grandmas/abraham-pray.jpg

Southwest Asia is the cultural hearth of the three major monotheistic religions, shaping its history and culture. Essential Questions- Explain the origins (cultural hearth) and diffusion patterns of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and how they shaped history and culture. Compare and Contrast the similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Basic belief Abraham and God had an agreement: People worship and obey in return for protection and love DeityYahweh/GOD

SalvationHeaven and hell Code of Conduct Ten Commandments Sacred Text Torah (Old Testament of Bible), Mishnah, Tahmud

FounderAbraham Ritual Ceremonies Barmitzvah or Batmitzvah Yom Kippur Rosh Hashannah ProphetsAbraham, Moses,

DiffusionFamily Sacred Cities Jerusalem (Western Wall)

Tony Souter/Hutchison Library Western Wall, Jerusalem Biblical archaeologists believe that the Western Wall in Jerusalem, also known as the Wailing Wall, is all that remains of the Second Temple, which was destroyed in ad 70. The destruction of the Temple led to the formation of the rabbinic movement in Jerusalem. The wall remains a sacred place for Jews. Many take pilgrimages to the wall to pray and hold religious ceremonies. Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Place of Worship Synagogue temple Followers (Orthodox, Conservative, Reformist) WWII 6 million executed by Nazis and now most have returned to Israel (Zionism)

Basic belief Jesus is God’s son and mankind’s savior. DeityGOD SalvationHeaven and hell

Code of Conduct Ten Commandments Sacred Text Holy Bible FounderJesus

Ritual Ceremonies Baptism ProphetsAbraham, Moses, Jesus DiffusionDisciples

Sacred Cities Bethlehem (birth of Jesus) & Jerusalem Place of Worship Church Followers1.7 billion ¼ of world’s population

Basic belief Hajj Five Pillars  There is no God but Allah & his prophet is Mohammed  Pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca  Give to the poor  Fast during Ramadan  Make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime home.clara.net/najm/ pillars.jpg

Kaaba in Mecca-most sacred spot on earth.

DeityAllah SalvationParadise and hell Code of Conduct Five Pillars of Faith Sacred Text Qur’an or Koran

FounderMohammed Ritual Ceremonies Ramadan ProphetsAbraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed

DiffusionBedouins (migrating herders) Sacred Cities Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Place of Worship mosque

Followers1.3 billion (2002) Sunni Muslims (83%, believe in prayer & Koran) Shiite Muslims (17% follow religious leader & based in Iran)

Basic belief Deity Salvation Code of Conduct Sacred Text Founder Ritual Ceremonies Prophets Diffusion Sacred Cities Place of Worship Followers ChristianityJudaism Islam