Download Religions of the Middle East

Religions of
the Middle
East Judaism
Judaism
Jews/Hebrews/Israelites/Israeli
• Background:
– 1800 BC - The first Hebrews – Nomadic herders
that settled in Mesopotamia
• Currently Iran, Iraq, Kuwait
• Migrated to the area known today as Israel
– Migration led by Abraham to “Promised Land”
– Famine and drought, so moved from Palestine to
Egypt
Judaism
Jews/Hebrews/Israelites/Israeli
• Background (cont.):
– In Egypt, Hebrews were conquered and enslaved
• Moses chosen by God to lead them out of Egypt.
– While “wandering” on Sinai Peninsula, he received the
10 Commandments
• 1025 BC – Kingdom of Israel – King David
– Happy Times; made Jerusalem the capital of the “Promised
Land”
– King Solomon – built his Temple
• 930 BC – Persians, Greeks, Romans conquer Israel
– Diaspora
– Anti-Semitism
Abraham’s Covenant w/ God:
• Covenant = pact or promise
– God made a covenant or agreement with
Abraham and his descendants if they
worshiped Yahweh and followed his laws
• In exchange, they would be protected and loved
by Him
• “Chosen People” and “Promised Land”
Judaism 411
• Founder: Abraham
• Book: Torah (overlaps with Old Testament);
•
gives background to creation and Jewish history
Beliefs:
–
–
–
–
10 Commandments
Monotheistic – Yahweh
Messiah is yet to come
Palestine is theirs by heritage
• Place of worship: Synagogue
• Leadership: Rabbi
• Holy City: Jerusalem – Temple built by Solomon
•
The Wailing Wall
The Western Wall is a surviving remnant of the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed
by Titus in 68 C.E. The Temple, the center of the
spiritual world, was the main conduit for the flow
of Godliness into this world. The Temple Mount is
also called Mount Moriah. This is the spot where
Abraham bound Isaac, and where Jacob dreamt
of the ladder reaching to heaven
Abraham’s Family Tree:
Abraham
Haggar (maid)
Ishmael
Sarah (wife)
Isaac
Jacob
(Arab Countries)
(Israel)
Esau
Religions of
the Middle
East Christianity
Christianity
Christianity was developed by a Jew named
Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ
• Background:
– The Christians were Jews
– 4 BC Jesus of Nazareth was born in
Bethlehem
– At age 30, he began his mission of preaching
the word of God. He taught:
• Love, forgiveness, and kindness
• Used parables, disciples, and miracles
• Teachings sometimes threatened and/or criticized
Jewish religious leaders
• Said he and the Father were one – making him
equal to God
Christianity
Christianity was developed by a Jew named
Jesus of Nazareth/Jesus Christ
• Background:
– Age 33, Jewish Pharisees led a Roman guard to Jesus
and arrested him. He was charged by the Jews with
blasphemy (declaring himself equal to God) and
charged with wanting to become King of the Jews by
the Romans
• Some interpretations of events say Caesar felt his power was
threatened
• The Roman governor Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be
crucified on a cross. Crucifixion was carried out by Roman
guards.
• Some would say crucifixion was in response to threat to
Caesar - Bible seems to indicate that Pilate simply had him
crucified to appease the masses that pleaded for his death.
Christianity Cont’d
• After Jesus’ death, the disciples proclaimed:
– Jesus was the promised Messiah
– He died to redeem sinners
– He rose from the dead after 3 days, giving salvation to all who
believe in them
• These proclamations marked the beginning of Christianity
•
and the first Christian
1st Century AD – Persecution of Christians
– Seen as a threat to “Pax Romana”
– Many became martyrs
• 313 AD – Roman Emperor Constantinople
• 330 AD – Roman Empire splits:
– In the West: Roman Catholicism (Bishop of Rome is head of
church (Pope)
– In the East: Orthodox Christianity (Emperor is head of the State
and the Church)
Christianity 411:
• Founder: Jesus of Nazareth
• Book: Bible
– Old Testament – historical and cultural background;
– New Testament – Teachings of Jesus and growth of
Christianity)
• Beliefs:
– 10 Commandments
– Monotheistic, but belief in Trinity:
God, the Father and Creator
Jesus, God’s son, Messiah, Savior
Trinity
Holy Spirit, the sustainer
– Place of Worship: Cathedral or Church
– Leadership: Depends on sect of Christianity
– Holy City: Jerusalem
– How spread: Missionaries
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher
• Originally built by the mother of
Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D.,
the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
commemorates the hill of
crucifixion and the tomb of
Christ's burial.
