1. Review from Introductory Class
Timeline of Religions
Family Tree of Religions
Number of Adherents for each religion

2. Timeline of Religions Hinduism Buddhism Islam
BCE CE
Judaism Christianity
The Gregorian Calendar is based on Christ being born in 1 CE – he was actually born between 6 – 4 BCE
The Jews base their calendar on creation being in the year 3761, so for the Jews, they are in their 5777th year
Islam’s calendar begins in 622 BCE – the year Muhammad migrated to Mecca. They are in their 1438th year

3. Origin of Religions Timeline & Founder
Hinduism – 3000 BCE - Indus Valley (no founder)
Judaism – 2000 BCE - Abraham
Buddhism – 560 BCE - The Buddha
Christianity – 30 CE - Jesus Christ
Islam – 610 CE Mohammad

4. Religion Tree Handout Polytheistic – belief in many gods Hindu
Monotheistic – belief in one god
Judaism
Orthodox, Reform, Conservative
Christian
Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox
Islam
Sunni, Shia
Nontheistic
Atheistic – does not believe in god(s)
Agnostic - believes that God’s existence cannot be proven nor disproven

5. Number of Adherents for Religions
Christian – 2 billion
Catholic billion
Orthodox – 225 million
Protestant million
Other (Mormon, 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witness) 128.2
million
Islam – 1.3 billion
Sunnah 940 million
Shia 120 million
Non-Adherent (Secular, Atheist, Agnostic) 1.1 billion
Hinduism – 900 million
Buddhism – 360 million
Judaism – 14 million

6. The Children of Abraham: the Western Religions
Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam

7. Western: Judaism, Christianity, Islam Eastern: Hinduism, Buddhism
Western religions founded in:
Judaism – Israel
Christianity – Israel
Islam – Saudi Arabia
Old maps frequently put Jerusalem in the center of the world, with anything east of it as East (Orient), especially India and China. 
Although Islam began in the Near East, it spread both east and west.  Because it has roots in Christianity and Judaism, it's lumped in with those religions, which are predominately associated with Europe, i.e. the West. 

8. Differences between Western & Eastern Religions
Western religions are more scripturally-based and history-based; while Eastern religions based more importance on teachings
Eastern religions deal with “circular” time; the religions of Abraham deal with “linear” time
Eastern religions live within the midst of the divine, while the religions of Abraham are separated from the divine (God), and strive to get back to the divine
1:31
Video on how the Western and Eastern religions differ

9. Abraham: Father of 3 Religions
The Biblical prophet Abraham is a central religious figure for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
He is claimed by each as a biological ancestor:
Jews (and thus Christians) trace their descent through Isaac, Abraham's son by his wife Sarah
Muslims claim descent through Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Sarah's handmaid Hagar (see Genesis 16 and 21).

10. How the 3 Abrahamic Religions view God
All believe in one supreme God as sole power in universe.
Judaism and Islam profess a strict monotheism (belief in one God) that sees this God as utterly undivided
Christian doctrine of the Trinity describes this One God as having three separate Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

11. Other Similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
All three have written scriptures from God for human guidance.
God makes demands for worship; followers are to live their lives according to certain standards.
Disobeying these commands bring punishment, while adhering to them brings rewards, both on earth and in heaven.
All three stress moral responsibility to build a society in harmony with this moral law.

12. Similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
All three traditions accept the existence of angels, who act as messengers to humans
All three believe in prophecy/prophets; that certain humans can be designated as channels for God’s commands.
History – This is a God who reveals himself in history. One can discern His purpose by studying the course of events.

13. How Jews, Christians, & Muslims Relate
Most Jews and Christians in the U.S. are aware of their common tradition in the Bible.
Jews and Christians are also aware that they differ on whether Jesus is the Messiah.
In comparison, only a few Jews, Christians, and Muslims are aware that they share a religious tradition that derives from a common patriarch of faith, Abraham.

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