1. Judeo-Christian Traditions:
Religious Ethics Contribute to
Ideas of Government & Society

2. Do Now: Review Commandments 5-10, which do you think is most important?

3. Contributions of Judaism
Monotheism
One universal God
Human Dignity
People have worth, dignity & are created in “image of God”
Covenant (Abraham)
Ten Commandments (Moses)
God to people
People to People
Diaspora spreads ideas
RULE OF LAW!

4. Contributions of Christianity
Human worth, love, charity, dignity, equality… for EVERYBODY even poor, women, outsiders
Love your Neighbor + Golden Rule
Message: Humanity is fallen, Jesus (Messiah) saves! You CAN have a personal relationship with God ONLY thru Jesus!
Faith by choice… Believe = Salvation!
Message spreads person to person… Roman roads, in Roman areas & beyond

5. Contributions of Christianity
Faith (required) is belief that goes beyond reason.. Huh?
Thomas Aquinas: Faith + Reason = Harmony
Church Changes
Growth >> Hierarchy / bureaucracy set up
Split: Roman Catholic (W) & Orthodox (E)
After Rome fell Church was #1
ORDER – PROTECTION – POWER – WEALTH
Church + Muslims saved G / R knowledge

6. How do Judeo-Christian Ideas contribute to our democratic ideas of government?
Concept of human worth
Moral & Ethical principles guide leaders
Basis of Western law, justice