The Judeo-Christian-Islamic Tradition

Main Idea: Judaism, Christianity and Islam taught individual worth, ethical values and the need to fight injustice. These ideas continue to be important to democracy today.

CA Standards – 10.1.1 – Analyze the differences and similarities between Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman views of law, reason, faith and duties of the individual.

JudaismFirst Monotheistic religion. To believe in only

one god. Hebrews were followers of the religion of Judaism. Hebrews believed that God wanted them to live moral lives. All people were created in God’s image and thus had a divine dignity that could not be taken from them.

Hebrews believed that God gives all people ability to chose between good and evil. Therefore, people were responsible for their own choices.

Jewish Laws Teach MoralityHebrews follow the laws given to them by

Moses called the 10 Commandments. Hebrews believe that it is the responsibility

of all people to oppose injustice and oppression and for those that can, they must help those less fortunate.

Hebrews believe that all people can and should live by high moral values and standards.

Christianity Jesus lives during the height of the Roman

Empire. Jesus was born in Judea and was Jewish but

his teachings went even further in regards to morals and values. He wanted people to love their enemies, bless those that curse others.

People who repent their sins would live forever in the kingdom of heaven ruled by God.

People were all equal in God’s eyes. Equality of all people is a central belief of democracy as well as Christianity.

Spread of ChristianityRoman Empire is opposed to Christianity and

Judaism. They are polytheistic. Believe in many gods.

Romans expelled many Jews from Judea for rebelling against them. When Jews were re-settled in other parts of the empire they took their ideas with them.

By the 4th century, Christianity would be the official religion of the Roman Empire establishing it as the dominant religion of Europe with branches in the near east and north Africa

IslamIslam is founded in the 7th Century by

Mohammed in what is now Saudi Arabia. Emphasis is on brotherhood of mankind and dignity of human beings and tolerance of others.

Followers of Mohammed are Muslims and they follow similar morals of charity to help others. Muslims spread their religion by conquering areas of polytheistic religions. They allowed Jews and Christians to keep their religions because they were already followers of the 1 true god.

The Dark Ages 6th Century to 12th CenturyFall of Roman Empire in 6th Century left only

the Roman Catholic Church as the most powerful institution in Europe. They were strict, demanded obedience to their authority. A dark time for people living between 6th and 13th centuries.

Renaissance – 13th Century in Italy beginning of people to seek interest in old Greco-Roman ideas of democracy and philosophy. People begin to question the role of the government, church and the lives of ordinary people.

Reformation and Renaissance 13th to 16th CenturySoldiers returning from Crusades brought with them ideas

from the Middle East where the classic ideas were in practice.

Invention of printing press in the 15th century helped spread ideas even faster.

Martin Luther, a German priest criticizes Catholic Church for selling pardons for sins. He believed that the Church was abusing its power because only God could pardon sins. Beginning of Protestantism as a new religious movement.

This challenge of Church authority Luther contributed to growth of democracy. He called for people to read and interpret the bible themselves. Not just through Catholic Church.

Class WorkAnswer Main Idea Questions A through C for

pages 12-17.Define key terms from page 17