Western Monotheistic Religions

The “Axial Age”The “Axial Age”500BCE – 100CE500BCE – 100CE

IndiaBuddha

Hinduism

PalestineJesus

PersiaZaruthustra

GreeceSocrates

PlatoAristotle

ChinaConfucius

Laozi

TheAxialAge

Revolutionary monotheisms:Revolutionary monotheisms:Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Abrahamic Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Abrahamic

faiths)faiths)

(J-C-I Tradition) believe:(J-C-I Tradition) believe:

There is ONE God (monotheism)There is ONE God (monotheism)

God is above nature and human weakness God is above nature and human weakness (transcendent)(transcendent)

Sacred books are revealedSacred books are revealed

JudaismJudaism Approximately 3800 years Approximately 3800 years

oldold

Founder of Judaism: Founder of Judaism: AbrahamAbraham

Foundational stories of Foundational stories of Judaism are ones of journey, Judaism are ones of journey, exile, returnexile, return

Descendants of Abraham Descendants of Abraham comprise a divinely chosen comprise a divinely chosen family and ethnic groupfamily and ethnic group

World’s first ethical World’s first ethical monotheistic religionmonotheistic religion

Rembrandt’s Abraham

Key Historical Events Key Historical Events JudaismJudaism

Moses and the 10 Commandments-Moses and the 10 Commandments-ethical monotheism-the Covenantethical monotheism-the Covenant

Hebrew Kingdoms—David and Hebrew Kingdoms—David and SolomonSolomon

Diaspora – Torah (“Bible”) and Diaspora – Torah (“Bible”) and Talmud (Law)Talmud (Law)

Chosen PeopleChosen People Sacred Geography-Israel, JerusalemSacred Geography-Israel, Jerusalem

Exodus

Moses and his Covenant with God

Basic Beliefs of JudaismBasic Beliefs of Judaism

Meaning in God – ethical monotheismMeaning in God – ethical monotheism

““God is righteous and loves man”God is righteous and loves man”

Meaning in CreationMeaning in Creation

““The universe is god-created”The universe is god-created”

Meaning in ManMeaning in Man

““Man is created in God’s image”Man is created in God’s image”

““The Chosen People”The Chosen People”

Meaning in HistoryMeaning in History

““The Promised Land”The Promised Land”

Basic Beliefs of JudaismBasic Beliefs of Judaism

Meaning in Morality – the Covenant with Meaning in Morality – the Covenant with GodGod

““Ten Commandments” and TorahTen Commandments” and Torah

Meaning in JusticeMeaning in Justice

““injustice breeds its own demise”injustice breeds its own demise”

TalmudTalmud

Meaning in Suffering-Last Judgment, Meaning in Suffering-Last Judgment, SalvationSalvation

Jews within the Roman EmpireJews within the Roman Empire

During Roman times, During Roman times, there was already a there was already a “Jewish diaspora”“Jewish diaspora”

Jewish communities Jewish communities often came into conflict often came into conflict with Romans when they with Romans when they refused to worship refused to worship Roman deities or Roman deities or emperorsemperors

66-70 CE—Jerusalem 66-70 CE—Jerusalem defeated by Rome, defeated by Rome, second temple destroyedsecond temple destroyed

DiasporaDiaspora

922 B.C. The Jewish kingdom is established

70 A.D. The Romans conquer the Jewish kingdom – the Temple of Solomon is destroyed.

11-12th Cent. Massacres on Jews in the Rhineland and by the Crusaders.

1215 Jews in Europe are forced to dress in a certain way or carry the Jewish mark.

1290 The Jews are expelled from England.

14th Cent. The Jews are expelled from France.

1492 The Jews are expelled from Spain, unless they are willing to be baptised.

1648 Massacres on Jews in Poland and the Ukraine.

19th Cent. The Jews are gradually emancipated in Germany and in other Westernm European countries.

1819 Pogrom against the Jews of Copenhagen.

1881 Pogroms in Russia following the murder of the Tsar.

1919 Pogroms in Eastern Europe – 60,000 Jews are killed in the Ukraine by Ukrainian nationalists.

Judaism during the Middle Ages

Burning the Talmud

Forced to wear yellow star

Burned to DeathExamples of Anti-Semitism

JesusJesus

Born c. 4 BCEBorn c. 4 BCE

Independent-minded Independent-minded Jewish Rabbi?Jewish Rabbi?

Political revolutionary?Political revolutionary?

