European Religions Three major religions in Europe Christianity, Judaism, and Islam All 3 are monotheistic

Judaism… Major Beliefs In one true god, God that is all- knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere They are God’s “chosen people” God will send a Messiah, or savior to save them Sometimes called the “children of Israel” in the Bible

Judaism… Holy books Torah or Pentateuch the Five Books of Moses (what Christians call the Old Testament) Within the Torah, God gave the Jewish people through Moses the Ten Commandments (The laws of God)

Judaism… Houses of Worship Jewish people worship in a synagogue (means meeting place) Prayer is lead by a rabbi, or teacher The Sabbath for Jews begins at sundown on Friday night

Jewish people living in Europe in 2005 Top countries in 2002: France UK Russia Ukraine Germany Belarus Belgium Hungary Spain

Judaism… Founder Founder of Judaism is Abraham Lived in what is now known as Iraq According to Jewish belief, God told Abraham to leave his homeland and mover where God told him. He would also make Abraham the father of a great nation Abraham then traveled to what is now known as Israel

Islam… Major Beliefs One god, Allah Muhammad is the Islamic prophet A person who practices Islam is a Muslim Five Pillars of Islam Profession of faith (there is only one god, Allah) Prayers (5 times at certain times towards Mecca) Giving of alms (charitable giving) Fasting (during Ramadan) Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

Islam… Holy Books Koran or Quaran However, view Torah and New Testament as holy books too

Islam… Houses of Worship Mosque Friday is the Sabbath day Religious leaders- imams

Islam… Founder Muhammad- the last and greatest prophet Also view Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as great teachers BUT Muhammad is the greatest (closest to perfection)! Received revelations from Allah through an angel, Gabriel the arch-angel Put the revelations in the Koran

Islam… Location(s) in Europe Russia The Balkans (close to the “Middle East”)  Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Bulgaria  Greece Kosovo (disputed independence)  Macedonia  Montenegro Croatia  Serbia  Slovenia  Romania  Turkey

Christianity…Major Beliefs Second oldest religion Only one god, God sent his son, Jesus who Christians call Messiah or Christ Only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christians and Jews share many of the same beliefs Early Christians were Jews, as was Jesus

Christianity…Holy Days Easter- celebrates the resurrection of Jesus (celebrated about the same time as the Jewish Passover) Christmas- celebrates the birth of Jesus Sabbath day is Sunday

Christianity… Holy books The Bible- both the Old and New Testament New Testament- are the teachings of Jesus and his followers, the Disciples

Christianity… Houses of worship Place of worship is called a church Person who leads the congregation is called a pastor, priest, or minister

Christianity… Founder Jesus is the true founder Paul of Tarsus– transformed the faith from a branch of Judaism into a full-fledged religion Helped spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire

Christianity… primary locations in Europe Largest religion in Europe Mainly divided into 3 different sects: Roman Catholic or Catholic Eastern Orthodox Protestant

Catholicism Largest branch of Christianity The Pope is Christ’s representative on Earth Center of the Catholic church is in Rome and it is called the Vatican

Eastern Orthodox Officially split from Roman Catholicism in the 11th century Found mostly in Greece, Eastern Europe, and Russia Do not follow the Pope or his “rules” but have their own leaders called Patriarchs

Protestant Began in the 16th century with Martin Luther nailing his 99 theses on the door of the Catholic church (he was a Catholic monk) Many churches are included in this group: Baptist, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Pentecostals, Quakers, Calvinists, and others Do not follow the Pope’s leadership or a patriarch