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Abrahamic Religions

The Middle East

JudaismJudaism

In the Ancient World, what did most people believe in ?

Polytheism – Belief in many Gods

Paganism - Religion used as means to explain weather patterns, illness, world events.

Jewish people believe in Monotheism - One God

Judaism - Origins Hebrew Origins – Fertile Crescent 2000 BC Abraham - Prophet - Covenant with Yaweh,

monotheistic & migrate to Canaan (Palestine) Due to Famine in Canaan, many Hebrews migrate

to Egypt - Pharaoh enslaves Hebrews Moses leads the Hebrews out of Egypt – Exodus God revealed his laws and commandments (10

Commandments) to Moses on Mount Sinai in the form of the Torah.

Judaism - Beliefs God loves and protects his people, but also holds them accountable

for their sins and shortcomings. Also, Since God created the world, the world must be good – optimistic message; humanitarianism.

People serve God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings. Torah – the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Oral Torah (Talmud and Mishna) – over the centuries, Rabbis expounded and expanded the Torah.

Ten Commandments – Religious duties towards God & rules of moral conduct; revealed by God to Moses.

YouTube - Ten Commandments - A Parody

Judaism - Holidays Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement - is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is a day of communal fasting and praying for forgiveness for one's sins

Passover (Pesach) - commemorates the Exodus, the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

Hanukkah - Festival of Lights - commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. 11

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Conclusion Judaism forever changed the world by believing

in one God (monotheism) as opposed to many Gods (polytheism).

Origin story is one of hope- struggling over oppression.

Moral values and laws come from the Torah and the 10 Commandments.

Christianity and Islam are continuations of the Abrahamic Tradition.

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Christianity

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Christianity Originally a Sect of Judaism - Follow Jesus Believe Jesus was the Jewish Messiah Messiah – savior chosen by God to restore the

Kingdom of the Jews Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God

and he died to redeem mankind for their sins. Jesus used Parables (short stories with simple

moral lesson). Gospels: Love Thy Brother; Take Care of the Poor; Compassion for All; Turn the Other Cheek; Peace and Love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1sx-vyWVk

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Roman Catholic ChurchLeadership

Pope – leader of Religion (First Pope: the Apostle Peter)

Bishop – Church official who is responsible for district area (diocese)

Priest work in local parishes

History Constantine - 313 Edict

of Milan - Emperor of Rome declared Christianity to be approved by the state.

380 Theodosius made it the official religion of the state.

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1054 Great Schism

West Holy Roman Empire Roman Catholic

Church

Map: whs161.swf

East Byzantine Empire Eastern Orthodox

Church

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Protestant Reformation (1517) Protestants reject the Pope’s Leadership Martin Luther - 95 Theses Against corruption,

Indulgences Protestants have no class of priests with special powers to

forgive or anoint the sick Most have two or three sacraments Baptism, Eucharist, &

Matrimony Do not believe in the miracle of the mass where bread &

wine are transformed into the body & blood of Christ

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Protestants

Protestant Denominations: Lutherans Episcopalians Methodists Anglicans Presbyterians Baptists Calvinist

Adventists Anabaptist Congregational Pentecostal Quakerism Reformed Unitarian Waldensians

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Islam

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The Rise of Islam

Religion is born in the 600’s in the Arabian Peninsula.

Pre 600’s region is populated with Bedouins (Arab Nomads) live in clans.

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Mecca Center of polytheistic

worship - dotted with temples

People of Mecca provided various services to religious pilgrims that came.

Many come to worship at the Ka’aba, an ancient shrine

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The Founder of Islam

Muhammad: born into prominent Meccan family; trader & business manager; great interest in religion

While meditating in cave outside city (Mt. Hira) voice of Angel Gabriel spoke to himYou have been chosen as God’s Prophet.