Executed for activities Executed for activities and teachings c. 30 CEand teachings c. 30 CE

JESUS PREACHING TO FOLLOWERS

See RGH #45 “The Ranking of Jesus in History”

CHRIST BEFORE PILATE

CRUCIFIXION

RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

Basic Beliefs of JesusBasic Beliefs of Jesus

love your fellow man-Golden Rule love your fellow man-Golden Rule turn the other cheek – pacifism, turn the other cheek – pacifism,

nonviolence?nonviolence? social justice-live simplysocial justice-live simply equality of men and womenequality of men and women opposed to the ceremonialism of opposed to the ceremonialism of

JudaismJudaism

Early ChristianityEarly Christianity Splinter group within JudaismSplinter group within Judaism

Spread by Paul of Tarsus and Spread by Paul of Tarsus and others; enabled by others; enabled by pax romanapax romana

Many poor and Many poor and disenfranchised were disenfranchised were attracted to Christianityattracted to Christianity

• ““Blessed are the meek for they Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” Mark 5shall inherit the earth” Mark 5

A religion of conversionA religion of conversion

33rdrd century: ONE TENTH of century: ONE TENTH of Western Roman Empire Western Roman Empire ChristianChristian

Paul of Tarsus

Paul’s Additions to ChristianityPaul’s Additions to Christianity

Christian theology-role of the church and Christian theology-role of the church and the prieststhe priests

original sinoriginal sin Jesus divine, the “son of God”Jesus divine, the “son of God” subordinate role for womensubordinate role for women faith in God-saving stuff is “grace”faith in God-saving stuff is “grace” universal mission – seek convertsuniversal mission – seek converts no longer follow Jewish practicesno longer follow Jewish practices celibacy celibacy

Paul’s Third Trip to Rome

Christianization of the Roman Christianization of the Roman EmpireEmpire

Christianization of Christianization of “pagan” cults and “pagan” cults and templestemples

Christianization of Christianization of Roman feast daysRoman feast days

Celebration of “martyrs”Celebration of “martyrs”

Conversion of Germanic Conversion of Germanic peoplespeoples

Persecuted religionPersecuted religion intolerance of “pagans” intolerance of “pagans”

Catholic Church in AssisiFormerly Temple of Minerva

CHARLEMAGNE DEFEATS THE SAXONS

Conversion by the Sword?

Allah in Arabic

Arabia before MuhammadArabia before Muhammad

Arabia was situated Arabia was situated between two world between two world powers: Roman powers: Roman Byzantine Empire and Byzantine Empire and Persian Sasanid EmpirePersian Sasanid Empire

The Arabian peninsula The Arabian peninsula was inhabited by was inhabited by nomadic, warring tribes-nomadic, warring tribes-bedouinsbedouins

Major religions of the Major religions of the region: Christianity and region: Christianity and ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism

The Prophet, MuhammadThe Prophet, Muhammad

Born c. 570 C.E. in MeccaBorn c. 570 C.E. in Mecca

At 40, he began to receive revelations from archangel At 40, he began to receive revelations from archangel GabrielGabriel

In 622 Muhammad and followers fled to Yathrib, later In 622 Muhammad and followers fled to Yathrib, later known as Medina [the known as Medina [the hijrahijra]. 622 = year one of the Muslim ]. 622 = year one of the Muslim calendarcalendar

In 630 Muhammad and followers returned to MeccaIn 630 Muhammad and followers returned to Mecca

In 632 Muhammad led the first In 632 Muhammad led the first hajhaj to the Ka’ba to the Ka’ba

Muhammad died in 632Muhammad died in 632

See RGH# 48 “The Ranking of Muhammad in History”

The Hijra - “Flight”The Hijra - “Flight”

Muhammad flees to Yathrib (Medina) 622 CEMuhammad flees to Yathrib (Medina) 622 CE

• Year 0 in Muslim calendarYear 0 in Muslim calendar Organizes followers into communal society Organizes followers into communal society

• (the (the umma)umma) Legal, spiritual codeLegal, spiritual code Commerce, raids on Meccan caravans for sake Commerce, raids on Meccan caravans for sake

of of ummaumma

The Ka’abaThe Ka’aba

PROPHET MUHAMMAD AT THE KA'BA WITH ANGEL SEIZING IDOLS

Islam – Basic BeliefsIslam – Basic Beliefs Monotheism Monotheism

• ““Do not say ‘three’—Allah is but one Do not say ‘three’—Allah is but one God. Allah forbid that he should have God. Allah forbid that he should have a son.”a son.”

