1. Southwest Asia… birthplace of the three Abrahamic religions.

2. Judaism: A Brief History
Oldest, monotheistic
Abraham 1st prophet and Jew
Roman empire kicks Jews off homeland (Diaspora)
Jews return in 1948 to establish Israel
Judaism in Israel and America
Orthodox Judaism is main form of religion in Israel (gov’t and religion work as one, theocracy)…less conservative Judaism recognized
½ of Jews are secular (non-religious)
15-20% are orthodox (conservative/strict)
Many traditionally observe but are not Orthodox
Many see Judaism as culture rather than religion
What Jews Believe
Believe in 1 god and prophet, Moses is important, holy book is Torah
Observance is more about actions about how to live your life, rather than arguing beliefs
Jewish law covers diet, marriage, birth and death, prayer, how to observe holidays
Judaism’s views of Christianity and Islam
Jews don’t believe that Jesus was Son of God or a prophet (messiah, Christianity)
Do not believe in the teachings Muhammad (Islam)

3. Maronite church: Syria, Lebanon
Christianity: a brief history
Christianity is offshoot of Judaism
Christian communities got in trouble for worshipping until Roman king converted to Christianity, made it official religion of empire
Eastern Orthodox church leaves 1054 CE, mad about politics and differences
16th century Martin Luther leads Protestant Reformation for same reasons (Baptists, Methodist, Lutheran, etc)
Christianity in the Middle East
 Many different denominations/sects of Christians throughout ME (tied to their ethnic culture)
Coptic church: Egypt
Maronite church: Syria, Lebanon
What Christians believe
 Jesus is founder, from Roman controlled Palestine
Old Testament = Jewish Torah…New Testament= stuff Jesus said written by his followers
God is in 3 forms: the father, son (JC), and holy spirit
Jesus is son of god sent to earth as redemption for man’s sins
Ascended to heaven after crucified by Romans
Good people reside in heaven with god after death
Sinners go to hell
Christianity’s views of Judaism and Islam
 Do not follow Jewish law
Do no accept Muhammad as a prophet (stops at Jesus)
Islam went against the Roman empire
Crusades: Islam vs. Christianity series of wars to regain control of ME

4. Nomadic tribes of Arabia, Mecca, 7th century
Islam: a brief history
Nomadic tribes of Arabia, Mecca, 7th century
Expanded into surrounding empires, North Africa, Europe, and Central Asia
Later Sub-Saharan Africa, and S and SE Asia
Blended with local cultures of new regions
Impacted European culture
Indonesia: syncretism with animistic religion, largest Muslim population in the world
Who are the Sunnis?
Majority 90%
“People of the tradition”
Follow all teachings of Muhammad…after he dies teachings are by his closest followers (don’t have to related)
Who are the Shia?
10%...Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Yemen
Muhammad teachings through bloodline (cousin Ali)
Caliphate: Islam in the government
Succession after Ali dies go to his sons but they die from poison and in battle

5. Muhammad gets revelation from Allah (Arabic word for god)
What Muslims believe
Muhammad gets revelation from
Allah (Arabic word for god)
Holy book is Quran (Koran)
5 pillars of Islam: how to worship: faith, charity, prayer, hajj (journey), fasting
Calendar: based on events in Muhammad's life and the moon (lunar)
Islam’s view of Judaism and Christianity
Earlier versions of Islam (Muhammad is last and final prophet in line)
Recognizes other prophets similarities in diet, etc.)
Muhammad is a prophet and not to be idolized, not depicted in art

6. Judaism and the Hebrew Tribes
c BCE Torah becomes most sacred book for the Jewish people.
Jews are persecuted in Egypt, flee to Palestine (Exodus)
Abraham has covenant (agreements) with God (Yahweh) in return he will protect the “chosen people” and their land
Believe that the Messiah has not come yet.
Ancient Palestine

7. Christianity Jesus as Messiah. Jerusalem and Bethlehem holy/sacred.
The Romans come to Palestine.
Apostles spread the word of Jesus, becomes Christianity. Romans eventually “believe” and spread Christianity.
Add the “New Testament” to the Torah/Old Testament becomes “The Bible”

8. Islam
610 CE Mohammad receives the word of God from the angel Gabriel. His revelations are eventually compiled to become the Qur’an.
Allah is the same God as the Christian and Jewish God, in Arabic he is called “Allah”
Prophet Mohammad is the last in a line of Prophets which include Jesus, Adam, and Moses.
Five Pillars of Faith.
Sharia: body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.
Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.