1. THE THREE GREAT RELIGIONS
OF THE MIDDLE EAST

2. Birthplace of Three Religions
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their roots in the Middle East
Judaism – Abraham (Mesopotamia)
Christianity-Jesus Christ (Israel)
Islam – Muhammad (Saudi Arabia)
All are monotheistic

3. Jerusalem/Dome of the Rock
Judaism – Abraham & Isaac, King Solomon’s Temple
Christianity-Abraham & Isaac
Islam – Spot where Mohammad ascended into heaven

4. JUDAISM Judaism is the oldest religion
Abraham is regarded as the father and founder of the Jewish religion
God made a covenant with Abraham
Moses led the Jews out of Captivity
God gave the Jewish people the Ten Commandments
Holy Book – Torah -1st 5 books of the Bible
Synagogue – Jewish house of Worship
Jehovah – True God of the Bible
Rabbi – Spiritual Leader

5. CHRISTIANITY Jesus – Founder of Christianity Crucifixion/Resurrection
Cross – Symbol of Christianity
Largest religion in the world
Holy Book – Bible – Stories of Jesus’ journeys and all he did
Church – Place of Worship
Spiritual leader – Minister

6. ISLAM 2ND Largest religion in the world
Based on beliefs on Jews & Christians
Abraham is the 1st important figure
Belief in same single God
Follows teachings of Muhammad
Holy Book – Koran
God – Allah
House of Worship – Mosque
Must complete 5 Pillars of Faith
Declaration of Faith
Pray Five Times a Day
Give to the Poor
Fasting During Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca

7. EXIT ASSIGNMENT Compare and contrast the religions of the Middle East in a well constructed paragraph.

8. RELIGIONS OF THE FAR EAST
These religions have no gods like Allah, but advocate ethical and moral principles designed to improve the believer's relationship with the universe….

9. HINDUISM

10. HINDUISM Polytheistic believe in many Gods Earliest records are Aryan
Sanskrit – Language of Aryans
Aryan Priests
Poems & Hymns – collections – Vedas
Brahman – Universal spirit present in all living things –creates & destroys life
Forbid killing of animals –Cow is Sacred
Reincarnation
One reaches a state of perfection – moksha – self merges with Brahman
Belief in Caste System - Karma

11. BUDDHISM

12. BUDDHISM
Follow teaching of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha –eliminate suffering
Enlightenment –realizing the truth
Believe in no God
House of Worship - temple
Believe World is imperfect –Buddha
Karma Dharma, Reincarnation
Goal – Reach Nirvana
Reject Caste System
Four Noble Truths
Life is full of suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
Eliminate Suffering by eliminating desire
Eliminate desire by following Eightfold Path

13. CONFUCIANISM

14. CONFUCIANISM A Philosophy Founder – Confucius – Supreme Sage
No place of worship
Consists of teachings of Confucius –to become a person of moral quality
Major Scripture – Analects
FIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Ruler to Subject
Father to Son
Husband to Wife
Elder Brother to Younger Brother
Friend to Friend

15. REFLECTION
Read over the facts on the religions of the Middle and Far East? What are the major differences between them?