Major Belief Systems of the World -- A Comparison

WORLD HISTORY

MAJOR BELIEF SYSTEMS--A COMPARISON

Islam

Buddhism

Christianity

Confucianism

Hinduism

Judaism

DIRECTIONS: This project is in three parts. The first part is a research component in which you will learn about the 6 major belief systems of the world. You MUST use at least three differnt sources to obtain your information about each religion. In your research you must obtain answers to the following questions:

1. Who founded the religion and when and where did this occur?

2. How the religion was originally practiced?

3. What are the key (major) beliefs that can be traced to original scriptures and texts at the religion's inception?

4.What are the key events that changed how the religion was practiced by its followers?

5. What are the important decisions made by the followers/leaders of the religion that may have changed the original intent and practices of the founder?

6. How did these decisions alter or change the rest of the world?

7. How did the religion change as it spread from one place to another?

8. What is the current status of the religion (numbers of followers, places in which it is practiced, etc.)?

9. If the original founder of the religion were to evaluate how the religion is practiced today, would they recognize the faith and would they approve of its current practices?

After locating this information, you will prepare a separate Information Sheet for each religion which will address the questions above. (See the sample page at the end of these instructions). These information sheets will be word processed, using double spacing and a standard 10 to 12 point font (Times, New York, Courier). Each page will have a 1 inch margin on all four sides. You should not use more than two typed pages to address each religion.

Part two will be a comparison and contrast of two of these religions. In this section, you will choose any two of the religions other than Christianity. Then, utilizing no more than two pages (the same format and typing rules apply as above), you are to show the similarities and differences between the two religions you have selected. This section should be in essay form and contain an introduction, body and conclusion.

Part three will be a complete Works Cited page in MLA format. This page will contain all of the sources you utilized in researching and preparing the paper.

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Sample Information Sheet

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Animism

Founder: Lucy

Location: Olduvai Gorge, North Africa

Date: 1,750,000 B.C.

How the religion was originally practiced?

write your answer here in paragraph form

What are the key beliefs that can be traced to original scriptures and texts at the religion's inception?

write your answer here in paragraph form

What are the key events that changed how the religion was practiced by its followers?

write your answer here in paragraph form

What are the important decisions made by the followers/leaders of the religion that may have changed the original intent and practices of the founder?

write your answer here in paragraph form

How did these decisions alter or change the rest of the world?

write your answer here in paragraph form

How did the religion change as it spread from one place to another?

write your answer here in paragraph form

What is the current status of the religion?

write your answer here in paragraph form

If the original founder of the religion were to evaluate how the religion is practiced today, would they recognize the faith and would they approve of its current practices?

write your answer here in paragraph form

Islam	Buddhism	Christianity
Confucianism	Hinduism	Judaism

Animism
Founder:	Lucy
Location:	Olduvai Gorge, North Africa
Date:	1,750,000 B.C.

How the religion was originally practiced?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
What are the key beliefs that can be traced to original scriptures and texts at the religion's inception?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
What are the key events that changed how the religion was practiced by its followers?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
What are the important decisions made by the followers/leaders of the religion that may have changed the original intent and practices of the founder?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
How did these decisions alter or change the rest of the world?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
How did the religion change as it spread from one place to another?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
What is the current status of the religion?
	write your answer here in paragraph form
If the original founder of the religion were to evaluate how the religion is practiced today, would they recognize the faith and would they approve of its current practices?
	write your answer here in paragraph form