INTRODUCTION

On six of the seven continents, there have been moments of intense consequential change throughout history. Natural disasters and other forces of nature have been recorded, blessing and devastating lands and civilizations indiscriminately. Languages, the natural lands and other factors have also influenced the development of cultures for thousands of years.

One of the most important factors in determining the course of a civilization is the religious experience. This can define not only the perceptions of each individual, but the group as a whole will behave in certain manners based upon religious customs and beliefs.

The belief systems of tribes or civilizations nearby influence their development and the interaction of the two has even more impact. The fact is that religion is deeply intertwined in history, art and many other topics of study. It is impossible to understand a society without grasping the religious implications that formed and currently control it.

The moments in history that have the most impact long-term are not always recognized at the time for their relevance. Over time, the amount of people that can be influenced by what began as a small group is astounding.

Throughout recorded history, there have been countless religious belief systems. Some of them have withstood long periods of time while others have only been around a few years. There have been entire religious beliefs destroyed when all of the adherents died through war or disaster. Others have managed to withstand, despite attempts by others to squelch them.

For those who have belief systems that are not widespread, they would say that the events forming their religion are among the top ten historic moments in religion. However, it would simply be impossible to accommodate the vast religious variations that are around today, much less throughout history.

The events included in this e-book include an introduction to the major religions of the modern world and significant events for monotheistic religions. It should be noted that there have been many more relevant happenings, both in polytheistic religions and the monotheistic ones. In addition, there are multiple events of lesser relevance that have helped to shape religions over the course of time.

Discussed here are ten fascinating events involving religion that had a tremendous impact on history.

WORLDVIEW OF RELIGION

One of the things that is important to keep in mind is that these events have been recorded by those who believe in them. It is important not to scoff at others or the recordings of their ancestors. Each case is represented with regards to the adherents. In addition, just because something was omitted from the list does not make it irrelevant. This is a short list that covers an entire world of history.

The timing of certain events cannot always be ascertained with accuracy. These dates cover the most popularly accepted ones for the adherents of the religion involved.

Religions can be divided into mono- and poly-theistic. Monotheistic religions believe in one supreme beingSupreme Being while polytheists believe in multiple gods. Many of the major religions of the world today are monotheistic, and actually share some history. However, there are plenty of followers adherents toof polytheism deities as well.

These ten events are responsible for the formation of modern religious beliefs in much of the world.

MONOTHEISM IN EARLY EGYPT 1300s BCE

While ancient Egyptian beliefs may not seem like something that has a great deal of influence on modern beliefs, it is very possible that this event did. During this time, the Kking of ancient Egypt, Akhenaten, began the first montheisticmonotheistic religion. Although it did not replace polytheism for long, it may have opened the minds of the Egyptians to the concept, helping to make way for the children of Abraham who would later move to their land.

During the New Kingdom from 1539-1069, ancient Egypt experienced a great deal of prosperity and good relations with their neighobrsneighbors. The large, polytheistic nation was ruled by pharaohs intent on glorifying themselves, erecting monuments of immense poroportions to show their deeds, whether they had actually accomplished them or not.

Additionally, there was a promotion of the god Amun. The pharaohs ruled the land through a divine right. During those centuries, almost all of the rulers gave special credit to this particular god during their reigns. However, there was one who did not.

During the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, Amenhotep III and his queen had several sons, including Amenhotep IV. His eldest brother died, and he took his place in line for the throne. Whether he co-ruled with his father or did not rule until after his death is a source of scholarly debate. Eventually, this young man would mark his place in history, both for his religious beliefs and for being the father of King Tutankhamen.

The young king received his crown in Thebes and began building, as was the custom. At an entrance to a temple dedicated to Amun, Amenhotep IV had scenes of himself erected that depicted him worshiping Re-Harakhti. The name of his own temple, translated, was “The Aten is found in the estate of the Aten.” In addition to a palace, there were several other buildings, including one dedicated to Queen Nerfertiti.

He began to increase attention to the temples of Aten. Though people were still allowed to worship Amun, or even other gods, Amenhotep IV was planning changes for his people. During the fifth year of his reign, he changed his name to AkhetatenAkhenaten.

A month later, he arrived at the site that was to be the new capital city. Modern day Amarna is built where the City of AkhenetatenAkhenaten was established for the worship of Aten. Though it took approximately four years to complete the city, it only required two for it to be established as the new capital. The majority of the structures were made of mumud-brick. However, the most important ones had stone facing. The king left explicit directives regarding his burial procedures, including that his remains be returned to the City of AkhenetatenAkhenaten.

The primary place for worship of the sun god was the Great Temple of the Aten. It was north of the Central City and did not have a roof. This was so that visitors could worship the sun itself as it passed overhead. Unlike other temples that had statues or or images of their gods, this temple actually provided a direct view. In fact, the majority of the temples designed to worship Aten were built in this manner.

The Small Aten Temple was the other major one in the capital city dedicated to the worship of Aten. Though not as large as the Great Temple of the Aten, it was located closer to the home of the king and the palace. It was originally known as “Mansion of the Aten,” causing some historians to speculate that it may have been constructed prior to the larger temple.

The worship was simple, in part because there were no rituals associated with caring for a cult statue. Offers were given to the sun god and hymns were sung. In addition, incense were burned and libations poured.

The offerings included flowers, perfume, and food and beverages. The hymns were varied, and included gratitude to the god as well as adoration. Others acknowledged his creation of humans and the diversity found within. Offerings were consecrated with a special baton.

