Download Religions of the Middle East

Judaism,
Christianity,
and Islam
The Three Religions
1. Judaism, Jew
2. Christianity,
Christian
3. Islam, Muslim
Star of David
The Cross
Crescent Moon
and Star
Some
Similarities
1. Monotheistic
2. Abrahamic –
Recognize Abraham as
Patriarch (father)
3. Consider city of
Jerusalem to be
Holy
4. All connected to
parts of the Bible.
Origins and History
of
Each Faith
Origins of Each Faith
• Date and Place founded:
– Judaism – approximately 1300 B.C. in
Palestine
• Some say the date is unknown
– Christianity – approximately 33 A.D. in
Palestine
– Islam – 622 A.D. in Saudi Arabia
6
Founders and Early Leaders
• Founders and Early Leaders
• All three trace their origins originally to
Abraham as explained in the reading
– Judaism – Abraham and Moses
– Christianity – Jesus
– Islam - Muhammad
7
Brief History on Origins
• Judaism- The Hebrew leader Abraham founded
Judaism around 2000 B.C.
– Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths
(religions with one God).
• Christianity - Founded by Jesus Christ, who was
crucified around A.D. 30 in Jerusalem
– After his death his followers came to believe in
him as the Christ, the Messiah.
• Islam - Founded in Arabia by Muhammad
between A.D. 610 and A.D. 632
Spread of Each Faith
• Early Expansion
– Judaism – Little expansion mostly confined to
Israel
– Christianity – by the end of the 4th century
Christianity spread across the entire Roman
Empire
– Islam – Within 12 years, entire Arabian
peninsula
• After 100 years stretched from Spain to
Southeast Asia
9
Terms for Followers and Clergy
• Followers Called:
– Judaism Jews
– Christianity  Christians
– Islam  Muslims
• Clergy Called:
– Judaism  rabbis
– Christianity  bishop, pastor, ministers, priest
– Islam  imams
10
More Detailed History on Each
Religion
Judaism Timeline
•
1800 BCE  Hebrews flee Canaan,
migrate to Egypt (enslaved).
– Lead by Moses to Sinai Peninsula.
Covenant w/God.
– 1 God, 10 Commandments, Chosen
People
•
1025 BCE form kingdom of Israel in
Fertile Crescent.
– Kings David & Solomon help reach
greatest glory
•
500 BCE Persians take over, Return to
Israel & rebuild temple in Jerusalem.
•
70 CE  Romans expel Jews from
Israel/Palestine – diaspora…
– Won’t return until late 1800s
Christianity
•
Jesus born in Roman ruled Palestine
(Bethlehem)
– Carpenter’s apprentice
– Studied w/ rabbis - Preacher 30 yrs old
•
Some believed he was the messiah – Savior
from foreign rule, restore kingdom
•
Roman’s, scared of popularity & refusal to
accept emperor as a god, crucified him in 33
CE.
•
Followers, Christians, spread word
– Everyone equal, salvation & eternal life
– Persecuted by Romans, became martyrs
– 313 CE, Emperor Constantine converts
– 395 CE, official religion Roman Empire
Islam Timeline
• 610 CE Angel Gabriel tells
Mohammed he is to be the
messenger of God/Allah
– Merchant in Mecca
• 622  flee to Medina, build 1st
mosque
– Hejira – Yr 1 of Muslim Calendar
– Prophet
• Expansion of Islam
– Uses war & political maneuvering
to spread ideas
– 632 control Peninsula
– 732 Atlantic to Indus
How They Worship
Where and When They Worship
• House of Worship
– Judaism: synagogue or temple
– Christianity: church, cathedral, chapel
– Islam: mosque
 Day of Worship
o Judaism: Saturday
o Christianity: Sunday
o Islam: Friday
16
Languages of Faiths
• Original Language
– Judaism: Hebrew
– Christianity: Aramaic and Greek, then Latin
– Islam: Arabic
• Names of God
– Judaism: Yahweh and Elohim
– Christianity: God, the Trinity
– Islam: Allah
17
Holy/Religious Texts
Sacred Texts of Each Faith
• Sacred Texts
• All three accept the Old Testament
as explained in the reading.
