Religion: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Brief History 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. It was after his death when 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

Followers Called: Clergy Called: Judaism – Jews Christianity – Christians Islam – Muslims Clergy Called: Judaism – rabbis Christianity – bishop, pastor, ministers, priest Islam - imams

House of Worship Judaism – synagogue or temple Christianity – church, cathedral, chapel Islam – mosque Day of Worship Judaism – Saturday Christianity – Sunday Islam - Friday

Original Language Names of God Judaism – Hebrew Christianity – Aramaic and Greek Islam – Arabic Names of God Judaism – Yahweh and Elohim Christianity – God, the Trinity Islam - Allah

Major Locations TODAY Judaism – Europe, Israel, North America Christianity – Europe, North and South America Islam – Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia

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

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

Sacred Texts Judaism – Hebrew Bible Christianity – Old Testament and New Testament Islam – Qur’an (Koran)

All are monotheistic Judaism – One God Christianity – Trinity (God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) Islam – One God

Divine Revelation 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

Bell Ringer Get your notebook out and write TWO things EACH about the following about yesterday’s lesson: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Do NOT use your notes!! Keep your notebooks out in case we need them. This should only take 5 minutes at the most. Do it silently as I take role.

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

Five Pillars of Islam A statement of faith- believing in Allah and Mohammed Prayer (five times a day in the direction of Mecca) Charity (giving to those in need) Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime (called the Hajj) Fasting (during the month of Ramadan)

Afterlife Judaism – eternal heaven, or no afterlife Christianity – eternal heaven Islam – eternal paradise (heaven) Judaism - eternal hell, or no afterlife Christianity – eternal hell Islam – eternal hell

Symbols Judaism – Star of David Christianity – cross Islam – crescent with name of Allah in Arabic

View of Fellow Abrahamic Religions Judaism – “Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism.” Christianity – “Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.” Islam – “Jews and Christians are respected as fellow believers, but with wrong beliefs and only partial revelation.”

Judaism The Western Wall The Star of David

Christianity Cross and Ichthus St. Peter’s Basilica- Vatican City, Rome Christianity Cross and Ichthus Advent- 4 weeks before Christmas

Islam The Dome of the Rock Mecca