Three Religions of Three Religions of the Middle Eastthe Middle EastChristianity, Judaism and IslamChristianity, Judaism and Islam

Where is the holy land?Where is the holy land?Why is this area called Why is this area called

the holy land?the holy land?

Christianity, Judaism and Christianity, Judaism and IslamIslam

All belong to the same monotheistic All belong to the same monotheistic tradition, a belief in only one god, the tradition, a belief in only one god, the God of AbrahamGod of Abraham

All originated in the Middle East and look All originated in the Middle East and look to the city of Jerusalem as a holy site.to the city of Jerusalem as a holy site.

In 1990, 90% of the people in the Middle In 1990, 90% of the people in the Middle East practiced Islam, 5% Christianity and East practiced Islam, 5% Christianity and 2% Judaism.2% Judaism.

JudaismJudaism

Oldest of the three religionsOldest of the three religions First practiced by a small group of people in First practiced by a small group of people in

Mesopotamia called the HebrewsMesopotamia called the Hebrews According to Jewish belief, the Hebrews According to Jewish belief, the Hebrews

descended from Abrahamdescended from Abraham Jews believe that God made a covenant with Jews believe that God made a covenant with

them that they would be God’s chosen people them that they would be God’s chosen people as long as they worshipped him and followed as long as they worshipped him and followed God’s lawsGod’s laws

The best known of these laws are The best known of these laws are the Ten Commandmentsthe Ten Commandments

TEN COMMANDMENTS TEN COMMANDMENTS I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.V. Honour thy father and thy mother.V. Honour thy father and thy mother.VI. Thou shalt not kill.VI. Thou shalt not kill.VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.VIII. Thou shalt not steal.IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.X. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbor's.X. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbor's.

ExileExile

Israel became an important and Israel became an important and prosperous state until the kingdom split in prosperous state until the kingdom split in two. Afterwards, the Jewish people two. Afterwards, the Jewish people would be moved and dispersed many would be moved and dispersed many times. Eventually, the Jewish people times. Eventually, the Jewish people spread to countries around the world.spread to countries around the world.

Jews have been viewed with suspicion Jews have been viewed with suspicion and hatred because they have followed and hatred because they have followed their religion and customs.their religion and customs.

More than 6 million Jews were murdered More than 6 million Jews were murdered in Europe during WWII in the 1940’sin Europe during WWII in the 1940’s

IsraelIsrael

The Jews believe that God will deliver a The Jews believe that God will deliver a messiah, or savior, to them and provide messiah, or savior, to them and provide them with a homeland, or country, of their them with a homeland, or country, of their own.own.

In 1947, a Jewish state was created in In 1947, a Jewish state was created in Palestine and immediately surrounding Palestine and immediately surrounding Arab states invaded. This was the Arab states invaded. This was the beginning of hostilities that continue beginning of hostilities that continue today.today.

PLOPLO

Caught in the middle of the turmoil are the Caught in the middle of the turmoil are the PalestiniansPalestinians

In 1949 the Palestinians who had lost their In 1949 the Palestinians who had lost their homes with the creation of Israel were moved homes with the creation of Israel were moved to refugee camps until they could be resettled.to refugee camps until they could be resettled.

Today Palestinians are still living in these Today Palestinians are still living in these campscamps

In the 1960’s the Palestinian Liberation In the 1960’s the Palestinian Liberation Organization was formed to regain the landOrganization was formed to regain the land

Yasser ArafatYasser Arafat

Supporters referred to Supporters referred to him as a freedom him as a freedom fighterfighter

Opponents referred to Opponents referred to him as a terroristhim as a terrorist

Died November 11, Died November 11, 20042004

Wailing WallWailing Wall Modern Jews come to pray at the holiest Modern Jews come to pray at the holiest

site in Jerusalem, the Western, or site in Jerusalem, the Western, or Wailing, Wall.Wailing, Wall.

It is the only remaining piece of the It is the only remaining piece of the destroyed temple that housed the ark of destroyed temple that housed the ark of the covenant, the home of Godthe covenant, the home of God

ChristianityChristianity

The world’s largest religionThe world’s largest religion Began as a movement within JudaismBegan as a movement within Judaism Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the

messiah that the Jews were waiting formessiah that the Jews were waiting for Holy Book – Bible – contains the history and Holy Book – Bible – contains the history and

traditions of Judaism in the Old Testament and traditions of Judaism in the Old Testament and the life and teachings of Jesus in the New the life and teachings of Jesus in the New TestamentTestament

JesusJesus

Around 30AD Jesus began preaching, Around 30AD Jesus began preaching, encouraging people to turn to God and encouraging people to turn to God and lead moral liveslead moral lives

Religious and government leaders Religious and government leaders considered Jesus a threat to their powerconsidered Jesus a threat to their power

They arrested and crucified himThey arrested and crucified him Crucified – put to death by nailing hands Crucified – put to death by nailing hands

and feet to crossand feet to cross

ResurrectionResurrection

Christians believe that Jesus rose from Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead proving life after death for those the dead proving life after death for those who believewho believe

