1. The Three Abrahamic Religions
By: Kirk Lawton
9/25/2011

2. Basic Facts of Judaism Founded by Abraham, followed by Isaac and Jacob
Founded in Palestine during Abraham’s lifetime, circa 1900 BC/BCE
14 million adherents are located primarily in Israel, Europe, and USA
Holy books: Hebrew Bible, Mishnah, and Talmud
Place of worship: synagogue
Branches: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Hasidic
Central Teaching: Jews believe they are God’s chosen people, and follow the commandments that God gave the prophet Moses. Every life action is conducted by demonstrating obedience to God.

3. Beliefs of Judaism
A Jew views God as one God who is all powerful, but who contains human emotions of anger, sadness, and joy. He also desires a relationship with His creation.
God determines a person’s salvation by judging his/her moral life on Earth. A person can repent one’s evil ways, and perform good deeds to achieve a good afterlife.
Jews are called to follow a calendar of daily, weekly, and yearly celebrations. They adhere to laws that address all aspects of community and individual life.

4. Basic Facts of Christianity
Founded in Palestine by Jesus Christ around 33 AD/CE
More than 2 billion adherents are located primarily in Europe, Australia, North and South America, and parts of Africa
Holy books: Holy Bible
Places of worship: church, chapel, cathedral
Branches:Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant
Central Teaching: Christians believe God’s gift of salvation comes through Jesus Christ; not through performing good works or rituals

5. Beliefs of Christianity
A Christian views God as one God, but He is a complex unity, described as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Anyone who truly repents for his/her sins and professes belief in Jesus will achieve salvation (eternal life in heaven).
Although Christians understand that no one is saved by good works, they are called to serve Jesus by following his commands such as praying, loving others, and sharing the good news.

6. Basic Facts of Islam Founded in Saudi Arabia by Muhammad in 622 AD/CE
About 1.3 billion adherents are located primarily in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa
Holy Books: Koran (Qur’an), Hadith
Place of worship: mosque
Branches: Sunni, and Shi’a
Central Teaching: There are five main beliefs— Declaration of Faith (Shahada), 2. Prayer (Salat), 3. Fasting (Sawm), 4. Welfare Tax (Zakat), and 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

7. Beliefs of Islam
Muslims view Allah as one God who creates and sustains all life. His will is absolute and cannot be questioned.
A person who lives a righteous life and submits to Allah’s will has the best chance for salvation (janna), an eternal garden paradise. Allah judges all of a person’s good and bad deeds on judgment day.
Muslims are called to follow the Qur’an and the Hadith, which outline guidance for all aspects of life. Islam is about how one lives each day, and each day consists of five daily prayers.

8. Similarities and Differences
Category
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Origins
Abraham was the first prophet
Theism
Belief in one God
Profession of Faith in God
Is important
Relationship with God
God has human emotions and desires a relationship with man
Allah cannot be compared with any created thing. His will is absolute and mankind must obey
Achieving Salvation
Follows the rules and does good works
Repents of one’s sins, which are forgiven by belief in Jesus
Follows the rules and performs good deeds
Human Nature
Man has an equal ability to do good and bad
Man inherited original sin from Adam/Eve and has a tendency to be sinful
Respect for Jesus
Views Jesus as just a man
Respects Jesus and recognizes Him as sinless
Belief in a Messiah
Believes that the Messiah will come to Earth someday
Believes that Jesus was the Messiah who came to Earth
Regards Muhammad as God’s Final Prophet on Earth
Religious View
Christianity and Islam are false extensions/interpretations of Judaism
Judaism is a true religion but is incomplete. Islam’s religion contains many false beliefs
Jews and Christians follow teachings that have become corrupted
Similar Beliefs Within Category
Different Beliefs Within Category

9. Ability of Followers to Get Along
In 325 AD/CE, the Christian Roman Empire cursed the Jews and forced them to move to Babylonia. Over time, they were dispersed all over the world.
As done by the German Nazis during the Holocaust, Jews have a long history of being killed and persecuted.
In 1948, the modern state of Israel was formed. Arabs/Muslims immediately opposed Israel, leading to a series of wars.
During the Middle Ages, Christians fought Muslims during the Crusades in an attempt to stop the expansion of Islam.
The Gulf Wars and the World Trade Center attacks have generated ill will between Muslims and Christians/Jews.

10. Works Cited
Breuilly, Elizabeth, et. al. Religions of the World. Toledo, Spain: Transedition Limited and Fernleigh Books, 1997.
“Comparison of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.” Religion Facts. 13 Feb Accessed 19 Sep 2011 <
Cory, Steven and Dillon Burroughs, comps and eds. Comparing Christianity with World Religions. Np.: Moody Publishers, 2007.
“Crusades1.jpg.” discerningthetimesonline.net. 27 Aug Accessed 25 Sep 2011 <
“Figure 5: One of the Marvelous Mosque Illustrations of Nil Sari.” Levant World. 01 Mar Accessed 25 Sep 2011 <
Green, Bruce. Islam and Christianity. Torrance, California: Rose Publishing, 2004.
“Judaism.” loadtr.com. 18 July Accessed 25 Sep 2011 < htm>.
McDowell, Josh and Don Stewart. Understanding Non-Christian Religions. Np.: Campus Crusade for Christ, 1982.
“Microsoft Christianity.jpg.” groundnotes. 13 Jan Accessed 25 Sep 2011 <
Porter, J.R. Jesus Christ: The Jesus of History, the Christ of Faith. London: Duncan Baird Publishers Ltd, 1999.
Wilkinson, Philip. DK Illustrated Dictionary of Religions. New York: DK Publishing, 1999.