There is some debate as to how much Akhenaten exerted control over people to force the worship of Aten. It is clear that he increasingly had Aten included and other gods excluded from references. In an effort to erase the names of other gods, he especially focused on the removal of Amun, the god pharaohs of the era favored.

Archaeological evidence suggests that many subjects still carried amulets and other symbols of deity worship involving other gods. This indicates that he had some degree of tolerance. After his death, the focus on Aten waned.

His son, known by many today as King Tut, moved back to the city of his birth. The people of Egypt returned to a more balanced polytheistic nation. However, this incident may have led them to believe that monotheism was a plausible belief for some. There are those who believe this may have opened their minds and hearts when the forefathers of Judaism lived in their realm.

This is the first recorded monotheistic nation, and therefore worthy of historical note.

CONFUCIUS AND THE FIVE CLASSICS

Ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius lived from 551-479 BCE. His ideals were recorded in The Five Classics and have been used for more than two centuries to guide followers in ethics and philosophy. Though it is unknown if he penned the texts, edited them, or a combination, it is certain that he was an important figure in the establishment of these documents, and thus the history of the religion which is often referred to using his name.

While Confucianism is the word that most westerners would be familiar with, many scholars prefer the term Ruism, finding it to be more accurate. In the Chinese language, no word for Confucianism even exists. The word “ru” is frequently used in reference to things having to do with the doctrines. Hence the name Ruism.

Confucius was not only a philosopher and editor, he was also a teacher and politician. He placed a great deal of emphasis on morals and correct behavior. He believed in justice and sincerity. During the same time period, there was a great deal of competing schools of thought. However, his far outlived anythe competitors.

As a young man, he grew up in a life of poverty. Though his father had been a military officer, the man died when Confucius was three, leaving his mother to raise him alone. The class he was born into was the “shi,” which is between the common folk and the aristocracy. His mother passed away when he was 23, and he mourned for the traditional three years.

When he was but 19, he married QiguanQi guan, who gave birth to their first child a year later. During his early years, it is reputed that he also worked as a clerk and a bookkeeper. He entered into the political arena, which was filled with internal battles. After the misbehavior of the Duke he was serving disappointed him, Confucius resolved to resign.

Once he had done so, he began to travel. He journeyed to the various kingdoms of China, sharing his political beliefs with others. He returned home when he was 68 years old, undertaking more than seventy disciples. During this time, The Five Classics were transmitted.

The “I Ching” is believed to be the first of the five. It combines a combination of thoughts into a philosophy that depicts the universe as an organism. It explores divination with numerology to provide insight into situations. Recognizing the energies of yin and yang are part of this classic, as is the philosophy of change.

The “Book of Songs” has more than 300 works of poetry and is the oldest collection in Chinese history. For more than 2000 years, the people of China and their neighbors have memorized these works of art. The rhyme patterns have been studied since the Qing Dynasty, in order to analyze the phonology of Old Chinese.

It is said that the poetic works can be divided into two categories, the “Airs of the States” and the remaining hymns and eulogies. The compositions include courtship tales, songs about work, and political works, both serious and satirical.

The “Book of Documents” is a historical book. It compiles major speeches and events from ancient times. It examples a political structure based on trust and responsibility. Social harmony was the goal, without coercion or punishment for those with different points of view.

The “Book of Rites” describes in detaindetail the Zhou Dynasty. It includes the ceremonies, social forms and administrative structure. Rather than a society where people are adversarial, the vision described therein isare about a community of trust. Everyone shares responsibility and cooperates with each other. The four primary occupations work in harmony. They are merchant, artisan, scholar and farmer.

In “Sprint and Autumn Annals,” the period from 771-476 BCE is covered. During this time, the country underwent significant changes. This attempts to chronicle the new communal sense of self.

The ethical basis is humanistic and can be practiced by virtually anyone. It promotes virtuous living. According to Confucianism, there are Five Constants: Humaneness, righteousness, proper rite, knowledge and integrity. In addition, there are the four virtues one should strive for: loyalty, filial piety, continency, and righteousness.

There are other elements which are considered vitally important to well-being, including honesty, kindness, bravery and respect. Additionally, people should strive for cleanliness, have a proper sense of shame regarding right and wrong, forgiveness and having a modest and reverent inner self.

Although Confucianism places a good deal of emphasis on loyalty, it does not mean blind subservience. In fact, it states that superiors deserve loyalty based upon their moral rectitude. Bad rulers should be overthrown where ones who govern virtuously have earned the loyalty of others.

The religion has went in and out of favor over the subsequent years. However, in part due to the longevity of the country, there are still many who adhere to these beliefs today, and the number is growing.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF BUDDA

At some point between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE, Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly known as Buddha, was born in eastern India. Evidence suggests that he was a member of the Shakya clan, of which his father, Kshatriya, was a chief. His mother, Queen Maha Maya, was born a Koliyan princess.

It is said that the night Queen Maya conceived, that she dreamed about a white elephant. The beast had six tusks, and entered her body on the right side. Following the tradition of the time, she went to return to the kingdom of her father, only to have given birth along the way. Legend states that it was at Lumbini, under a sal tree. Some accounts state that the event occurred on a full moon.

Though the exact accounts differ, his mother passed away. Whether in childbirth or the week following, she did not live to see the infant grow. He was given his name which means “he who achieves his aim.” While the birth of Siddhattha was being celebrated, a hermit seer visited the occasion and stated that the child would be either a great king or holy man. Eight Brahmin scholars offered the same prediction when questioned.

