1. Prologue Section 2 Judeo-Christian Tradition
Objective: Examine the impact of religious values & democratic thinking
Vocabulary: Judaism, Ten Commandments, Christianity, Islam, Roman Catholic Church, Renaissance, & Reformation
What are some religious traditions that you or your family practices?
How might religion affect different types of government? Give examples & justify your reasoning.

2. Setting the Stage
Ideas from 3 monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, & Islam) helped to shape democratic traditions
Their ideas about the worth of individuals & the responsibility of individuals to the community had a strong impact on the development of democracy

3. Judaism
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, they believe that God chose Abraham to be the father of the Hebrew people
Basic laws & teaching of Judaism come from the holy book called the Torah
The Torah states that human beings were created in God’s image
The Hebrews believe people are responsible for the choices they make
This is the old testament
God gives people the choice between good & evil

4. Jewish Law Teaches Morality
The Jews had a written code of law
This code of law was believed to be given to Moses in the form of the Ten Commandments
Their code focused more on morality & ethics & less on politics
Prophets emerged in the 8th century B.C. & were messengers from God

5. Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth was born around 4-6 B.C. (he was both a Jew & a Roman subject)
Jesus preached the importance of people’s love for God, their neighbors, their enemies, & themselves
A Roman governor considered him a political threat & crucified him
Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe was the Son of God
People started to refer to him as the “king of the jews”
Consider him a messiah or savior – greek term for christ

6. The Spread of Christianity
The teachings of Jesus were recorded in the New Testament of the Bible
The apostle Paul, had an enormous influence on Christianity’s development
Paul declared that Christianity was a universal religion
The Roman Empire was hostile to the believers of Judaism & Christianity
Eventually Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire
Paul wrote letters all around teaching Christians about the world of Jesus
They would persecute Jews & Christians
Constantine first to convert

7. Islam Islam is based on the teaching of Prophet Muhammad
The followers are known as Muslims who worship god who is called Allah in Arabic
Islam has close ties to the prophets/teachers of Judaism & Christianity
The holy book of the Muslims is the Qur’an
Muhammad believed in the unity of all people that would led to tolerance of different groups within the community
Believe Jesus was a prophet
Muslims are required to show tolerance to Jews & Christians

8. The Legacy of Monotheistic Religion
Several things emerged from monotheism that helped shaped democratic ideas
The duty of the individual & the community to combat oppression
The worth of the individual
The equality of people before God

9. Renaissance & Reformation
The Roman Catholic Church developed from Roman Christianity
The Roman Catholic Church influenced all aspects of life – religious, social, & political

10. Renaissance Revives Classical Ideas
Renaissance – was renewed interest in classical culture beginning in Italy
They began to educate some men for public service rather than just service to the Church
Writers became critical of the Church for a variety of reasons
People began to explore ideas about political power & the role of government in the lives of ordinary people

11. The Reformation Challenges Church Power
Reformation: religious reform movement that began in the 16th century
They protested against the power & abuses of the Church
1517, Martin Luther criticized the Church’s practice of selling pardons for sins
This reform movement created a new division of Christianity – Protestantism
Protestantism then broke into different denominations

12. Legacy of the Renaissance & Reformation
By challenging the authority of monarchs & popes, the Reformation indirectly contributed to the growth of democracy
Both the Renaissance & the Reformation placed emphasis on the individual