“Religious Hearth” Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

Judaism One Creator God – Elohim (all powerful, all knowing, eternal & all loving) Promise of a Messiah descended from David to save God’s chosen people (Israel) Man = created in God’s image Moses = greatest prophet Jesus = good teacher Worship God in synagogue

Jewish Ritual/Terms God’s Law (Bible, Torah, Mishnah, Talmud) Prayer: 3 times per day with head covered Weekly Sabbath Shema “Hear, O, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” “Clean” diet Circumcision Festivals throughout the year

Jewish Rites of Passage Bar Mitzvah: coming of age for boys – age 13 Bat Mitzvah: coming of age for girls – age 13

Christianity One God in 3 persons (all knowing, all loving, eternal) Man = created in God’s image, chose to become sinful, needed a savior Jesus = the promised Messiah, son of God, the savior Moses = one of the Old Testament prophets who pointed the way to Jesus The Bible = God’s Word Worship in church

Christian Divisions The Great Schism – (after the fall of Rome) split into Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic - Constantinople v. Rome The Reformation – 1517 Protestants v. Catholics

Islam One God – Allah Man = Allah’s representatives Qur’an (Koran) = Allah’s principles revealed to the prophet Mohammed Mohammed = final and greatest prophet Jesus, Moses, Elijah, etc. = other prophets Shari’a = Islamic religious law Mecca & Medina = important cities in today’s Saudi Arabia (part of Mohammed’s journey)

Islamic Ritual/Terms Five Pillars – Praying facing Mecca 5 times per day (salat) – Creed “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” (shahada) – Fasting in the month of Ramadan – Charitable contributions of 2.5% (zakat) – Pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime (hajj) Strict law for personal living Worship Allah in mosques Jihad = holy war Festivals throughout the year

Islamic Divisions Sunni – consensus of the community Shi’ite (Shi’a) – inspired teachers (Imams) Fundamentalists-resist westernization, modernization, and secularization

History Judaism began with Abraham near the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers Jews’ history span Israel to Egypt & back Thousands of years later, Jesus was born under Roman rule in Bethlehem AD 571 Mohammed born in Mecca gained followers in Medina

Conflict The ancient city of Jerusalem is considered the holiest city in Judaism and certain sects of Christianity, as well as the third holiest site in Islam.

Conflict (cont.)