Since his mother had passed away, Siddhartha was raised by his aunt. It is said that his father did not want him to know about suffering and religious teachings while he was growing up. At the age of 16, he married Yasodhara, a cousin his his own age. They had a son and Siddhartha served as a prince for almost 30 years.

In his twenty-ninth year, he went to meet with the people. Having been sheltered from suffering and aging, he inquired as to what was wrong with an elderly man he saw. His charioteer explained aging and death to the young man. After wards, Siddhartha went on more trips, viewing others who were suffering.

Delving into depression, his initial choice was to live as an ascetic in order to overcome the effects of time. He believed he could conquer sickness and aging, thereby death. He begged for alms in the streets and practiced yogic meditation. The young man even went to the extreme of depriving himself of all worldly goods, including virtually all food.

When he almost diedrown, he realized he needed a new path. He had a pleasant memory of childhood, which gave him a focus and refreshed feeling.

This was when he discovered the Middle Way, the way that is today called Buddhism. It is a moderate path, which avoids both extreme indulgences and deprivations. In his first discourse, he outlined the Noble Eightfold Path for achieving this state.

Afterwards, one of the most known tales from his life occurred. He was in Bodh Gaya, India, when he sat under a pipal tree, known today as the Bodhi tree. He made a vow to stay there until he determined the truth. It is said that after seven weeks of meditation that he attained enlightenment.

He was 35 years old when this happened. From that point forward, he was known as Buddha, which can be translated as “Awakened One” or “Enlightened One.” He is believed to have been the first person to achieve this state of enlightenment. He is regarded as the Supreme Buddha.

He gained insight at this point, regarding the cause of suffering and the means to be rid of it. These are known as the “Four Noble Truths.” These are an important part of the teaching of Buddhism. Once a person has been able to master all four, they are believebelieved to have attained Nirvana, a state of supreme liberation.

He said that this is the perfect state of mind, whereby greed, hatred and the like do not exist. It is considered to be the end of personal identities and boundaries in the mind. When achieved, the person possesses the Ten Characteristics that belong to every buddhaBuddha:

• thusThus gone, thus come

• * worthyWorthy one, meaning that the person has achieved,notachieved, not earned a state of worthiness

• * perfectlyPerfectly self-enlightened

• * oneOne who behaves and acts properly

• * wellWell gone

• * unsurpassedUnsurpassed

• * knowerKnower of the world

• * leaderLeader of person to be tamed

• * teacherTeacher of the gods and humans

• * theThe Blessed One or Fortunate One

He lived another 45 years, traveling and teaching this path to others. Everyone from nobles to servants were among his students. At the age of 80, he announced his impending death to his followers. He fell ill after being given his last meal, though the cause of his death was mesenteric infarction, which is a result of age, not food. He made certain the person who prepared the meal did not feel guilt for his death.

He asked those around him if they had any questions for him. When none did, his final words were spoken. He is reported to have said, “ All“All composite things are perishable. Strive for your own liberation with diligence.” He then entered Parinirvana, the final deathless state. His remains were cremated.

After his passing, the words he spoke and taught continued to be spread by those around him. The teachings and philosophy have reached around the entire globe, giving insight to people on how to effectively eliminate suffering. There have been multiple schools of thought along the way, many of them still in existence today.

The religion is based on a peaceful life, learning to find balance and appropriateness in all.

THE VEDAS

Somewhere between 1700 and 1100 BCE, the Vedas were recorded in India. It is believed that these texts originated from Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. These are the oldest sacred texts from the religion. It is a huge body of texts that was originally composed in Vedic Sanskrit.

They are distinguished from other religious texts, being called “what is heard,” rather than “what is remembered.” These texts are believe to be divinely inspired, whilst the remainder of religious texts are credited to humans.

There are multiple theories regarding the origins of Brahma. One is that Vishnu bore him through her naval. Another is that he chose to be born from a lotus flower. Yet another story claims that he was born in water and another from a golden egg.

Though he created the four Kumaras, intending that they procreate, they chose to live celibate lives, worshiping Vishnu. Afterwards, he created ten sons from his mind alone. These are believed to be the first of the human race.

Brahma wears red clothing and is generally shown with heads, faces and arms in the number four. Each of the heads is dedicated to the recitation of a different Veda. His existence is considered virtually eternal, and in some places, particularly North India, he is shown with a white beard.

While the depictions of the majority of Hindu gods show them wielding weaponry, Brahma is shown holding a scepter and a book. In addition, to monitor time in the Universe, he has a string of prayer beads. Naturally, the Vedas are always present as well. There is important symbology in all of these.

For instance, the four faces represent the four Vedas while the book symbolizes knowledge. The crown upon his head denotes his supreme authority over all matters and the beard his wisdom and creative genius. The prayer beads are symbolic of his creative processes.

The four arms regard the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. The front of the right hand represents ego while the back of it is symbolic of the mind. For the left hand, the back is intellect while the front is self-confidence.

The gold in his face shows his active involvement in creation while the lotus represents the living nature of all of the universe. He uses a swan as his carrier to symbolize grace. There are still shrines and temples dedicated to him, including two recently built in Cherbrolu, Andhra Pradesh and Bangalore, Karnataka.

There is some scholarly debate regarding the exact age orf the Vedas. Some believe that they were originally one compilation that was broken down. Others believe that each was constructed individually, with the Rig-Veda being the oldest. The other three are the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda and the Atharva-Veda.

