Download Sources of the Democratic Tradition Section 3: Principles of Judaism

Sources of the Democratic
Tradition
Section 3: Principles of
Judaism
Much of Western culture has
also been shaped by the
values of three monotheistic
religions: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam
Judaism
 2000
BC Hebrews reach
Cannan
 Abraham-” father “ of the
Hebrews
 Torah- first 5 books of Hebrew
Bible
 Covenant
Man in God’s Image
 Human
Dignity
 Moral Freedom
 Individual Responsibility
 Worth of Individual
Moses
Traditionally
out of Egypt
Exodus
led Israelites
Law based on Morality
 The
Ten Commandments
 Ethics
 Rulers Subservient to Moral
Law
The Kingdom of Israel
1000 BC
 King David
 United the Israelite tribes into a
single nation.

Solomon
 Turned
Jerusalem into an
impressive capital
 Temple dedicated to God
 Fame for his wisdom and
understanding
Prophets
 Social
Conscience
 Oppose injustice and
oppression
 Bring reform
Diaspora - scattering of the Jews.
 586
B.C Babylonian Captivity
 Jews migrate throughout
Middle East and
Mediterranean regions.
 70 AD Romans destroy
Jewish temple in Jerusalem
Christianity
o Jesus Christ-”Messiah”
o The Golden Rule
o Belief in Afterlife
Redemption
o Paul spreads message to
Gentiles
o Universal Religion
o Essential equality of
Mankind
Spread of Christianity
o Roman Persecutions
o The Diaspora 70 AD
o By 380 AD, Christianity is
o official religion of Rome-
Catholicism
Islam-early 600s
o Muhammad
o Dignity of Human Beings
o Brotherhood of all People
o Charity and Civic
Responsibility
o Rulers Live Under Same
Code as Ruled
Legacy of Monotheism
o The Duty to Combat
Oppression
o The Worth of the Individual
o Equality of People
Renaissance Revives
Classical Ideals
o Secular Humanism
o Rebirth of
Knowledge
o Individual value
o Renewed interest in
non-church matters
The Reformation Challenges
Church Power which had
become authoritarian
o Martin Luther 1521
o Protestantism
o Individual Conscience
Legacy of Renaissance and
Reformation
o Challenges to Authority
o Power of the Written Word
o Value of the Individual