Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The religion of the Jewish people is called Judaism. It was the first recorded faith where people worshipped only one God. The beliefs and history of Judaism is the historical foundation of many other religions, including Christianity and Islam.

 Monotheism: one God  Founder: Abraham  Holy Book: Torah  House of Worship: Synagogue  Leaders: Rabbi  Holy Days: Passover (eight days in April; celebrates God’s passing over the Jews in the last plague of Egypt.  Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year

 God exists.  God is one and unique.  God is incorporeal.  God is eternal.  Prayer is only to God.  The prophets spoke the truth.  Moses is the greatest prophet.  The Torah was given to Moses.  There will be no other Torah.  God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.  God will reward the good and punish the wicked.  The Messiah will come.  The dead will be resurrected.

Groups

 Monotheism: one God  Founder: Jesus Christ  Holy Book: the Bible  House of Worship: Churches/ Cathedrals  Leaders: Ministers, Preachers, Pope, Bishops, Priests, etc. Holidays: Christmas, Lent, and Easter

 Accept Jesus Christ and his teachings.  Believe that Jesus was the messiah and the son of God.  Acceptance of the Trinity.  The Bible is God’s word.  Live by the Ten Commandments.  Faith in Jesus, not only good works, brings salvation.  The church is made up of all believers, not just the clergy.

Groups

ProtestantDenominations  Lutheran  Calvinist  Baptist  Methodist  Presbyterian  Episcopalian  Holiness  Church of God  Pentecostal  Mennonites  Amish  Etc.

Monotheism: one God Founder: Muhammad Holy Book: Quran House of Worship: Mosque Leader: Caliphs Holidays: Ramadan: in the 9 th month of the Islamic calendar. This was when the Quran was revealed. Jihad: religious wars fought against heretics and infidels.

 There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.  Pray five times a day, always facing Mecca.  Charity must be given to the poor.  Fasting must be done; not eating from dawn to dusk during Ramadan.  A pilgrimage to Mecca must be done once in a life time.

 Shiites: believed that Ali, Muhammad’s son- in-law should succeed him, and all future caliphs should be from Ali’s descendents.  Sunnis: Accepted Umayyad dynasty as the rightful caliphs.