Judaism, Islam, Christianity

Judaism is…

• “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place”

(Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)

• A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people

• A celebration and sanctification of life

• A faith, a people, a way of life…

As a faith, Jews believe…

• In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal

• In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people

• In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew• the Hebrew Bible does not include the New

Testament

As a people, as a way of life

• A nation in Diaspora (dispersed)

• 15 – 16 million in worldwide population

• United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice:

• 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)

• Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life

• Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

How is Judaism related to Christianity?

• Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

• Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles• Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a

good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah

• The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth

• Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

What are Jews really concerned with?

• Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed”

• The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)

• Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy!

Christianity is…

• Monotheistic Religion, born out of Judaism in the 1st century

• 2.2 billion Christians world wide

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the Roman province of Judea- now Palestine

• Jesus received a Jewish religious education, trained preacher

• Jesus’ disciples (followers) believe He was the Son of God sent to humankind as the Savior, or Christ

• His teachings found in the New Testament, basis of Christianity

As a faith, Christians believe

• A single God is the Father of all humanity. All men are brothers, all women are sisters.

• Love God above all; love your neighbor as yourself

• The life and person of each individual are sacred

• True Christians practice charity, justice, and the Golden Rule

• All persons may be cleansed of sin and achieve eternal salvation

Growth of Christianity

• 1st-4th Centuries AD –

Christianity gained many converts throughout the Roman Empire

Christians were persecuted and opposed within Roman Empire

Emperor Constantine ordered religious toleration by the Edict of Milan

• 4th-11th Centuries AD-

The Great Schism: The Roman Catholic v The Greek Orthodox Church

Islam as a faith…

Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Qur’an

Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.

Written in Arabic.

The 5 Pillars of Faith

• The Shahada: There is no god worthy of worship except God, andMuhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet].

• The Salat: The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day

• The Zakat: Muslims believe that all things belong to God.

• The Sawm: Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

• The Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca. Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime. 2-3 million make the Hajj each year… Hajji

The Spread of Islam

Easy to learn and practice.

No priesthood.

Teaches equality.

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Muslims in the World Today

Muslims in the World Today

Countries with the Largest Muslim Population

Countries with the Largest Muslim Population

1. Indonesia 183,000,000 6. Iran 62,000,000

2. Pakistan 134,000,000 7. Egypt 59,000,000

3. India 121,000,000 8. Nigeria 53,000,000

4. Bangladesh 114,000,000 9. Algeria 31,000,000

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000

* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world.

Islam after Muhammad’s Death

• Who were the Caliphs?

leaders of Muslim community

successors to Muhammad

created an empire

• Who were the Sunnis and the Shia?

Sunnis- followers of Umayyad Clan of Mecca

Shia- followers of Ali, a cousin of Muhammad’s and husband of his daughter (blood line more powerful!)

How do these three religions affect the Middle Ages?

• The Roman Catholic Church, and Christianity specifically, was the dominant religion in Medieval Europe

• Any attempt at threatening Christianity by other religions was met with force

I.E. RELIGIOUS WARS OVER LAND

• Purify the church = Christian campaigns against other religions:

This included Jews, Muslims and Pagans and Gypsies

Jews suffered the most as they were the ‘biggest threat’ to Christianity