Each of the Vedas consists of four general divisions. However, only the first of these is considered the true Veda. The first divisions regard rituals and the last philosophy. The first section is the Samhitas, which translates into “collections.” These are the mantras and hymns of the Veda. In the second section, the Brahmanas provide explanation for the Samhitas. These are manuals of prayer and rituals for the priests to follow.

The third section is the Aranyakas, which translates to “forest books.” These are philosophical works intended for those who live the life of a hermit or saint. Each Veda concludes with the Upanishads. These philosophical books are sometimes referred to as “Vedanta,” indicating the end of that Veda.

Rig-Veda

This is a collection of more than 1000 hymns dedicated to various deities. Many believe it to be the most relevant of all of the Vedas. It is further divided into ten sections which are known as mandalas. Many modern readers have trouble with the allusions and metaphors that are present throughout the text.

The heroic god Indra is one of the commonly featured gods in the Rig-Veda. He is praised for slaying his enemies. Other important gods that are recognized include Adityas, Vishnu and Vac. The gods of the sky, earth, wind and waters are also praised.

The hymns also refer to other gods, people and events, perhaps providing a bit of insight into regional life at that time.

Yajur-Veda

This is a handbook intended for the priests to use during sacrifices. Most divide it into black and white sections. The black are the older texts while the white are the newer ones. The rituals described in it include those dedicated to the new and full moons.

In addition, there are other rituals described in this Veda. One of them includes a method for counteracting the effects of overindulgence while another involves the construction of altars.

Sama-Veda

These are melodies and chants that are designed for worship. Many of these are very similar to verses found in the Rig-Veda. However, their composition has been rearranged so that they can be chanted. They are also needed during yajna.

Atharva-Veda

The fourth Veda, the Atharva-Veda has more than 700 hymns. While there are some that contain prose, the majority are metrical. The style is folklore and it contains mantras, incantations and magical spells.

This Veda does not involve sacrifice as much as the others. Instead, it focuses on protection and healing. It also has a strong philosophical component. It focuses more on the material nature than the first three.

The Vedas are among the oldest of the sacred texts. They had a deep impact on India which has spread from there. They are an integral part of Hinduism and have influenced the development of other religions in the region. Without them, the formation of the entire subcontinent would have been different.

ABRAHAM, FATHER OF MODERN MONOTHEISM

The life of Abraham, born Abram, is incredibly significant because three of the major religions of the world trace their heritage back to him. This man was born into a world of polytheism in southern Mesopotamia. However, he was called out by the one true God in order to establish a family that would worship Him.

Abram was followed by his wife, Sarai, into the land of Canaan. They did not have children for many years, though God had promised to provide them with one. He promised to make him the father of a great nation, which began to puzzle the couple as they moved into their older years, still childless.

The book of Genesis states that God changed Abram's name to Abraham, indicating that he would father many nations. His wife became Sarah, meaning mother of many nations. They had wealth and servants, including one named Hagar.

When Abraham had reached the age of 86 and Sarah had still not bore him a child, she suggested that he attempt to conceive with her handmaid. Hagar, the handmaid, did indeed become pregnant. She gave birth to a son, Ishmael. However, this was not the only child he had.

Even though Sarah was well beyond the normal years of conception, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son as well. His name was Isaac, which meant “laughter.” He brought great joy to the aging couple. However, unrest remained while Hagar and Ishmael were still around.

In order to test Abraham and his faith, God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Although he did not understand the command, he obeyed in the Lord. At the last moment, Abraham was stopped by God and given a substitute offering. However, he had proved his deep level of faith and belief in the one God, proving his worth and willingness to do whatever was asked of him.

Hagar and her son Ishmael eventually moved away, though the account of what happened to Abraham differs from there. The Biblical telling of Abraham does not expound upon them further after this, giving the impression that he no longer interacts with them. But, the Koran describes him visiting them and spending time upon multiple occasions.

After the death of Sarah, Abraham remarried and had six additional sons before his own passing.

The reason the life of Abraham is so relevant in the course of history is because Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have roots that can be traced back to this man. In a region of polytheistic beliefs, this man established a covenant with the one true God, creating the basis for monotheism in all three.

The course of history has been changed by the events that transpired during his life. Without his descendants, the course of very old history in the Middle East would have been different. As those religions would not have spread around the world, who knows what would have occurred?

The Torah, Bible and Koran all record his life and the events therein. The Torah is the religious writings for Judaism, the Bible for Christianity and the Koran for Islam. Within each of these three groups, there are even further divisions. However, these three have specific differences between them as well.

Jewish legal authorities use the term “shituf” to describe the worship of the God of Israel in a manner not perceived as monotheistic. It is often used when discussing Christians, who many Jews believe to be polytheists. However, this term is used by most to differentiate between Christians and other “polytheists” because they worship the same God.

Islam also takes issue with the Christian worship of the Trinity. In fact, the Koran makes multiple references to the error of adding to the single deity of Allah. In addition, they do not agree that the child given to Abraham through Sarah is more important than the one granted through Hagar.

Meanwhile, Christianity implores members of both religions to switch to the belief in Jesus Christ, born into the Jewish faith, as their personal savior. Without Abraham and his sons, these individuals and groups would never have formed.

MOSES AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Just as Abraham was an important figure in the formation of the monotheistic beliefs that would eventually spread around the world, so was Moses. The events of his life are frequently told in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. This makes his life, including the presentation of the Ten Commandments, an important historic moment in religion.

