Judaism, Islam, & Christianity

A Comparative Look at the Three Monotheistic Religions

of the World

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Objectives: Christianity

Christianity:– Identify important leaders/prophets of

Christianity

– Describe the values & beliefs of Christianity

– Explain the significance of Christmas & Easter

Christianity… Christianity is a major world religion,

– A“Western” religion– People who believe in Christianity are known

as Christians

It is based on belief that Jesus of Nazareth is “Christ”– The Messiah & the Son of God.

What Is Christianity?

The History Important Leaders:

– Abraham – Founder & 1st person to be monotheistic.

Jesus of Nazareth– Messiah of Christianity– Performed miracles & spread a message of

peace to the people 12 Apostles

– Most trusted followers of Christ

Christians believe.. Monotheism

– In one God, creator of the universe

The Bible:– official collection of books

in two parts: both Old Testament & New Testament

Cities of Interest:– Jerusalem, Rome, Constantinople

Christians are… The largest world religion today

– 2.1 billion (2100 million)– Europe, Latin America, North America

Weekly Services– Led by a priest or a pastor– Sabbath – Sunday– Place of Worship: Church

Major Christian Branches:– Orthodox– (Roman) Catholic– Protestant

Significant events

in a Christian’s life :– Baptism

by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church

– 1st Communion It is a holy time of worship when Christians come remember

and celebrate what Christ did

– Confirmation rite of initiation . mature statement of faith by an already baptized person

Holidays

Christmas– Celebrates the birth of Christ– Month of celebration: Advent

Easter– Emphasizes his resurrection– Month of celebration: Lent

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What Is Christianity?

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Pair Share the 1st 2 columns in your chart Christianity Judaism

Judaism…

“A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)

The people are known as Jews

Objectives: Judaism

Judaism: Identify important leaders/prophets of

Judaism

Describe the values & beliefs of Judaism Explain any traditions unique to Judaism

Explain the significance of Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah & Hanukah

The History…

Founded around 2000BC The Important Leaders:

Abraham (founder) Founded Israel for his followers

Moses prophet Received the 10 Commandments from God Led the Jews out of slavery

– “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), with the major city being Jerusalem

The History Cont’d…

Saul- Considered the 1st Hebrew King Ruled after the 1st Exodus

(enslavement) David-

Created the capital of Jerusalem Solomon-

Glorified Jerusalem with temples

As a faith, Jews Believe… Monotheism

In one God, creator of the universe Known as Yahweh

In the Torah – written law first five books of the Bible (Old

Testament)

Talmud (“Oral Law”) how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kosher) Dress and other symbols Observance of Holy days

Jews are… 14 – 15 million in worldwide

population North America, Europe, Israel

Weekly Services Led by a Rabbi the Sabbath (Saturday) In a Synagogue or Temple

Divided in practice: Orthodox – most traditional Reformed – most liberal Conservative –

It seeks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism

Significant events

Life cycle celebrations:

Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility within the religion

Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)

Death – funerals, mourning, and memorials

The Jewish Holidays:

Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year Time of renewal as the new year begins…

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year ; occurs 10

days after Rosh Hashanah Time of atonement and reflection Jews traditionally observe this holy day with

a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer

The Jewish Holidays:

Hanukah, the “Festival of Lights” Origins during the Roman occupation Celebrates the miracle they endured

during the Roman siege of their stronghold.

Passover Origins are pre-1st Exodus Occurs in the spring Adhere to dietary restrictions

How is Judaism related to Christianity? Judaism predates Christianity

it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles The Jews who believed Jesus was

the Messiah became Christians The Jews that did not believe that

he was the messiah are the Jewish population

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Islam

Judaism Quiz1. People who practice2. Deity3. Document4. Founder5. City6. Place of worship7. Religious leader8. Sabbath9. Yom Kippur10.Where in the world

3 – 2 – 1

3 – DIFFERENCES – Judaism & Christianity

2 – SIMILARITIES – Judaism & Christianity

1 – FACT ABOUT ISLAM

Objectives - Islam

• Islam:– Identify important leaders/prophets of

Islam

– Describe the values & beliefs of Islam• List the 5 Pillars of Islam

– Explain the significance of the important holiday: Ramadan

– Describe the relevance of Mecca on the history of Islam

The History

• Important People– Muhammad

• The great prophet of Islam

• Born in Mecca in 570 AD

• In 610 AD the Angel Gabriel informed Muhammad that he was the chosen one to spread Allah’s message.

– Must inform the people of the works of Christians & Jews too, including: Jesus, Moses, David, Isaac & Abraham.

There cannot be an image of Muhammad because Muslims do not depict him in any visual way.

The History• At age 40 – he had a vision of

the angel Gabriel ordering him to teach the word of God (Allah)– This was in conflict of with

Mecca’s citizens – they were polytheistic

• Left Mecca for Medina – the hijrah– Hijrah means ‘great emigration’.

• In 630 - reentered Mecca with his followers

• In 632 – Muhammad dies in Jerusalem after trying to spread Islam west.

• Cities to Know:– Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem

Muhammad’s Death

• The Dome of the Rock: the location of where Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Muhammad’s Death Cont’d…

This is the Prophet’s Mosque, located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is where Muhammad is buried.

As a faith, Muslims believe

• Monotheism– In one God, creator of the universe– Known as Allah

• Holy Book is the Qur’an – God’s revelations to Muhammad

• Five Pillars of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

• 1 – Profession of faith– There is no God but God

and Muhammad is His prophet.

• 2 – Pray five times a day facing Mecca

• 3 – Give alms – money to the poor

Five Pillars of Islam

• 4 – Fast during the month of Ramadan – 9th month of the year– No eating or drinking during daylight

hours– No pork or alcohol

• 5 –Hajj to Mecca– Hajj (Religious journey)– Kaaba Stone

• Gift to Abraham from Gabriel• Housed in the Kaaba

In Mecca during the pilgrimage

www.thefaithclub.com 28

True or False

• Most Muslims are Arabs who live in the Middle East

• FALSE

• Reality: –Of more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, only about 1/5 are Arabs.

Try to guess

• Which country has more Muslims than any other country in the world?

• Answer–Indonesia - with over 200 million Muslims.

–Note: The U.S. has about 5 million Muslims.

7http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/arthistory/ah369/islam_map.jpg

Muslims are• 1.5 billion in worldwide population

– Middle East, Central Asia, Indonesia, and North America

• Led by a Imam in services– Friday is the day of worship– In a Mosque

• Divided– split into two factions after the Umayyads

killed Muhammad's grandson, Husayn• Shi’ites – believe that Husayn was the rightful leader• Sunni – believe that the Umayyads are the rightful

leaders

Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

http://islamicbooks.info/H-21-Madh'habs 30

Holiday

• Ramadan– Month of fasting during daylight hours– When the 1st verses of the Qu’ran were

revealed to Muhammad by Allah

– YouTube - 5. The Concept of Islam: Zakat Fasting and Hajj (6 minutes)

True or False

•Muslims believe it is o.k. to kill civilians in a holy war (“jihad”).

•False•Reality:

–Only Muslim extremists believe this.

11

True or False

Most Muslim women wear

veils over their faces and are treated very

badly. 13

False• REALITY:• Muslim women have many different

styles of dress. (Very few cultures require women to cover their faces.)

• The treatment of women varies from country to country and family to family.

• Some Muslim countries, like Pakistan, have had female prime ministers. The U.S. has never had a female president. 14

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