ONE Belief in one or more gods Antonym: Atheistic: belief that there is no God or Supreme Being(s) Antonym : Poly: Many

BTW: The crescent moon is not uniformly accepted by Muslims as a symbol of the faith. It is, in fact, somewhat controversial b/c of its prior representation of polytheistic religions in the region before Islam grew. Judaism Islam Christianity

-Oldest of the 3 major Monotheistic religions (~3,500 yrs ago) -Beliefs recorded in 5 sacred texts  (Holy) Torah -Torah records the Covenant : Agreement between God and Hebrews (Jews) -They would be God’s “chosen people” if they obeyed his laws -10 commandments Laws Jews must obey (given to Moses) -i.e: No stealing, killing, lying, cheating, belief in only one God -Settled in Israel ( AKA: Palestine during certain parts of history ) -Forced to leave by Romans  Diaspora Founded by Abraham

-Area of Palestine: -contested holy land for all 3 monotheistic religions -Includes parts of present-day Israel and Jordan Fast Facts: -Day of worship: Friday night- Saturday night -Place of worship: Synagogue -Religious leader: Rabbi Followers: Called  Jews, Hebrews, Israelites (13-14 million) Sacred Language: Hebrew-Main Prophet/Founder: Ark  Holds Torah  faces JerusalemAbraham Dietary Laws: Kashrut  Aka: Kosher

Countries with Largest Jewish Populations RankCountryJews % of World Jewish Population 1Israel5,313, % 2United States5,275, % 3France491,5003.8% 4Canada373,5002.9% 5United Kingdom297,0002.3% 6Russia228,0001.7% 7Argentina184,5001.4% 8Germany118,0000.9% 9Australia103,0000.8% 10Brazil96,5000.7% 11Ukraine80,0000.6% 12South Africa72,0000.6% 13Hungary49,7000.4% 14Mexico39,8000.3% 15Belgium31,2000.2%

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals. -Must have: 1. Land Animals: Cloven hooves and chews cud -eg: Sheep, cattle, goats, deer (no pig) 2. Seafood: must have fins and scales -eg: no shellfish (lobster, crab, oysters, shrimp, etc) 3. Birds: must not be birds of prey or scavengers 4. Rodents, reptiles, amphibians forbidden 2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law. -Can’t have died of natural causes or killed by another animal -No diseases -Ritual slaughter- sharpened blade across throat 3. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten. -Quick and complete draining of blood. Only birds/mammals- not fish -From the Torah- do not eat blood because the life of the animal is contained in the blood -Rest must be boiled, soaked, or salted 4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten. -Certain fats and nerves (ie: sciatic nerve)

5. Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat). 6. Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot. 7. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten. -B/c of association with idolatry with previous pagan religions. -Whole grapes are okay -Mostly deals with wine and grape juice.

Torah Ark 10 commandments

Began in 33 AD with the crucifixion of Jesus Jerusalem is important b/c it is where Jesus was born and taught -Also, b/c Jewish prophets spoke of one Almighty God. Gospels – The recorded teachings of Jesus in the New Testament -Jesus’ teachings were based on Jewish traditions -10 Commandments- Laws given to Moses by God -Stressed moral ideals over laws of Judaism -Some Jews thought Jesus was a prophet and Messiah Leader God promised would save Jews -Christians faced persecution from Jews and polytheistic religions of Romans and others Harass or oppress based on religion, race, or beliefs

FAST FACTS: Day of worship: Sunday Place of worship: Church Religious leaders: Priest, Minister, Preacher, Pope (Catholicism) Followers: called Christians (~2 billion) Sacred Book: Bible Main Prophet/Founder: Jesus

-Began in 610 AD -Muhammad heard God speak to him through Gabriel outside Mecca Angel Merchant born in 570 AD. Orphaned by age of 6. Grew up With uncle leading camel caravans across the desert -Quran-Book that contains recordings of Muhammad’s revelations Revealing of communication “Submission to God” Muhammad accepted Torah and New Testament as God’s word. -Jews and Christians considered “People of the Book” -Muhammad considered himself a prophet along with the previous Jewish prophets and Jesus- proclaiming truths about the one God.

SPREAD OF ISLAM: -Muhammad first spread his beliefs in Mecca -Mecca was a center of trade. -Arabs came to trade and worship many gods near the Kaaba Black cube Polytheism -Merchants feared he might cause business to suffer b/c of his belief in one God. Muhammad forced to leave Mecca in 622 AD. -Went to Medina Known as the Hijra

5 Major Religious Practices of Islam There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Prayer- 5 times a day facing Mecca Giving to Charity Fasting during Ramadan Hajj: Trip to Mecca if they are able.

5 Major Religious Practices of Islam There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Prayer- 5 times a day facing Mecca Giving to Charity Fasting during Ramadan Hajj: Trip to Mecca if they are able.

Halal vs. Haram (Foods that are allowed)(Foods that God specifically prohibited) -Anything “good”- pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, pleasing to the taste. -Basically anything not specifically forbidden -Meat not killed appropriately -Blood -Pork -Alcohol -In interest of: Health, Cleanliness, Obedience to God

FAST FACTS -Day of worship: Friday -Place of worship: Mosque -Religious leader: Imam -Followers: called Muslims (Moslems) - (~1.5 Billion) -Sacred Language: Arabic -Dietary Laws- Halal vs Haram -Major practices: 5 Pillars of Islam -Sacred Book: Quran -Main Prophet/Founder: Muhammad