Prophecy – Muhammad “the Seal”Prophecy – Muhammad “the Seal” Quran – literal word of Allah, in Quran – literal word of Allah, in

ArabicArabic Angels – hierarchy, role of GabrielAngels – hierarchy, role of Gabriel Last JudgmentLast Judgment

GRAND MOSQUE IN MECCA

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

MUSLIMS MUST: MUSLIMS MUST:

Profession of the Faith: Profession of the Faith: Acknowledge Allah as the Acknowledge Allah as the only god and Muhammad only god and Muhammad as his prophetas his prophet

Pray: five times daily, Pray: five times daily, facing Meccafacing Mecca

Fast during RamadanFast during Ramadan

Charity: Give alms to the Charity: Give alms to the weak and poorweak and poor

Haj: If able, make a Haj: If able, make a pilgrimage to Mecca once pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetimesin their lifetimes

The Ka’ba at Mecca

The Quran [Koran]The Quran [Koran]

““Recitations” Recitations”

It is considered the It is considered the absolute and absolute and uncorrupted word of uncorrupted word of GodGod

It should be chanted It should be chanted and studied in the and studied in the original Arabic, other original Arabic, other versions are versions are considered considered “translations” or “translations” or “interpretations”“interpretations”

See RGH #51 “Islam: The Koran”

The Opening PrayerThe Opening PrayerIn the name of God

the Compassionate the CaringPraise be to God

lord sustainer of the worldsthe Compassionate the CaringMaster of the day of reckoningTo you we turn to worship

and to you we turn in time of needGuide us along the road straightthe road of those to whom you are giving

not those which anger upon themnot those who have lost the way.

Prayer in Islam Call to Prayer

Organization Organization

Sunna – hadith, or traditions of MuhammadSunna – hadith, or traditions of Muhammad Sharia – Quran + Sunna = The LawSharia – Quran + Sunna = The Law Ulema and Imams – like rabbisUlema and Imams – like rabbis ““Sabbath” – Friday noon, MosquesSabbath” – Friday noon, Mosques

BUTBUT

No priests, no hierarchy, no pope, no idols, No priests, no hierarchy, no pope, no idols, no sacraments, no original sin, no no sacraments, no original sin, no separation between church and state, no separation between church and state, no sabbath.sabbath.

“Bestseller in Mideast: Barbie With a Prayer Mat” NYT 9/22/05

Women in IslamWomen in Islam

Muhammad sought to Muhammad sought to improve the improve the treatment of womentreatment of women

Muslims adopted the Muslims adopted the pre-existing pre-existing Byzantine and Byzantine and Persian custom of Persian custom of veiling to observe veiling to observe “modesty” as “modesty” as required for Muslim required for Muslim women women andand men men

The Quran enjoins women believers to“lower their gaze and be mindful of theirchastity, and not to display their charms[in public] beyond what may [decently]be apparent thereof.” 24:31

Similarities: Similarities: Judaism, Christianity, IslamJudaism, Christianity, Islam

Yahweh, God, Allah: One Yahweh, God, Allah: One god, the same godgod, the same god

Same lineage, from AbrahamSame lineage, from Abraham

All have holy booksAll have holy books

All require acts of faithAll require acts of faith

All advocate ethical and All advocate ethical and moral behaviormoral behavior

All originate from histories All originate from histories of opposition and of opposition and persecutionpersecution

All claim Jerusalem as a holy All claim Jerusalem as a holy citycity

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem: Featuringthe Western Wall and Dome of the Rock

Holy City of JerusalemHoly City of Jerusalem

Dome of the Rock

Church of the HolySepulcher

The Western Wall

Sunni / Shia SchismSunni / Shia Schism

Sunni:Sunni:

• Largest branch of IslamLargest branch of Islam

• Believe in the Believe in the legitimacy of the legitimacy of the earliest caliphsearliest caliphs

• Believe the role of the Believe the role of the caliph is to protect the caliph is to protect the divine law, act of judge, divine law, act of judge, and rule over and rule over communitycommunity

Shia:Shia:

• Minority opposition to Minority opposition to SunniSunni

• Believe leadership Believe leadership should reside in the line should reside in the line of Aliof Ali

• Believe that the caliph Believe that the caliph can interpret the Quran can interpret the Quran and law; that he and law; that he possesses inward possesses inward knowledgeknowledge

Chronology of the Islamic EmpiresChronology of the Islamic Empires

570-632570-632 Life of MuhammadLife of Muhammad

661-750661-750 Umayyad DynastyUmayyad Dynasty

750-1258750-1258 Abbasid DynastyAbbasid Dynasty

1096-12041096-1204 Crusades from EuropeCrusades from Europe

12581258 Mongol capture of BaghdadMongol capture of Baghdad

The Islamic EmpiresThe Islamic Empires

EARLY EXPANSION OF MUSLIM RULE

Conversion by the sword? No.Conversion by the sword? No.

