1. Europe’s Three Major Religions
Judaism, Islam and Christianity

2. Standards
SS6G11 The student will describe the cultural characteristics of Europe.
b. Describe the major religions in Europe; include
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

4. Judaism
Star of David-Jewish symbol
Judaism is the religion of Jews Jews are followers of Judaism.
It was founded by Abraham around BCE in Southwest Asia.
Judaism is a monotheistic religion meaning Jews believe in one god.

5. Judaism Jews believe that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
The Jewish holy book is the Torah, which is the oral and written laws of
the Jews.
The Torah

6. Judaism
Jews believe that they descended from Abraham and Sarah, the first people to worship Yahweh (God).
Abraham lived at least 3,700 years ago in what is now Iraq.
Jews have special holidays and rituals, such as Hanukah, Bar Mitzvahs, and Rosh Hashanah which is the Jewish New Year.

7. Judaism
Jews worship in synagogues and temples, primarily on Saturdays.
They believe that a messiah (savior) will lead them to the Promised Land.
They believe Jesus was an ordinary Jew.
The Great Pilsen Synagogue

8. Judaism
The holy city for Jews is Jerusalem.

10. Islam Islam began around 610 CE in Southwest Asia.
In Arabic, Islam means “surrender” to the will of Allah (God).
Followers of Islam are called Muslims, and the founder is Muhammad.
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet of Islam.
Other prophets include Abraham, Moses, & Jesus.
Crescent Moon and Star – Islam Symbol
Muhammad

11. Islam
Islam is a monotheistic religion, meaning Muslims believe in one god.
Muslims worship in mosques, typically on Fridays.
Muslims believed Jesus was a prophet.

12. Islam
The Muslim holy book is the Qur’an (Koran). It states how people should live their lives.
It describes the Five Pillars of Faith (obligations all Muslims must fulfill in their lifetime).
The major holidays for Muslims are Ramadan, and the Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Mecca is the holy city for Muslims.
Qur’an or Koran –
Holy book of Islam

13. (the main duties of Muslims)
islam
Five Pillars of Faith:
(the main duties of Muslims)
1. Prayer,
2. Giving to charity,
3. Belief in and submission to one God (Allah),
4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan (a holiday for Islam),
5. and a trip (hajj) to Mecca once in a lifetime.
The Grand Mosque in Mecca

15. Christianity
Christianity actually has its roots in Judaism. It was founded by Jesus, around CE in Southwest Asia.
Christians believe in Jesus, who preached a new religion of love and kindness.
Christians believe that Jesus, a descendent of Abraham, was the Messiah (savior), the Son of God.
The Cross- the symbol for Christianity
Jesus

16. Christianity
The Bible is the holy book for Christians. Christians are followers of Christianity.
The Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

17. Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion, meaning Christians believe in one god.
Christians celebrate holidays such as Christmas (the birth of Jesus), and Easter (the resurrection of Jesus).

18. Christianity The Holy Cities for Christians are:
Birthplace of Jesus
The Holy Cities for Christians are:
Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus
Jerusalem – the holy city of Judaism, where Jesus visited as a child, taught as an adult, was crucified and resurrected.
Vatican City – the holy city of the Catholic Church, in Rome where the Pope lives.
Vatican City

19. Christianity Christians are grouped by many denominations.
Examples include Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.
All denominations of Christians follow the teachings of Jesus.
Christians worship in churches and chapels, primarily on Sundays.