BIRTHPLACE OF THREE RELIGIONS

Religious Center• 3 Religions:

-Judaism, Christianity, Islam all started in SW Asia (The Middle East)

• Jerusalem (located in Israel):

-a city where Jews, Christians, Muslims have lived for centuries

THE BASICS

• 3 Religions believe:

• one God-

monotheism

• each led by a single person

• set of sacred writings

Jerusalem

JUDAISM

HISTORY-Hebrews- 1st

monotheist religion-called God “Yahweh”-Yahweh spoke to

Abraham- go to Canaan (PRESENT DAY Israel)

-his (Abraham) descendants are Jews

A STORY OF EXILE

• 586 BC

-Babylonians from Mesopotamia

-Destroyed the First Temple built by Jews in Jerusalem

-Jews exiled to Babylonia

1st Temple built by King Solomon

REBUILDING THE TEMPLE

• 536 BC:

-Persians took control of Mesopotamia

-Jews allowed back to Jerusalem

-rebuilt Temple2nd Temple in Jerusalem

THE 2ND TEMPLE DESTROYED

• Roman Controlled Jerusalem-Jews revolted in 66AD- (2ND)Temple destroyed

– The Wailing Wall remains

Jewish Leaders…

• encouraged Jews to replace worship in Temple with prayer, study, and good deeds.

1800 YEARS LATER…

•-Jews lived outside of Jerusalem hoping it would once again be home of Judaism

Birth of Christianity

8 to 4 BC

• Jewish boy, Jesus, born in Bethlehem in ancient Palestine (Israel)

4 Gospels • -story of his life

started 30 yrs. after Jesus’ death

• -Christian scripture in Bible (New Testament)

EARLY LIFE• -Jesus grew up Galilee

• -baptized by his cousin John the Baptist

• -Jesus traveled preaching religion of love and forgiveness, and performing miracles

• -people (disciples) came to hear his words

MESSIAH• Jewish people:

-believed a Messiah, or savior would come to lead them out of exile

• Messiah:

-some people believed Jesus was the Messiah

-Jesus became know as Christ, Greek for Messiah

Christians-people who believed in Jesus’ ideas

and teachings

• Government &Religious Leaders:

-feared Jesus teaching as threat to their power

-Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover was betrayed by Judas, a Disciple

-Jesus arrested, tried, crucified and died

THE WORD• Jesus Disciples:-spread his teachings and their belief that he was

the Messiah promised in Jewish scripture

• Roots in Judaism:-new religion Christianity developed

• Christianity:-based on life and teaching of Jesus-spread to other parts of world from Jerusalem

Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam

Muhammad• 570 AD:-Muhammad

born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

-founder of Islam

Mecca during Hajj

THE BASICSIslam:

-believe in 1 God and Muhammad is his Prophet (person who speaks through Divine inspiration)

Muslim:

-a believer in Islam

610 AD:

-Muslims believe God spoke to Muhammad

BELIEFS• Muhammad

teachings:

-came from angel Gabriel, who revealed the will of God

• Gabriel:

-sent revelations to Muhammad for 22 years

• Qur’an:

-collection of revelations, sacred text of Islam

• Mohammed:

-encouraged people to worship one God, aid the poor (included in the 5 Pillars of Faith)

622 AD-Muhammad left

Mecca for Medina (where he later dies)

-Gov’t thought he was a threat to traditions and business

- start beginning of Muslim calendar

Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia