RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

JUDAISM


Founder              : Abraham (2000 BC) and Moses (1200 BC) born in Egypt

Date founded     : 2000 BC


Beliefs                 

• Unity of God
• God as teacher through instruction of Torah 
• God as redeemer
• Resurrection
• Coming of the 'Messiah' who will establish new age in Israel

Sacred texts         : The Hals, found particularly in the five books of the Bible; 
                            Commentary on Torah Known as Talmud and Midrash

Place of worship  : Synagogue


Sacred place         : Jerusalem

Followed in            : Worldwide with concentration in Israel and United States
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SHINTOISM

Founder                : No founder, began with Japanese culture and developed 
                           Out of tradition and ancestor worship

Date originated   : 6th AD, Japan

Beliefs               

• Polytheistic -- belief in 'Kami' (deities)
• Sincerity arising from awareness of the divine
• Spiritual and physical purification

Sacred text         : No specific text

Sacred places      : Central Shrine of Isle (Central Japan) and the Yasukuni 
                           Shrine in Tokyo

Followed in           : Japan
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SIKHISM 

Founder                : Guru Nanak (1469-1539) born in Talwandi village, now in 
                           Pakistan

Date founded       : 1500 AD

Beliefs                   : 

• Unity of God
• Birth, death and rebirth
• Guidance of the Guru to 'moksa' (release) and the way of God
• Worship of the Adi Granth

Sacred Text          : The Guru Granth Sahib


Place of worship  : The Guru Granth Sahib

Sacred place         : Golden Temple, Amritsar

Followed in            : India
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TAOISM 

Founder               : Lao Zi (600 BC). a Chinese philosopher

Date founded      : 600 BC, China

Beliefs                  :

• International of human society and the universe
• Cult of Heaven
• Law of return
• State of original purity
• Worship of ancestors

Sacred text        : The Tao-te-Ching

Followed in         : China, Taiwan, Nauru, Brunei, Singapore and Veitnam
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ZOROASTRIANISM (PARSI RELIGION) 

Founder                : Zoroaster (600 BC) born in Iran

Date founded      : 600 BC, Iran

Beliefs                  : 

• Viewing the world as being divided between the spirits of good and evil
• Worshipping Ahura Mazdah as the Supreme deity, who is forever in conflict with Ahriman, the spirit of evil
• Considering fire sacred

Sacred text          : The Zend Avesta

Place of worship : Fire temple

Followed in           : Iran and north-west India