Monotheistic ReligionsJudaism, Christianity, Islam

Religion A system of belief or worship built around a God or gods

or goddesses ✴code of ethics ✴a philosophy of life

Monotheistic

belief in

only one god

Polytheistic

belief in

more than one god

Judaism: an introduction

Judaism

Star of David is the most common symbol of Judaism

Judaism was founded by Moses BUT most Jews trace their belief back to Abraham

Judaism worships one God.

In Judaism, they worship YHWH (“Yahweh” Hebrew pronunciation) which is built around the phrase “I am”

JudaismJudaism follows the word of the Torah (the first 5 books of Moses) or Tanach/Tanakh (all the Jewish scriptures)

Followers of Judaism are considered Jewish and sometimes referred to as Jews.

Jews will attend a Synagogue to worship.

JudaismThere are 13 million followers of Judaism. Most of the followers are in Israel and the United States.

Holiest place for Judaism is: Jerusalem.

The religious leader of a synagogue is called a Rabbi.

The three branches (Sects) of Judaism are: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform

JudaismIn Judaism, they believe the Messiah will still come.

The Ten Commandments form the basis of the Torah

Holidays celebrated by Judaism:

Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year festival that takes place in September or October.

Yom Kippur - a Jewish holiday where Jews fast, pray, and ask God for forgiveness (this happens 10 days after the beginning of Rosh Hashanah)

Hanukkah - the festival of lights - celebrates 8 days plus one additional candle to light the others

ISLAM: an introductionClick on the words above for a link to a YouTube video

ISLAM

Star and Crescent is the best-known symbol to represent Islam.

Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in 600 AD

Islam believes in only one God (Monotheistic religion)

IslamWorship of One God (Allah). God has no son, he is Almighty. Allah is Arabic for God.

The Qur’an or Koran ~ the written words of Mohammed as told by the angel Gabriel

Followers of Islam are known as Muslim

“Allah” written in Arabic

IslamMuslims attend Mosque

There are currently about 1.6 billion followers of Islam

Holy places of Islam are:

*Kaaba in Mecca (in the picture) *Medina, and *Jerusalem.

Muslims believe in: The Five Pillars of Islam Holidays celebrated by Islam:

Ramadan - a month of fasting ~ celebrated during the 9th month of their calendar, Eid ul-Fitr - when Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan

Eid al-Adha - at the end of Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca - during the 12th month of their calendar.

Muslims must perform these duties to show submission to Allah

submission to Allah

A declaration of faith. “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad

is his messenger.

Pray facing Mecca five times a day: dawn,

noon, afternoon evening and night.

It is a Muslims duty to give 2.5% of their

income to the poor/needy.

During the holy month of Ramadan,

Muslims cannot eat or drink from dawn to

dusk.

If possible, Muslims must go on a

pilgrimage to Mecca once in their life.

Islam

Northern Africa, Middle East, Indonesia

Sunni and Shia - denominations

*Sunnis believe Muslim leaders can be elected, picked or anyone qualified (80%)

*Shia believe leaders should be direct descendants of of the Prophet (20%)

Leaders are known as/called: Caliph, Ayatollah, Imam

ChristianityMost common symbols of Christianity are: the cross/crucifix and the fish (baptism is done in, water; ICHTUS (Greek word for fish and the letters are acrostic I=Jesus C=Christ TH= God’s U= Son, S= Savior)

Jesus, or Apostles are the founders

Worship ONE God

The Holy Bible

ChristianityChristians worship in a churchthere are approximately 2.6 billion followers of this religion

Looking back at the map, this religion is predominantly in: Europe, North America, South America, Ethiopia

Christianityfollowers of this religion are known as Christians

Religious leaders are typically referred to as: priest, minister, pastor

Other denominations of Christianity are: Roman Catholics, Protestants (three largest Protestant groups are: Baptists, Methodists and Lutherans)

ChristianityHoly places are: Anywhere Jesus was. Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jordan River.

Main Holidays are: Christmas & Easter

Christians believe that:

The Messiah will come back.

Jesus is God’s Son

Savior of the World.

Christians should try to follow the Ten Commandments