Download The Abrahamic Religions aka The Big 3

JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY,
AND ISLAM
World Studies
Southwest Asia and Religion

Southwest Asia is the hearth for THREE of the
world’s major religions.
 Judaism
(Canaan, which is Israel today)
 Christianity (In and around Jerusalem, Israel)
 Islam (Saudi Arabia, with holy sites in Jerusalem)
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Because of this, all 3 religions consider parts of the
region as holy.
Historically, this has led to conflict between these
different groups.
Jerusalem
Holy Sites in Jerusalem
What is an Abrahamic religion?
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A monotheistic faith
whose spiritual
tradition identifies with
Abraham.
Refers to Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
Approx. 3.8 billion
people follow these
religions worldwide.
Major similarities between Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
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Monotheistic
Similar stories in holy texts (Adam, Abraham, Noah,
Moses)
Belief in prophets
Struggle of good vs. evil
Origins in the Southwest Asia
Both Christianity and Islam are founded on the
Jewish faith.
Judaism

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Judaism began about
4000 years ago in the
year 2000 B.C.
It is among the oldest
religious traditions still
being practiced today,
and it is the originator
of the Abrahamic
Religions.
Followers of Judaism
are called Jews…there
are about 13.2 million
Jews in the world.
Major Beliefs of Judaism

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There is one all powerful God (Yahweh) who
created and controls everything.
Pray to no one but God.
Moses is the chief of the prophets and the words of
the prophets are true.
The words of the Torah are from God.
God rewards those who follow his commandments
and punishes those who don’t.
A Messiah is coming.
Major Jewish Holy Days

Shabbat- weekly day of rest (Sabbath)

Three pilgrimage festivals- celebrate landmark events in Jewish history.
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Passover- a week-long holiday that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.

Shavuot- celebrates the revelation of the Torah to the Israelites on Mount Sinai

Sukkot- commemorates the Israelites' forty years of wandering through the
desert on their way to the Promised Land
High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah- the Jewish New Year

Yom Kippur- is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is a day of communal
fasting and praying for forgiveness for one's sins.
Other holidays

Hanukah- Jewish festival of lights…not too important.
Jewish Denominations

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Orthodox
Conservative
Reform
Orthodox Jews
Christianity
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Christianity was born out
of Judaism and centers
around the life and
teaching of Jesus Christ.
Christianity began with
the death of Jesus (30
A.D.) and spread
globally over the next
1,500 years.
Between 1.5 and 2.1
billion Christians
worldwide.
Major Beliefs of Christianity
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Shares many core beliefs with Judaism (Jewish Torah is
the Christian Old Testament)
Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of
God, and died for the sins of all men (Jews, Muslims do
not believe this!)
Jews believe Jesus is a false prophet
 Muslims believe Jesus is a minor prophet
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Those who accept the teachings of Jesus will be saved.
The life and teachings of Jesus are found in the four
Gospels, which are a part of the New Testament.
Christian Holy Days

Easter- celebration of
the death and
resurrection of Jesus.
 Lent-
40 days of
fasting leading up to
Easter.

Christmas- celebration
of the birth of Jesus
 Advent-
Four weeks of
fasting leading up to
Christmas.
Christian Denominations

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Roman Catholic
Protestant
 Lutheran
 Baptist
 Methodist
 Evangelical
 Pentecostal
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Eastern Orthodox
Christian Denominations