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Holden Rohrer \par
Wroblewski \par
AP World \par
26 Aug 2019 \smallskip
\halign{\vrule \cst{\sone}{#} & \cst{\stwo}{#} & \cst{\sthree}{#} & \cst{\sfour}{#} & \cst{\sfive}{#} \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  {\bf Religion} & {\bf Region} & {\bf Approx. Time Founded} & {\bf Beliefs} & {\bf Impact on Society} \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Hinduism & India & 2000 B.C.E or 300 C.E.& Reincarnation and strict caste system varna. Karma regulates rebirth in different castes and achieving moksha (eternal peace) at the end. Also a singular divine connecting their several gods, including major gods Vishnu (who had multiple avatars incl. Buddha), Shiva (god of creation and destruction) and Devi (manifest as multiple goddesses). &
  Hinduism controlled and continues to control Indian society. It is a very flexible religion, so it was able to incorporate India's polyculture: different sects, local practices, and gods of worship all could adapt to regional beliefs and cultural practices. The religious unity, however, provided for stronger hierarchical structure and thus social order. This meant that castes strengthened and resources aggregated, providing for both a more complex society (technologically and philosophically) and a larger under class. \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Judaism & Israel & 1800 BCE & Monotheistic, praising Yahweh as the only god. Hebrew Bible is only holy book, representing Jewish history, esp.\ Abraham as his sons formed the Israelites. They believe in the Ten Commandments and in a Covenant with Yahweh to become his Chosen People for their monotheistic belief. &
  Jews ruled Israel until about 500 B.C.E. Before then, tribal rule reigned---governed by Judaism. This built into the Israelite kings who formed class structure and centralized society. Judaism and Israel's partial equality caused this to disintegrate through people's revolts. Two states formed, and Assyrians took over. They deported Jews, causing the Diaspora of Jewish culture. However, Judaism segregated Jews from non-Jews and maintained its culture in new areas.\cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Buddhism & India & 500 B.C.E. & Buddhists search for enlightenment separate from theism. They retain some of the Hindu beliefs such as reincarnation, but Buddhism teaches that nirvana (moksha's equivalent) is attainable by anyone through the death of personal desire. &
  Buddhism's egalitarianism is its core appeal. Converting Hindus, it grew from the under class, selling the message of freedom. This was true in its monasteries, which also helped convert merchants who stayed there, in turn spreading a form of Buddhism---Mahayana converted tribal cults through inclusion of their gods. The egalitarianism made women more equal to men at large, and its spread caused Hinduism to develop from Vedic religion. \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Confucianism & China & 500 B.C.E. & Confucianism is a political philosophy searching for social order in China's bureaucracy. It teaches leadership principles Confucius believed would allow attainment of power and social order through hierarchy. Three principles summarise his teachinings: {\it li}, social norms and courtesy, {\it ren}, moral character of compassion and empathy, and {\it xiao}, essentially worship of one's ancestors. &
  As a theory about social order, it led many Chinese administrators to success. Much like other religions, Confucianism strengthened the hierarchy, but Confucianism also developed Chinese morals. Social norms were followed more strictly than they already were as it became the majority belief. Filial respect ({\it xiao}) also developed significantly, forming the strong family structures present in Modern China.
  \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Daoism & China & 500 B.C.E. & Dao, the way, is about balance and passiveness in dealing with social structure, unlike the active role Confucianism suggests. Wuwei is the extension of this from its general form (a natural force like water in a river) into a human admonition to live harmoniously with nature and not worry about trivial issues of governance. &
  Daoism didn't become a majority belief, but it did counterbalance Confucianism. Many Confucians practiced part of Daoism in private, providing helpful introspection but limited political change by its nature. Agreeing with Confucius's prioritization of the ``big picture,'' Daoism also helped maintain moral thinking on a grander scale than an individual.\cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Christianity & Roman Empire & 50 C.E. & Originally an extension of Judaism by a preacher Jesus Christ, it includes most of those beliefs. He also taught a return to spiritualism and good morals. Christians believe in the divinity of Christ and that the Bible, the Christian holy book, recounts that time through the eyes of prophets. &
  Christianity, similar to Buddhism, provided hope for equality and gained a hold in Roman-occupied Judea through the disenfranchised. During the Roman occupation, Christians were persecuted by the Romans, but they stayed loyal to Yahweh. That loyalty cultivated a strong Roman minority, eventually developing into its farreaching influence in the Roman empire and in Europe.
  \cr \noalign{\hrule}
  Islam & Middle East & 610 B.C.E. & Islam is an Abrahmic religion, so it has Christian and Jewish components. Written by the prophet Muhammed, the Qur'an is divine, God's final word. Worship is directed at the Ka'ba in Mecca. The five pillars of Islam (monotheism, prayer, Ramadan, alms, and pilgrimmage) are a core belief. &
  When Muhammed popularized Islam, he got a following---an Umma. After his death, his heir was unclear, so the caliph (ruler) became Abu Bakr. The Umma became an empire, the caliphate, the influence of which expanded with new caliphs. It grew to rule a large portion of the Mediterranean. Islam taught literacy and critical thinking, so a Golden Age of science, philosophy, and meedicine commenced with the large empire. However, before the empire, the uncertainty of the caliph's heredity divided Islam into Sunnis and Shias. The division hasn't recovered since.\cr \noalign{\hrule}
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