Transcript Religions of the Middle East

Judaism: Background
The Jewish religion trace their origin to
the patriarchs Abraham, his son, Isaac
and his son Jacob
Abraham made a covenant with God
Moses received the Torah from God
– Considered the most important prophet
The Jews are forced out of Israel
– Diaspora (587 BCE)
Started: 20th century BC
How many followers: 13 million
Main Belief: there is only 1 God, and
God chose the Hebrews to be his people
Place of worship: temple or synagogue
Name of Teacher: Rabbi
Follower: Jews
Books Studied: Torah (history),
Divisions: Reform, Conservative,
Orthodox
Holidays: Yom Kippur (Day of
Atonement), Passover, Rosh Hashanah
(New Year)
Western Wall/Wailing Wall
Christianity: Background
Christianity is based on the birth, life and
death of a 1st century Jew, Jesus Christ
Around the age of 30, Jesus began
preaching about God, his father, He
gathered followers, and performed
miracles
The Roman authorities found Jesus to be
a problem and had him arrested and
killed
– Good Friday
– Easter
Started: 1st Century AD
How many followers: 2 Billion
Main Belief: Salvation through belief in Jesus
Christ, the Son of God
Name of Teacher: priest, preacher, minister
Books Studied: The Bible (old testamenthistory and laws and new testament-life and
teachings of Christ)
Divisions: Roman Catholic, Orthodox,
Protestant
Holidays: Christmas (Christ’s birth), Easter
(Christ’s resurrection)
Judaism and Christianity have the
same beginning.
The first 5 books of the Old
Testament are the same as the Torah
The first “Christians” were Jews who
believed Jesus was the Messiah they
were waiting for.
Islam: Background
Most of the people of this region are
Muslim. Islam is more than a religion, it
is a way of life.
While meditating in a cave, Mohammed
receive a revelation from God through
the Angel Gabriel.
– Mohammed recorded the revelations,
became the Quran (the last revealed word
of God)
Islam
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The framework of the Muslim life are the
“Five Pillars”
Faith: Everyday… repeat, “There is no God
but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet”
Prayer: A Muslim must pray 5 times a day
(towards Mecca)
Zakat: Give charity to the needy
The Fast: Fast during the holy month of
Ramadan (sunrise to sunset)
Hajj: Take a pilgrimage to Mecca
Started: 622 AD
How many followers: 1.1 Billion
Main Belief: Submission to God, whose last
prophet was Mohammed
Place of worship: Mosque
Name of Teacher: Iman (prayer leader)
Follower: Muslim
Books Studied: Quran/Koran
Divisions: the Sunni and the Shiite
Holidays: Ramadan
Islam means both “peace” and “submission”
The Arabic word for god is “Allah”
Islamic law protects the privileges of
minorities and are tolerant of other
beliefs
Muslims respect Jesus, Moses and
Abraham as prophets of God
The Quran confirms Jesus’ virgin birth
and tell of the miracles he performed
The God of the Muslims is the same
God as the Jews and Christians
Final Thoughts/Misc.
Muslims and Jews both have dietary
restrictions.
– Jews—Kosher
Do not eat pork, shellfish, or meat prepared with
dairy products
– Muslims
Do not eat pork or drink alcohol
The God of the Muslims is the same God as
the Jews and Christians