• On grounds of tradition alone, this
church is the best candidate for the
location of these events. The
Garden Tomb was not identified as
such until the 19th century.
Religions of
the Middle
East - Islam
Islam
Muslim – “One who submits”
Islam – “There is submission to Allah”
• Background:
– 570 AD Mohammed born in Mecca
• 40 years: the Vision
– Angel Gabriel’s message: Mohammed is the last of the 7
prophets and has the final truth
-Christians part of the truth (Jesus = prophet #6)
-Jews less truth—only prophets of Old Testament
 He is the messenger of Allah
 He should preach to the people that there is only
one god and Allah is his name
Mohammed
• Teachings rejected by many initially
– Mecca: generational gap in acceptance
• Youth believed; older groups did not
• Left Mecca for Medina after an assassination
attempt
– 622 AD – Hejira—the trip; marks the beginning of Islam
• 630 AD - Returns to Mecca w/ army – war
w/ Mecca
– Generational conflict
– Mohammed wins; sets up HQ in Mecca; Political Head of
State
Mohammed
• 633 AD – Mohammed dies
–Islam divides:
Shiites—more “conservative” view of Koran; leave
nothing to interpretation
Sunnis—more “relaxed” view of Koran; allows for
interpretation of Koran
-80% of Muslims are Sunni
Islam 411
• Founder: Mohammed; Abraham = 1st Muslim
• Book: Qu’ran; Koran (Allah’s word given to Mohammed)
• Beliefs:
– Monotheistic: Allah
– Five Pillars of Faith:
•
•
•
•
•
One God—Allah—and Mohammed is his messenger
Pray five times per day
Give to charity
Fast during Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj; Hejira)
• Place of Worship: Mosque
• Leadership: Scholars
• Holy City: Jerusalem – Dome of the Rock; Mecca,
•
Medina
How Spread: Conquering armies
Dome of the Rock
The Sanctuary of Abraham (Al-Haram
Al-Ibrahimi), Hebron
Considered to be the fourth holiest site in Islam, Al-Haram AlIbrahimi (Sanctuary of Abraham) or Tomb of the Patriarchs
dominates the city of Hebron. This 1000-year old mosque enshrines
the tombs of prophets Abraham "Ibrahim", Isaac "Is'haq", Jacob
(pbut), and their wives. It is believed that prophet Mohammad
(pbuh) visited it on his night flight from Mecca to Jerusalem.
•
Al Aqsa Mosque
More important to the
Muslims than the Dome of the
Rock is Al Aqsa
Mosque. Believing that this is
the place referred to in the
Koran as "al aqsa" (the
furthermost), Muslims have
sanctified this as the third
most holy place in the Muslim
world.
Religions of Asia
– Buddhism,
Hinduism,
Confucianism
Buddhism
• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha); expanded
•
•
•
•
•
from India to China along Silk Road; Chinese found
comfort in Buddhism
Sacred Text: Tipitaka
God(s): None
After Life Beliefs: Rebirth for all unless Enlightened;
if Enlightened then one reaches Nirvana
General Beliefs/Teachings: Mercy and Compassion;
Monks, Nuns helped sick and poor; Chinese blended
with Confucianism, Daoism; Four Noble TruthsSuffering caused by desire; Three Refuges
Key Terms: Nirvana
Hinduism
• Founder: None; Developed over thousands of
•
•
•
•
years
Sacred Text: Vedas-Eternal truths revealed to
wise men; Upanishads-Decodes the meanings of
Vedas
God(s): Brahman-Nameless, formless, unlimited;
Vishnu; Siva
After Life Beliefs: Reincarnation-Rebirth; KarmaHow reborn (as a person, animal, etc.); DharmaDuties to station, predict whom you be next
General Beliefs/Teachings: Varies widely across
the Indian Subcontinent
– Karma: “To do”; Good deeds-Happiness; Bad/Evil
deeds-Sorrow;
– Caste System: Dharma; Duties/Obligations
Confucianism
• Founder: Confucius in 530 BC; Expanded by followers
•
after his death
General Beliefs/Teachings: 5 Relationships
–
–
–
–
–
Ruler to Ruled
Father to Son
Older Brother to Younger Brother
Husband to Wife
Friend to Friend
• Legacies: Created a guide to proper behavior based
on ethical or moral principles
– Family and good of society over the individual
– Importance of Education
• Key Terms: Filial Piety-The duty and respect that
children owe their parents