Judaism & Christian Tradition Prologue Section 2

Essential Questions How did Judeo-Christian traditions support the central idea of democracy?

MAIN IDEA- (Cultural Interaction) Judaism and Christianity taught individual worth, ethical values, and the need to fight injustice. WHY IT MATTERS NOW- These Ideas continue to be important to democracy today.

SETTING THE STAGE Judaism, Christianity and Islam Shaped Democratic Traditions 1. Monotheistic: belief in one God 2. Small Corner of South West Asia 3. Worth of Individuals 4. Responsibility of individuals to the community * Led to ideas about value of individual and challenging authority (During the Renaissance and Reformation)

Hebrews or Jews Monotheistic- (One God) Who was All-, Knowing, All Powerful, and Eternal. Hebrews- Felt Moral Life is Gods Wish. Most other groups around Hebrews were Polytheistic- Performed rituals and sacrifices. In Honor of Their Many Gods.

Judaism Torah: 1800 BC. Hebrew bible (Old Testament) Made of 5 books Man is created in God’s Image – Individuals have value, and are unique Made from god (Divine Spark = Dignity that can not be taken) (Greeks and Romans had Dignity due to ability to reason)

Jewish Law Man has moral freedom Reason: Capacity for logical, rational and analytical thought Use reason to choose between right and wrong Each Person Responsible for decisions they make

Jewish Code of Law Like the Greeks, Romans, and others Jews had a written code of law.

Ten Commandments Jewish Law 1300-1200 BC Written code of Law given to Moses Focused on morality and ethics, NOT on politics Social and religious behavior that even the rulers were subject to

1-4 5-10 Morality: mans relationship with god. Ethics: mans relationship with fellow man.

Emergence of Prophets 8th Cent B.C. Jewish religious thought expands : Due to Prophets Leaders and teachers- who were believed by the Jews to be direct messengers from God Protested war, oppression, and Greed Strengthened Jews social conscience

Roman Expansion Around 63 B.C. Rome took control of Judea the homeland of the Jews

Christianity Jesus Christ Born around 4B.C. Began Teaching around the age of 30 Many ideas from Jewish tradition ( monotheism, and 10 commandments) Born around 4B.C. Jew and a Roman subject Taught about God’s relationship to the individual

The Teachings of Christianity New Testament Encompasses teachings of Jesus and his disciples Love for: God neighbors family enemies and yourself Christians refer to the Torah as the “Old Testament”.

A.D. 29- Jesus Traveled to Jerusalem Called by many “the King of the Jews” Roman Governor felt he was a political threat Governor had Jesus arrested and put to death by crucifixion

Spread of Christianity The Apostle Paul Preached in cities around the E. Mediterranean Disciple of Christ Christianity should welcome all converts (Universal Religion) All human beings are equal central to democracy

Rome Spreads Judeo-Christian Ideas Initially hostile to Jews and Christians Spread Ideas two ways: Indirect and Direct

Rome Spreads Judeo-Christian Ideas Cont. Indirect- Many Jews were exiled to other parts of the world (Shared their Beliefs) Direct- Made Christianity the official religion of the empire ( Was becoming wide spread)

Islam Followers called Muslims Dignity of all Human Beings Brotherhood of people Belief in community (Must help those in need) Rulers had to obey laws like their subjects Tolerance of all groups

Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Fasting Charity Pilgrimage to Mecca

Legacy of Monotheistic Religions Duty of the individual and community to combat oppression. The worth of the individual. Equality of people before God.

The Reformation

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam What are some beliefs of Judaism (Jewish Law)? Why do Jews believe that people are responsible for their own choices? What is the key differences between Christian and Jewish beliefs? What does the religion of Islam emphasize? How did all three religions shape democratic ideas? One thing that all three religions emphasized was individualism (the belief in the inherent dignity and worth of each person) With one partner answer the questions on the left.

Warm Up What belief stressed by the Apostle Paul was central to democracy? Why? How did the Ten Commandments shape democratic ideas? How was the Roman Empire responsible for the further spreading of the Christian religion throughout the world?