Judaism and Christianity (Western World’s two first monotheistic religions)

• 1) Define Monotheism and explain 2 ways Judaism was different from previous religions of the time.

• 2) Explain 2 reasons why people were attracted to Christianity.

• 3) Explain why Rome feared Christianity and later helped Christianity.

• 4) Explain how the ideas of Christianity and Judaism are reflected in American society and politics today.

• Judaism- Jewish religion– Torah- Jewish bible (Old Testament- story in the bible

before the birth of Jesus is based on Torah)– Abraham- founder of Jews (2000BC), moved followers

to Canaan (Israel)• Both Christian and Islamic ideas and beliefs are began with

Judaism

• Beliefs of Judaism– Monotheism- belief in one god (Judaism first Mono. religion)– Morality- based on living a good life (not sacrifice and rituals to honor a god)– Old Testament- People are created in god’s image, each person has a divine spark

and is therefore special• *Each person has the ability to choose between good and evil, this is the origin of

the belief that all people can make wise decisions and can even decide what is best for a country by voting (Democracy)– **Analyze why Kings often made the claim they were more important than

ordinary citizens even though Judaism, which influenced Christianity, came to the conclusion that all people are equal before God. How could Kings claim to be more important that ordinary people when God said all people are equal?

• Laws- Moses “founded” God’s Jewish laws 1200 BC – Ten Commandments- based on morality, even leaders had to follow

the commandments (*Law is the same for everyone)• Explain how 1 Commandment is still evident in our society today and

explain why? Explain why one commandment is no longer valid and explain why?

– Prophets (700 BC) messengers from god, said life on earth could be improved *Similar to American dream• **Jewish laws are the basis of Christianity

• Christianity- Rome ruled the holy land when Jesus was born– Jesus- “born 6-4 BC, he was a Roman subject and a Jew, began

preaching at thirty years old”• Jewish ideas (preached by Jesus) monotheism and Ten

Commandments– *Christianity emphasized God’s personal relationship with each

human being– Identify what groups are most attracted to Christianity and explain

why?

• “King of the Jews”- Rome feared Jesus could be a political threat, Jesus said people should not follow Rome’s laws and religion based on Greek God’s, but God’s laws, Rome had Jesus killed by Crucifixion at 33 years– Christos- Greek word for “Messiah” or savior– *Christos= Christianity

• Analyze why Rome found Jesus to be a threat by preaching each person had a special relationship with God and that each person was important before God?

• Teachings of Jesus- Spread slowly across Europe, previous Roman religion based on Greek Gods– Paul- spread Christianity, said Christianity a universal religion for all people

• Stressed equality of all human beings and idea all people can be saved• Equality the basis of democracy and the US

– Explain why Christianity gained so much support and continues to be the most popular religion in the world today? Can you identify any regions around the world where Christianity is incredibly popular?

• Rome- at first against Christianity (fed Christians to lions at Gladiator events for entertainment)– Official Religion- Christianity became the state religion of the Roman

Empire in 380 AD (helped spread Christianity around Europe)• *Christianity now the main religion of Europe until the present

– Look at the map and describe how Rome helped spread Christianity and make Christianity the most popular religion in Europe.

– Predict how Christianity is going to spread beyond Rome’s borders.