1) The STAR of DAVID is the best recognized symbol of Judaism.

A popular folk tale has it that the Star of David is literally modeled after the shield of the young Israelite warrior David, who would later become King David.

1) The CROSS is the most recognized symbol of Christianity.

It represents how Jesus was executed, but also promises salvation for believers.

1) The CRESCENT MOON is commonly regarded as a symbol of Islam, although the symbol cannot be shown to have been used by Muhammad.

The crescent was the symbol of the powerful Persian (Iran) & Ottoman (Turkey) Empires.

The color GREEN has a special place in Islam. It is not clear why this is so. Some say green was Muhammad’s favorite color. Others believe that it symbolizes nature and life, hence the physical manifestation of God.

2) Date Started• Judaism is

considered to have started in 1800 BC when Abraham refused to worship idols of false gods and began a covenant with God.

2) Date Started

• Christianity started in 33 AD when Jesus Christ is believed to have been resurrected from the dead and forgave the sins of all people who would believe in Him.

2) Date StartedIslam started in approximately ~610 AD when the Prophet Mohammad was sent messages from God through the Angel Gabriel.

3) Founder

• Judaism is considered to have started in 1800 BC when

ABRAHAM refused to worship idols of false gods and began a covenant with God.

3) Founder

• Although Christianity developed out of Judaism, the founder of Christianity is JESUS CHRIST who believers say is the Son of God and the 2nd person of the Trinity.

3) Founder

• Islam started in approximately 610 AD when the Prophet MOHAMMAD was sent messages from God through the Angel Gabriel.

4) Believers of Judaism are called

JEWS

4) Believers of Christianity are called CHRISTIANS

4) Believers of Islam are called MUSLIMS, which means “ONE WHO SUBMITS” [to God]

5) MAIN BRANCHES

1. ORTHODOX• Strictly follows ALL Jewish Laws

2. CONSERVATIVE• Closely follows Jewish Teaching

3. REFORMED• Loosely follows Jewish Teaching

5) MAIN BRANCHES• Within Christianity there are many denominations (Catholic,

Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, etc.) who practice their faith in slightly different ways.

1. CATHOLIC• Communion = True Blood & Flesh of Christ• Pope leads the Church• Honors Virgin Mary & Saints

2. ORTHODOX• Communion = True Blood & Flesh of Christ• Honors Virgin Mary & Saints• Lead by council of bishops, NOT the Pope

3. PROTESTANT• Rejects the leadership of the Pope• Many versions of Protestantism

5) MAIN BRANCHES

1. SUNI• Looks to religious leaders for guidance• Rejects Muslims Saints

2. SHI’ITE• Looks to descendants of Prophet Mohammad for guidance• Honor Muslim Saints

3. SUFI• Mystical interpretation of Islam

6) Key Beliefs

1. GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE2. ISRAEL GIVEN TO JEWS BY GOD3. LIVE BY GOD’S LAW (10 Commandments)

1) JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD (incarnation).

2) HE DIED ON THE CROSS AS A SACRIFICE FOR SINS OF ALL MANKIND (crucifixion).

3) SINNERS WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS ARE FORGIVEN & GO TO HEAVEN (salvation).

6) Key Beliefs

6) Key Beliefs• 5 Pillars

1. ALLAH is God2. CHARITY3. FASTING4. PILGRIMAGE to

MECCA5. PRAY 5 TIMES a

DAY

7) Yahweh, the GOD of ABRAHAM.

Yahweh’s name is considered too holy to speak out loud, but is sometimes translated as “I Am Who I Am”

7) God Known as the HOLY TRINITY

(God the FATHER, God the SON, & God the HOLY SPIRIT)

7) God Known as ALLAH

Although the Jews have many prophets, MOSES is considered one of the important because he is the “GIVER OF THE LAW” (God gave Moses the 10 Commandments).

8) Jewish Prophets

8) Christian Prophets• Christians believe in

ALL of the Jewish Prophets from the “OLD TESTAMENT”

• Christians also believe JOHN the BAPTIST was a prophet.

Islam sees the Jewish and Christian prophets as forerunners of Islam, but sees Jesus as only a prophet (not the Son of God). Islam is based on the teachings of the prophet, MOHAMMAD. They believe that the Angel Gabriel delivered God’s message to Mohammad, and that Mohammed was the last and best prophet.

8) Muslim Prophets

9) Abraham

All 3 honor Abraham as a holy man who trusted God and was willing to kill his son to prove his love for God.

In Judaism & Christianity, ABRAHAM WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIS SON ISAAC BEFORE AN ANGEL STOPPED HIM AT THE LAST SECOND. (Abraham’s true heir = Isaac)

In Islam, ABRAHAM WAS ABOUT TO KILL ISHMAEL. (Abraham’s true heir = Ishmael)

Jews follow the TORAH, including the 10 COMMANDMENTS

10) Holy Book

Christians follow the BIBLE; it includes the Jewish scriptures (old testament), and the Gospel of Jesus Christ (New Testament).

10) Holy Book

Islam follows the KORAN (Qua’an), it is meant to be read and recited in Arabic so that there is one language to unify Islam. Muslims also have high regard for the Torah & Gospels.

10) Holy Book

WHETHER REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS CONTINUE AFTER DEATH, IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS HOW ONE LIVES THEIR LIFE ON EARTH.

Jewish sacred texts and literature have little to say about what happens after death. Judaism is much more focused on actions than beliefs, so it is actually to be expected that its prophets and sages have not spent as much time on speculations about the world to come as elaborations on the mitzvot to be performed in this life.

The Torah and Talmud alike focus on the purpose of earthly life, which is to fulfill one's duties to God and one's fellow man.

