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What the world’s religions teach and practice, and the myths told before them. Each note describes a tradition as its followers and scholars understand it, says where historians disagree, and takes no side on questions of faith.
12 notes from Graphite. Free to read, with no account. Nothing here is for sale.
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The note that answers the topic’s biggest question, then the two it leads to most directly.
Start here
Religion is a shared system of beliefs, practices and communities oriented to what people hold sacred. The main definitions, what each leaves out, and how believers are counted.
Graphite7 min read
Then
Christianity is the religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe is the Son of God. Its core beliefs, how the Bible was assembled, and its three great branches.
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And then
Islam is the religion of submission to one God, Allah, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran. What Muslims believe, the Five Pillars in practice, and the Sunni–Shia split.
Graphite7 min read
Every note
The three above, then the rest. Each answers one question and links to the notes it leads to.
Hinduism is the family of traditions rooted in ancient India's Vedas, with no single founder or creed. Its core ideas, dharma, karma, rebirth and liberation, its texts, and its main traditions.
Graphite7 min read
Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people: one God, a covenant, the Torah and its interpretation. What Jews believe, how they practice, and how the movements differ.
Graphite7 min read
Zoroastrianism is the ancient Iranian religion of the prophet Zarathustra: one wise God, a lifelong choice between truth and the lie, and good thoughts, words and deeds.
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Buddhism is the religion and path founded on the Buddha's teaching that suffering comes from craving and can end. His life, the Four Noble Truths, and its three great traditions.
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Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish preacher from Galilee, crucified by the Romans around 30 CE, whom Christians believe is the Son of God. What history can show, and what faith holds.
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Muhammad, born in Mecca about 570 and died in Medina in 632, is the prophet through whom Muslims believe the Quran was revealed. His life in dates, the sources, and why he is revered.
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Sikhism is the religion founded by Guru Nanak in Punjab around 1500: one God, the equality of all people, honest work and sharing. Its ten Gurus, scripture, Khalsa and practice.
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Greek mythology is the body of stories the ancient Greeks told about their gods, heroes and the origins of the world. Where the myths come from, the twelve Olympians, and what myths were for.
Graphite7 min read
The seven deadly sins are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. The list isn't in the Bible: it grew from a 4th-century monk's eight thoughts and Pope Gregory I's seven.
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