– Judaism: Hebrew Bible is the Torah,
Talmud
– Christianity: Old Testament and New
Testament
– Islam: Qur’an (Koran)
19
Beliefs
Monotheistic Beliefs
• Ultimate Reality (Type of Theism)
– Judaism: One God
– Christianity: Trinity (God the father, God the
Son, and God the Holy Spirit)
– Islam: One God
21
Divine Revelation---God’s Words
How do we know about God?
– Judaism: through prophets; recorded in the Hebrew
Bible
– Christianity: through prophets and Jesus as recorded
in the Old and New Testament
– Islam: through God’s final prophet Muhammad;
recorded in the Qur’an
22
Identity of Jesus
–Judaism: False prophet
–Christianity: Son of God, the Messiah,
Savior
–Islam: prophet of God
23
Death of Jesus
– Judaism: death by Crucifixion
– Christianity: death by Crucifixion
– Islam: Did not die, but ascended into
heaven (a disciple took his place)
24
Resurrection of Jesus
–Judaism: Denied
–Christianity: Affirmed
–Islam: Denied; since he did not die
25
Means of Salvation
– Judaism: Belief in one God; good deeds
– Christianity: correct belief, good deeds;
by faith accept Christ as Savior
(Protestants)
– Islam: Belief in one God; good deeds
and follow Five Pillars of Faith
26
Afterlife
–Judaism: eternal heaven/ eternal
hell ( This is debated among Jewish
Scholars)
–Christianity: eternal heaven/
eternal hell
–Islam: eternal paradise (heaven)/
eternal hell
27
Followers
Where They Can Be Found
• Major Locations TODAY
– Judaism: Europe, Israel, North America
– Christianity: Europe, North and South America
– Islam: Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia
29
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
Current Worldwide Followers TODAY
– Judaism: 14 million (ranks 12th)
– Christianity: 2 billion (ranks 1st)
– Islam: 1.3 billion (ranks 2nd)
In the USA
• Judaism: 5.6 million
• Christianity: 159 million
• Islam: 1.1 million
31
Judaism
• religion of just one people: the Jews.
• first to teach belief in only one God.
• Two other important religions developed from
Judaism: Christianity and Islam.
Judaism Beliefs
• Jews believe that there is a single God
(Yahweh) who not only created the
universe, but with whom every Jew can
have an individual and personal
relationship.
• They await the Messiah, who will be an
earthly king. They believe in heaven, but
that God determines where they go after
life on earth.
• Ten Commandments is the basic code of
law.
Judaism Briefly
• Judaism is around 3500 years old and is the oldest of
the world's four great monotheistic religions (religions
with only one God).
• It's also the smallest, with only about 12 million
followers around the world.
• Its holy city is Jerusalem.
• The Jewish calendar is based on 29 or 30 days
therefore they have 12.13 months.
Judaism
• Jews think that God will send a Messiah (a
deliverer) to unite them and lead them in
His way.
• Christians believe that Jesus was the
Messiah.
– The Jewish people do not agree; they
anticipate His arrival in the future.
Judaism Holy Book
• The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five
books of the Christian Bible)
• Others include Judaism's oral tradition, the written
form of which is known as the Talmud.
• The Torah (scroll of teachings) contains the five
books revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.
– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers &
Deuteronomy
• Another important book is the "Talmud," serving
primarily as a guide to the civil and religious laws of
Judaism.
• Hebrew is read right to left.
Judaism Place of Worship
• Jews worship in
Synagogues or
temples.
• Men and women
usually sit separately.
• Worship is led by a
Rabbi.
• Friday evening is time
for worship.
