Transcript File
RELIGIONS MONOTHEISM Monotheism is the belief in one god. Belief in many gods is polytheism. Each of these religions has a monotheistic tradition. Judaism Christianity Islam THREE MAJOR RELIGIONS Three of the world’s major religions were born in the Middle East. They are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (In that order based on age.) All three religions refer to Adam and Eve, God and Abraham. The general belief is that Abraham had two sons (Isaac and Ishmael). Christianity will branch from Isaac and Islam will branch from Ishmael. All three religions view Jerusalem as a sacred city JERUSALEM JUDAISM (JEW) Judaism is the oldest surviving monotheistic religion (yet one of the least followed with 14 million). Abraham is traditionally considered to be the first Jew and to have a made a covenant with God around 2000 BC Their place of worship is a synagogue or temple. Saturday is their holy day, Sabbath. A holy person is a Rabbi WHAT JEWS BELIEVE! Jews believe in one god and his prophets. Special respect is given to Moses as the prophet to whom god gave the law. Jewish law is written in the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Judaism is more concerned with actions than beliefs. A person must earn forgiveness. Jewish law includes 613 commandments given by God in the Torah (Leviticus). Jewish law is very strict concerning many items such as: what a person can eat, drink and wear. JEWISH BELIEFS Jews believe others besides Jews will go to Heaven, but not the other. They await the Messiah, who will be an earthly king. They believe in heaven, but that God determines where they go after life on earth. Jews do not believe in the prophets after the Jewish prophets, including Jesus and Muhammad. They do not believe in the idea that Jesus was the Messiah and the son of God, nor do they believe in the teachings of Islam. 2 main groups: Orthodox and Reformed CHRISTIANITY (CHRISTIAN) Most followed religion in the world (2 billion) Christianity started out of Judaism. Christians were the followers of “Christ”, around 33 AD There are two major branches of Christians (Catholic and Protestants). Their Sabbath is Sunday. Their place of worship is a church, cathedral or chapel. Their holy book is the Bible (Old and New Testament). A holy person is a pastor, preacher, minister, nun, priest, reverend, etc WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE! Jesus is considered the son of God, born to the virgin Mary and come to Earth to offer redemption for mankind’s sins. Christians believe that you must accept Christ as your savior in order to go to Heaven. Christians believe in an afterlife where some will reside in heaven with God, and some will not. Christians do not follow all Jewish laws. Christians follow the Ten Commandments. Christians do not accept Muhammad as a prophet. ISLAM (MUSLIM) Islam is the second most followed religion in the world (1.5 billion) Islam began in the desert community of Mecca, Saudi Arabia around 622 AD Islam has expanded into other areas: North Africa, Europe, and Asia. WHAT MUSLIMS BELIEVE! Muslims believe that Allah (the Arabic word for God) sent his word, the Qur’an (Koran), to the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was a prophet that received the message from the Angel Gabriel. This message was collected in the Qur’an. The Qur’an tells Muslims to worship one god, and explains how to treat others properly. The central message is “There is no god but God!” There are two major branches of Islam (Sunnis and Shias). Friday is their Sabbath. WHAT MUSLIMS BELIEVE! Muslims believe in a Day of Judgment by Allah, who will call up those still alive and all those who have died, present them with a record of their deeds, and weigh their obedience to God and actions toward human beings. Some will go to an eternal paradise and others will go somewhere else Many Muslims also observe dietary rules that forbid pork, outlaw alcohol, and dictate how animals should be slaughtered for food. The place of worship is a mosque. Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the mosque corners. A holy person is a Imam THE FIVE PRINCIPLES (PILLARS) OF ISLAM 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Belief in one god Allah. Praying five times a day towards Mecca. Fasting in the daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. They must abstain from food, water, cigarettes, gossip, anger, and anything else perceived as negative behavior. Giving charity(alms) to the poor. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.