Belief Systems

Background

Humans have always expressed a need to understand natural phenomenon and to answer questions regarding their way of life and what happens once they die. These needs resulted in the development of a variety of religions and philosophies that can be found throughout the world today.

At first, humans developed belief systems that were localized to the area in which they lived. As civilization developed, polytheism, or worshiping many gods, became quite common. Often cities, such as Athens, Greece, would worship patron gods who were seen as their protector.

In the Middle East, the Hebrews first established the concept of monotheism, or the belief in a single god. This laid the foundation for later religions such as Christianity and Islam.

In Asia, many philosophies were developed in order to establish a way of life for people. Some of these philosophies stressed order and structure in society, while others taught that humans should find harmony in nature, and be devoid of artificial rules on behavior.

Belief Systems

• Animism
• Shintoism
• Hinduism
• Judaism
• Buddhism
• Confucianism
• Taoism
• Christianity
• Islam