Those who followed Jesus broke away Those who followed Jesus broke away from other Jews and began worshipping from other Jews and began worshipping God in a new way focusing on the God in a new way focusing on the teachings of Jesusteachings of Jesus

Roman EmpireRoman Empire Disciples (followers of Jesus) Disciples (followers of Jesus)

spread his teachingsspread his teachings Until 300 AD Christians were Until 300 AD Christians were

persecuted in the Roman persecuted in the Roman EmpireEmpire

Then emperor Constantine Then emperor Constantine made Christianity the official made Christianity the official religion of the state, thus religion of the state, thus spreading throughout the spreading throughout the worldworld

Rome – head of Roman Rome – head of Roman Catholic Church - PopeCatholic Church - Pope

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (pictured)(pictured) 1920-20051920-2005

Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI 2005-present2005-present

IslamIslam

The world’s second The world’s second largest religionlargest religion

Islam means “to Islam means “to submit” to the will of submit” to the will of God in ArabicGod in Arabic

Followers are called Followers are called MuslimsMuslims

MuhammadMuhammad

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and greatest prophetand greatest prophet

Born in Mecca in 570 ADBorn in Mecca in 570 AD He had a vision in which the angel Gabriel He had a vision in which the angel Gabriel

appeared to him and told him that he was to be appeared to him and told him that he was to be the messenger of Godthe messenger of God

For 23 years, Gabriel continued to send For 23 years, Gabriel continued to send revelations to Muhammad and he spread the revelations to Muhammad and he spread the messagemessage

TeachingsTeachings Taught acceptance of all Hebrew prophets Taught acceptance of all Hebrew prophets

including Jesusincluding Jesus Did not believe Jesus was Son of GodDid not believe Jesus was Son of God Believe Hebrews did not follow God’s law, Believe Hebrews did not follow God’s law,

therefore breaking their covenant with Godtherefore breaking their covenant with God God made Mecca the center of Islam and the God made Mecca the center of Islam and the

holiest cityholiest city

Five PillarsFive Pillars

The new religion united the people of the The new religion united the people of the Arabian Peninsula more than ever beforeArabian Peninsula more than ever before

Requires certain religious duties called the Five Requires certain religious duties called the Five PillarsPillars Faith – There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is Faith – There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is

the messenger of Allahthe messenger of Allah Prayer – Five times a day facing MeccaPrayer – Five times a day facing Mecca Almsgiving– support the less fortunateAlmsgiving– support the less fortunate Fasting – during holy month of RamadanFasting – during holy month of Ramadan Pilgrimage – at least once in life must travel to Pilgrimage – at least once in life must travel to

MeccaMecca

CaliphCaliph

Rulers of the Muslim community after Rulers of the Muslim community after Muhammad died were known as caliphs.Muhammad died were known as caliphs.

His duty was to spread God’s word.His duty was to spread God’s word. In carrying this out, they created an empire, In carrying this out, they created an empire,

which was a theocracy.which was a theocracy. Theocracy – government ruled by a religious Theocracy – government ruled by a religious

leaderleader Today much of the Middle East has religious Today much of the Middle East has religious

leaders.leaders.

Sunni and ShiiteSunni and Shiite

Sunni – share belief that the first four Sunni – share belief that the first four caliphs- Mohammad’s successors- caliphs- Mohammad’s successors- rightfully took their place as leaders of rightfully took their place as leaders of MuslimsMuslims

Shiite – believe that only the heirs of the Shiite – believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammadsuccessors of Mohammad

GodGod

Christianity- Holy Trinity, YahwehChristianity- Holy Trinity, Yahweh Islam- AllahIslam- Allah Judaism- Yahweh, ElohimJudaism- Yahweh, Elohim

Holy BookHoly Book

Christianity- Bible (Old Testament and Christianity- Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)New Testament)

Islam- Qur’an (Koran)Islam- Qur’an (Koran) Judaism- Old TestamentJudaism- Old Testament

Key BeliefsKey Beliefs

Christianity- belief that Jesus is son of Christianity- belief that Jesus is son of God, died for sins, resurrection God, died for sins, resurrection

Judaism- 10 Commandments, covenant Judaism- 10 Commandments, covenant with God, belief in Godwith God, belief in God

Islam- 5 Pillars of Islam (prayer 5 times a Islam- 5 Pillars of Islam (prayer 5 times a day, almsgiving, pilgrimage to Mecca, day, almsgiving, pilgrimage to Mecca, fasting during Ramadan, faith)fasting during Ramadan, faith)

Common Practices and Common Practices and RitualsRituals

Christianity- Baptism, communionChristianity- Baptism, communion Islam- 5 Pillars of Islam Islam- 5 Pillars of Islam Judaism- Kosher food, Jewish lawJudaism- Kosher food, Jewish law

Where does each religion Where does each religion worship?worship?

Christianity- church, chapel, cathedralChristianity- church, chapel, cathedral Islam- mosqueIslam- mosque Judaism- synagogueJudaism- synagogue

Major SectsMajor Sects

Christianity- Protestant, CatholicChristianity- Protestant, Catholic Islam- Shi’ite, SunniIslam- Shi’ite, Sunni Judaism-Reform, OrthodoxJudaism-Reform, Orthodox