Download Judaism: The After Life

ME: 3 Religions, 1 God
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Judaism: The After Life
Jews typically believe that there is only one life. Upon death, each person will be judged
according to the life they lived (beliefs vary as to when this judgment will take place). Rather
than an immediate life after death, there will be a life in the “world to come” after the arrival of
the Messiah.
Judaism: Organization & Hierarchy
Judaism is often divided into sects based on the interpretation of the holy scriptures, the Torah
and Talmud. The most commonly recognized divisions in Judaism are the modern movements
of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Jews believe the Torah and the Talmud
contain the actual words of God which must be applied in all circumstances. Reform Jews
believe in the divine inspiration of the Torah, but since it was recorded by humans at a certain
point of time in history, it then becomes necessary to reinterpret the words in the context of the
times you are living in. Within the Jewish faith, there is little hierarchy, but worship is often led
by rabbis who are considered teachers.
Judaism: Origin
Judaism is the oldest surviving monotheistic religion, arising in the eastern Mediterranean
around 2000 BC. Abraham is traditionally considered to be the first prophet and patriarch of
Judaism and to have made a covenant with God, thus it is sometimes called an Abrahamic
religion.
The story of Abraham begins when God tells him to leave his homeland, promising Abraham
and his descendants a new home in the land of Canaan. Then Moses, perhaps the most important
Jewish prophet, was given the Torah – law on Mount Sinai by God. The exodus from slavery in
Egypt and the founding of their own country in Canaan established in the minds of the Jews that
they were the chosen people of God. This land is often referred to as the Promised Land because
of God's repeated promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham. The land is described
repeatedly in the Torah as a good land and "a land flowing with milk and honey."
While there was always a small community of Jews in Canaan, historic Palestine, in 73 AD the
Roman Empire dispersed the Jews after an insurrection against Roman authority. Most Jews then
lived in Diaspora, as minorities in their communities, until the founding of the state of Israel in
1948.
Judaism: Holy Texts
The Jewish Holy book is the Torah (Sacred Writings) and consists of the five books of Moses:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. There are within the Torah 613
commandments which are the basis of the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish
people. Also of significance are the books of the prophets, and the Talmud.
Judaism: Beliefs
God has given the Torah to the Jews as a means of showing in practice what an obedient and
holy life is like. Jews look forward to God’s Kingdom being established on earth, which has
traditionally been connected with the coming of the Messiah. In Judaism, actions are far more
important than beliefs, thus obeying the law (Torah) is doing God’s will and showing respect and
love for God. The interpretation and application of what is required is found in the Talmud
which is an integral part of the life and beliefs of Jews. The Talmud contains six orders: prayers
and agricultural laws, matters concerned with Shabbat and festivals, marital and divorce laws,
civil and criminal law, laws of sacrifice and Temple ritual, and laws on personal and religious
purity. One common belief of Jews is for each person to give ten percent of their income to
charity. Jews also believe men and women are equal (but traditional Judaism prescribes different
roles for men and women). Another common belief among Jews are the adherence to dietary
laws (kosher) maintain that Jews should not consume pork or certain seafood, other meat must be
killed by kosher method, and meat and dairy should be separated. For Jews, the holiest city is
Jerusalem. Jews forbid images and statues of humans, believing this represents idolatry.
Judaism: God
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, in which God is under the name Yahweh or Jehovah. Jews
believe there is one universal God, as he has revealed himself through the Prophets (Abraham &
Moses). Jews believe God is the creator of everything, has no physical form, is omniscient, is
eternal, and is holy and perfect.
Judaism: Worship
Jewish worship is undertaken at a synagogue (sometimes called a temple by reform Jews). The
holy day is Saturday (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) and is known as Shabbat. There are
many different festivals celebrated by Jews.
Christianity: The After Life
Christians believe in life after death as an everlasting union with God. Christians believe that
they have only one life, and they will be judged according to accepting Jesus and following his
teachings. Christians believe that after life, the soul ascends to heaven for God’s judgment.
Those who live according to God’s will would go to heaven and those would do not, would go to
hell, a place of torture and punishment.
