1. Societies of Faith- The Rise of monotheism
Judaism, Christianity & Islam

2. What do you already know about these three religions?

3. Roots of Judaism
The beginning of Judaism is traced back to a land called Canaan which was settled near major ports of trade & home to the Hebrews.
According to the Torah- Jewish holy book- Abraham was chosen by God to lead the Hebrew people if he would spread the word.
In exchange God would give him a kingdom and Abraham moved to Canaan about 1800 B.C.
Abraham went around what we call the Middle East today preaching Judaism to its inhabitants and Judaism was born.

4. Roots of Judaism
Abraham’s message was different than what most people believed since many people were polytheistic.
Abraham preached that Yahweh (God) would protect them if they worshiped him which became known as the covenant.
The Hebrew people migrated to Egypt most likely due to a drought where they were forced into slavery.
According to the Torah, it was here that Mosses led the Hebrews out of Egypt & while crossing the Sinai Desert Mosses ascended a mountain, talked with God & returned with the 10 Commandments & led them back to Canaan where they settled.

5. Beliefs of Jews The foundation of Judaism is the 10 Commandments:
follow only God
pray regularly
don’t kill
don’t cheat on your spouse
don’t steal
don’t take your neighbor’s things
respect your parents
Jews pray in synagogues and are built so that the people pray toward Jerusalem.

6. Beliefs of Jews
The Sabbath is the Jewish days of prayer- Friday night to Saturday night.
When Jews reach the age of 13 they are considered as a religious adult which is celebrated by a bar mitzvah.
Rosh Hashanah is a 1-2 day celebration of the new year.
Passover is a 7-8 day celebration for the Jews being led out of slavery in Egypt.
Hanukkah is a celebration of the rebuilding of a Jewish temple that was destroyed by the Syrians.
Judaism is the first and oldest monotheistic world religion.

7. Temple Mount
Said to be the site where Abraham demonstrated his devotion to God by taking his son Isaac to be sacrificed. The mount is also the site of both ancient Jewish temples.

8. Visitors to the wall have long followed the practice of wedging small slips of paper, upon which prayers and petitions are written, into the cracks between the stones.

9. Roots of Christianity
The beginning of Christianity is traced to the birth of Jesus about 5 B.C. in Bethlehem (northern Palestine).
Jesus began his ministry when he was about 30.
Much of what Jesus preached came from Judaism such as monotheism, the 10 Commandments and loving thy neighbor.
Much of what is know about Jesus comes from the writing of the apostles, Jesus followers, and become the text of the Bible.
Jesus’ popularity also became his downfall.
Both Jews & Romans found his teachings threatening to their beliefs/ authority & was crucified in Jerusalem in about 30 A.D.

11. The Spread of Christianity
One of the most influential people that led Christianity to become a major world religion was another Jew, Paul.
Originally a non-believer in Christianity, Paul has a vision of Jesus & began preaching about 5 years after Jesus was crucified.
Paul used the structure of the Roman Empire to successfully spread Christianity.
As Rome’s power declined persecution of Christians intensified.
Despite this by the end of the 3rd century Christianity became a dominate force & in 312 Roman Emperor Constantine officially adopted the religion.

12. Beliefs of Christians 10 Commandments
Embraces all people- men, women, slaves, rich, poor, etc.
Promises eternal life after death
Sundays are a day of worship
The Old & New Testaments make up the holy book (Bible)
Christmas & Easter are the two holiest days
3 major sects (sub groups)- Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox
2 Billion + members make it the largest world religion

13. Temple Mount
The Temple Mount holds significance for Christians as the place where Jesus issued his challenge against the Temple authorities.

15. What is similar and what is different about Christianity from Judaism?

16. Roots of Islam
The Arabian Peninsula is where three continents meet: Africa, Asia & Europe.
Although mostly unlivable, Arabia was a very import path along trade routes.
Since the 500’s a western Arabian town called Mecca was home to many religious people- Christians, Jews & Pagans.
Many people in Mecca who practiced monotheism prayed to Allah, the Arabic name for God.

18. The Spread of Islam Around 570 A.D. a man named Muhammad was born.
Muhammad, always a religious man, at the age of 40 had a vision from the angel Gabriel who told him he was the last prophet & to spread the word of Allah, which he called Islam.
In Arabic Islam means submission to the will of Allah.
The followers of Islam are called Muslims: one who has submitted.
After this vision, Muhammad began preaching Islam in Mecca which was well received by some but also threatening to others.

19. Muhammad & Islam
Some of his followers were attacked so in 622 Muhammad left Mecca for Medina 200 miles away.
This became a religious journey called the Hijrah that Muslims today still take.
In 630 Muhammad & many followers returned to Mecca to continue to spread the word.
Two years later at 62 Muhammad died.
After Muhammad’s death Islam would explode as a world religion.

20. Beliefs of Muslims
An important aspect of Islam are the 5 Pillars of Islam.
Faith: Allah is the one true God.
Prayer: 5 times a day toward Mecca.
Alms: Giving money to the poor.
Fasting: During Ramadan no eating while sun’s up.
Pilgrimage: All who can take the hajj or journey to Mecca.
Muslim churches are called mosques.
The holy book of Islam is the Qur’an or Koran.

21. Beliefs of Muslims
The Qur’an is written in Arabic, Muslims believe only the Arabic version is the true word of Allah.
The Qur’an says to extend religious tolerance to Christians and Jews.
Other guidelines include not eating pork, not drinking intoxicating beverages and setting aside Fridays for worship.
Muslims believe in the same God as Christians & Jews
All three religions believe in heaven and hell.

22. The Ka’aba

23. Dome of the Rock
Where Muhammad ascended to heaven, placed on top of the Temple Mount.

25. What is similar and what is different about Islam from Judaism & Christianity?