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Religious Traditions of the Middle East

J-C-I Activity1. Their holy book is called the

Koran2. Jesus is considered the son

of God3. Accepts both the Old and

New Testaments as holy Books

4. Followers participate in a pilgrimage to Mecca

5. Oldest of the three6. Abraham is regarded as the

father of their people7. Believes in one supreme

being8. Place of worship is a mosque9. Accepts the Torah as its only

holy book

10. Abraham and Moses are considered prophets

11. Jerusalem is considered a holy city

12. Call themselves Muslims13. 10 commandments are

accepted as guidelines14. Jesus is recognized as a

prophet15. Believes in the divine

creation of the universe16. Second oldest of the three17. Holy Book includes the

story of the birth of Jesus18. Place of worship is the

synagogue

Judaism

Judaism: Origins►2500 and 1500 BC

May be the oldest religion still being practiced

►Palestine Region where Judaism first appeared Along the East coast of the

Mediterranean, present day Israel►Abraham- Covenant

According to the Old Testament, a prophet named Abraham (Mesopotamia) was called out by God to be the father of his chosen people.

Judaism: History►Abraham 2500 – 1500 BC►Moses & the Egyptian Capitivity

Credited for writing most of the Torah Led Jews out of slavery in Egypt

►Saul, David, Solomon c. 1050 – 931 BCE Height of the Kingdom of Israel Capital city was established in Jerusalem

Judaism: History►Invasions 722 – 66 BC

Assyrians, Babylonians, Alexander the Great, & Romans

►Tried to throw off Roman rule Jerusalem, was destroyed along with the

temple Jewish Diaspora, c. 70 AD - dispersal of

Jews around the world (Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, etc.)

Still pray toward Jerusalem & the site of the temple

Judaism: History►Wailing Wall-

“Western Wall”, holy site, last remaining portion of the temple

Solomon’s Temple

Judaism: Beliefs and Practices


►Torah - the core scriptures in Judaism, traditionally written in Hebrew Ten Commandments are located in the

book of Exodus 1st passed down through oral tradition Extensive Ethical Law

►commitment and observance to the law, keeping the Sabbath, no pork, etc.


►Synagogue: Jewish place of worship Also the center of social life for many Jews Rabbi- “teacher,” teaches and leads the

synagogue►More than 14 million Jews live around

the world►Sects/Denominations: Reform, Hasidic,

Orthodox

Christianity

Christianity: History►Began in the 1st Century AD in

Palestine►Based on the belief that Jesus Christ is

the son of God (Messiah) Crucifixion- method of execution common

throughout the Roman Empire Killed in Jerusalem between 30-33 AD

►Quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire due to uniform language & easy travel

Christianity: History►The first Christians were Jews,

eventually became its own religion following the Diaspora.

►Edict of Milan Emperor Constantine legalized & officially

recognized Christianity, 313 AD►Emperor Theodosius made it the

official state religion of the Roman Empire, 379 AD

Christianity: Beliefs and Practices

►Bible Old Testament – incorporation of the Jewish

scriptures into the Christian Bible, Torah, Prophets, etc.

New Testament - accepted as an addition to the Old Testament►Made up of the teachings of Jesus and his followers

known, as his disciples►Official language was Greek and Latin until the 400

years ago►Sects: Roman Catholicism, Orthodox,

Protestant►2 Billion Christians

Christianity: Beliefs and Practices

Islam

Islam: History►Founded by the Prophet Muhammad

who lived AD 570-632. Born in Mecca (present day Saudi Arabia),

he was a wealthy merchant in a city of polytheistic idol worship

Experienced revelations from God “Allah” (610)►1) There is only one God►2) all must submit to his will.

►Islam- means “submission to God”►Muslim- means “those who submit to

God”

Islam: History►AD 622- Muhammad fled to Medina as

a result of persecution in Mecca because of his insistence that there was only one God, not many.

►Later returned and conquered Mecca Claimed it as a holy city Became a religious and political leader of

much of the Arabian Peninsula.

Islam: History►Islam spread by the expansion of

Muslim Empires, as well as missionaries.

►Holy Cities: Mecca - born, site of the Hajj Medina - where he is buried Jerusalem - where he ascended into

heaven one night, Night Ascension (621 AD)

Dome of the Rock

Islam: Beliefs & Practices

Islam: Beliefs and Practices►Mosque - place of worship for Muslims►Qu’ran (Koran)

The sacred book in Islam Written in Arabic, God’s word recorded by

Muhammad Contains Islam’s key principles and many

Old & New Testament biblical references.►Muhammad taught that Abraham,

Moses, and Jesus were earlier prophets of Allah, but he was the last prophet

Islam: Beliefs and Practices►After Muhammad’s death there was a split

over succession as Caliph (Muhammad was both a political and religious leader) Shi’a (minority) supported Muhammad’s son-in-

law (Ali) as heir Sunni (majority) supported Muhammad’s

father-in-law (Abu Bakr) as heir, still make up a majority of Muslims today

►Members of one Islamic group do not usually recognize members of other groups as fellow Muslims, and open conflict between sects is not uncommon.

Islam: Beliefs and PracticesFive Pillars of Islam: ►1. Shahada – “There is no God but

Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”►2. Salat – Five daily prayers, can take

place anywhere, men are encouraged to go to a Mosque

►3. Sawm – Muslims are required to fast during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan

Islam: Beliefs and Practices►4. Zagat - giving money to the poor

&/or needy All things belong to God and wealth is

held by human beings in trust 2.5% of savings or profits & 5 -10% of

harvest►5. Hajj – every person is required to

make journey to the city of Mecca at least once in their lifetimes during a certain month Umrah – lesser pilgrimage at any time;

encouraged, but not required

Questions:►What things do Judaism, Christianity, & Islam all have in common?►In what ways are they different?

Common Features►One God (monotheistic)►God created the Universe►Have holy book►Scripture has ultimate authority►Originated in Palestine►Jerusalem is holy city►Human Suffering as a test of faith►One life and eternal judgment►Reward or Punishment after death

Differences►Islam

Prophet Mohammed

Quran is word of God

Initially spread in violence.

5 Pillars of Islam

Worship in a mosque

► Judaism Messiah is

coming Torah is Word

of God Spread in

peace 10

Commandments

Worship in a synagogue

►Christianity Worship Jesus

as the son of God

Bible is the word of God

10 Commandments

Initially spread in peace

Worship in a church