Some of the descendants of Abraham ended up living in Egypt, continuing to worship the one true God. Over time, the situation became increasingly worse for them. Though they had originally entered the region in peace, these men and women had become enslaved by the Egyptians. This greatly displeased their God, who set about to free them.

At one point in time, the Egyptians were killing all of the baby boys born to the descendants of Abraham. One woman, fearing for the life of her child, put him in a basket on the edge of the water. A princess found the baby and decided to make him her own. Thanks to the elder sister of the baby, the real mother was hired as a wet nurse and to raise the child until he was old enough for castle life.

The baby grew up a prince of the land though he was not one of them. As a young man, he left for a while, after having reached a point of frustration at the way his people were being treated by the Egyptians. While he was away, he took a wife. One day, the Lord spoke to him and told him that he must return to Egypt.

Although Moses did not want to undertake the task, he understood that his people needed to be free. He was willing to do whatever it took in order to make this happen. Along the way, he and the men and women he represented went through a great deal of turmoil.

The Israelites were still enslaved when he returned. Moses went to the pharaoh and asked that they be allowed to leave peacefully. Although the Lord had commanded it to be, he also hardened the heart of the Egyptian ruler, thus he would not allow them to go. In return, God sent a plague upon the land.

This cycle repeated several times, creating a great deal of death, destruction and disharmony in the entire nation. The pharaoh continually refused to allow the Israelites to leave. Finally, God chose a plague that would speak to the hearts of the Egyptian people. He determined the next punishment would be the death of the firstborn son in each household in the land.

In order for the Israelites to be protected, they had to paint their doors with the blood of a sacrificial lamb. This indicated that their home should be passed over, hence the holiday that is celebrated throughout much of the world today, Passover. When this tragedy occurred, the Egyptians wailed out in sadness and grief.

Finally, the pharaoh agreed to allow the men and women descended from Abraham to leave the land. Already prepared, they began their journey to follow the Lord away from the land of Egypt. Once they were underway, the pharaoh changed his mind and sent an army after them.

However, the army was not to be successful. With Moses leading the way, God parted the Red Sea to allow His people safe and swift passage across. When the army entered, the sea closed over them, causing even more death and suffering for the people of Egypt.

On the other side of the sea, Moses continued to be the link between God and the people. From the sky came manna, which literally means “what is it.” It was sustenance provided for them by God so that they could live in the desert region through which they were traveling. In addition, He began to provide them with directions for how to live.

For instance, the manna was to be gathered every day except for Saturday. It was the seventh day of the week, the one on which He rested, and he commanded the people to do the same. On Friday only, the people were to gather enough manna for two days. This was the only time throughout the week that the manna would not go bad overnight.

The most significant of the life guidelines given to Moses were the Ten Commandments. He was instructed to go to the top of Mount Sinai, where He wrote them with his own hand and delivered them to Moses. The elders of the people entered a covenant with God, agreeing that they would be His people.

It was here that Moses was given instructions for the Tabernacle. This was to travel with the Israelites on their travels to the Promised Land. The mobile shrine was used in sacrificial and worship ceremonies.

The Jewish community recognizes Moses as the lawgiver. This is because he is credited with the first five books of their religious texts, and are called the Torah. These are also the books that comprise the beginning of the Christian Bible.

The first book, Genesis, recounts the tale of creation. It shares the story of Adam and Eve and their fall from the Garden of Eden. In addition, it covers how God commanded Noah to build an ark and the subsequent flooding of the earth, leaving only Noah, his family and the animalsanimal’s safe on the ark.

It covers some events between those time periods and many more after. The construction and subsequent destruction of the Tower of Babel are recorded, including how languages were split in order to prevent this in the future. This is where the story of Abraham is recorded.

The book of Genesis also records the descendants of Abraham to the time of Moses. It recounts how a favored son gets sold into Egyptian slavery, only to rise high in pharaohspharaoh’s ranks. Reunited with his family, Joseph invited them all to live in the land. His father, brothers and their families all moved to the land, living peacefully for some time before they began to be suppressed by the governing rulers.

Exodus, the second book in the Torah, is primarily the story of Moses. It covers his life and the events of the time. This includes things that were happening around him. For instance, at one point Moses is gone, speaking with God. The people give in to unrest and make a golden calf for worship.

God considered destroying them but, Moses begged for clemency. In his anger, Moses smashed the original set of commandments that had been given to him. However, God rewrote them for delivery to the Israelites.

The third book is Leviticus. This text is filled with rituals and practices. There are moral directions and instructions on cleanliness and purification. Care for the tabernacle and other legalistic issues are covered in it as well.

Numbers is the fourth book, and covers additional moments of the Israelites during the time of Moses. It includes information such as the tribe of Levi, one of Joseph's brothers, being exempt from the military. This is due to their service in the priesthood.

The final book in the Torah is Deuteronomy. It covers a great deal of observances and laws that are to be adhered to by the people of God. It also documents more of the journey through the wilderness that they underwent. In addition, the giving of the commandments is recounted, emphasizing the need to follow God alone.

Moses and his life are one of the most historic religious moments. Not only was he central in helping lead the people out of Israel, he is responsible for the narrative in the first five books of the religious texts for two of the largest religions in the world, Judaism and Christianity. His life and work greatly influenced the history of Islam as well.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST

One of the most prominent basic religious beliefs today is that of Christianity. Though there are many different branches and belief systems, all are based on the concept of Jesus Christ as a saving figure. His life and death certainly constitutes one of the greatest moments in the history of religion.

