Judaism, Christianity and Islam Background Packet

The following summaries have been edited from their original form, which can be found in: www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/ by Sara Wenner, 2001.

History of JudaismJudaism is important not because it is so widely practiced (less that ¼ of 1% of the World is Jewish), but because of its enormous impact on other religions and on World affairs.The Old Testament books of the Bible describe numerous struggles of the Jewish people. After their triumphant Exodus from Egyptian captivity following Moses, the books state that they wandered around in the desert for forty years before entering the Promised Land (Israel). They had many conflicts with neighboring societies, yet for several centuries were able to maintain a unified state centered in Jerusalem. This occupation of the Promised Land was not to last, however. In 722 BC, the northern part of the Hebrew state fell to Assyrian raiders. By 586 BC, Jerusalem was conquered by Babylonians. The land of Israel was successively ruled by Persians, Macedonians, Greeks, Syrians, and Romans in the time that followed. As a result of the Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes' attempt to suppress the Jewish religion, a rebellion led by Judas Maccabaeus in 167 BC resulted in the independence of the Jewish nation. This is celebrated today by the festival Hanukkah. In 70 AD, the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem, and the Jews were forced out of the area and settled in Mediterranean countries and in other areas in southwest Asia. This migration of the Jewish population is known as Diaspora. Many of these Jews settled in Europe and became victims of persecution and poverty. Ghettoes and slums became their homes and massacres were common through the centuries that followed. Many fled to the United States in the late 19th century like so many other poor and desperate people that immigrated to the USA. Immigration climbed after the Holocaust, the organized murder of Jews during World War II. Today the United States has the largest population of Jewish people with high concentration areas in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, and Washington D.C.In 1917, an attempt to reestablish Palestine as the Jewish homeland began. By 1948, after the Holocaust, the United States and Great Britain (and other countries) helped Jews create the State of Israel, which became an independent country out of what was Palestine. The Palestinian people, mainly Muslim, lost their country. Since then, the Islamic world, especially in the Middle East, have opposed Israel and often oppose those that support Israel. This is a source for much conflict in the region.

Basic Beliefs of JudaismJudaism is a monotheistic religion which believes that the world was created by a single, all-knowing god (often called Adonai because the actual word for their god should not be spoken), and that all things within that world were designed to have meaning and purpose and that their god alone is to be worshiped. According to the teachings of Judaism, God's will for human behavior was revealed to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The Torah (their religious text), or commandments, which regulate how humans are to live their lives, were a gift from God so that they might live in according to His will. He monitors peoples’ activities and rewards good deeds and punishes evil. Jews believe in the inherent goodness of the world and its inhabitants as creations of God and do not require a savior to save them from original sin. They believe they are God's chosen people and that the Messiah will arrive in the future, gather them into Israel, there will be a general resurrection of the dead, and the Jerusalem Temple destroyed in 70 CE will be rebuilt.

History of ChristianityChristianity is based upon the teachings of Jesus, a Jew who lived his life in the Roman province of Palestine.

As time progressed, Christianity divided into three major branches. The Roman Catholic branch of Christianity began in Rome soon after Christ's death. It traces its spiritual history to the early disciples of Jesus. The Pope, or spiritual leader of the Catholic Faith, traces his office's back to St. Peter, the first Pope, one of Jesus' disciples. Roman Catholicism was originally predominately practiced in Ireland, Poland, France and Spain but is now the dominant religion in South and Central America and Mexico. During the fourth century, the Roman Catholic Church split and the Eastern Orthodox branch was formed. Churches became officially separate in 1054. Orthodox churches are largely associated with a particular country. Orthodoxy is common in Russia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, and Armenia.The Protestant branch split from Roman Catholicism during the Reformation, a sixteenth and seventeenth century series of church changes in doctrine and practice to rebel against the Catholic Church and power of the Pope. Protestantism eventually divided into many denominations which arose in response to disputes over doctrine, theology, or religious practice. Some of the large denominations today are Lutherans, Methodists and Baptists. Of all of the major religions, Christianity has the most denominations of any religion.

Basic Beliefs of ChristianityChristianity believes in one God, while the central figure in Christianity is Jesus (or Christ), a Jew who came into this world supposedly by immaculate conception, born of God and not of man to a virgin named Mary who merely carried him to birth but did not conceive him. His birth is celebrated at Christmas time with hymns and gift giving and his death is celebrated at Easter, though these Christian traditions and many others can be traced to older traditions from earlier religions. It's believed that Jesus was not only man, but also the son of God, and lived his life without sin.During his lifetime, Jesus is said to have performed many miracles and spoke to many people about his “Father in Heaven” (God). He was arrested for claiming to be God's son and was hung on the cross by the Romans at about age 33. Christians believe that the suffering and death upon the cross which this sinless man endured paid for the sins of all mankind, and because of Jesus' actions, salvation can be achieved by anyone who believes in him and live according to his teachings. The life of Jesus, as well as his ancestors is found in the only Christian holy text, the Bible. It consists of the Old Testament (which is also considered sacred to Judaism and Islam) and the New Testament. The Old Testament chronicles the lives of Jews and others who lived before Jesus, who had been promised a savior by God. The New Testament is unique to Christianity. Christians believe that Jesus was fully human and fully God and as the Son of God is part of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. All Christians believe in heaven and that only those who sincerely repent their sins before God will be saved and join Him in heaven. Belief in hell and Satan varies among groups and individuals.

