1
Aspects of Culture
Bell Ringer:1. How is each of us a product of our culture?2. What beliefs and traditions are held by the
world’s great religions?
2
What is Culture- Culture refers to a people’s
way of life, including how people meet their basic needs for food/shelter.- Includes: Language, literature,
music, art, religion- Customs: things people do,
how they dress, celebration of holidays
3
What is Culture Cont’d
- Institutions: organizations developed by society to make social roles clear/take care of social needs.- Examples: Families, Schools, Government, army,
hospitals, churches.
4
Aspects of Culture
• Family Structure: how generations live together, decisions are made.
• Social Structure: how society is organized into different social groups or classes.
5
Thought Spot
• How does aspects of culture effect your daily lives, your family, and social structure?
6
Aspects of Culture Cont’d
• Multicultural Society: various ethnic/cultural groups.– Some societies give minority ethnic/religious groups
more rights/opportunities• Gender Roles: assigned to men/women.– Example, woman caring for children, do household
chores.
7
8
• How does religions shape our lives, communities, and cultures?
9
Major World Religion Characteristics
• Set of beliefs about the meaning of life, nature of universe and existence of the supernatural.
• Set of Customs/practice relate to the worship of God (or several gods) w/a set of rules for the conduct of a good life.
• An organization which oversees the conduct of religious practices.
• Designation of sacred or holy places.– Vatican City – Catholicism; Mecca - Islam
10
11
Major Beliefs of Hinduism
• Many gods, each created by one supreme being.
• Reincarnation: After death, soul is reborn as another living thing.
• Located in modern India.
12
Major Beliefs of Hinduism Cont’d
• Karma: Live a good life, reborn in a higher caste system (hereditary social classes).
• Sacred Objects: Ganges River and the Cow– Hindus do not eat beef.
13
14
Major Beliefs of Buddhism
• Leading religion in Tibet, Japan, Thailand, and China.
• Follows the teachings of Buddha.
• Philosophy of self-denial and meditation
• Believe in reincarnation• Dalia Lama- Head of
Religion
15
16
Major Beliefs of Buddhism Cont’d
• Eightfold Path: give up wealth, act worthily, live righteously, and respect all living things.
• Nirvana: achieve final reincarnation by following the Eightfold Path.
• Four Noble Truths: explain life’s meaning—ex. Selfish desires are the source of suffering.
17
Key Features of Judaism
• 1st religion to teach monotheism – belief in 1 God.
• History of Jewish people found in Old Testament.
• 10 Commandments: moral code of conduct, live justly.– 1 God, honor one’s parents– Do not kill, steal, commit
adultery
18
Judaism
• Torah- Religious Book• Dietary Laws- What can and can’t be eaten
and how foods must be prepared (kosher)• Synagogue- Place of Worship
19
Major Beliefs in Christianity
• Begun by Jesus, a Jew born in Bethlehem.
• Declaration of Faith• Jesus is son of God, sent to save
mankind.– Rose from the dead, went to Heaven.
• Christians will be saved, go to Heaven– Have faith in Jesus, treat others with
love/respect.
20
Major Beliefs in Christianity Cont’d
• Includes Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox Christians.– Major influences are found in
Europe, the Americas, areas of Africa and Asia.
• World’s most popular religion.
21
Beliefs of Islam
• Founded by Mohammed around 600 A.D.
• Believe in one God, Allah.
• Qu’ran: Holy Book containing God’s message as given to Mohammed.
22
Beliefs of Islam Cont’d
• Five Pillars of Faith: religious requirements– Confession Of faith- There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his
prophet”.– Prayer- five times a day facing mecca– Charity- Must give money to the poor and pay taxes to Mosque– Fasting- Cannot eat or drink during month of Ramadan, during day– Pilgrimage- Must take a pilgrimage to mecca
• Concentrated in the Middle East, South/Southeast Asia.• Dietary Laws- What can and be eaten and how foods must
be prepared
23
24
Beliefs of Sikhism• Found mostly in
Northern India.– Combines beliefs
from Hinduism/Islam.– Believe in
reincarnation.• Believe in 1 God.
– Everyone has equal status in eyes of God.
• Men do not cut their hair and wear turbans.
25
ANIMISM
• A belief that many things in nature have their own spirit—animals, plants and places
• Medicine men-contact spirit world• Ceremonies- passage from boy to man• One of the earliest forms of religion– Practiced by tribes in Sub Saharan Africa, Native
Americans, ancient Japan (formed into Shintoism)
Top Related