Download Christianity vs. Judaism

Intro to World Religions
Faith
• Belief that is not based on proof
• Religions cannot be proven or disproven, they
require faith. Since we cannot prove that any
religion is right or wrong, we should be
respectful of all people’s religions.
The 5 (6) Major Religions of the World
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Islam
Hinduism
Christianity
Buddhism
Judaism
(And atheism)
• Which religion do you think has the most people?
• 2.1 billion
Christians
• 1.5 billion
Muslims
• 1.1 billion
atheist/agnostic
• 900 million
Hindus
• 300 million
Buddhists
• 12 million Jews
• Universal Religions—
Religions that attempt to
be global
– Christianity, Islam, and
Buddhism
• Ethnic Religion—Appeals
mainly to one group of
people living in one place
– All other religions
• Monotheistic Religions: Religions with one
God
• Polytheistic: Religions with more than one
God
Christianity
• 3 main branches: Roman Catholic, Protestant,
and Eastern Orthodox
• Branch—Large division of a religion
Christian beliefs
• Main belief: Jesus Christ was the son of God,
and he died on the cross for all mankind’s sins.
Three days later, he was resurrected and went
to Heaven.
All Christians
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Age: 2014 years old
Hearth: Jerusalem
Holy book—Bible
Bible—Made of two parts: Old Testament and
New Testament
• Old Testament: Everything before Jesus
(Moses, Abraham, etc.)
• New Testament: Jesus’s teachings and life
Catholicism
• Follow religious
hierarchy
– Hierarchical
• Pope: At the top of
the hierarchy
• Connection to God is
mainly done through
the Catholic Church,
like through priests
Protestantism
• Protestants: Broke away
from the Catholic
Church in the 1600’s
(Martin Luther)
• Do not follow
hierarchy—People can
have a direct
connection with God
• Do not follow Pope
Judaism
• Only 12 million people worldwide
• Oldest monotheistic religion in the world:
4,000 years old
• Main leader/prophet: Abraham, who started
the religion
• Also important: Moses—Received the 10
Commandments
• God’s Name: Yahweh
Judaism
• Cultural Hearth: Jerusalem
• Holy Book: Torah
• Basically, Jews believe
everything in the Old
Testament of the Bible (the
Torah), but do not believe
Jesus is the son of God
• Believe in heaven and hell,
think people should follow
the 10 Commandments
10 Commandments
Review!
1. Which religion is older, Christianity or Judaism?
2. Which people are recognized in both Christianity
and Judaism?
3. What does monotheistic mean?
4. Which of these religions is ethnic? Universal?
5. Are Christianity and Judaism monotheistic or
polytheistic?
6. What is the difference between Christianity and
Judaism?
7. What is the cultural hearth for both of these
religions?
Islam
Islam
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Universal religion
Monotheistic
Holy Book- Koran (Qur’an)
Recognize Abraham,
Moses, and Jesus as
prophets
• Also believe in afterlife,
heaven and hell
• Founder—
Mohammed—
Prophet, not son
of God
• Age of religion—
1300 years
• Cultural Hearth:
Mecca and
Medina (Saudi
Arabia)
• Mecca—Holy city for Muslims—Where
Mohammed first set up Islam
5 Pillars of Islam
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Declaration of Faith
Praying 5 times a day
Zakat—Giving to charity
Fasting—Going without
eating
• Hajj (Pilgrimmage)—Go
to Mecca in your life if
possible
Sunni vs. Shi’ite
• Sunni—83% of
Muslims
– Believed leaders of Islam
should be chosen or
elected
• Shiites—17% of
Muslims
• Believe leader of Islam
should be a descendent of
Mohammed
• Huge amount of
conflict between
these two branches
Sunni Shiite Distribution
Sharia Law
• Strict Islamic law, not
used by all Muslims
• Very specific—Governs
everything from how to
marry to how to eat to
how to pray
• Can be very unequal for
women
– Ex. burqa
• Jihad- Means war
• For most Muslims,
means an inner
struggle between
good and bad
• For some, it means a
holy war against
infidels (unbelievers)
Video!
• 30 Days as a Muslim
Review!
1. What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
2. Who is the founder of Islam?
3. Rank the religions of Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam from oldest to youngest.
4. What is the difference between Sunni and Shia
Muslims?
5. Do you think Muslims should be allowed to
practice aspects of sharia law in the United
States if they choose to?