The Three Monotheistic Religions

Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

The Holy Land Long ago, Hebrews of

Mesopotamia migrated west

Called that land Israel Jerusalem, the capital

of modern-day Israel, was the major city

The Birthplace of 3 Religions

Over centuries, this land was conquered and controlled by many The Romans drove the Jews out of Israel Arabs took over around 600 A.D.

With each new group, a new religion was born

As a result, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have origins in Jerusalem

Judaism Oldest monotheistic religion Fundamental Beliefs:

There is a single, all-powerful God Called Yahweh, or Jehovah Created the universe and everything in it

The Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai Laws for leading a life devoted to God

Jerusalem, and Israel, is the land God promised to Abraham

A Messiah will come one day to end all evil

Holy Text - The Torah The Torah is the holy text

God gave the Torah to the Jews as a guide to living a holy & obedient life

The Talmud is the Holy Book of Law

A copy of the Torah, written in Hebrew, must be kept in a synagogue Synagogue – Jewish

religious house of worship

Important Jewish Figures

Abraham Born in Ur

(Mesopotamia) Made covenant, or

promise, with God Ancestor of the Jews

Moses Jewish prophet Brought the Ten

Commandments to the Jews from God

Jewish Holidays

Hannukah Festival of Lights Rededicates the Temple of Jerusalem

Yom Kippur Day of Atonement (forgiveness)

Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year

Judaism Facts 12 millions followers around the world If not for the Holocaust, Jewish population

would be near 35 million worldwide Most Jews live in Israel or in the USA Jewish community leader called a rabbi Holy Day, or Sabbath, is from sunset Friday

to sunset Saturday

Christianity Founded by Jews, called Disciples Started between 4 B.C. and 30 A.D. Fundamental beliefs:

God created, maintains, and will destroy the Earth The Ten Commandments Jesus, the Messiah, died for mankind’s sins so humans

may have eternal life in Heaven Love thy neighbor

Holy Text - The Bible Divided into Old

Testament and New Testament

Old Testament = Jewish Torah (written before Jesus was born)

New Testament = the four Gospels (written after Jesus died)

Important Christian Figures

Jesus Son of God, who is the human form of God

Holy Spirit Spirit of God that can enter humans

Holy Trinity – the three forms of God God, in Heaven Jesus, God’s human form on Earth Holy Spirit, inside all humans

Christian Holidays

Christmas The birth of Jesus

Easter Jesus’ death and

resurrection into Heaven

Christianity Facts About 2 billion Christians worldwide Christianity divided into two sects (groups)

Roman Catholic (1 billion) Spread after the Roman Empire became Christian Pope is the leader of the Church

Protestant (1 billion) Martin Luther protested against the Catholic Church in the 1500’s Many Protestant faiths:

Baptist Lutheran Presbyterian Episcopalian (Anglican) Pentecostal

Islam

Founded around 600 A.D. in Saudi Arabia Fundamental beliefs:

There is only one god named Allah Muhammad is the true prophet Mecca is the most holy place on Earth The 5 Pillars of Islam

The 5 Pillars of Islam Pillar 1 – Shahada

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger Pillar 2 – Salat

Pray 5 times daily facing toward the holy city of Mecca Pillar 3 – Zakat

Give a portion of one’s income to the poor/charities Pillar 4 – Sawm

Do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan

Pillar 5 – Hajj If in good health, make a pilgrimage (journey) to Mecca at least

once in a lifetime

Important Muslim Leader

Muhammad Lived about 600 years after Jesus Was a trader and traveled in caravans

Along the routes, learned about the Jewish and Christian faiths

Was visited by the angel Gabriel who was sent by God Retold those messages to others who became his followers

Believed it was the true version of Judaism

Mecca Mecca, located in Saudi

Arabia, is the holiest site Used to be Jerusalem until

Muhammad cut ties with Jewish religion

Millions make pilgrimage yearly

Birthplace of Muhammad The location Muslims

orient to when praying

Holy Text - The Quran The Quran = collection of the

messages sent by God to Muhammad through Gabriel Many Muslims believe the only

true Quran is written in Arabic Sharia Law

Not a part of the Quran, but derived from it

Religious code for living Today, used as governing

laws for many Arab nations

Islamic Holidays Ramadan

Most holy month of the Islamic Calendar 1 month of daytime fasting Time for reflection, devotion to God, & practicing

self-control Hajj

Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Mecca Time set aside during the 12th month of the

Islamic Calendar

Islam Facts Muslims often pray at a mosque About 1 billion Muslims worldwide

Most live in the Arab nations of the Middle East Many Middle East nations are theocracies

Theocracy = religion and government are the same Sharia Law is the governing law

Two major groups: Sunni

Follow the elected Muslim leaders Majority of Muslims (940 million)

Shia Follow the descendents of the family of Muhammad as

leaders