Southwest Asia

(The Middle East)

Turkey

SaudiArabia

YemenYemen

Oman

Iraq Iran Afghanistan

SyriaLebanon

Israel

Jordan

United ArabEmirates

Kuwait

Bahrain

Qatar

History• All three religions of this region originated in

Southwest Asia– Judaism– Christianity– Islam

• All three religions are monotheistic – Meaning you believe in only one god

• Each religion also has its own sacred text, or book, which stand at the center of their beliefs.

Judaism- factsJudaism- facts Judaism is the oldest of the three religionsJudaism is the oldest of the three religions.. Its sacred book is called the TorahIts sacred book is called the Torah

Part of the Hebrew Bible is made up of five books Part of the Hebrew Bible is made up of five books called the called the TorahTorah which talk about Jewish laws which talk about Jewish laws and historyand history

The central belief for the Jewish people is The central belief for the Jewish people is that: that: they believe one day a human leader they believe one day a human leader will come as a messenger from God and will come as a messenger from God and restore the greatness of Israel. This leader is restore the greatness of Israel. This leader is called the called the messiahmessiah

Judaism- factsJudaism- facts Also Also central to the Jewish religion are the ideas central to the Jewish religion are the ideas

of justice and righteousness of justice and righteousness in dealing with in dealing with peoplepeople

Justice- Justice-

Righteousness-Righteousness-

*Hanukkah and Passover are main holidays*Hanukkah and Passover are main holidays

Judaism- originJudaism- origin AbrahamAbraham is considered the is considered the

father of the Jewish people.father of the Jewish people. God came to Abraham and told God came to Abraham and told

him to leave his home in Ur him to leave his home in Ur (today’s Iraq) and move his (today’s Iraq) and move his family to Canaan (today’s family to Canaan (today’s Israel), which he promised to Israel), which he promised to Abraham and his descendentsAbraham and his descendents

• This is why Jews believe This is why Jews believe that Israel is considered that Israel is considered their “promise land”.their “promise land”.

The Hebrews (Jewish The Hebrews (Jewish people) lived in Canaan for people) lived in Canaan for many years but many years but eventually…eventually…

The Hebrew people The Hebrew people began to migrate to began to migrate to Egypt- probably Egypt- probably because of a famine in because of a famine in the areathe area In Egypt they were In Egypt they were

forced into slavery by forced into slavery by the Pharaoh.the Pharaoh.

The Hebrews were The Hebrews were eventually freed from eventually freed from slavery by slavery by MosesMoses This was called the This was called the

ExodusExodus

Judaism- origins Judaism- origins continuedcontinued

The Jewish people eventuallyThe Jewish people eventually

made their way back to Canaan,made their way back to Canaan,

but were forced off their land by but were forced off their land by

invaders. This scattering of invaders. This scattering of

Jews outside of Israel is knownJews outside of Israel is known

as the as the DiasporaDiaspora. .

The fight for Israel will continue for many The fight for Israel will continue for many years….. which we will come back to later!!! years….. which we will come back to later!!!

Moses ->

Christianity- factsChristianity- facts The Christian religion grew out Judaism.The Christian religion grew out Judaism.

The holy book for the Christian religion is the The holy book for the Christian religion is the Bible—made up OLD & NEW Testaments—Bible—made up OLD & NEW Testaments—Gospels are parts of the life of JesusGospels are parts of the life of Jesus– It is made up of two parts the Old Testament It is made up of two parts the Old Testament

(which is very similar to the Hebrew Bible) and the (which is very similar to the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament (stories of the life and teachings New Testament (stories of the life and teachings of Jesus and the early history of the Christian of Jesus and the early history of the Christian religion)religion)

The The central belief is: that Jesus died for central belief is: that Jesus died for our sins and will return one day to our sins and will return one day to restore the greatness of Israel.restore the greatness of Israel.

Christianity- origins Christianity- origins Jesus of Nazareth was Jesus of Nazareth was

born in Bethlehem and born in Bethlehem and raised a Jewish boy.raised a Jewish boy.