Islam transcended tribal divisions and united Arab Islam transcended tribal divisions and united Arab tribestribes

Conquests were not about conversion by the sword Conquests were not about conversion by the sword but about uniting Arab tribes and expanding Arab but about uniting Arab tribes and expanding Arab territoryterritory

““People of the Book” were not pressured to convertPeople of the Book” were not pressured to convert

Non-Muslims paid higher taxes so Arabs had “little Non-Muslims paid higher taxes so Arabs had “little material incentive to encourage conversion”material incentive to encourage conversion”

Umayyad Dynasty Umayyad Dynasty 661-750661-750

Time of conquest but little Time of conquest but little conversionconversion

Control monopolized by Arabs which Control monopolized by Arabs which caused tensioncaused tension

Abbasid Dynasty Abbasid Dynasty 750-1258750-1258

The “golden age” of IslamThe “golden age” of Islam

Islamic empires revived Islamic empires revived the economic unity of the the economic unity of the region and became the region and became the hub between Asia and hub between Asia and EuropeEurope

Time of the “Muslim Time of the “Muslim synthesis”synthesis”

Baghdad the capitalBaghdad the capital Harun al Rashid

The “Muslim Synthesis”-First The “Muslim Synthesis”-First World Civilization?World Civilization?

Muslims merged the Muslims merged the scientific and scientific and intellectual traditions intellectual traditions of Greece and India of Greece and India and enhanced them and enhanced them with their own with their own commentarycommentary

They preserved Greek They preserved Greek philosophy at a time philosophy at a time that Europe was a that Europe was a “cultural backwater”“cultural backwater”

ARTERIES OF TRADE AND TRAVEL IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD, TO 1500

“First World Civilization”

al-Andalus - Spain

Relationship with Christianity

Great Mosque at Cordoba, 786When the Abbasids attempted to massacre 800 family members of the Umayyad dynasty at a dinner of peace, a few of them escaped, fled to Spain, and established Cordoba as their capital. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, begun in 786, contains all of the usual features of a mosque, but it is best known for its interior double set of horseshoe-shaped arches, one above the other, which are mounted on the capitals of granite and marble columns. (Christopher Rennie/Robert Harding Picture Library)

The CrusadesThe Crusades

Crusade = “holy war”Crusade = “holy war”

Series of military Series of military campaigns undertaken campaigns undertaken by European by European Christendom against the Christendom against the Abbasid empireAbbasid empire

Five military campaigns Five military campaigns between 1095-1300between 1095-1300

Offensive or defensive Offensive or defensive wars?wars?

Map of the Crusades and the Reconquest of Spain

Reasons for the CrusadesReasons for the Crusades

To “recapture” To “recapture” JerusalemJerusalem

To end wars To end wars among among Europe’s knightsEurope’s knights

Desire for wealth Desire for wealth and information and information from the more from the more advanced Islamic advanced Islamic civilizationcivilization

Important turning points…Important turning points…

First crusade conquered Jerusalem First crusade conquered Jerusalem 1099; recaptured by Saladin 11871099; recaptured by Saladin 1187

Fourth crusade targeted Fourth crusade targeted Constantinople, weakening Byzantine Constantinople, weakening Byzantine empire against the rising power of empire against the rising power of the Turksthe Turks

Long-term effects of the CrusadesLong-term effects of the Crusades

The Crusades were never a mortal threat to the The Crusades were never a mortal threat to the Abbasids but they eroded their long-held culture Abbasids but they eroded their long-held culture of religious tolerationof religious toleration

Weakened the Byzantine empire against the Weakened the Byzantine empire against the rising power of the Turksrising power of the Turks

The Crusades stimulated Europe’s economy and The Crusades stimulated Europe’s economy and “reintegrat[ed] Western Europe into the larger “reintegrat[ed] Western Europe into the larger economy of the Eastern hemisphere” economy of the Eastern hemisphere” TETE

Helped unify Europe vis a vis the “East”Helped unify Europe vis a vis the “East”

Map of Constantinople

Seige of Constantinople

Conquest by Ottomans, 1453

End of the Byzantine Empire