Stamford Hill, London
Judaism
• Important Cities
1. Jerusalem
• Major Groups:
1. Orthodox Jews:
• adheres faithfully to the
principles and practices of
traditional Judaism.
2. Conservative Jews:
• modern denomination of
Judaism that arose in United
States in the early 1900's.
3. Reform Jews:
• largest denomination of Jews.
They are more liberal in their
thinking about Judaism.
Samson destroys the
Philistine temple
7 Holy Days
• Rosh Hashanah-Jewish New Year
• Yom Kippur-A day of fasting and praying which
occurs 10 days after the first day of Rosh
Hashanah. The holiest day in the year
• Sukkot-8 day festival of thanksgiving
• Hanukkah-The Feast of Lights is an 8 day Feast
of Dedication. It recalls the war fought by the
Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom
• Purim-The Feast of Lots recalls the defeat by
Queen Esther of the plan to slaughter all of the
Persian Jews, circa 400 BC
• Pesa(Passover)-The 8 day festival recalls the
exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt circa
1300 BCE. A holiday meal, the Seder, is held at
home
• Shavouth-Pentecost recalls God's revelation of
the Torah to the Jewish people
• Menorah-It is a
symbol of the nation
of Israel and a mission
to be "a light unto the
nations.
• A Yarmulke is worn
during prayer to shoe
respect to G_d
Kosher Foods
• Foods are kosher when they meet all criteria
that Jewish law applies to food
• Characteristics that make a food non-kosher:
– the mixture of meat and milk
– the use of cooking utensils which had previously
been used for non-kosher food
– The type of animal it is
• Leviticus 11:3 says that Jews may eat all animals
that have cloven hooves and chew their cud
• Leviticus 11:4 explicitly prohibited the consumption
of animals that do not have these characteristics
designating them "unclean to you."
• Six mammals are specifically not allowed:
– The camel
– The hyrax
– The hare
– The pig
– Whales and dolphins
• Kosher animals are as follows:
– Cows, goats, sheep, antelope, deer, giraffes, okapis and
pronghorns
– Most fish(excluding shellfish, sharks, octupus, eels and squid)
– Chicken, duck, turkey
– Milk and cheese are kosher but cannot be eaten with meat or
mixed with meat.
Judaism – Map!
Judaism in 1500 C.E.
Judaism Today
In 1500, located in Europe and
Middle East
Today, located in Israel and U.S.
Christianity briefly
• Christianity is the world's biggest religion,
with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide.
• It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago.
Christianity
• Where:
– SW Asia,
Jerusalem
• When:
– 2000 years ago
– Stems from
Judaism.
• Jesus was a Jew,
whom Christians
claim is the
Messiah (Savior)
Jesus with Children
Christianity
• The early Hebrews who eventually developed into
the Jewish religion became the foundation of
Christianity.
• Jesus, or the Messiah, was a Jewish boy who
disagreed with some of the Jewish principles of his
day began to profess a new way of thinking.
• This eventually led to the beginning of the
Christian religion.
• The central point of Christian belief is that God, the
Father, entered into human history as the Son,
Jesus of Nazereth, and arose as the Holy Spirit.
Christianity
• Important Cities
– Jerusalem
– Vatican City (Rome)
Crucifixion
of the
Apostle
Peter
• Important Groups
– Roman Catholic
• makes up the largest group of Christians.
– Protestant
• represents a diverse range of theological and
social perspectives, denominations,
individuals, and related organizations.
• Would include Lutherans, Presbyterians,
Baptists, Charismatics, Methodists, Disciples
of Christ, etc.
– Eastern Orthodox
• body of Christians that claims origins
extending directly back to Jesus and his
Apostles.
• Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox,
Abyssinian (Ethiopia) Orthodox
The
Vatican
City
Christian Sects
• Roman Catholicism vs. Eastern OrthodoxChristian Church divided when the Roman
Empire was divided and then fell. Orthodox
Christians do not recognize the authority of
the Pope.
