Comparison: Belief Systems
WORLD HISTORY PROJECTORIGINS/ LESSON 4.6ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: BELIEF SYSTEMSUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Comparison: Belief Systems,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeCompareacross time and place to find similarities and differences between belief systems. From a broader perspective, belief systems may all seem the same; however, by comparing and contrasting, we’re able to see the differences between similar concepts. You’ll also continue to evaluate how historical events and processes relate to the course frames, which will deepen your understanding of how frames can be used to make sense of large periods of time.Process1.How did local, communal religions become shared belief systems that are now practiced by millions of people across the world?2.What do these major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam—share in terms of their common beliefs about the world and our place in it?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 4.6ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: BELIEF SYSTEMS23.Choose and read two articles about belief systems from the list below. (Your teacher might assign you two articles and have you work in a group.)•Confucianism•Buddhism•Judaism•Christianity•Hinduism•Islam•Daoism•Legalism4.Working alone or with your partner, use the information in the articles you read to complete the Comparison Tool below.Comparison ToolTopic of comparisonPart 1: Identifying and describingCases you’re comparingTime periodLocation
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 4.6ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: BELIEF SYSTEMS3CommunityHow did these belief systems impact communities?SimilaritiesDifferencesNetworksHow did networks help make these belief systems become world religions?SimilaritiesDifferences
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 4.6ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: BELIEF SYSTEMS4Part 2: AnalyzingYou can use the acronym ADEto determine the historical significanceof similarities and differences you identified. Amount—Think about how manypeople were impactedby the similarities/differences.Depth—Think about how stronglypeople were impactedbythesimilarities/differences.Endurance—Think about how longthesesimilarities/differences impacted people.Note that because it’s early in the course, we’ve provided you an example claim for similarities. See if you can create your own as well.Claim 1: SimilaritiesWhat was the most significant similaritybetweenbelief systems?Example: All of these belief systems traveled across networks of exchange whereby beliefs and rituals were shared with others in order to unite believers across vast regions of time and space.Create your own claim:Claim 2: DifferencesWhat was the most significant difference between belief systems?