SW Asia Religions

ConflictChristianity

JudaismIslam

Jerusalem

STATELESS NATIONS

Conflict over land in the Middle East has caused this to be a land with. . .

STATELESS NATIONS – unified nations of people without a land to legally occupy.

Two examples are the Kurds and the

Palestinians . . .

KURDS

The KURDS occupy parts of IRAQ, TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAN BUT do not have a country of their own.

They have been fighting to gain a homeland for 1,000 years.

Thousands of Kurds were murdered and thrown into mass graves.

This extermination was ordered by Saddam Hussein and he was hung for the crimes.

Another group of displaced people are the PALESTINIANS - they are Arabs who lived in Palestine which, since 1948 (year), has been occupied by the nation of Israel.

Hot spots in Israel where the Palestinians and Israels fought over include: Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula

THE PALESTINIANS

Israeli Palestine Conflict

Began in 1948 after the UN had allowed Israel to occupy the land at the time known as Palestine

There have been several short wars since The Suez War of 1956 The Six-Day War of 1967 saw many of

the surrounding Arab nations attack Israel and then proceed to lose the above territories to Israel in less than a week.

The Yom Kippur War of 1973

World ReligionsWorld Religions

WORLD RELIGIONS

Most monotheistic religions birthplace was the Middle East as a cultural phenomena

Earliest was Judaism

Most are based on Miracles

Possibly one of the greatest ironies is that religious conflict usually goes against the teachings of the religions involved. 

JUDAISM

Oldest monotheistic religion

Torah – Holy book consisting of the first five books of the Old Testament

Descendents of Abraham

Do not believe in the New Testament

Waiting on the Messiah to come

JUDIASM

Zionist – Jewish people who are looking for a land to call home.

Anti-Semitism - A severe hatred against the Jews

Religious Leaders include Moses and David

Major Holidays – Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur'

Place of worship – Synagoge

CHRISTIANITY

Based on the teachings of Based on the teachings of Jesus ChristJesus ChristBelief in the Belief in the New Testament New Testament teachings of the teachings of the

BibleBibleThe The TrinityTrinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Father, Son and Holy SpiritChrist is the savior and the only way to Christ is the savior and the only way to

heavenheavenMajor Holidays – Major Holidays – Easter, Easter, Christmas, Christmas, Palm Palm

SundaySundayPlace of worship – Place of worship – TempleTemple or or ChurchChurch

JESUS CHRISTProphesied Prophesied in Old Testament in Old Testament to come to earth as a to come to earth as a

MessiahMessiah (deliverer, savior) (deliverer, savior)

Born in Bethlehem – Born in Bethlehem – Virgin BirthVirgin Birth - 100% man – 100% - 100% man – 100% God God

Trained in Trained in templetemple – became teacher at early age – became teacher at early age

Began Began public ministry, age 30 - Chose public ministry, age 30 - Chose 1212 assistants assistants (disciples) (disciples) to help Him and be trained to spread His to help Him and be trained to spread His teachings (gospel or good news)after his death and teachings (gospel or good news)after his death and resurrection.resurrection.

Performed many Performed many miraclesmiracles – water to wine, walking on – water to wine, walking on water, healing sick, resurrecting dead, feeding five water, healing sick, resurrecting dead, feeding five thousand with 2 fish and five loaves . . .thousand with 2 fish and five loaves . . .

Rejected by his own people Rejected by his own people (Jews(Jews) Betrayed by ) Betrayed by disciple-Judas Iscariotdisciple-Judas Iscariot

ChristianityChristianity

ISLAM

Based on the teachings of Based on the teachings of MohammadMohammad

Holy book is known as the Holy book is known as the Qu'ranQu'ran

BedouinsBedouins are nomads that helped to develop and are nomads that helped to develop and spread the Islamic faith.spread the Islamic faith.

Belief in the Five Pillars of Faith:Belief in the Five Pillars of Faith:

• Repeated Expressions Repeated Expressions Of CreedOf Creed• Frequent Frequent PrayerPrayer• Month Of Month Of Daytime Fasting Daytime Fasting

(Ramadan)(Ramadan)• Alms-givingAlms-giving• Pilgrimage To MeccaPilgrimage To Mecca

Place of worship – Place of worship – MosqueMosque

Sunni vs Shi'ite

Both believe in Both believe in IslamIslam

Division began when the Prophet Mohammad Division began when the Prophet Mohammad dieddied and did not and did not appointappoint a successor. a successor.

Conflict over who is right for Conflict over who is right for 1,8001,800 years years

Differences are shown through how they do their Differences are shown through how they do their traditionstraditions

WOMEN

Most women in the Middle East do not have Most women in the Middle East do not have rightsrights

Customs of Women: NOT ALL Nations...Customs of Women: NOT ALL Nations...

– Must cover all but their face (sometimes Must cover all but their face (sometimes more)more)

– Role is to stay home and care for the childrenRole is to stay home and care for the children

– Not allowed an educationNot allowed an education

– Must walk behind men in publicMust walk behind men in public

– Treated more like a servant than a wifeTreated more like a servant than a wife

JERUSALEM

Current capital city of Current capital city of IsraelIsrael

Holy City Holy City for each of the major religionsfor each of the major religions

Major Holy Places in JerusalemMajor Holy Places in Jerusalem IslamIslam – Dome of the Rock – Dome of the Rock

JudaismJudaism – Western Wall – Western Wall

ChristianityChristianity – Holy Sepulchre (Where Christ was buried) – Holy Sepulchre (Where Christ was buried)

Place of constant Place of constant conflictconflict and and turmoilturmoil