Judaism1. Founder –

a. Abraham is recognized as the founder of Judaism due to his covenant with God.

b. Moses is also considered a founder due to his role in the liberation of the Hebrews from Egypt, and his delivery of the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai sometime around 2000 BCE.

2. Geographic Origin - Developed in the Middle East in and around the area that is currently Israel sometime around 3000 BCE.

3. Currently Practiced – Worldwide, but the greatest majority of Jews reside in Israel, the United States, Eastern Europe and Russia.

Abraham

Moses

Judaism1. Significant Writings –

a. Torah - The holy book of Judaism. It describes the creation of the world, the history of ancient Israel, the Ten Commandments, and contains the Psalms and the prophetic books.

b. Talmud - The collection of Jewish writings that is the basis of Jewish religious law; Book of ethical writings

2. Places of Worship - Jews worship in temples called synagogues.

3. Significant Religious People - Rabbis charged with conducting religious services, ensuring that Jewish laws are observed, and serving as a spiritual guide for the community.

Torah

Talmud

Synagogue

Judaism7. Beliefs:

a. God, Torah and Israel – Three essential elements to Jewish beliefs

b. God - Monotheism – Judaism teaches that there is one God, Yahweh, who is the creator of all things.

1. Covenant with God –Abraham, the first prophet made a agreement with God. God promised Abraham a protection and a home in Canaan (Israel) in return for Abraham’s faith in one all-powerful God by following to God’s divine teachings, the Torah.

a. Moses - Entered into a covenant with God through the Ten Commandments. (Exodus)

c. Israel – The holy land God provided to the Jews.

d. Torah - The holy book of Judaism. It contains the ethical and ritual commandments through which one may partake in God’s ethical and moral holiness.

Abraham enters into Covenant with Yahweh

Moses leads Israelites out of Egypt

Judaism beliefs continued…e. Ten Commandments –

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make yourself any graven image, or any

likeness of anything that is in the heavens above…3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in

vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God

5. Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.

6. You shall not commit murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not witness falsely against your neighbor.10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, your

neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.

Judaism beliefs continued…F. Jewish Persecution – throughout their

existence, Jews have faced persecution, a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs.

1. Slavery in Egypt – Became slaves in Egypt until God and Moses freed them

2. Diaspora - forced exile throughout the world due to persecution.

3. The Holocaust - The Nazis systematic annihilation of the Jews during WWII. Over 6 Million Jews were executed due to Adolf Hitler’s Final Solution.

• Jews believe that they are God’s chosen people, why does their survival of slavery, exile, persecution and the Holocaust reinforce this idea?

J. Christianity1. Founder – Jesus of Nazareth Geographic Origin -

Developed in Judea (now Jerusalem, Israel), located in the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean Sea sometime around the year 30 CE.

2. Currently Practiced – Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers. Religion spread through missionaries and conquests. It is the dominant religion in North America, South America, Europe, and Russia.

3. Significant Writings – The Holy Bible,

a. Old Testament – The teachings from the Jewish holy book the Torah

b. New Testament - The written accounts from Jesus’ disciples concerning his life and teachings.

Christianity5. Places of Worship - Christians practice

their faith in temples usually referred to as churches.

6. Significant Religious People –

a. The Pope - the religious leader for all Roman Catholics

b. Patriarch - the Christian leader of the Eastern Orthodox sects.

c. Priests and ministers are Christian holy men and women who are charged with conducting religious services, ensuring that Jewish laws are observed, and serving as a spiritual guide for the community.

Christianity7. Beliefs:

a. Shared beliefs with Judaism – Jewish laws are the basis for Christian laws

1. Monotheism – Belief in one God2. Ten Commandments - Both follow the

religious guidelines of the Ten Commandments found in the Book of Exodus.

3. Messiah - Jewish prophecies contained in several books of the Old Testament stated that God would send a savior, or messiah, to the people of Israel. While Judaism clearly states that this event has not yet occurred.

b. Jesus Christ, Messiah - Christians believe that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah (Savior) sent to redeem the world of

sin.

What similarities do Judaism and Christianity share?