Christianity: Organization & Hierarchy
As Christianity spread throughout the world different groups began to disagree over different
aspects and the Church began to split up into different branches. A formal division opened up in
1054 between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. In the middle ages the Protestant
Reformation further divided the groups within Western Christianity, the main denominations
(groups) today are: Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestant.
Within each sect of Christianity is a highly defined hierarchy, particularly within Catholicism
(Pope, Cardinals, Bishops) and Orthodox. Although it depends on the sect, Christian groups are
often led by Priests, Ministers, or Pastors.
Christianity: Holy Texts
Central to Christian beliefs and practices is the Bible which is made up of the New Testament
which details the life of Jesus and the early Church and the Old Testament which is more or less
the same as the Jewish Scriptures. Other important texts are the creeds – the Apostles' creed and
the Nicene creed which are summaries of the beliefs formulated in the early years of Christianity.
The teachings of the early Church Fathers are also seen as an important source of authority.
Christianity: Beliefs
The foundation of Christian belief is Jesus, a man born approximately 2000 years ago.
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God. Jesus was crucified and Christians believe that on
the third day after his burial, he rose from the dead. It is believed that Jesus’ resurrection proved
both his divinity and the existence of an after life. The essential Christian duty is to live life
according to the example of Jesus Christ, to love God (through Jesus), to love one’s fellow
human beings as one does oneself and to share the Christian message. Responding in faith to the
grace of God is seen as the way of overcoming sin. Some basic characteristics of the Christian
way of life include: love, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. One
common belief of Christians is for each person to give ten percent of their income to charity.
Christians also believe men and women are equal (but traditional Christianity prescribes different
roles for men and women). Unlike other Abrahamic religions, Christians do not have any dietary
restrictions. For Christians, the holiest city is Jerusalem. Christians allow some statues and
images but they are not to be worshipped.
Christianity: God
Christians believe there is one God, who is seen in three ways – God the Father, God the Son and
God the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Incarnate), who came to earth as a man to
restore the relationship between mankind and God. They believe that God the son was a man
called Jesus. Jesus’ death opened up a pathway to God, they believe that he died for their sins
and opened up this pathway which had previously been cut off due to the sins which humans had
committed. God, as Creator, is the unproduced producer of all that is, who sustains all things in
being. God exists apart from this or any other universe. God’s unchanging nature has been
revealed as one of care and love. God is judge of all that they do, but also seeks to rescue and
help them when they go wrong.
Christianity: Worship
Worship is undertaken in buildings called churches, but "The Church" refers to several things:
yhe total group of Christians, individual religious sects, and the building in which a particular
group worships. Christians believe worshipping in a group is important and this is usually called
a service which takes place in a church on a Sunday (Christians believe that Jesus rose from the
dead on a Sunday). This is known as the Sabbath.
Christianity: Origin
Christianity is a monotheistic religion, arising in the eastern Mediterranean around 32 AD.
Abraham is traditionally considered to be the first prophet of Christianity and to have made a
covenant with God, thus it is sometimes called an Abrahamic religion. Christian faith is rooted
in the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth (0 – 32 AD). It is believed that Jesus was the son of
Mary, who had been impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and born on the Eastern Mediterranean.
Jesus is also believed to be the Son of God. As a result of Jesus’ teachings, Christianity spread
from Palestine and increasingly encompassed people of non-Jewish backgrounds. Christianity
was persecuted under different Roman Emperors until the Emperor Constantine adopted it as the
official religion of the Empire. From the 16th & 17th centuries onward Christianity developed
missionary movements which established the religion throughout the world.
Islam: The After Life
There will be a day of judgment at the end of the world, when the dead will be resurrected and
judged. All will be rewarded according to the deeds done in their life. If the good deeds outweigh
the bad deeds then they will go to heaven if not then they will go to Hell. If a Muslim dies in
Jihad (Holy War) or on Hajj (Pilgrimage) then they go straight to heaven.