According to ancient Jewish texts, a savior would come to free their people. There were many who believed that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies. Those who did not believe continued to follow the ancient teachings, awaiting a savior. However, there were Jews and non-Jews alike who chose to follow the teachings of Jesus.

In the biblical account of his birth, it states that Jesus was born in a stable because the city was overcrowded. His mother had gonewent with her husband to the city of his birth for the census. When they arrived, all of the rooms had been taken.

After she gave birth, the king put out an order that all of the baby boys be killed. This was because he had heard a rumor about the savior child. His parents, Mary and Joseph, fled the land for several years.

When it was determined safe, they returned home. There is not a great deal of information in the Bible recounting the early years of Jesus. It is known that he once became distracted with his religious studies, causing his parents to panic when they could not find him one time.

Born among the Israelites, Jesus is believed to be the Son of God by most Christian groups. There are multiple recollections in the New Testament regarding his heritage and the biblical prophecies that were fulfilled by his birth.

The New Testament is a collection of books that are not used by the Israelites. They include the four gospels, which recount the life of Jesus Christ, and instructional books composed after his death regarding the formation and structure of the church. The Book of Acts tells about the life of the disciples after the death of Jesus and the final book, Revelation, is a prophetic piece.

Telling the life of Jesus are four disciples: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The first three books generally coincide with each other while John often uses different language and style to convey his message. Additionally, he omits some of the tales included by the others and chooses some they did not.

When he was thirty, Jesus began his ministry, being accompanied by a total of twelve disciples. These men traveled with him throughout Israel, supporting him and bearing witness to his deeds and his message.

During his life, Jesus performed countless miracles. Some of them are retold in these books. The first miracle involves his attendance at a wedding feast. The wedding party had runan out of wine, leaving only water to serve the guests. At the request of his mother, Jesus turned the water into wine, impressing the guests that the best wine had been brought out after the affair was well under way.

During his life, he performed many miracles, healing those who were ill or disabled. He dedicated his time to traveling and sharing the love of God with others. However, his days were not filled with peace.

According to biblical accounts, Jesus spent dozens of days in the desert being tempted by the devil. He struggled to remain true but, in the end, his heart stayed with God the Father. He was also subjected to disbelief along the way.

As the rumors regarding his miracles spread, there were two reactions. One was that people were impressed, desiring to come into contact with his holiness themselves. Others resented him and plotted against him. Although he knew about this, he did not flee.

Rather, he suffered through a brief trial and public ridicule before being sentenced to death. As was the custom at the time, the method of execution was crucifixion. The Israelites had chosen to let a murderer go free and for Jesus to die instead.

There were two other men who were executed on either side of Jesus that day. The disciples and others saw the display. Some wept at the sight and Jesus even spoke before he passed away.

Three days after his death, he arose. Having lived a pure and righteous life, he attained the right to go to heaven with his Father. Before his death, he spent some time with the disciples before leaving. He promised to return for those who remained faithful to him.

The New Testament records the formation of the Christian church, which has continued to this day. It should be noted that there were several churches that were formed on the basis of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Not only was the Roman/Greek church created after his death, there were also churches established in Ethiopia, Egypt and throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Since then, some of those groups have splintered even further. SEven still, all of them give credit to the life of Christ in their doctrines. These beliefs are on every continent. The worldwide spread of Christianity certainly qualifies the life of this man as being an important and relevant historic event.

MOHAMMAD FOUNDS ISLAM

Another highly significant event in the course of religious history involves Mohammad, founder of the Islamic faith. After the time of Ishmael, his descendants continued to live and multiply. In that circle, Mohammad, future prophet, was born. Muslims consider him to be the final prophet of God and the one who restored monotheism. The phrase “peace be upon him” follows the mention of his name as well as that of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other prophets from the Judeo traditions.

Around the year 570, Mohammad was born in Mecca. Orphaned, he was raised by an uncle until he became a merchant. He would sometimes visit a nearby cave for seclusion. During this time, he would pray. At 40 years of age, he was given a revelation from God through the angel Gabriel. These messages continued, and a few years later he began to share them with others.

He was slow to gain followers among the citizens of Mecca. This caused him and his followers to eventually relocate to Medina in 622. Today, this trip is known as the Hijra and it marks the start of the Islamic calendar. During the following eight years, war between the two cities and ideologies ensued.

Eventually, Mohammad took an army of 10000 men who met little resistance in the city of Mecca. Overtaking the city, he began to destroy the various pagan idols and instructed his followers to do the same throughout the region. Prior to his death in 632, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula had been converted to the monotheistic worship known by Adam and Abraham.

The Koran is the holy book of Islam and includes all of the messages given to Mohammad from God through the angel Gabriel. It took around twenty three years. The book is considered to be highly important in the history of Islam, being a culmination of prophetic messages. It is believed that he was to be the last prophet and that these words are the only ones not subject to corruption.

Tradition states that scribes accompanied Mohammad, recording these prophecies as they were revealed to him. Upon his death, these transcriptions were compiled and recorded for history. It should be noted that at this point in time, all books had to be written by hand. This lead to discrepancies in this and other texts prior to the printing press.

There were other minor differences in some recordings as well. Eventually, a uniformed code was given to ensure that all copies were the same. Many historical documents from older religious establishments have undergone similar issues.

The messages recorded in the Koran assume that the reader understands history, beginning with Adam and culminating in what was then present day. While Jewish and Christian scriptures go into great detail describing who people are, how they are related to others, and the political and religious affairs of the day, the Koran does not.