History of IslamThe history of Islam centers around one person, Muhammad (also spelled Muhammed or Mohammed). He was born around 570 A.D and died in 632. He was raised by his extended family after the death of his parents. As he grew up, it is said that he became unhappy with the polytheism religions among his fellow Arabs and came to believe in one God, Allah. He began to have religious visions around age 40, during which he received "messages" or "revelations" from Allah. He taught them to his followers. These visions were recorded by his followers in the Qur'an (or Koran

The Expansion of IslamMuhammad's new faith was not widely accepted in his hometown of Mecca so he and his followers moved to Medina which means "City of the Prophet". This movement marks the turning point in Islam and serves as the beginning date on Islamic calendars.At first, Muhammad was sympathetic to both Christians and Jews and there is little doubt that all three religions have common roots and have some of the same prophets. However, after rejection of his teaching by Christians and Jews, Mohammad turned from Jerusalem as the center of worship for Islam back to Mecca which he and his followers took over. When he died, he did not appoint anyone to lead so different groups competed for control. An early believer was appointed, but died within two years.Eventually, a power struggle developed as different groups of Muslims believed their method of choosing a successor were the best. The largest argument was over whether the successor should be elected or chosen through heredity. This controversy produced the main body of Islam known as the Sunnis (followers of the prophet's way) and other sects including the Shi'a. The Shi'a are the group of Muslims who believe that the new leader of the faith should remain within Muhammad's family, and that leaders are spiritually chosen, not politically chosen. Today, the Shi'a is the largest group in Iran and the largest group of Islamic people in Iraq. However, Sunnis are the majority elsewhere.Islam is a rapidly growing religion, partly because of its cultural and political appeal and its universal message of peace and brotherhood of man and partly because Islamic countries are growing very quickly. It is the dominant religion in North Africa, the Middle East and South Western Asia and Malaysia and Indonesia.

Basic Beliefs of IslamThe basis for Islamic faith is found in the Qur'an (Koran). Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of God, spoken by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad, who is considered the last prophet among many prophets that also include Abraham and Jesus. It alone is considered without error. For Muslims, Muhammad was the last and most perfect of God's seven prophets or messengers to mankind. All Muslims must believe in the Six Articles of Faith and practice the Five Pillars of Faith.

Six Articles of FaithThe Six articles of Faith are the main doctrines (teachings) of Islam. All Muslims share beliefs in the

following:1. Allah. (The Arabic translation of the word God). Allah alone is the creator of all of the universe. 2. Angels. Angels exist and interact with human lives. They are comprised of light, and each have

different purposes or messages to bring to earth. Each man or woman has two angels who record his actions; one records good deeds, the other bad deeds.

3. Scripture. There are four inspired books, the Torah of Moses, the Psalms (Zabin) of David, the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Injil) and the Qur'an. All but the Qur'an have been interpreted and changed by Jews and Christians.

4. Prophets. God has spoken through numerous prophets throughout time. The six greatest are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Muhammad is the last and greatest of Allah's messengers.

5. Afterlife. On the last day there will be a time of resurrection and judgment. Those who follow Allah and Muhammad will go to Islamic heaven, or Paradise. Those who do not will go to hell.

6. Divine Creed.

The Five Pillars of FaithThe Five Pillars of Faith are duties each Muslim performs to demonstrate his or her faith.

1. Testimony of Faith (Kalima)- One must state, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." publicly to become a Muslim.

2. Prayer (Salat)- Prayer must be done five times a day (upon rising, at noon, in mid-afternoon, after sunset, and before going to sleep) towards the direction of Mecca. The call to prayer is sounded by the muezzin (Muslim crier) from a tower (minaret) within the mosque.

3. Almsgiving (Zakat)- Muslims are legally required to give one-fortieth of their income to the needy. Since those whom alms are given are helping the giver achieve salvation, there is no sense of shame in receiving charity.

4. Fasting (Sawm- During the holy month of Ramadan, faithful Muslims fast from sunup to sundown each day. This develops self-control, devotion to God, and identity with the needy.

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)- Each Muslim is expected to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do it and are physically capable of the trip. It is an essential part of gaining salvation, so the old or infirm may send someone in their place. It involves a set of rituals and ceremonies.

Another concept in Islam is Jihad, or to Strive. Jihad denotes the struggle to keep the faith and the ability to practice it freely. This can be a personal battle or one against leadership.