, world peace and world government. They believe that a single world government led by Bah�'�s will be established at some point in the future. The faith does not attempt to preserve the past but does embrace the findings of science. Bah�'�s believe that every person has an immortal soul which can not die but is freed to travel through the spirit world after death.

God

A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient  originator and ruler of the universe, the

principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions. The force, effect, or a manifestation or

aspect of this being. A being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and

worshiped by a people, especially a male deity thought to control some part of nature or reality.

An image of a supernatural being; an idol.

One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed: Money was their god.

A very handsome man. A powerful ruler or despot.

Buddhism

Buddhism-Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha The teaching of Buddha that life is permeated

with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment

obtained through right conduct, wisdom, and meditation releases one from desire, suffering, and

rebirth. The religion represented by the many groups, especially numerous in Asia, that profess varying

forms of this doctrine and that venerate Buddha. \Bud"dhism\, n. The religion based upon the

doctrine originally taught by the Hindoo sage Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha, ``the awakened

or enlightened,'' in the sixth century b. c., and adopted as a religion by the greater part of the

inhabitants of Central and Eastern Asia and the Indian Islands. Buddha's teaching is believed to have

been atheistic; yet it was characterized by elevated humanity and

morality. It presents release from existence (a beatific enfranchisement, Nirv[^a]na) as the greatest

good. Buddhists believe in transmigration of souls through all phases

and forms of life. Their number was estimated in

1881 at 470,000,000.

Christianity

The Christian religion, founded on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Christians as a group; Christendom. The state or fact of being a Christian.

pl. Chris�ti�an�i�ties A particular form or sect of the Christian religion: the Christianities of antiquity.

\Chris*tian"i*ty\, n. [OE. cristiente, OF. cristient ['e], F. chr['e]tient['e], fr. L. christianitas. ]

1. The religion of Christians; the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ.

2. Practical conformity of one's inward and outward life to the spirit of the Christian religion

3. The body of Christian believers. [Obs.]

Hinduism

n 1: the dominant religion of India; characterized by a caste system and belief in reincarnation

[syn: Hinduism, Hindooism] 2: a complex of beliefs and values and customs including worship of

many gods especially the Trimurti composed of Brahma the

Creator; Vishnu the preserver; and Shiva the destroyer [syn: Hinduism, Hindooism]

Islam

n.
A monotheistic religion characterized by the
acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God
and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.

The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.
The civilization developed by the Muslim world.
Is"lam\, n. [Ar. isl[=a]m obedience to the will of God, submission,
humbling one's self, resigning one's self to the divine disposal.
Cf. Moslem.] 1. The religion of the Mohammedans; Mohammedanism;
Islamism. Their formula of faith is: There is no God but Allah,
and Mohammed is his prophet.

2. The whole body of Mohammedans, or the countries
which they occupy.

Mormonism
An ancient prophet believed to have compiled a sacred
history of the Americas, which were translated and published
by Joseph Smith as the Book of Mormon in 1830.
A member of the Mormon Church. Also called Latter-day Saint

Jehovah's Witnesses

n : founded in US in late 19th century
[syn: Jehovah's Witnesses]


Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jews, tracing its origins
to Abraham and having its spiritual and ethical principles
embodied chiefly in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Talmud.
Conformity to the traditional ceremonies and rites of the
Jewish religion.
The cultural, religious, and social practices and beliefs
of the Jews.
The Jews considered as a people or community.
\Ju"da*ism\, n. [L. Juda["i]smus: cf. F. juda["i]sme.]
1. The religious doctrines and rites of the Jews as
enjoined in the laws of Moses. --J. S. Mill.



Mysticism

Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate
reality or God.
The experience of such communion as described by mystics.
A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or
intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly
accessible by subjective experience.
Vague, groundless speculation.
\Mys"ti*cism\, n. [Cf. F. mysticisme.] 1. Obscurity of doctrine.

2. (Eccl. Hist.) The doctrine of the Mystics,
who professed a pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested devotion,
and maintained that they had direct intercourse with the divine
Spirit, and aquired a knowledge of God and of spiritual things
unattainable by the natural intellect, and such as can not be
analyzed or explained.

3. (Philos.) The doctrine that the ultimate elements or
principles of knowledge or belief are gained by an act or
process akin to feeling or faith.
n 1: a religion based on mystical communion with an ultimate reality


shaman

A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible

spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing,

divination, and control over natural events.






Taoism

A principal philosophy and system of religion of China based on the teachings of Lao-tzu in the sixth

century B.C. and on subsequent revelations. It advocates preserving and restoring the Tao in the

body and the cosmos. n 1: Chinese Taoist sect claiming to follow the teaching

of Lao-Tzu but also incorporating pantheism and sorcery  [syn: Taoism] 2: religion adhering to the

teaching of Lao-tzu   [syn: Taoism] 3: popular Chinese philosophical system based in

teachings of Lao-tse but characterized by a pantheism of many

gods and the practices of alchemy and divination and magic

[syn: Taoism, Hsuan Chiao] 4: philosophical system developed by

of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu advocating a simple honest life and

noninterference with the course of natural events [syn: Taoism, Daoism]






Unification Church

A Christian church founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and
known for its communal activities.

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