1. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

2. Early Beginnings 1400 BCE Hebrews move into Palestine (modern-day Israel) They were shepherds from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) searching for water Kings David and Solomon were very successful Hebrews and Jews were eventually attacked and scattered across the world

3. Diaspora- the movement or migration of people from their ancestral homeland

4. Hebrews + God 1 st to believe in one god (monotheism) Others continued to believe in many gods (polytheism) Yahweh was the name given to God

6. Abraham Founder of monotheism Had a wife – Sarah, God promised them child Sarah was too old to have a child so she told him to have a child w/ Hagar, their servant Abraham had two sons- Ishmael w/ Hagar and Isaac w/ Sarah

7. Abraham’s family tree Hagar – Abraham - Sarah Ishmael Who is Abraham’s rightful heir? Isaac

8. Isaac and Ishmael God promised Abraham and his family all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates Rivers Arabs claim their ancestry to Ishmael Jews claim their ancestry to Isaac This is one of the reasons for the Arab – Israeli conflict

9. Moses 10 Commandments Covenant with God A strict God who demands obedience God as father, protector of his family The dignity of man as opposed to slaves of God These were new concepts

10. Terms Torah – the old testament, Holy Book of the Jews Rabbi – religious teacher Talmud – interpretations of the Torah, writings on the Torah

11. Christianity + Jesus Jesus was born a Jew in Bethlehem Crucified by the Romans, considered a threat to Rome, a dissident Preached about God’s love for the world and the need for people to love one another

12. Christians, unlike Jews and Muslims, believe Jesus was the son of God.

13. Terms Bible – holy book of Christians, includes Old and New Testament Denomination – different kinds of Christians (i.e. Lutheran, Catholic, Pentecostal)

14. Islam Submission to God

15. Muslim- One who submits to God

16. Muhammad – founder of Islam In 622 Muhammad was driven from Mecca, he fled to Medina In Medina he was accepted as a prophet, (a messenger from God) He eventually returned to Mecca and took over the Kabaa Within 100 yrs. Islam had spread through Arabia

18. Koran Main religious text Recorded the word of Allah as told to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel 114 Chapters Topics include ethics, history, theology, and code of conduct

20. 5 Pillars of Islam

21. Salat Pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca

22. Shahada Repeat everyday in Arabic, “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”

23. Zakat Give charity to the needy

24. Hajj At least once in a lifetime a Muslim must visit Mecca

25. Bukhari Fast during the Holy month of Ramadan

26. Islam emphasizes Kindness and forgiveness BrotherhoodCharity Protection of the weak Devotion to God

27. Relationship to others… Jews + Christians are “people of the book” Moses and Jesus are honored as prophets Muslims believe theirs is the only true religion

28. Sunnis and Shi’ites 85% Sunni 15% Shiite Split was caused by a disagreement about who the caliph should be about who the caliph should be Caliph- successor to Muhammad Sunni – follow advisors and those highly qualified and trained in the ways of the Koran Shiite – follow blood line of Muhammad, (believe his message is passed down to his descendents, the imam)

29. Jihad As with any idea in religion the idea of jihad is open to interpretation “Holy struggle” is a more correct translation than “holy war” This could be interpreted as an inner-struggle to be a better Muslim –Known as the “Greater Jihad”, struggle against inner selfishness Also could have a violent interpretation as well – war against non-Muslims –Those who die in jihad against non-believers are assured paradise