Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Unit 2

Judaism History• One of the oldest religions- 4,000 years old• Abraham and his descendants were monotheistic

and are considered the fathers of Judaism• Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and

received the 10 commandments from a message from God

• The 10 commandments were the beginning of the Torah (5 books written by Moses with God’s instruction)

• Israelites wandered for 40 years until they returned to Jerusalem

• Jerusalem, Israel is the holiest location for Jews today

Major Beliefs of Jews• There is only one God and God provides

standards of right and wrong that people should follow.

• Treat others well. The Hebrew Bible contains broad principles such as “Be kind to strangers” and “Love your neighbor” as well as specific instructions to ensure others are treated fairly.

• Honor the Sabbath. Judaism teaches that Jews should spend one day a week, the Sabbath, focusing on things other than work and material concerns.

Major beliefs of Jews• Pray. Judaism teaches that people can

communicate with God through prayer. • Study. Judaism teaches that studying the

Hebrew Bible and other Jewish texts leads to wisdom and good deeds.

• Israel is Judaism’s most important spiritual center. Most of the events in sacred Jewish scripture occurred there. Judaism’s most sacred sites are there, including Jerusalem, which is its holiest city and the site where the Jewish Temple once stood.

Jerusalem

Important people in Judaism

Israelites- Descendants of modern day JewsAbraham- first Israelite Moses- Prophet, rescued Israelites from EgyptKing Saul- 1st Israelite KingKind David- Made Jerusalem the capitalKing Solomon- Built the first temple (later destroyed by Babylonians)

History of Christianity • Jesus was a Jew who started teaching a new

religion based off of Jewish teachings• Began when Jesus died, approximately 33

A.D.• After Jesus’s death by the Jews, Apostles

continued to preach and spread the message of Jesus

• 313 A.D. Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion on the Roman Empire

• The Bible was written by the 12 apostles inspired by Jesus and God

Major Beliefs in Christianity

• Monotheistic• Jesus is the Son of God and died for your

forgiveness of sin• God is the creator• Judgment Day• Communion• Baptism

Important people in Christianity

• Jesus- Son of God, Messiah• 12 apostles- Men who worked with Jesus

and spread Christianity when he died• Apostle Paul- Missionary that spread

Christianity immediately after Jesus’s death

• Emperor Constantine- Made Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire

Divisions of Christianity

Catholicism Orthodox Protestant

Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian

MethodistPentecostal

Assembly of God

History of Islam• Muhammad born in 570 A.D.• Muhammad began preaching Islam

about 613 A.D.• Began in 622 A.D. when Muhammad

went to Medina• Muhammad died in 632 A.D.

5 pillars of Islam• Pray- Muslims must pray 5 times a day

facing the direction of Mecca• Belief in Allah- Monotheistic and that

Muhammad is his prophet• Hajj- Must visit Mecca and the Ka’ba once

in their life• Chairty- must give to the poor• Fasting- Give up food for purification

(holy month of Ramadan)

This is the Ka’bah in the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Muslims make the hajj to this location

Division within Islam• After Muhammad’s death, Muslims couldn’t agree

on who should be caliph• A division occurred creating the Sunnis and Shiites• Sunnis believe that the caliph after Muhammad’s

death was Abu Bakr. Bakr was not a blood relative of Muhammad’s. This means that caliphs today do not have to be descended from Muhammad

• Shiites believe that the first caliph was Ali Talib, Muhammad’s cousin. Shiites believe that caliph must be a blood relative of Muhammad

• 90% of Muslims are Sunni