It is likely that this is because the messages were given directly to Mohammad from Allah, or God. He and the people around him had all been raised with oral traditions of these tales. There would have been no need for them to have been written down anywhere. In addition, Allah would not have needed to inform Mohammad about them.

At times, there may be a brief description of an event and others may even expound upon a past situation. Additionally, there are some alternative points of view presented. This is particularly true in the case of the relationship between Abraham and Ishmael. There are many stories of morals in it as well.

One of the largest points that is continually emphasized throughout the Koran is following and worshiping God alone. Jews and Christians are called “People of the Book.” Messages repeatedly ask that they turn on false worship and return to the God of Abraham and Adam and Moses. No matter where services take place today, the prayers from the Koran are always spoken in Arabic.

At the time of his birth, Medina and Mecca were among the most prominent cities in the Arabian Peninsula. Mecca was vital to the tribes in the surrounding area as a financial center while Medina was largely agricultural. Due to the largely arid conditions, communal life was essential to those living in the region.

Some tribes were nomadic, while others were sedentary. The nomads would often raid the stores and traveling goods of others, seeing no crime in the matter. Meanwhile, others chose to establish societies based upon agriculture and the trade of goods. These groups were often determined by kinship.

There were a great many gods and goddesses that were worshiped throughout the region. Each tribe had special things which they considered sacred, such as trees and stones. At Kaaba, a shrine housed in Mecca, there were in excess of 350 idols that had been dedicated by various tribes to their patron deities.

In the shrine and in other locations, some of the shrines and idols were dedicated to Allah. The people had not forgotten the God of their forefathers. They had simply begun to incorporate the worship of other idols, much as the Israelites had done when they created the golden calf (among other instances). In fact, their deities included his three daughters.

At this time, there were Jewish people in the region who adhered to monotheism, as well as others. There were Christians and tribal people as well. However, according to the Koran, all of these people had lost their way. This is the reason that Allah chose Mohammad as his final prophet, to reveal his last words to humanity regarding the worship of Him alone.

The differences in religious opinions have dominated the history of Europe and the Middle East. The fundamental beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are so different that there are challenges in the face of a peaceful coexistence.

The life of Mohammad, most particularly the recitation and recording of the Koran, is one of the most important moments in the history of the world. The establishment of the Islamic faith through the giving of these words by Allah established a strong and powerful force within the region that remains strong today, reaching around the entire globe with it'sits message.

PROTESTANT REFORMATION

The Roman Catholic Church was very powerful throughout Europe for centuries. Even after the split from the Greek Orthodox Church, it continued to be an incredible force in combination with the monarchies of the time. However, this underwent a dramatic change that today is known as the Protestant Reformation.

It is actually a series of events that began by certain members of the priesthood questioning some of the doctrines of the church. In addition to this, King Henry VIII was restless in his marriage, desiring another woman and being unable to obtain a legal divorce through the Catholic Church, which to this day does not condone divorce in most circumstances.

In answer to his frustrations, the king created the Church of England, which is the oldest establish protestant church in existence. He was then able to obtain his divorce, marry the other woman and rule as he pleased. When his daughter Mary, born of his first wife, obtained the throne, she returned the country to the Catholic Church.

Mary was angered by the way her mother had been mistreated. She had countless Protestants slain during her brief reign as queen. This earned her the infamous name “Bloody Mary.” After her death, her half-sister, born of the second wife, took the throne.

Queen Elizabeth restored the church and it has remained in full operation to this day. Not only are their churches in England, they have spread around the world along with the reign of the monarchy.

Once Protestantism began, it quickly grew. People began to read the Bible on their own and an increasing number of scholars were studying it as well. For the first time in over a millennium, the people were able to think and learn for themselves.

This lead to a variety of ways of viewing the scriptures. Not everyone agreed on many of the issues, creating further divisions in thinking. Adding to the mix, an increasing number of people were traveling to the Americas where they were continuing to think and study, even further away from the influence of the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

Groups began to form that were dedicated to various ways of thinking, some of which still exist today. For example, the Lutheran Church is based upon the teaching of Martin Luther, one of the first priests to come forward attempting to get the Catholic Church to correct their interpretations of the Bible.

Those who were in America formed even more groups, including the Baptists, Mormons and the Church of Christian Science (which is not to be confused with Scientology). There was a period of religious fervor in which many prophets and ways of thinking influenced the religious landscape.

While some of these newer groups failed, many took root. Today, most of these branches of Christianity are spreading all across the world. Catholics and Protestants alike are reaching out into third world countries, sharing their faith.

Though King Henry VIII had selfish motives in starting the Church of England, there is no doubt that it has had an incredible impact on history.

ZIONISM

After the time of Jesus Christ, the Jewish people dispersed from the Promised Land; in addition, there were others who converted to the faith. In both instances, the Jews in some places, particularly Europe, were not always treated fairly and justly by those around them.

In the late 1800s, Theodor Herzl wrote a book where he saw a Jewish nation that was independent of the control of others. Many today believe that to be the beginning of the Zionist movement. The movement itself is for Jews to return to the Land of Israel.

The concept is that rather than being forced to adapt and assimilate into other cultures, the Jewish people have a right to return to Palestine and the land promised to them by God. This would forever put an end to the persecution that the Jews tend to suffer when not under the protection of God and the homeland.

This is a very important moment in the history of religion for a couple of reasons. First of all, prior to this, the Jews had been treated poorly. This gave them hope at finding freedom. Secondly, when the Nazis and their reign fwere finally ended, there was a great deal of support for them in order to avoid this kind of horror in the future. Had Zionism not already been established, it may have been more difficult to do so.