• Catholicism vs. Protestantism-as a result of
the Reformation, Protestant sects broke with
the Catholic Church and established their own
separate churches.
Christianity Beliefs
• Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of
God
• God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from
the consequences of its sins
• Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his
Crucifixion (the Resurrection)
• Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah
promised in the Old Testament
• Christians believe that there is only one God, but
that this one God consists of 3 "persons"
• Christians believe that God made the world.
Christianity Beliefs continued
•
•
•
•
•
•
Christians believe that they can have a personal
relationship with God, and that they are saved
by faith, not works. Grace is the law code.
They believe in actual heaven and hell.
Sin and Evil are realities in our existence.
They believe that the Bible is the inspired word
of God.
The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the
followers was his 12 disciples.
Their giving is a tithe or offerings.
Christians Holy Book
• The Bible is the Christian holy book.
• It is divided into the Old and New
Testaments.
• Parts of the writing contained in the Old
Testament are also sacred to Jewish and
Muslim people.
Christian Place of Worship
• The Christian place of worship is
called a Church, which are built
in the shape of a cross with the
altar facing east towards the
rising sun.
• Services are led by a priest,
pastor or reverend.
• Day of worship is normally
Sunday but most recently
Saturday has been added.
Westminster Abbey London
Christianity – Map!
Christianity 1500 C.E.
In 1500, located in Europe and
Middle East
Christianity Today
Today, located in Americas and
Europe
Islam
Close ties to
Christianity &
Judaism:
1. Believe that both
Abraham & Jesus
were prophets
2. Islam is the last
religion of the
Abrahamic tradition
3. Muhammad is the
last prophet in a long
line of prophets
Mecca (Arial View)
Islam
• Where
– SW Asia
– Mecca, present-day
Saudi Arabia.
– Medina, Saudi
Arabia
• When
– 613 A.D.
Muslims worship at the Kaaba
(sacred black stone) in Mecca
Islam Briefly
• Islam is the second most popular religion in the
world with over a billion followers.
• Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to
humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him).
• Those who follow Islam are called Muslims.
• Muslims believe that there is only one God, called
Allah, who speaks Arabic.
• The Muslim calendar has 354 days
– based on the 12 crescent moon cycles.
Islam
• ISLAM is the name given to the religion
preached by the prophet Muhammad in the
600s A. D.
• The Islamic religion started in the area
known as Palestine in the year 600AD.
• It has about 850 million followers, most of
them in the region north and east of the
Mediterranean Sea.
Islam
• Important
Teachings:
1. Five Pillars of Islam
2. Monotheistic
3. God is called Allah
• Holy Book(s):
1. The Qur’an (Koran)
•
The Qur’an contains
both verses from the
Torah & the Bible.
2. Sharia
•
a tradition of rulings
that touch on
virtually all aspects
of life and society.
Muslims worshiping towards the
Kaaba in Mecca. Zoomed out.
Islam’s Holy Book
• The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an. It is 'the
word of God'. Muslim beliefs and practices are
rooted in the Qur'an.
• Muslims treat the Qur'an with great respect because
they believe that the Qur'an is from Allah, and every
word and every letter is sacred.
• Muslims regard the Qur'an as the unaltered word of
God.
• It is read from right to left and written in Arabic, the
language of heaven.
Islamic Philosophy
• Muslims learn that life on earth is a period of testing
and preparation for the life to come.
• Angels record good and bad deeds.
• People should behave themselves and help others,
trusting in Allah's justice and mercy for their reward.
Islam’s Place of Worship
• The Muslim building for communal worship is called a Mosque. The word comes
from the Arabic for "place of prostration".
• Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the
mosque corners.
• They contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture.
• Normal day of worship is Friday.
• Religious leaders are called imams.