Succeeding at this brings reward, failing at it brings punishment.

11) Jewish Afterlife

11) Christian AfterlifeChristians believe

that GOD WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS & SEND THEM TO HEAVEN IF THEY BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAVIOR.

11) Islam AfterlifeIslam teaches the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. Muslims believe there will be A DAY OF JUDGMENT WHEN ALL HUMANS WILL BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE ETERNAL DESTINATIONS OF PARADISE AND HELL.

For Jews, the WAILING WALL in JERUSALEM is the most holy place on earth because it is the location of the Temple (which held the

original 10 Commandments) and was the point of contact between God and His people.

12) Holy Places

The temple was destroyed by the Roman Army in 70 AD. Now many Jews go there to pray and leave messages for God on tiny scraps of paper that are placed between the remaining stones.

12) Holy Places

The CHURCH of the HOLY SEPULCHRE in JERUSALEM, Israel is venerated by many Christians as Golgatha (Calvary), where the new Testament says that Jesus was crucified, and is said to also contain the place where Jesus was buried.

The church has been an important pilgrimage destination since at least the 4th century, as the purported site of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The most sacred place in Islam is the KA'BA IN MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA. The Ka'ba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone. The Prophet Muhammad designated Mecca as the holy city of Islam and the direction (qibla) in which all Muslims should offer their prayers.

The Ka'ba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly.

Each year, thousands of Muslims from around the world join in a pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj), in fulfillment of one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

12) Holy Places

12.5)The DOME of the ROCK is an ISLAMIC shrine and major landmark located on the TEMPLE MOUNT in JERUSALEM.

The sites significance stems from the religious beliefs that the rock is where Abraham almost sacrificed his son (Isaac or Ishmael) to God. This makes that location HOLY to ALL 3 RELIGIONS.

13) Israel/ Palestine According to both

Jewish & Christian belief, ISRAEL was GIVEN TO JEWS THROUGH INHERITANCE OF ISAAC (Abraham’s son).

Although the Jews were in exile from Israel for nearly 2,000 years, they believe in God’s unbreakable promise to Abraham – this is the foundation for having Israel being the Jewish Homeland.

13) Israel/Palestine• Muslims believe Abraham’s

Son, ISHMAEL WAS HIS RIGHT HEIR WHO GOD GAVE PALESTINE TO, SO IT BELONGS TO THEM.

• Muslims have additional Holy Sites in Jerusalem in connection with Mohammad.

14) Jews worship inSYNAGOGUES &

TEMPLES

14) Christians worship in CHURCHES

14) Muslims worship in MOSQUES (sometimes called Islamic Centers)

15) Jewish Worship Day

• SUNDOWN FRIDAY TO SUNDOWN SATURDAY IS KNOWN AS SHABBAT, the Jewish day of Worship

• Shabbat is considered a festive day, when a person is freed from the regular labors of everyday life, can contemplate the spiritual aspects of life, and can spend time with family.

15) Christian Worship Day SUNDAY is the typical day of worship for the

vast majority of Christians, although their various services look, sound, and feel very different from one another.

15) Muslim Worship Day

• The word “FRIDAY” in Arabic (Jumna) comes from the name for the special prayer that is done only on that day. It’s also the day Muslims are expected to pray at mosque – all other days of the week Muslims may pray in private.

• All men are required to attend Friday prayers; women can attend voluntarily. And men and women are separated once inside, praying in different areas

16) Key Jewish Prayers

• Depends on Season and Time of Day

16) Key Christian Prayer• Although there are many forms

of Christian prayer, the OUR FATHER (or Lord’s Prayer) unites all Christians.

• “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. AMEN.”

16) Key PrayersADAN (Call to Prayer)

Translation: “God is Great. God is Great. God is Great. God is Great.

I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.

I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.

I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Come to prayer! Come to prayer!

Come to success! Come to success!

God is Great! God is Great!

There is none worthy of worship except God.“

• During PASSOVER, JEWS MAY NOT EAT LEVEANED BREAD – to remember when the Jews fled from the Egyptian Pharaohs.

17) Fasting

• For many (but not all) Christians, the 40 days of LENT is spent in increased prayer as preparation for this Easter – NO RED MEAT EATEN ON FRIDAYS and many also give up a small luxury (sugar, chocolate, tv) as a sacrificial offering to God.

17) Fasting

17) Fasting• Muslims fast during RAMADAN

FROM SUN UP TO SUN DOWN in submission to God and to understand the suffering of the poor.

18) Main Holidays

ROSH SHASHANAH (Jewish New Year)

YOM KIPPUR (Day of

Atonement)

18) Main Holidays

• EASTER is the day JESUS WAS RESSURECTED FROM THE DEAD.

• CHRISTMAS IS THE DAY JESUS WAS BORN

18) Main HolidayEID UL-FITR (EID)

CELEBRATING THE END OF RAMADAN

– Almost two billion Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr (eed al-fitter), the three-day festival commonly known as "Eid." It literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast." The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

• KOSHER1. NO PORK2. NO SHELLFISH OR

FISH W/O GILLS or SCALES (catfish/shark)

3. ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED WITH PRAYER said over them in a way to reduce suffering, hung to reduce amount of blood

4. Some food combinations are forbidden (chicken w/ eggs & milk w/ beef)

19) Food Restrictions

• Few denominations have restrictions on foods believers are allowed to eat, although some Protestant sects frown on alcohol.

19) Food Restrictions

19) Food Restrictions • HALAL

1. NO ALCOHOL2. NO PORK3. ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED FACING

MECCA W/ PRAYERS SAID AS THEY ARE KILLED.

20) Number of Believers &

21) Location of BelieversNote the number of believers overall and their geographic concentration (which continent they live)