Ms.

Cannistraci

Name:________________________

Date:_______

Theme: Belief Systems

A belief system is an established, orderly way that groups or individuals look at religious faith or
philosophical principles. These systems have often affected politics, society, and the economy
in the nations or regions in which they are practiced. Belief systems have also created conflicts
between people throughout history.

Choose four of the belief systems listed below:

*you may not choose both Roman Catholic Christianity and Protestant Christianity
*Animism which is not listed is a traditional African religion. The main belief is that all things
in nature contain a spirit. They may combine aspects of nature, for example in making a
headdress. They believe the combination empowers the object.

Buddhism
Roman Catholic Christianity
Confucianism
Daoism
Islam
Hinduism
Judaism
Legalism
Shintoism (Shinto)

Buddhism founded by Siddhartha Gautama the Holy Book is the Lotus Sutras. It began
in India and spread to China, Japan and then the world through cultural diffusion.
Explain two major beliefs:
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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain a conflict this belief system has had with China. Include the cause and
effect.

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Christianity: Jesus is the prophet of Christianity. The Holy Book is the Bible. At first
Christians were persecuted by the Romans but as time went by it became the official
religion of the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official
religion with the Edict of Milan. With this act the religion was called Roman Catholic
Christianity and the Pope is the spiritual leader.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Christianity has had with another group
throughout history. (Roman Government, Crusades, Protestant Christians)

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Confucianism was founded by Confucius. The values of this belief system can be
found in the book called the analects. This belief system is mostly followed by the
Chinese.
Explain two major beliefs:
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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Confucianism has had with another group
throughout history Shi Huangdi, Chinese Communists)

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Doaism/Taoism is a belief system founded by Lao Tze. It is mostly followed by

people on Asia.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Daoism has had with another group
throughout history. (Shi Huangdi)

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Islam was founded by Muhammad in 610 A.D. He began teaching the words of Allah
in Mecca but moved traveled to Medina. The move was cause by Muhammad not
being welcomed in Mecca. This journey was called the Hijira. The holy book is the
Quran.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Islam has had with another group
throughout history. (The Crusades, Arab-Israeli Conflict, Sunni/Shiites)

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Hinduism is the oldest belief system that is still followed today. The important Hindu
writings can be found in the books the Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads and the Ramayana.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Hindus has had with another group
throughout history. (Muslims)

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Judaism was founded around 2000 B.C. It is the oldest religion that comes from the
Middle East. The Holy Book is the Torah.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Judaism has had with another group
throughout history. (Muslims: The Arab Israeli Conflict, The Roman Catholic
Church during the Protestant Reformation, Christians in Europe during the Black
Plague)

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Legalism was founded by Shi Huangdi. He founded the first unified Chinese Dynasty.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Legalism has had with another group
throughout history. (Confucianism)

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Shintoism is an indigenous (native to Japan) religion of Japan.

Explain two major beliefs:

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Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or the
economy of a specific nation or region. Be clear as to whether you are discussing
a political, social and/or economic effect.
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Explain (cause/effect) a conflict that Judaism has had with another group
throughout history. (Japan against the World during WWII. Think why would
Shinto beliefs inspire the Japanese to fight as they did?)

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