Islam: Organization & Hierarchy
Islam is divided up into three sects: Sunnis, Shiites, and Sufis. Sunnis are a moderate sect and
represent the majority of Muslims (around 90%). The word sunni refers to the practice of
Muhammad. They look to Muhammad’s example if situations arise which are not able to be
clarified within the Qur’an. Shiites are a more fundamental group than the Sunnis. They rejected
the first three caliphs (successors to Muhammad) and followed Ali who married
the prophet’s daughter and was the first leader of this party. Because of Ali’s connection to
Muhammad’s bloodline, they claim that they are the true followers of Islam. Sufis are the mystic
sect of Islam. They seek a personal relationship with Allah and do not believe in a rigid
interpretation of the Qur’an.
Islam: Origin
Islam is a monotheistic religion, arising in the Arabian Peninsula. Abraham is traditionally
considered to be the first prophet of Islam and to have made a covenant with God, thus it is
sometimes called an Abrahamic religion. The religion started in Makkah, Arabia in 7th Century
AD, although God’s revelation and religion is much older. His final revelation though was given
to Muhammad who was the seal of the prophets and the holy words (the Qur'an) revealed to him
via the angel Gabriel where the final revelation of God (Allah) to mankind. They recognize the
other prophets such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, but Muhammad is Allah’s final and most
important prophet.
Islam: Holy Texts
Muslims believe that of the books sent down by God only four remain, the laws given to Moses,
psalms given to David, the Gospel given to Jesus, and the Qu’ran given to Muhammad. The
Qu’ran is the holy text which was revealed by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad and within it
covers all areas of how a Muslim should live. The Qur’an contains for a Muslim the actual
words of God and the language it was revealed in, Arabic is seen as very important in order to
understand the real meaning of the words. The first three texts have been corrupted and have
been replaced by the Qur'an. The Qur'an was brought to Muhammad on the Night of Power and
dictated to Muhammad via the angel Gabriel over the rest of his life.
Islam: Beliefs
"Islam" is an Arabic word that includes the concept of submitting to the will of God, thereby
achieving peace and security. They believe in the books revealed by God, angels, the day of
judgment, life after death, the prophets and the Prophet Muhammad was God’s messenger and
his seal. A Muslim’s beliefs and values are found in the Five Pillars of Islam which are
obligatory. They are:
1. Affirmation in God – ‘There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.’ To
become a Muslim you need only utter the words, ‘There is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet’, in front of witnesses and you have become a Muslim.
2. Prayer – Muslims must perform set prayers in the direction of Makkah 5 times a day.
3. Fasting – Each day during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the lunar
calendar, a Muslim is not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.
4. Alms – Giving a compulsory percentage of income (2.5%) to the poor is required, either
through an Imam at the Mosque or to a specific charity by the individual.
5. Pilgrimage – Muslims must make a pilgrimage or Hajj to the holy city Makkah at least
once during a Muslim’s lifetime, if physically able.
One common belief of Muslims is for each person to give 2.5 percent of their total wealth to
charity each year. Muslims also believe men and women should worship separately. Another
common belief among Muslims are the adherence to dietary laws that maintain that Muslims
should not consume pork, other meat must be prepared by halal method, and alcohol should
never be consumed. For Muslims, the holiest city is Makkah, although Medinah and Jerusalem
are also significant places. Muslims strictly forbid images and statues of humans, believing this
represents idolatry.
Islam: God
Muslims believe there is only one God called Allah. Allah created the world, and he is all
powerful, omnipotent, eternal, beyond time and is present with Muslims all the time. Angels are
the messengers of Allah, they are sinless beings created out of light. Of the four archangels
Gabriel was the medium used to reveal Allah’s words to Muhammad. The devil is called Shaitan
or Iblis and is a fallen angel. Other beings are called jinn and they can be either good or bad and
they inhabit the human world.
Islam: Worship
The main place of worship for Muslims is the Mosque (from an Arabic word meaning ‘place of
prostration’). Prayers are undertaken five times a day and the person praying must always be
facing towards Makkah. The times the prayers have specific postures which Muslims have to
undertake and should be undertaken are at dawn, at midday, late afternoon, after sunset, and later
in the evening. Prior to the prayers Muslims must ceremonially wash themselves. The prayers
are in always in Arabic and led by Imam who are teachers who have studied the Qur’an.