The Three Major Monotheistic Religions of the World

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 ü Five books revealed to Moses, also called the Pentateuch ü Most important part of the Hebrew Bible. • Synagogue ü The name for a Jewish place of worship. • Yahweh ü 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 üFrom the name “Christ” which means Anointed/Holy One The yellow areas show the spread of • Bible Christianity from 200 CE to 400 CE. üThe holy book of Christianity is the Bible. • Church ü Place of Worship

Jesus Christ ü Believed to be the Christ ü Professed to be the Christ, the Son of God and the Messiah, the one who would save God’s people ü Born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem (both considered holy cities by Christians) ü Miraculous birth ü Grew up as a Jewish boy. ü 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 üMeans submission to Allah (God). üRevealed to the Prophet Muhammad (the founder of Islam). Location of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia • Mecca üholy city for Islam

Islam continued. . . The Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Islam continued. . . The Qur’an, holy text of Islam. • Qur’an ü Muhammad claimed to receive messages from Allah during his life. ü He memorized these messages and passed them on to his followers. ü After his death they were collected and written down.

Sunni & Shiite Muslims. • Caliph: ü “Successor” those who took over leadership of the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad. • Sunni Islam ü Make up the majority of Muslims, 80 to 85 percent. ü Believe the best person should be chosen to be Mohammad’s successor and he doesn’t have to be a family member. ü Only needs to be a political leader • Shiites Islam ü Believed that Mohammed’s successor should be a member of his family. ü 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 üOne month long. üCelebrates the gift of the Qur'an. üFasting between sunrise and sunset.