What are the differences?

ChristianityC. Holy Trinity - formed by the Creator (Father),

Redeemer (Son), and Sustainer (Holy Spirit). Christians believe that these three entities are all part of a single higher power.

d. Compassion - Christians emphasize God’s love and compassion. They preach the need for justice, morality, service to others

e. Salvation - reaching Heavenf. Atonement - forgiveness of sins. Christians

believe that sins can be forgiven by God. g. Practices –

1. Church Service - Christians are expected to attend church services regularly, usually on Sundays and holy days such as Christmas and Easter.

2. Sacraments - religious practices such as baptism, and receiving the Eucharist (Communion).

Why do some people consider the Holy trinity polytheistic?

Christianityh. Denominations - Due to different interpretations of

the Bible and the practice of different ceremonies and rituals, there are several different sects within Christianity.

i. Great Schism - The first major split within Christianity occurred in 1056 CE. This split divided the Christian world into the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox.

Christianity1. Roman Catholicism - The largest Christian branch and

claims over a billion members, representing approximately half of all Christians. The Church's highest earthly authority is the Pope. This branch of Christianity is predominately practiced in Western Europe and the Latin America. (Latin based)

2. Eastern Orthodoxy - The 2nd largest Christian branch, estimated to number between 225 and 300 million members. The highest earthly authority is the Patriarch. This branch of Christianity is predominately practiced in Eastern Europe and Russia. (Greek)

3. Protestant Christianity - A branch within Christianity, containing many denominations of different practices and doctrines that originated in the sixteenth-century Reformation (Branches include: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, etc.) These branches of Christianity are predominately practiced in Western Europe and the United States (Vernacular)

Why are there so many Christian denominations?

IslamK. Islam -

1. Founder – Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad.

2. Geographic Origin - Developed on the Arabian Peninsula (Mecca or Mekkah) in the year 622 CE, and quickly spread to other regions through trade and warfare.

3. Currently Practiced – Islam is most dominant throughout the Middle East, including North Africa and Southwest Asia and Southeast Asia.

4. Significant Writings – The teachings of Islam are collected in the Qur'an or Koran.

5. Places of Worship - Muslims may gather to worship in temples called Mosques

6. Significant Religious People – the Caliph or successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Islam7. Beliefs:

a. Monotheism – Belief in one God

b. Muhammad – Muslims consider Muhammad as the last great prophet to God and he received the final word of God, or Allah, through the angel Gabriel while living in the city of Mecca.

c. Qur’an - The Qur’an or Koran is the final and complete revelation of Allah

Islamic Beliefs cont….D. Five Pillars of Islam - Under Muhammad's

leadership, the Five Pillars of Islam were established. Every Muslim is expected to follow these rules in order to lead an ethical life:

1. Confession of Faith - The belief that "there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."

2. Prayer - Muslims must pray five times per day, facing towards Mecca.

3. Alms - Muslims must give alms (charity or tax) to the poor, and support the local Mosque by donating a portion of their income.

4. Fasting- During the Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, all Muslims must fast during daylight hours, except the very young or sick.

5. Hajj - Muslims who have the finances to do so, must make a hajj, or holy pilgrimage, to the city of Mecca.

What similarities do Judaism, Christianity and Islam share?

Islamic Beliefs continued…

e. Sharia - Islamic system of law that regulates moral conduct, family life, business practices, government and other aspects of a Muslim community.

f. Hegira - The flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina was instrumental to the founding of the religion of Islam, and is known as the Hegira and this date became the starting point for the Islamic calendar. 622 CE

g. Jihad - or the holy struggle save Islam or spread Islam. Holy War

Islamic Beliefs continued…

H. Sunni and Shia Islam – Due to different interpretations on how to choose the Caliph, religious leader of Islam, differing sects of Islam evolved.

1. Sunni Islam - The largest denomination of Islam; Sunni Muslims believe that the Caliph should be chosen from the community.

2. Shia Islam - The minority branch of Islam; The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites. Shiite Muslims believe that Muhammad's family and certain individuals among his descendants should be the Caliph