Rise of ReligionChristianity and Islam

Early Christianity

Spread of Islam

Religion Review1. Religion: Beginning with the earliest humans, religion is man’s way of finding a spiritual (non-physical) connection between his existence and the universe he lives in. • Earliest Religion: Polytheism• Belief in multiple gods. Early religion attempted to interpret natural world, i.e. sun god,

rain god, ocean god, goddess of fertility• Examples: Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Indo Europeans, Greeks, early Roman Empire.

• There are still Polytheist today!

Religion Review: Judaism2. The Hebrews believed that their God, known as Yahweh• created and ruled the universe.

• They were a severely tested people:• They were conquered, treated very badly• Mistreatment created covenant, or agreement with God; “chosen people”.

• 10 laws to guide them--(10 Commandments)• Holy book—”Torah”, Hebrew Bible. (Old Testament)• In the first century AD, the ‘Diaspora’ scattered the Jews to Europe and Africa.• 2000 years would pass before Jews reclaimed country--(Israel, 1948)

Torah

Christianity: Origin3. At the end of the last century B.C., a Jewish prophet named Jesus began teaching in the area of Judea and Galilee. His teachings were the origin of Christianity.• The teachings of Jesus promoted ethical concepts:• Humility, clarity, love towards others, and love of the one God.

• The teachings of Jesus alarmed those nervous of revolutions against Rome and existing power.• Jesus was crucified by order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator, (leader) of the area.• Followers of Jesus claimed he rose from the grave, and declared him Messiah.

Christianity: Spreading the Faith• Following his death, Christ’s teachings were written down• These writings were added to the Torah, (Old Testament), and became the ‘New

Testament’.

• When word of Jesus’s resurrection spread, his followers multiplied.• Jesus message was carried to all corners of Roman empire by apostles such as Simeon Peter

and Paul of Tarsus.• Paul taught that Jesus died to forgive all sins.• By 100 A.D., numerous churches had been established

Roman Empire vs. Christianity4. Romans tolerated all religions unless they threatened public order, government power, or accepted public behavior.• Problem: Christians believed in one God, would not worship state gods or emperors.• This was considered a threat by many in power.

• Persecution:• Christian apostles were often persecuted and put to death for their

beliefs.• Emperor Nero extremely cruel to Christians

Why did Christianity grow?5. Growth of Christianity:• Persecution had opposite affect, made faith stronger• Church had better organization, duties.

• Bishops, clergy, laity.

• Religion was more personal• Roman gods all about the State needs.

• Easy to understand• Jesus had existed, easy to relate to.• Gave people a place to belong

Roman Christianity• 313 A.D., Constantine became the first Christian Emperor.• Issued the “Edict of Milan”—proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity.

• Theodosius the Great made Christianity Movie: 30:20 to 45:28 the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Islam: Origin6. The religion of Islam would arise in the Middle East in the 600’s A.D. through the prophet Muhammad, (born 570 A.D.).

• Muhammad lived near Mecca and Medina on the Arabian Peninsula.

• Muhammad believed he received a “revelation” of the Will of God from the angel Gabriel---(Cave of Hira in 610). Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Quran after his death.• The Quran is the holy book of Islam.

Medina

Mecca

Muhammad’s expansion of Islam7. Muhammad decided to spread the word revealed to him. His converts would become known as Muslims.• Muhammad’s message faced persecution early, had very few followers.• Left Mecca in 622, (Year 1 on Islamic calendars), and moved to Medina. (the Hijrah) • In Medina he gathered many followers, including a fierce warrior group known as Bedouins.

• Muhammad’s returned to Mecca with an army of converts. The city was converted to Islam, and became the sacred center of Islam.• The Kaaba in Mecca is the

most sacred shrine of Islam.

Islam8. Islam is connected to both the Jewish and Christian Religion•Muslims are strict monotheists.• They believe in the one Christian God, named

Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.

•Muslims believe in Moses and Jesus, however they are lesser prophets than Muhammad. (Muhammad received final revelation)• They also believe Jesus to be just a man, (great prophet).

• Important: Islam does not see a distinction between religion and state. Theocracy is preferred system.

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Up to four wives allowed at once.

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Sharia body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.

Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

The MosqueThe Mosque The Muslim place of worship.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Muhammad’s Teachings: Five Pillars9. Muslims follow a direct and simple faith according to the Five Pillars of Islam:

• 1. BELIEF - The core belief rests on only one God and Mohammed as his last messenger. (The Shahada)

• 2. PRAYER - They perform prescribed prayer five times a day. (The Salat)

• 3. CHARITY - They give a part of their wealth to the poor. (The Zakat)

• 4. FASTING - During Ramadan, they refrain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. (The Sawm)

• 5. PILGRAMAGE - Believers are expected to make a trip to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. (The Hajj)

1. The Shahada1. The Shahada

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The testimony.

The declaration of faith:There is no god worthy of worship except God, andMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].

There is no god worthy of worship except God, andMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].

2. The Salat2. The Salat

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The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat

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Almsgiving (charitable donations).

Muslims believe that all things belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm4. The Sawm

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Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Considered a method of self- purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

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Those who complete the pilgrimage can add the title hajji to their name.

Expansion of Islam after Muhammad10. Muhammad died in 632, at which point Abu Bakr became caliph, (leader of Muslim faith and people). Over the next few centuries different caliphs would expand the Islamic empire.• Arabia, and the Islamic people, would spread their religion through conquest, or a

“jihad”, (holy war-or “struggle in the way of God”).

• From 632 to 750 Islam spread into a massive empire stretching from India across Africa into Spain. The Islamic empire was called a caliphate.

Islam: End of Expansion11. Islamic expansion would be halted in the 8th Century A.D.• In 717 A.D. Byzantine defeated the Arab advance in West Asia• Created boundary between Christian Eastern Roman Empire and Islamic Caliphate.

• In Europe, in what perhaps was the most important religious battle of all time, the Islamic Empire’s expansion was halted in Europe at the Battle of Tours, (732 A.D.) in France.