| WHII.14 |
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the influence of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism in the contemporary world by |
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a) |
describing their beliefs, sacred writings, traditions, and customs; |
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b) |
locating the geographic distribution of religions in the contemporary world. |
Explain that five world religions have had a profound impact on culture and civilization.
Identify some characteristics of the five major world religions, using the following information as a guide:
Judaism
• Monotheism
• Ten Commandments of moral and religious conduct
• Torah – Written record and beliefs of Hebrews
Christianity
• Monotheism
• Jesus as Son of God
• Life after death
• New Testament – Contains life and teachings of Jesus
• Establishment of Christian doctrine by early church councils
Islam
• Monotheism
• Muhammad the prophet
• Koran
• Five Pillars of Islam
• Mecca and Medina
Buddhism
• Founder – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• Four Noble Truths
• Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
• Spread of Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia, resulting from Asoka’s missionaries and their writings
Hinduism
• Many forms of one deity
• Caste system
• Reincarnation
• Karma – Future reincarnation based on present behavior
Explain that the five major religions are found worldwide, but their followers tend to be concentrated in certain geographic areas. Identify where they are located, using the following information as a guide:
• Judaism – Concentrated in Israel and North America
• Christianity – Concentrated in Europe, North and South America
• Islam – Concentrated in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia
• Hinduism – Concentrated in India
• Buddhism – Concentrated in East and Southeast Asia
Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.
Boeree, C. George. “The History of Buddhism.” Shippensburg University. <http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/buddhahist.html>. This site contains a copyrighted article on the history of Buddha.
“India Religion: Hinduism.” Indiaserver.com. <http://religions.indiaserver.com/india-hinduism-religion.html>. This site provides information on Hinduism.
Internet Islamic History Sourcebook. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/islam/islamsbook.html>. This history sourcebook, housed at Fordham University in New York, provides information on the history of Islam.
“Judaism.” Jewish Virtual Library. <http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/judaism.html>. This site, sponsored by The America-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, provides information on the Jewish faith and a guided tour of the Holy Land.
Your Guide to the World Religions. BBC World Service. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions/index.shtml>.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning: History and Social Science Released Items for World History II. Virginia Department of Education, 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/Release2003/History/VA-RIBs_g11wh2-1.pdf>.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning. World History and Geography: 1500 a.d. to the Present. Test Blueprint. Virginia Department of Education, 2003/04.<http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/HistoryBlueprints03/2002Blueprint8WHII.pdf>. This site provides assessment information for World History and Geography: 1500 a.d. to the Present. |