Grand mosque in
Mecca
Islam’s Most Holy City
• While praying, they face the holy city of Mecca (in
Saudi-Arabia) and sometimes kneel with faces to
the ground.
• All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage (trip
to a sacred place) to Mecca at least once in their
lifetime.
Islam
– Moral Code is
derived from Five
Pillars:
1. Faith: There is only
one god- Allah.
2. Prayer: pray five
times a day.
(Towards Mecca)
3. Fasting: during
month of Ramadan.
4. Zakah: Giving
Alms to the poor.
5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to
Mecca.
Muslims gathering outside Mecca
during their Hajj
5 Pillars of Islam
1. Shahada(witness) is the Muslim profession of
faith
- "I witness that there is no god but Allah,
and that Muhammad is the prophet of
Allah"
• Muslims say this when they wake up in the
morning and just before they go to sleep at
night
•
•
•
•
•
•
2. Salat(daily prayer) is a prayer ritual
performed 5 times a day by all Muslims over
the age of 10
Between first light and sunrise
After the sun has passed the middle of the
sky
Between mid-afternoon and sunset
Between sunset and the last light of the day
Between darkness and dawn
3. Sawm(fasting) is abstaining each day during
Ramadan
• Sawm helps Muslims develop self-control, gain a
better understanding of God's gifts and greater
compassion towards the deprived.
• Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It marks when
Muhammad had the Qur-an revealed to him
• Sawm is usually described as fasting, but it actually
involves abstaining from all bodily pleasures
between dawn and sunset
• Not only is food forbidden, but also things like
smoking, chewing gum, negative thoughts and
sexual activity
4. Zakat(almsgiving) is giving alms to the poor
• This is a compulsory gift of 2.5 % of one's
savings each year
• Giving in this way is intended to free
Muslims from the love of money
• It reminds them that everything they have
really belongs to God.
5. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all
physically/financially able Muslims should
make at least once in their life
• Mecca is the most holy place for Muslims
• Takes place during days 8-13 of the 12th month
of the Islamic Lunar calendar
• They circle the Kaaba seven times on three
occasions, say prayers, drink from a holy
spring, walk to Mount Arafat to pray, feast,
cast stones at three pillars(to fight Satan’s
temptations), shave hair, run seven times
between some hills
The Kaaba
Food Laws
• Very similar laws to the Jewish kosher foods
• No alcohol, pork, blood, no pork fat products,
scavenger animals
Islam
• Important Cities:
– Mecca
– Medina
– Jerusalem
• Major Groups:
– Sunni
• largest denomination of Islam; means
the tradition of the prophet of Islam Muhammad
• Believe caliphs (priests) were to be
chosen by consensus
– Shi-ite
• Shi'a Muslims adhere to the teachings
of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
and his Ahlul Bayt (family).
• Believe caliphs should be descendants
from Muhammad’s son in law (Ali)
and wife (Fatima)
Dome of the Rock
in Jerusalem
Islam – Map!
Islam in 1500 C.E.
In 1500, located in Middle East,
Africa, and Southern Europe
Islam Today
Today, located in Middle East,
Africa, and Asia
Comparative Religions
Religion
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Origins
Canaan
~2000 BCE
Palestine
~30 CE
Saudi Arabia
622 CE
Founders
Moses
Jesus Christ
Mohammad
Adherents
Jews
Christians
Muslims
Population
14 million
2.1 billion
1.5 billion
Israel, Euro, US
Euro, Americas,
Africa
Mid East, SE Asia
Comparative Religions
Religion
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Diety
God
Yahweh,
Elohim
God
God
Allah
Holy Book
“People of the
book”
Torah
(Old Test.)
Bible
(Old and New Test.)
Qur’an
(Koran)
Religious Law
Halakhah
Canon Law
Sharia
Place of
Worship
Synagogue
Church
Chapel
Cathedral
Mosque
Clergy
Rabbis
Priest, Minister, Pastor
Imam