1. Islam, Judaism & Christianity
Religion- Origins, Practices and Diffusion
Learning Goal 2: Describe the origins, basic customs and spatial diffusion of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and describe how these three religions create a distinctive cultural pattern in Southwest Asia and North Africa.

2. What do they agree on?
The Sacrifice

3. Judaism Briefly ✡
Judaism is around 4000 years old and is the oldest of the world's three monotheistic religions (religions with only one God).
The Hebrew leader Abraham founded Judaism around B.C.E.
Judaism is also the smallest monotheistic religion, with only about 12 million followers around the world.
Its holy city is Jerusalem, in Israel.
Jerusalem, Israel

4. Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai
Judaism beliefs
Jews believe that there is a single God called Adonai (means “God” in Hebrew) who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship.
They await the Messiah, who will be an earthly king. They believe in heaven, but that God determines where they go after life on earth.
Give a tithe (10%).
The Ten Commandments is the basic code of law.
Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai

5. Judaism Holy Book
The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Christian Bible- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).
Hebrew is read right to left.
Torah

6. Judaism Place of Worship
Jews worship in Synagogues or temples. Men and women usually sit separately.
Worship is led by a Rabbi.
Friday evening is time for worship.
Saturday is the Sabbath (day of rest).
Synagogue in Pizen, Czech Republic

7. Byzantine image of Jesus Christ
Christianity briefly †
Founded by Jesus Christ, who was crucified around C.E. 32 in Jerusalem. It was after his death when his followers came to believe in him as the Christ, the Messiah.
Messiah – The promised savior of the Jewish people.
Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide.
Byzantine image of Jesus Christ

8. Christianity Beliefs
Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and he was sent to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion (the Resurrection)
They believe in actual heaven and hell.
Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this one God consists of 3 "persons"
The Trinity – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

9. Christians Holy Book
The Bible is the Christian holy book. It is divided into the Old and New Testaments.
Parts of the writing contained in the Old Testament are also sacred to Jewish and Muslim people.

10. Christian Place of Worship
The Christian place of worship is called a Church, many of which are built in the shape of a cross with the altar facing east towards the rising sun.
Services are led by a priest, pastor or reverend.
Day of worship is normally Sunday.
Different sects also require worship on other days.
Sect – A branch of a religion.
Westminster Abbey London

11. Islam Briefly
Founded in Arabia by Muhammad between C.E. 610 and C.E. 632
Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a billion followers.
Islam was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad
Prophet – One who foretells future events.
Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah, who speaks Arabic.
Islam means “to submit”.
Muslim means “one who submits”.
Notice that Muhammad’s face cannot be seen. Islamic law forbids showing the face of the Prophet.
Mohammad praying at the Ka’bah

12. The Five Pillars of Islam: Beliefs/Law Code
Shahadah: declaration of faith “There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.” By reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.
Salah: prayer Muslims are required to pray five times a day, washing themselves before prayer and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.
Zakat: giving a fixed proportion to charity Muslims are required to give away a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.
Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their behavior and strive to purify their thoughts.
Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime.

13. Islam Holy Book
The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an. It is 'the word of God'.
Muslims treat the Qur'an with great respect because they believe that the Qur'an is from Allah, and every word and every letter is sacred.
It is read from right to left and written in Arabic.
The Qur’an

14. Alabaster Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
Islam Place of Worship
The Muslim building for communal worship is called a Mosque. The word comes from the Arabic for "place of prostration".
Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the mosque corners.
Mosques contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture.
Normal day of worship is Friday.
Alabaster Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
Interior of the Mosque

15. Cultural Diffusion
Southwest Asia’s location between Africa, Europe, and Asia made it a strategic economic and cultural crossroads.
Christianity and Islam historically have spread through trade, conquest and missionary activities, impacting all the regions of the world.

16. Which religion dominates the Americas? What about the Middle East?

17. FAMILY TREE OF RELIGION

18. The Mosque of the Prophet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Ka’bah
The Hajj
Hajj: The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslims, at least once in their life, should try to make the pilgrimage, called the Hajj, to Mecca and worship at the Ka’bah.
Pilgrimage – Journey to a shrine or holy place.
The Mosque of the Prophet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

19. World’s Largest Pilgrimage to Mecca