Polytheistic Religions

What are the purposes of religions?

POLYTHEISMWhat does it mean?

Polytheism exists throughout the

world

•Japan?

•Africa?

•India?

Can you name the polytheistic religion

for each region/country?

Polytheism exists throughout the

world

•Japan?Shinto

•Africa?Animism

•India?Hinduism

Can you name the polytheistic religion

for each region/country?

Shinto (think Japan)

• Shinto = “way of the gods”

• Fragmented country• What does this mean?

• Clans worshipped own nature gods

• Varied customs/beliefs evolved into earliest religion

Main Principles

• Respect forces of nature

• Worship ancestors

• KAMI divine spirits that lived in nature

• Remind anyone of a blockbuster movie recently?

Animism - Africa

• Local/tribal religion

• Spirits regulate daily life

• Spirits present in…• Animals• Plants• Nature• Souls of ancestors

Hinduism

Main Ideas

• Based in India• 15% of the world!

• Reincarnation• Enlightenment• Based on the caste

system• Social ranking system• Born into rank• Created by the Aryans

• Holy book = the Vedas

Largest Hindu Temple in Delhi, IndiaWhat do you notice about the temple?

Main ideas continued…

• Believe in nonviolence• Meditation • Goal is to achieve moksha

• Perfect understanding of all things

• Release from reincarnation

• Hundreds of Gods:• Big 3

• Brahma (creator) • Vishnu (preserver) • Shiva (destroyer)

Hinduism is dominated by the caste system

What is the purpose of social hierarchies?

Different Social Rankings in the Caste

SystemBrahmins: Scholars/Priests class –

Educated elite and performed religious rituals

Kshatriyas: King/Warrior class

Vaisyas: Trader class

Sudras: Farmer/Artisan class

Untouchables: “Dalits”, outside of the social pyramid

Effects of the Caste SystemYour caste determined who you could eat with, the work they did,

whom they could marry

• Are there hierarchies at Shaker? What are they? How do they influence your life?

• Are there hierarchies in society? What are they? How do they influence peoples’ lives?

Shaker and Society

• Grade• Level (AP, H, R, B)• Social cliques• Athletics • Clothing• Adult rankings?

• Profession• Income • Age• Sex• Race

Social MobilityHow do you change your position in

society?

Q: What is the goal of a Hindu?A: Reach enlightenment and end reincarnation.

Q: How do you move up the caste system?A: Acquire good karma – this influences one’s caste,

health, wealth, etc.

Q: How do you reach enlightenment?A: Acquiring good karma, moving up the caste system

through rebirths and then achieving moksha

Spread of Hinduism – How would it spread?