At the age of 30 he At the age of 30 he began to teach ideas began to teach ideas that challenged the that challenged the authority of political authority of political and religious leadersand religious leaders– He believed that the old He believed that the old

laws should be replaced laws should be replaced by a simpler system by a simpler system based on love of one’s based on love of one’s fellow human beings fellow human beings

The Jewish leaders The Jewish leaders fearing loss of power fearing loss of power asked the Romans to asked the Romans to arrest him arrest him – Jesus was crucified Jesus was crucified

(nailed to a cross) for (nailed to a cross) for speaking out against speaking out against JewishJewish

According to Christian According to Christian belief Jesus rose from belief Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later- the dead 3 days later- resurrectedresurrected- and - and appeared to his appeared to his disciplesdisciples

Christianity- origin con.Christianity- origin con. After his resurrection, Jesus stayed with his After his resurrection, Jesus stayed with his

12 disciples (or apostles) to teach them so 12 disciples (or apostles) to teach them so they could continue what he had started. they could continue what he had started.

12 apostles spread Jesus’ word after 12 apostles spread Jesus’ word after he died he died

As Christianity continued to spread and become As Christianity continued to spread and become

popular the Roman leaders became worriedpopular the Roman leaders became worried. . Christians were often arrested or killed Christians were often arrested or killed for refusing to worship the gods of for refusing to worship the gods of RomeRome; forcing many to practice the ; forcing many to practice the Christian religion in hiding. Christian religion in hiding.

Christianity- origin con.Christianity- origin con. Though the religion was made illegal, Though the religion was made illegal,

it continued to grow and spreadit continued to grow and spread Eventually reaching members of the Eventually reaching members of the

Roman Emperor himself- Constantine.Roman Emperor himself- Constantine.– 313 C.E.- Going into battle he had his 313 C.E.- Going into battle he had his

soldiers fight with the Christian symbol- soldiers fight with the Christian symbol- they won the battle.they won the battle.

– Shortly after Constantine he removed Shortly after Constantine he removed bans against the practice of Christianity bans against the practice of Christianity and formed a council of Christian leaders and formed a council of Christian leaders to help unify the religionto help unify the religion

Islam- FactsIslam- Facts The Third religion to developThe Third religion to develop Its Its holy book is called the: holy book is called the: Qur’anQur’an The The central belief central belief AllahAllah is their God is their God

and Muhammad is the prophet & and Muhammad is the prophet & founder!founder! The Five PillarsThe Five Pillars – Five main beliefs – Five main beliefs

1. Believe in only one God and 1. Believe in only one God and MuhammadMuhammad

2. Pray in the direction of Mecca 5 times a 2. Pray in the direction of Mecca 5 times a dayday

3. Give money to the poor3. Give money to the poor 4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Make a journey (Hajj) to Mecca (Saudi 5. Make a journey (Hajj) to Mecca (Saudi

Arabia) at least onceArabia) at least once

Islam- originIslam- origin Muhammad was born in Mecca, Muhammad was born in Mecca,

Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia. At the age of 40 the angel Gabriel (a At the age of 40 the angel Gabriel (a

figure from the Hebrew Bible) figure from the Hebrew Bible) appeared to Muhammad while he appeared to Muhammad while he was praying in a cavewas praying in a cave The angel gave him messages from The angel gave him messages from

Allah, which he began spreading the Allah, which he began spreading the teaching of Islam throughout parts of teaching of Islam throughout parts of the Middle East.the Middle East.

Islam BranchesIslam Branches There are There are TWO branches of Islam:TWO branches of Islam:

Sunni: Sunni: 90% of the world Muslims, DO NOT believe 90% of the world Muslims, DO NOT believe you have to be related to Muhammad to be a supreme you have to be related to Muhammad to be a supreme leaderleader

Shia: Shia: 10% of the world Muslim 10% of the world Muslim population, DO BELIEVE you have to be population, DO BELIEVE you have to be related to Muhammad to be a supreme related to Muhammad to be a supreme leader (tend to be more strict)leader (tend to be more strict)

The majority of people living The majority of people living in the Middle East in the Middle East

(Southwest Asia) follow (Southwest Asia) follow ISLAM.ISLAM.

Since all 3 major Since all 3 major monotheistic religions monotheistic religions

originated in the Middle originated in the Middle East…what are some East…what are some

problems that could arise problems that could arise because of this?because of this?