However, the British and some of their allies were able to secure the lands during negotiations and took some of the rest. There has been a great deal of unrest in the region, both for those who were displaced and those attempting to settle there.

The events in the Middle East today are greatly influenced by the presence of Israel. While part of it is political, it is certainly a religious and ideological one as well. That gives Zionism extreme relevance in the history of religious world events.

OTHER MOMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE

There have been many other events that have happened in the past that continue to have a relevance to the religions of today. When considering the global scale of humanity and the amount of time that has been historically recorded, there is actually an unbelievable amount of data regarding religion alone.

There are small tribes that have adhered to some simple shamanistic form of worship for time untold and civilizations that were once mighty and have been destroyed. For those who adhere to these beliefs, the creation and happenings regarding their faith are the most relevant.

However, it is impossible to say which is actually more important. Take those smaller tribes who keep strong commune with nature. Who is to say that they are not in some way having a positive impact on the planet itself, just as concrete and steel have a negative one.one?

Though the tribes in the Americas were forcibly stopped in performing many of their rituals and sharing their beliefs, the churches were not able to stop them entirely. Today, there is a growing resurgence in these religious festivals as their descendants strive to reconnect with their roots.

Additionally, there have been a great many people who have an influence on the religious happenings in the world. For instance, the Dali Lama is an important figure in the Buddhist faith. He is believed to be reborn when the old one passes away. The current one is quite elderly and is in exile. The Chinese government has stated they will select a replacement.

This will effect a change on something that has been going on for generations. The current Dali Lama remains calm and reflective on the matter. Who knows how the future will unfold in light of these events?

There have been other people who have had a major impact on religion. Over the past two thousand years, there have been many popes that have ruled over the Catholic Church. While some of them have been ruthless, there have been others that did a great deal for humanity.

Saints like Mother Theresa and others who have sacrificed long and hard hours to help the needy have certainly had a positive impact in the world. Not only have those they helped benefited, but everyone who has heard about such deeds feels inspired to personally live a more giving and charitable life.

By recognizing that every moment throughout time has an influence on others, it is easy to see how one event can have a huge ripple effect over time. Some of them are easier to see than others. Additionally, the point of view could be changed. Take for instance the story of Moses as told from the Egyptian point of view, it would probably not put God in a very positive light.

There have been countless people throughout time that have made an impact on the religious course of events. As with everything else, there will continue to be changes and new influences, including some unique to the modern world.

MODERN CHANGES IN RELIGIOUS OUTLOOKS

As forms of message transportation have increased, there has been a global spreading of all of the major religions. In addition, there have been a great number of smaller groups forming. Some of these have split from a larger group based upon differences in perception. Others have formed from an entirely new person or idea to worship.

Catholicism and many Protestant churches have established a presence in every continent except the Antarctic. Buddhism and Islam are a part of major and smaller cities all around the globe. Not only have people traveled to other regions to carry religious beliefs to places far from their origins, the increase in global communications has made learning about others easier.

Radio messages allowed others to hear reports of events but, television took it to a new level. Learning about far away places, including their religious beliefs, became far simpler. In earlier years, public broadcasting and independent channels were lessmore likely to show such choices. However, as public demand increased, the number of channels dedicated to reporting on a wide range of topics increased.

Adding to that, the Internet has created a link between people around the planet. It is possible to learn about anything with just a few keystrokes. Many people have used this to learn about their own and other religious beliefs. This has led to countless conversions over the years.

Even before the Internet became the primary form of communication for many, there were groups that chose to break away from the larger portion of their spiritual or worship community. This has happened in all of the major religions, some of them continuing to splinter down into more divided segments.

For instance, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church had a split in 1054. In 1534, the Church of England split from the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first Protestant church. Other groups broke away from them, not wishing to bow down to the monarchy. In multiple instances, those churches experienced further divides, leading to countless protestant denominations in existence today.

There have been groups that have formed entirely separate from any existing religion. For example, the First Presleytarian Church of Elvis. This groups worships the “King of Rock 'n' Roll,” Elvis Presley. While some may find this odd, to the adherents of the group it makes sense. In fact, throughout the history of religions, at the time, they were often not popular.

There is another group, known as Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which objects to major religions and began as somewhat of a joke. Today, there is a large following, a social media presence, and products for sale supporting this church that appreciates pasta and beer. While it is not likely to become mainstream, it forms an important part of life for those who believe in it.

Unrest in the world in many places is caused by religious differences. How the future of religion on a planetary scale will unfold depends in large part upon the outcome of wars, skirmishes and political negotiations. However, it is certain that these events of the past helped to shape the events of today, and subsequently, tomorrow.

CONCLUSION

Civilizations and societies are always changing. The factors that influence these shifts include a wide range of things, including religion. These events have all had a major impact, both at the time, and for the generations that followed.

Each of them still impact people that are living today. By looking at the way each of these events evolved, people can gain greater insight into the minds of people ofat the time. It can also provide information regarding human nature and much more.

In addition, for the adherents of these religions, these events have a personal meaning as well. That should never be taken away from anyone, even if two people do not have the same beliefs. Everyone has the right to theirs and the responsibility not to force it on others.

Even for the person who does not believe, these events and others involving religion have an influence on their daily life. This is because the very fabric of society is interwoven with religion. For this reason, it is a good idea for everyone to understand at least some basic information regarding the religions of the world.

Someone who wants to understand religions better can certainly benefit from knowing about the events in this e-book!