Muhammed transcribed words of Angel = words of Allah (God). Words = The Koran (Qur’an)

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The Teachings of Islam

Islam - “submission to the will of Allah” -Muslim: “one who has submitted”

Shari’a – laws based on the Qur’an and SunnaFive Pillars of Islam

1. Shahada: Belief in One God – Allah2. Sawm: Fast During Holy Month Ramadan3. Salat: Prayer 5x’s a day – facing Mecca4. Zakkat: Give Alms, Charity5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

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Muhammad spreads Islam

622 Hijra – Muhammad and his followers flee to Medina – In Medina, he becomes a powerful political leader; builds a strong Army

630 - Conquered enemies in Mecca & destroyed idols in Ka’aba - Dedicates it to Allah. Becomes Holy Site.

Many in Mecca convert to Islam and become part of the Umma (Muslim Community)

Muhammad died 2 years laterWho will continue the movement?

Sunni – Shia

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JudaismJudaism, , ChristianityChristianity, and , and IslamIslam

A number of commonalities existA number of commonalities exist:: MonotheismMonotheism. All three religions are monotheistic.. All three religions are monotheistic. A prophetic tradition. All three religions recognize figures A prophetic tradition. All three religions recognize figures

called "prophets," though their lists differ.called "prophets," though their lists differ. Semitic origins. Judaism and Islam originated among Semitic Semitic origins. Judaism and Islam originated among Semitic

peoples – namely the Jews and Arabs, respectively – while peoples – namely the Jews and Arabs, respectively – while Christianity arose out of Judaism. Christianity arose out of Judaism.

A basis in divine revelation rather than, for example, A basis in divine revelation rather than, for example, philosophical speculation or custom. philosophical speculation or custom.

An ethical orientation. All three religions speak of a choice An ethical orientation. All three religions speak of a choice between good and evil, which is conflated with obedience or between good and evil, which is conflated with obedience or disobedience to God. disobedience to God.

A linear concept of history, beginning with the Creation and A linear concept of history, beginning with the Creation and the concept that God works through history. the concept that God works through history.

Devotion to the traditions found in the Bible and the Qur'an, Devotion to the traditions found in the Bible and the Qur'an, such as the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. such as the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

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Additional Information

Click on to enhance your knowledge of the Three Abrahamic Religions.

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Differences Catholics & Eastern Orthodox

Catholic Priests Can not Marry

Services Conducted in Latin

Pope claims authority over all kings & emperors

Divorce is not allowed

Eastern orthodox Priests can Marry

Services Conducted in Greek or local languages

Emperor claims authority over Patriarch & Bishops, P &B head Church as a Group

Divorce is allowed under certain circumstances

Kingdom of Israel 1020-922 BC 1st loosely organized into 12 tribes/independent

states, largest Judah “Jews”, Judaism Rulers – Saul – drove Philistines out David united tribes, est. Jerusalem as Capital Solomon – son of David Built temple for the Ark of Covenant in Jerusalem

& Royal Palace Costly – High Taxes & Forced Labor

Collapse of the Kingdom 922 BC revolts & foreign invasions – Kingdom

splits into two Israel in North, Judah in South 722 Israel falls to Assyrians 586 Babylonians captured Judah King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed temple in

Jerusalem Babylonian Empire conquered by Persians –

40,000 Jewish Refugees to return to the region

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Blue Mosque, inspired by Muslim tradition . Istanbul, Turkey.

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Following Muhammad

Muhammad is God’s Final Messenger Sunna: Muhammad’s example. Best to follow Shar’ia: Guidance of Qur’an & Sunna assembled

into body of law. Regulates family life, moral conduct, Business, &

community life.

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Moving Across Continents

Abu Bakr: loyal friend of Muhammad elected Caliph “leader” First Four Caliphs expanded Islam 6,000 miles Atlantic

Ocean to Indus River – Wars of Expansion Jihad: “striving”; inner struggle against evil;

armed struggle against nonbelievers/Holy War guarantee entrance into paradise

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732 - Battle of Tours

Islamic Army stopped by Charles Martel (French) in Tours, France

Protected Christianity in Europe

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