Global Religions - up to 1200

Monotheistic, God referred to as Yahweh or Adonai

Monotheistic, Holy Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit)

Monotheistic, referred to as Allah

Centered in Israel but has spread through the movement of people to Egypt, Europe, and elsewhere

Spread from the Middle East to Europe with an Orthodox branch in the east and a Catholic branch in the west.

Spread from Arabian Peninsula to North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, the majority of the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent.

Believes in a moral balance of things, karma, reincarnation, and eventual eternal bliss.

Concentrated in India but slightly spread to parts of South East Asia.

Desire is the root of all suffering, life is suffering, by eliminating desire one can eliminate suffering and reach Nirvana

Believed in the importance of interpersonal relationships. Superiors must love subordinates, subordinates must respect superiors.

Spread eastward from India along the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade routes. Became popular in China and Japan.

Concentrated in China, and slightly spread to other parts of South East Asia.

Believes in allowing the universe to take its course. “Go with the flow”

Polytheistic, believes in spirits (Kami). Believes that everything has the potential to be both good and bad.

Monotheistic, the only God is Ahura Mazda. Fire and water are important symbols of purity.

Never left Japan.

Spread slightly along the Silk Road. Mainly stayed in the Persian world (Iran and Afghanistan).