Transcript Monotheistic Religions

Monotheistic Religions
Islam, Judaism, & Christianity
Early Life of Muhammad
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570 to 632 AD
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orphaned at the age of 6 and brought up
by his uncle
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Grew up in Mecca directing trade caravans
and became a business leader of the city
Muhammad
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622 AD he moved
north to Medina due
to increasing
persecution.
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Becomes a political
and religious leader.
First Revelations
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At the age of 40, the angel Gabriel
appeared to him in a cave on Mt. Hira
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Gabriel commanded Muhammad to bring
God’s message to the world.
The Migration
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Muhammad and a small group of followers
fled north to Medina because of this
religious persecution in 622 AD
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622- Muhammad sets up the first Islamic
State in Medina
Koran (Quran)
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Islam’s religious text
that depicts the
revelations
Muhammad received
from the angel Gabriel
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Believe that the Koran
is the only complete
and unflawed
communication from
God.
Quran
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Was revealed to Muhammad over a span of 20
years
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About the same length as the New Testament
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114 sections and are written in verses
The Foundation of Muslim Society
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Main source of law
Guidance in worldly matters
Comfort and inspiration to all Muslims
Other books inspired from God
The Torah of Moses (1st 5 books)
 Psalms of David
 Gospel of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke,
John)
 Christianity and Judaism flawed these
works.
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What about Jesus?
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Great prophet but not the Son of God.
Beliefs
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Monotheistic Religion
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One God and all praise
should be towards him
Angels
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Angels convey Gods
word (Gabriel)
Jinn – demons, shaitan
(Satan) although some
are good…
Judgment Day
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The Day of Judgment when people will be
judged on the basis of their deeds while on earth,
and will either attain reward of Heaven or
punishment in Hell. They do not believe that
Jesus or any other individual can atone for
another person's sin. Hell is where unbelievers
and sinners spend eternity. One translation of the
Qur'an, 98:1-8, states: "The unbelievers among
the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn
for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of
all creatures." ("People of the Book" refers to
Christians, Jews and Muslims). Paradise is a place
of physical and spiritual pleasure where the
sinless go after death.
The 5 Pillars of Islam
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Creed – No other God but Allah and Muhammad
is His prophet.
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Prayer – Five times a day facing Mecca
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Charity (Almsgiving) – Charity 25% of income
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Fasting – During Ramadan (One month of fasting
from dawn to sunset) the 9th month
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Pilgrimage – To Mecca (Most holy city, birthplace
of Muhammad)
Questions and Answers
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Where do Muslims Worship?
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A Mosque
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
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Polygamy is not against Muslim law, but it is
discouraged today. Muslims highly value a
stable family and harmony between spouses.
Division of Islam
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Sunni – believe that after Muhammad
died, Abu Bakr rightfully took over
Muhammad’s position as the leader (85%)
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Shiite – after Muhammad’s death, Muslims
suffered the loss of divinely guided
political leadership.
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Jihad – make an effort to overcome
difficulty, to struggle
The Islamic Year
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Muslim calendar follows a lunar cycle. It is 354
days long and has 12 months.
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New Year – Muharram
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Festival of Ending the Fast
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The end of Ramadan – feasts and exchanging of gifts
Festival of Sacrifice
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Celebrates Muhammad’s migration to Medina
Celebrates Abraham’s obedience to God
Held during the time of the pilgrimage
Night of the Ascent
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Commemorates Muhammad ascending into heaven
on his horse (7th month 27th day)
Remember
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Islam is a major religion that teaches
people to:
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Be Concerned about others
Live a Moral life
Be Faithful to God’s Will
Judaism
“The Mother of Monotheism”
Abraham – “The Patriarch”
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Abraham had two sons
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Isaac – Leads to Judaism
Ishmael – Leads to Islam
Beliefs
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One God -> Yahweh
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God made a covenant with his chosen people through
Abraham
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God is loving, merciful and just
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God created the universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th
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No savior is needed or is available as an intermediary.
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Jewish belief does not accept the Christian concept of
original sin
Sacred Texts
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The Torah
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1st five books of the Old
Testament
Jewish Law
The Talmud
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A collection of the laws
and customs of the
Jewish people
Old Testament
Torah
 The Writings -> “wisdom books”
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Job
Proverbs
Psalms
Ecclesiastes
The Prophets -> “messengers of God”
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Importance of obedience
Messiah
Future of Judaism and world
Worship
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Synagogue
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Rabbi – “master”
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Sabbath – Saturday
(7th day)
Customs
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Family
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Circumcision
Bar Mitzvah (Becoming a Man 13)
Dietary Laws
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Kosher “properly prepared” no blood
No Pork, shellfish
Only animals with cloven hooves and chews its
cud
Holy Days
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Rosh Hashanah - is
the Jewish New Year,
and is the anniversary
of the completion of
creation. It is held in
the fall. (Judgment)
The 10 days from
Rosh Hashanah to
Yom Kippur, the Day
of Atonement, are
days of fasting and
penitence.
Hanukkah
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Hanukkah or the Feast
of Lights is an 8 day feast
of dedication. It recalls the
war fought by the
Maccabees in the cause of
religious freedom. It is
typically observed in
December. Originally a
minor Jewish holy day, it
has become more
important in recent years.
Star of David
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King David went into
battle with the
hexagram on his
shield.
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Used to separate Jews
from other races
Jewish People
Most Jews live in the US (5.8 million)
 Israel (4.8 million)
 Holocaust relocated most Jews living in
Europe
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Christianity
What is Christianity
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It’s a religion of the
attitude, beliefs, and
practices based on the
life and teachings of
Jesus Christ
Christianity Deals With:
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How should we live?
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Why are we here?
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What happens after death?
Jesus Christ
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Born in a stable, was poor, never traveled
more than 90 miles from his birthplace
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Led no army (Peaceful)
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Died at the age of 33 – falsely regarded as
a criminal rather than a hero
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His life, death, and resurrection laid the
foundation upon which Christianity is built
Principles of Christianity: Faith
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Faith: Belief that Jesus’ life represent
God’s promise of Salvation for all
believers.
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Trinity
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God the Creator
God the Redeemer (Jesus)
God the Sanctifier (Holy Spirit)
Principles of Christianity: Hope
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Way of worship which is a new way to
express love for God and hope for eternal
salvation.
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Attend Church
Participate in Sacraments (Baptism, marriage,
communion, anointing, etc.)
Pray to God
Inspired by the Bible to live life
Principles of Christianity: Love
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Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you”
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Christian way of life is based on love in
action, “Next to loving God, you shall love
your neighbor as yourself”
Christianity Today
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1/3 of World’s population is considered
Christian
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950 million Roman Catholic
70 million Anglican (Church of England)
337 Protestant (Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian)
160 million Eastern Orthodox
Sacred Text
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The Holy Bible
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Old Testament - (39 books)
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Stories about the covenant between Yahweh and his
chosen people
Proclaims Israel's Mission
Written 900 years before Christ
New Testament – (27 books)
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Stories and teachings about a new agreement
between God and God’s people based on teaching
and life of Jesus
Proclaims the birth, growth, and teaching of the
Christian Church
Written less than 100 years after Jesus' death
Mission Statement
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The Mission of every Christian is:
 PEACE
 LOVE
 JUSTICE
 FREEDOM