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Comparing the Three Monotheistic Religions of Southwest Asia
Read the background information provided and fill in this chart for each religion by answering the questions from the left-hand column.
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Jew
Christian
Muslim
Followers

What do we call someone who
follows this religion?
God

How many Gods do they
believe in?
 What words or names for God
do they use?
 What do they say God has done
in the world/for the world?
Holy Book

What is their holy book?
 Where/Who did it come from?
 What major parts does it have?
 What sacred (holy and special)
language is there for their
book?
Key Beliefs

What are some of their most
important beliefs or teachings?
 What prophets do they believe
God has sent to teach people?
 What do they believe happens
when someone dies?

One, the God of Abraham
 Adonai
 God created the world
 God made a covenant
with Abraham
 Isaac ancestor of Jews


One, the God of Abraham
 Yahweh
 God created the world
 God made a covenant
with Abraham
One, the God of Abraham
 Allah
 God created the world
 God made a covenant
with Abraham
 Ishmael ancestor of
Muslims
Bible
 God gave it to the ancient
Hebrews and early
Christians
 Old Testament, New
Testament
 No sacred language

TeNaKh
 God gave it to Moses and
the prophets
 Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim
 Hebrew


God chose Abraham's family
to be his special people
 Moses very important
 Jerusalem sacred city
 Goal is to live a good (moral)
life
 n/a

God chose Abraham's family
to be his special people
 Jesus very important
 God is Father, Son & Spirit
 Jesus died, buried, lives again
 Goal is to live a good (moral)
life and achieve salvation not
damnation


Koran (Qur'an)
 God gave it to
Muhammad
 n/a
 Arabic
God chose Abraham's family
to be his special people
 Muhammad very important
 Jesus not part of God
 Mecca most sacred city
 Goal is to live a good (moral)
life and achieve salvation not
damnation
Comparing the Three Monotheistic Religions of Southwest Asia (cont.)
Judaism
Practices &
Rituals

What special things do they do
as a part of their religion?
 What rules or commands are
they supposed to follow?
Worship
Services

When do they gather for
worship?
 What do they do when they
worship God?
 Where do they gather for
worship?
 Who leads their worship
services?
Sects

What major groups are there
within this religion?
Keep Sabbath holy
 613 commandments
 Fast during Yom Kippur
 Be sorry for bad acts
 Give to needy
 Food laws (kosher)
Christianity
Follow Jesus' teachings
 Baptism
 Communion (Lord's
Supper)
Live by God's guidance
 Five pillars: declare faith,
prayer, give to needy,
fasting during Ramadan,
pilgrimage to Mecca
 Food laws
Sunday
 Pray, Read scripture,
Sermon
 Church
 Priest, pastor, minister
Friday
 Pray, Read scripture,
Sermon
 Mosque
 Imam

Sabbath (Fri. eve – Sat.
eve)
 Rest, Pray, Read
scripture, Sermon, Family
meal
 Synagogue
 Rabbi
Islam



Orthodox
 Conservative
 Reformed



Roman Catholic
 Orthodox
 Protestant

Sunni
 Shi'i
