European CultureEuropean CultureReligionsReligions

Major ReligionsMajor Religions

The three major religions practiced in The three major religions practiced in Europe are Europe are ChristianityChristianity, , JudaismJudaism, and , and IslamIslam. Followers of each of these . Followers of each of these religions believe in only one God. religions believe in only one God. This is known as This is known as monotheismmonotheism . . . . . . which is the belief in only one god.which is the belief in only one god.

Each of these religions started in the Each of these religions started in the Middle East and share some common Middle East and share some common characteristics.characteristics.

ChristianityChristianity By far the most predominant religion in Europe,By far the most predominant religion in Europe,Christianity dates back to the First Century whenChristianity dates back to the First Century whenJesus of Nazareth began preaching andJesus of Nazareth began preaching andteaching throughout the ancient land of Israel. Histeaching throughout the ancient land of Israel. Hisfollowers were called Christians in honor of hisfollowers were called Christians in honor of histitle, Jesus the Christ. The Roman Emperortitle, Jesus the Christ. The Roman EmperorConstantine declared Christianity the OfficialConstantine declared Christianity the Officialreligion of the empire in the year 313 A.D. andreligion of the empire in the year 313 A.D. andsoon Christianity began to spread quicklysoon Christianity began to spread quickly throughout Europe.throughout Europe.

Christian DenominationsChristian Denominations

Although most Christians accept the Although most Christians accept the Bible as their holy book and follow Bible as their holy book and follow the teachings of Jesus, they do differ the teachings of Jesus, they do differ in some of their other beliefs. For in some of their other beliefs. For this reason, Christians are often this reason, Christians are often divided into groups called divided into groups called denominationsdenominations. The largest three . The largest three denominations found in Europe are denominations found in Europe are Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic. Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic.

Christian CustomsChristian Customs

Most Christians worship in churchesMost Christians worship in churches They follow the teachings of Jesus in They follow the teachings of Jesus in

their holy book called the Bibletheir holy book called the Bible Abraham is one of their important Abraham is one of their important

patriarchs (like a founding father)patriarchs (like a founding father) They celebrate Christmas & Easter They celebrate Christmas & Easter View Jerusalem as a holy city since View Jerusalem as a holy city since

Jesus taught there on the Mount of Jesus taught there on the Mount of OlivesOlives

JudaismJudaism People who practice this religion are called People who practice this religion are called

Jews and make up about 1/10 of the population Jews and make up about 1/10 of the population of Europe. Jews believe that God gave Moses of Europe. Jews believe that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments to live by and that God the Ten Commandments to live by and that God revealed His truths in the Torah, the Jewish Holy revealed His truths in the Torah, the Jewish Holy Book also known as the Old Testament. Book also known as the Old Testament.

Jews do not accept the New Testament as Jews do not accept the New Testament as their holy book. They believe that Jesus was a their holy book. They believe that Jesus was a good man and a good teacher, but do not good man and a good teacher, but do not acknowledge him to be the Son of God.acknowledge him to be the Son of God.

Jewish CustomsJewish Customs

Most Jews worship in synagogues Most Jews worship in synagogues (temples)(temples)

They follow the teachings of Moses as They follow the teachings of Moses as written in their holy book the Torahwritten in their holy book the Torah

Abraham is one of the patriarchs Abraham is one of the patriarchs They celebrate Passover, Chanukah & They celebrate Passover, Chanukah &

Yom KippurYom Kippur They view Jerusalem as a holy city since it They view Jerusalem as a holy city since it

is the site of the Western Wall, the only is the site of the Western Wall, the only remaining wall of their ancient Temple.remaining wall of their ancient Temple.

IslamIslam

People who practice this religion People who practice this religion are called Muslims. Muslims follow are called Muslims. Muslims follow the teachings of Muhammad as the teachings of Muhammad as written in their holy book the written in their holy book the Qur’an or Koran. Muslims learn the Qur’an or Koran. Muslims learn the five pillars of Islam which are faith, five pillars of Islam which are faith, prayer, charity, fasting and prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage which is journey pilgrimage which is journey

a Muslim makes.a Muslim makes.

Islamic CustomsIslamic Customs

Most Muslims worship in mosques.Most Muslims worship in mosques. They follow the teachings found in their They follow the teachings found in their

holy book the Koran (Qur’an).holy book the Koran (Qur’an). Abraham is one of their patriarchsAbraham is one of their patriarchs They celebrate the holiday of Ramadan They celebrate the holiday of Ramadan

and make a pilgrimage to one of their holy and make a pilgrimage to one of their holy cities at least once in their lifetime.cities at least once in their lifetime.

They view Jerusalem as a holy city since it They view Jerusalem as a holy city since it is the site of one their greatest mosques, is the site of one their greatest mosques, the Dome of the Rock.the Dome of the Rock.

The Holy City of The Holy City of JerusalemJerusalem

Use these terms to complete your Use these terms to complete your chart. chart.

synagoguesynagogue JewsJewsJesusJesusWestern WallWestern Wall JerusalemJerusalem KoranKoranMosesMoses MuhammadMuhammad BibleBibleTorahTorah religious teacherreligious teacherEasterEasterAbrahamAbraham RamadanRamadan churchchurchmosquemosque Son of GodSon of GodChristmasChristmasMount of OlivesMount of Olives Dome of the RockDome of the RockPassoverPassoverYom KippurYom Kippur ChristiansChristiansMuslimsMuslimsChanukahChanukah

You will use some of these terms more than once.You will use some of these terms more than once.