Transcript File

The Three Major Monotheistic
Religions of the World
• What is monotheism?
• So . . . What do you
think polytheism is
Hale Bopp Comet over the Pyramids
of Giza
Iowa State Standards
• Compare and contrast the prominent religions in
Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam,
and Christianity.
Jerusalem: a holy city to all three religions
Judaism
Judaism
• Judaism is the oldest
monotheistic religion.
• Abraham is regarded
as the father of
Israelites (Jews).
This is a stained
glass window of
Abraham receiving
the promise from
God that the
Israelites were
God’s chosen
people. It is
located at St.
Anne’s Belfast
Cathedral in
Northern Ireland.
Jewish Beliefs
The Torah scrolls that are read in a
synagogue are unpointed text, with
no vowels or musical notes, so the
ability to read a passage from a scroll
is a valuable skill, and usually
requires a lot of practice.
• Covenant (promise)
God made a covenant
(promise) with Abraham
that his descendants
would be God’s chosen
people.
• Commandments (Rules)
In return they would have
to keep God’s laws
which God gave to
Abraham and are in the
Torah.
Jewish beliefs cont.
• The Torah
 Five books revealed
to Moses, also called the
Pentateuch
 Most important part of
the Hebrew Bible.
• Synagogue
 The name for a Jewish
place of worship.
• Yahweh
 The Hebrew word for God
The magnificent Great
Synagogue of Budapest,
Hungary.
Jewish Holidays
• Rosh Hashanah: The
beginning of the Jewish
New Year
• Hanukkah: An eight day
festival that remembers
the re-dedication of the
temple in Jerusalem.
At the age of 13, a Jewish boy
reads the Torah for the first
time and promises to keep
God's commandments
• Passover: Week long
memorial retelling the
Israelites’ release from
Egypt
Judaism
• Moses led the Jews
out from captivity in
Egypt.
What it may have been like fishing
with Moses. 
Christianity
Christianity.
• Christianity
From the name
“Christ” which means
Anointed/Holy One
The yellow areas show the spread of
• Bible
Christianity from 200 CE to 400 CE.
The holy book of
Christianity is the Bible.
• Church
Place of Worship
Jesus Christ
 Believed to be the Christ
 Professed to be the Christ, the Son
of God and the Messiah, the one
who would save God’s people
 Born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem
(both considered holy cities by
Christians)
 Miraculous birth
 Grew up as a Jewish boy.
 At age 30, he began three years of
traveling, teaching, and performing
miracles.
Of the over 400 prophesies of the
Old Testament, Jesus Christ is
believed to have fulfilled ALL of
them.
Christian Holidays
• Christmas (December
25): The celebration of
Jesus’ birth
• Easter: The holiest
period of the Christian
calendar. It begins with
Good Friday, which
solemnly remembers
Jesus’ crucifixion, and
continues until Easter
Sunday which celebrates
the resurrection of
Jesus.
Islam
Islam
• Islam
Means submission
to Allah (God).
Revealed to the
Prophet
Muhammad (the
founder of Islam).
Location of the holy city of Mecca in
Saudi Arabia
• Mecca
holy city for Islam
Islam continued . . .
The Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Islam continued . . .
The Qur’an, holy text of Islam.
• Qur’an
 Muhammad claimed to
receive messages
from Allah during his
life.
 He memorized these
messages and passed
them on to his
followers.
 After his death they
were collected and
written down.
Sunni & Shiite Muslims.
• Caliph:
 “Successor” those who took over leadership of the Muslim
community after the death of Muhammad.
• Sunni Islam
 Make up the majority of Muslims, 80 to 85 percent.
 Believe the best person should be chosen to be
Mohammad’s successor and he doesn’t have to be a family
member.
 Only needs to be a political leader
• Shiites Islam
 Believed that Mohammed’s successor should be a member
of his family.
 Successor should be a religious and political leader.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The practice of religious faith is also built on the five pillars of
Islam:
Declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god, but
God; I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God."
By reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.
Prayer: Muslims are required to pray five times a day and
facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.
Charity: Muslims are required to give away a percentage of
their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their
religion.
Fasting: Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period
called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their
behavior and strive to purify their thoughts.
Understanding Political Cartoons
In this political cartoon, why is
this man’s question silly?
Hey, Jack!
Which way's Mecca?
Islamic Holiday
• Ramadan
One month long.
Celebrates the
gift of the Qur'an.
Fasting between
sunrise and
sunset.