Religions of the World

One of the world's oldest surviving religions, Judaism is both a theology and a way of life for over 12 million followers in the world today. The first religion to be founded upon the principle of monotheism, Judaism has survived despite persecution against its people throughout the ages. Trace the history of Jewish culture, from Abraham's covenant with God to the Exile of the Jews from the Holy Land by Roman conquerors. Examine the sacred texts and various holidays while exploring the two centers of Jewish life -- the synagogue and the home.

From the public ministry of Jesus to the legendary battles of the Crusades, examine the interwoven histories of these two distinct branches of Christianity. Although its followers were long persecuted by the Roman Empire, Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean region and eventually became the favored religion of the Empire, following the ascension of Constantine to the Roman throne. Discover the differences between these two orders of religion and the various practices of the people of the Eastern and Western followers.

Political, religious and social events of 16th-century Europe changed the course of history. These factors sparked the birth of Protestant Christianity, whose new doctrines and practices were formulated in reaction to the Roman Catholic Church. Led by Martin Luther, this spiritual revolution gained momentum and, under the helm of other Protestant leaders, thrived and grew into new factions in Europe and North America. Viewers will explore the numerous denominations that developed over the centuries, including Baptists, Calvinists, Mennonites, Presbyterians, Puritans and Quakers. Discover the common ideas shared by most Protestant Christian denominations, despite the wide range of ceremonial practices and rituals across affiliations.

Islam is one of the great monotheistic world religions practiced today. Discover the Islamic culture through the daily life and rituals of Muslims around the world. Viewers will learn about Islam's history -- from its inception in the seventh century, when Muhammad led his fellow Arabs to Islam's way of life, to the rise of the Ottoman Empire between the ninth and 12th centuries and to the present, where customs of dress, dietary laws and holidays still exist. Explore the wealth of Islamic art, architecture, calligraphy and other contributions that have made Islam a vital influence in the 20th century.

Learn how and why Hinduism has survived to be one of the oldest and largest world religions with nearly one billion followers located mostly in India. Hinduism encompasses wide practices and traditions largely due to its great capacity to integrate the new with the old. This program explores the descendants of the Indus River Valley, who, around 1500 B.C.E., used Sanskrit to transcribe their daily rituals and customs. Discover Hinduism's impact on the literary world with its library of tens of thousands sacred hymns and poems known as the Vedas, which means "truth" or "knowledge."

Discover the history behind the philosophy that has led millions of followers on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. Through the epic story of Siddhartha Gotama, learn why Buddhists believe the key to "Nirvana" lies within themselves, accessible through thoughtful meditation and prayer. From its origins in central Asia, see how different Asian cultures have adapted the teachings of Buddha over time -- from the Mahayana Buddhists of China and Korea to the Dalai Lama and the Buddhists of Tibet.

Explore the rituals and ceremonies of Japan’s Shinto through interviews, archival and on-location footage. Shinto or “the way of the Kami” which loosely translated, means “god” or “the sacred” is rooted in mythology and folk rituals that are passed through the generations, yet unique in having no congressional worship, founder, or organizing doctrine. Learn how over the centuries these traditions have served to unify Japan nationality, and at other times, mobilized the country politically.

While the major religions of the Western world affirm a belief in a single God, Confucianism and Taoism focus inward on human behavior and thought. Learn how the philosophy and doctrine of Confucius has impacted Chinese culture. Enter the world once shrouded in secrecy as the rituals of Taoism are explained.

Examine the religious rituals and myths of the many small groups of indigenous people living around the world. From the Ainu of northern Japan to the Indians of North America, discover common beliefs and practices that bind these societies on a spiritual level. Learn how these small societies have maintained their cultural identities while fighting off the encroachment of Western ideology and the possible extinction or assimilation of their cultures by neighboring industrial and technological societies.

As the world's largest sea, the Mediterranean has nourished various civilizations for centuries. Trace the spiritual history of the Mediterranean Basin, examining the ancient cultures that have greatly influenced the religions of the modern world. From Mesopotamia and Egypt to the empires of Greece and Rome, discover the mythologies, gods and rituals that played an important role in the social and political lives of these ancient peoples.

Learn about the cultural diversity of Africa through its many religions -- traditional and neo-traditional African, Christianity and Islam. See how shared elements of various customs serve as unifying threads across tribes, centuries and even continents. Observe the strong traces of African religious spirituality that exist today in cultures, which have survived slavery. By examining the oral traditions, myths, music and ceremonies, students will also discover how African-American Christianity, Haiti's Voodoo and Cuba's Santeria have been influenced by Christianity and traditional African religions.

Through archival footage, artifacts and interviews, viewers will gain a broad understanding of Native American spirituality featuring Aztec and Maya religions as well as that of Eskimos and Iroquois. Discover traditions with an ancient history that dates as far back as 9,000 B.C.E. and the way changing cultural circumstances have altered the religious lives of these people.

Examine the role of philosophy and science in the universal quest to understand the "cosmic order" or purpose to life, and survey major Western thinkers, beginning with the Greek philosophers, Socrates and Plato. Discover how their ideas and questions about morality became the roots of skepticism and religious relativism, and later led to scientific work by Aristotle and Copernicus. This mode of understanding human existence propelled many waves of thought such as the Enlightenment led by Kant, which later fueled the science-based theories of Darwin and Freud, all of whom influenced Nietzsche, Sartre and other Existentialists. These philosophies, like various religious traditions, seek to answer the fundamental human questions about what gives life meaning, how morality is structured and what motivates human behavior.