Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The Three Religions Judaism, Jew Christianity, Christian Islam, Muslim Star of David The Cross Crescent Moon and Star

Comparative Religions Judaism Christianity Islam Origins Canaan ~2000 BCE Palestine ~30 CE Saudi Arabia 622 CE Founders Moses Jesus Christ Mohammad Adherents Jews Christians Muslims Population 14 million Israel, Euro, US 2.1 billion Euro, Americas, Africa 1.5 billion Mid East, SE Asia

Comparative Religions Judaism Christianity Islam Diety God Yahweh, Elohim Allah Holy Book “People of the book” Torah (Old Test.) Bible (Old and New Test.) Qur’an (Koran) Religious Law Halakhah Canon Law Sharia Place of Worship Synagogue Church Chapel Cathedral Mosque Clergy Rabbis Priest, Minister, Pastor Imam

Some Similarities Monotheistic Abrahamic – Recognize Abraham as Patriarch (father) Consider city of Jerusalem to be Holy All connected to parts of the Bible.

Origins and History of Each Faith

Abraham’s Genealogy Islam-Quran Judaism-Torah HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH 4000–550 BC Abraham’s Genealogy All 3 Religions are linked by Abraham—He is the patriarch of all 3 Islam-Quran Judaism-Torah HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH Ishmael Isaac 12 Arabian Tribes Jacob/Israel Esau Mecca (Muslims) Muhammad (the last prophet) Quran and the Five Pillars of Islam 12 Tribes of Israel 2 Tribes - (Jews) of Judah Jesus Christ (son of God) The Hebrew Bible - Old Testament in the Christian Bible Other 10 tribes-(Israelites) (Hebrews)

Ten Commandments

Origins of Each Faith Date and Place founded: Judaism – approximately 1300 B.C. in Palestine Some say the date is unknown Christianity – approximately 33 A.D. in Palestine Islam – 622 A.D. in Saudi Arabia

Founders and Early Leaders All three trace their origins originally to Abraham as explained in the reading Judaism – Abraham and Moses Christianity – Jesus Islam - Muhammad

Brief History on Origins Judaism- The Hebrew leader Abraham founded Judaism around 2000 B.C. Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths (religions with one God). Christianity - Founded by Jesus Christ, who was crucified around A.D. 30 in Jerusalem After his death his followers came to believe in him as the Christ, the Messiah. Islam - Founded in Arabia by Muhammad between A.D. 610 and A.D. 632

Spread of Each Faith Early Expansion Judaism – Little expansion mostly confined to Israel Christianity – by the end of the 4th century Christianity spread across the entire Roman Empire Islam – Within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula After 100 years stretched from Spain to Southeast Asia

Terms for Followers and Clergy Followers Called: Judaism Jews Christianity  Christians Islam  Muslims Clergy Called: Judaism  rabbis Christianity  bishop, pastor, ministers, priest Islam  imams

More Detailed History on Each Religion

Judaism Timeline 1800 BCE  Hebrews flee Canaan, migrate to Egypt (enslaved). Lead by Moses to Sinai Peninsula. Covenant w/God. 1 God, 10 Commandments, Chosen People 1025 BCE form kingdom of Israel in Fertile Crescent. Kings David & Solomon help reach greatest glory 500 BCE Persians take over, Return to Israel & rebuild temple in Jerusalem. 70 CE  Romans expel Jews from Israel/Palestine – diaspora… Won’t return until late 1800s

Christianity Jesus born in Roman ruled Palestine (Bethlehem) Carpenter’s apprentice Studied w/ rabbis - Preacher 30 yrs old Some believed he was the messiah – Savior from foreign rule, restore kingdom Roman’s, scared of popularity & refusal to accept emperor as a god, crucified him in 33 CE. Followers, Christians, spread word Everyone equal, salvation & eternal life Persecuted by Romans, became martyrs 313 CE, Emperor Constantine converts 395 CE, official religion Roman Empire

Islam Timeline 610 CE Angel Gabriel tells Mohammed he is to be the messenger of God/Allah Merchant in Mecca 622  flee to Medina, build 1st mosque Hejira – Yr 1 of Muslim Calendar Prophet Expansion of Islam Uses war & political maneuvering to spread ideas 632 control Peninsula 732 Atlantic to Indus

How They Worship

Where and When They Worship House of Worship Judaism: synagogue or temple Christianity: church, cathedral, chapel Islam: mosque Day of Worship Judaism: Saturday Christianity: Sunday Islam: Friday

Languages of Faiths Original Language Names of God Judaism: Hebrew Christianity: Aramaic and Greek, then Latin Islam: Arabic Names of God Judaism: Yahweh and Elohim Christianity: God, the Trinity Islam: Allah

Holy/Religious Texts

Sacred Texts of Each Faith All three accept the Old Testament as explained in the reading. Judaism: Hebrew Bible is the Torah, Talmud Christianity: Old Testament and New Testament Islam: Qur’an (Koran)

Beliefs

Monotheistic Beliefs Ultimate Reality (Type of Theism) Judaism: One God Christianity: Trinity (God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) Islam: One God

Divine Revelation---God’s Words How do we know about God? Judaism: through prophets; recorded in the Hebrew Bible Christianity: through prophets and Jesus as recorded in the Old and New Testament Islam: through God’s final prophet Muhammad; recorded in the Qur’an

Identity of Jesus Judaism: False prophet Christianity: Son of God, the Messiah, Savior Islam: prophet of God

Death of Jesus Judaism: death by Crucifixion Christianity: death by Crucifixion Islam: Did not die, but ascended into heaven (a disciple took his place)

Resurrection of Jesus Judaism: Denied Christianity: Affirmed Islam: Denied; since he did not die

Means of Salvation Judaism: Belief in one God; good deeds Christianity: correct belief, good deeds; by faith accept Christ as Savior (Protestants) Islam: Belief in one God; good deeds and follow Five Pillars of Faith

Afterlife Judaism: eternal heaven/ eternal hell Christianity: eternal heaven/ eternal hell Islam: eternal paradise (heaven)/ eternal hell

Symbols of Faiths

Symbols Judaism: Star of David Christianity: cross Islam: crescent with name of Allah in Arabic

Followers

Where They Can Be Found Major Locations TODAY Judaism: Europe, Israel, North America Christianity: Europe, North and South America Islam: Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Current Worldwide Followers TODAY Judaism: 14 million (ranks 12th) Christianity: 2 billion (ranks 1st) Islam: 1.3 billion (ranks 2nd) In the USA Judaism: 5.6 million Christianity: 159 million Islam: 1.1 million