Middle East: The Birthplace of Religion EQ: How does the presence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam within the same region influence the development of the region?

Judaism Oldest major religion First to teach monotheism Trace ancestry to Abraham Descendants of Hebrews (Israelites) Three main sects: Orthodox, Conservative, & Reformed

Lineage is 4,000 years old

Judaism/Beliefs/Teachings Only one God Based on their holy book; how to worship & how to live a moral life Pass on Jewish traditions to their families Supreme God: Yahweh

Judaism/Covenant with God Special agreement/ promise with God Ten Commandments from Moses Place of Worship- God’s Chosen People & would live in a promised land called Canaan (Now Jerusalem, Israel) Assures Jews of God’s love & protection

Holy Book Hebrew Bible, called the Torah (Old Testament) First 5 books crucial Contains basic laws & describes history Talmud, serves as “guide”

Judaism/Structure Synagogue - house of worship Rabbi - spiritual leader Does not actively try to convince others to convert to Jewish faith Give to the needy to create justice in the world

Holy Days/Festivals Sabbath (Day of Rest) is Saturday Rosh Hashanah, New Year Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement Hanukkah, Feast of Lights Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah Passover, freedom from Egypt

Judaism/Orthodox Customs Do not eat pork or shellfish Store meat & milk products separately Separate sets of utensils Kosher, means ritually correct Do not work, travel, or carry money on the Sabbath

Christianity Largest religious group monotheistic based on life & teachings of Jesus, the Messiah almost 2000 years old humanity can achieve salvation through Jesus 3 main sects: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, & Protestant

Spread of Christianity Spread orally by 12 apostles first Christians were Jews New Testament, written record of life & teachings of Jesus Started with the Birth Of Jesus in Bethlehem, Israel

Christianity/Beliefs/Teachings Only one God God created the universe God sent son, Jesus, to help people fulfill their religious duties Holy Trinity, God has 3 parts 2 important practices: baptism & Holy Communion

Christianity/Holy Book/Holy Days Bible, Old & New Testament Sabbath Lent, preparation for Easter Palm Sunday Good Friday Easter Christmas

Islam Fastest spreading religion originated in Middle East around 610 A.D. Muhammad had a vision calling him to be a prophet of God Two major sects: Sunni & Shi’i

Spread of Islam First spread orally Koran, holy book Muslims consider the Koran the words of God as spoken to Muhammad

Islam/Beliefs/Teachings Monotheistic Belief in series of prophets, including Moses & Jesus Belief in a Day of Judgment forbids lying, stealing, adultery, & murder Belief in God’s mysterious will

Islam/Holy Book/Holy Days Koran, contains history of Muhammad’s search for God Outlines goal: living according to God’s guidance Foundation for Islamic social law Moral behavior Muhammad's birthday

Islam/Customs Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms (2.5%), Fasting, Pilgrimage Dietary laws, do not allow pork or alcohol Major celebration when a child memorizes the entire Koran Mosque, holy place of worship Imam, prayer leader, selected by the followers

Comparison: Judaism/Christianity/Islam all three are monotheistic all three acknowledge Abraham as the patriarch of their faith each has a holy book each has a specific place of worship each one has a different view about Jesus Christ some of these religions share common holy sites in the region but also have their own unique holy sites