1. The Basics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Major Monotheistic Religions

2. Monotheism: The belief in ONE God.

3. Judaism
History of Judaism:
Story of Abraham
The Exodus of the Jews

4. The Basics of Judaism Supreme Being: G-d
(Jews do not spell out full name as it is considered too holy)
Sacred Text: Torah
Place of Worship: Synagogue
Holy Land : Israel, particularly Jerusalem and the Western Wall
Symbol: Star of David

5. The Basics of Judaism
Rituals, Practices and Holidays: importance of major holidays: Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover; observance of Kosher Laws, prayer
Major Prophets: Abraham, Moses

6. The History of Christianity
-Believe in Jesus (Who was Jewish); Born in 4 B.C. in Bethlehem
-Worshipped God and followed Jewish law
-At 30 Jesus began preaching to villagers, used parables-short stories with simple moral lessons to communicate his ideas
Hillside in Northern Israel where Christians believe Jesus told his parables.

7. The History of Christianity Continued...
-Jesus recruited 12 disciples to help him spread his ideas, called apostles, in Jerusalem and all over Israel
-Some Jews in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus, many of the priests felt he threatened their leadership
-Roman authorities felt Jesus would lead the Jews in a revolt against their rule.

8. Death of Jesus
-According to the gospels (Books in the New Testament of the Bible), Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, arrested by the Romans, and killed by crucifixion-a person was bound to a cross and left to die.
-Christians believe that Jesus did not die, but rose from death and commanded his disciples to spread his teachings.
-After the disciples reported he ascended into heaven 8

9. Christianity Spreads -Followers called Christians
-Disciples preach the messages of Christianity throughout the Roman world
-Peter established Christianity in Rome itself
-Paul played the most influential role in spreading Christianity 9

10. The Basics of Christianity
Supreme Being: God; Christians believe in the Trinity which is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sacred Text: The Bible which includes the Old and New Testaments
Place of Worship: Church
Holy Land: Israel
Symbol: Cross

11. The Basics of Christianity
Rituals, Practices and Holidays: Celebration of Christmas and Easter; importance of baptism and communion, prayer
Major Prophets: Abraham, Moses

12. The History of Islam Muhammad is the prophet of Islam.
Born in Mecca in 570 AD. Began having visions and hearing mysterious voices as an adult.
He sought solitude outside of Mecca.
Believed he heard a message from the angel Gabriel to go and spread the word of the one true God, Allah. Wrote his teachings in the Qu’ran.
Followers are called Muslims

13. The History of Islam
Muhammad’s teachings include the 5 Pillars of Islam:
Confess that there is no God but Allah.
Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca
Give money to the poor.
Fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
Take at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

14. The Basics of Islam Supreme Being: Allah Sacred Text: Qur’an
Place of Worship: Mosque
Holy Land (Theme of Place): Mecca; Jerusalem, Medina
Symbol: Crescent with Star

15. The Basics of Islam
Rituals, Practices and Holidays: Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha, Eid Al-Fitr
Major Prophets: Abraham

16. Connections? Abraham Ishmael Isaac
(Ancestor of Muhammad) (Ancestor of Jesus)