1. The Three Monotheistic Religions
Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

2. The Holy Land Long ago, Hebrews of Mesopotamia migrated west
Called that land Israel
Jerusalem, the capital of modern-day Israel, was the major city

3. The Birthplace of 3 Religions
Over centuries, this land was conquered and controlled by many
The Romans drove the Jews out of Israel
Arabs took over around 600 A.D.
With each new group, a new religion was born
As a result, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have origins in Jerusalem

4. Judaism Oldest monotheistic religion Fundamental Beliefs:
There is a single, all-powerful God
Called Yahweh, or Jehovah
Created the universe and everything in it
The Ten Commandments
given to Moses on Mount Sinai
Laws for leading a life devoted to God
Jerusalem, and Israel, is the land God promised to Abraham
A Messiah will come one day to end all evil

5. Holy Text - The Torah The Torah is the holy text
God gave the Torah to the Jews as a guide to living a holy & obedient life
The Talmud is the Holy Book of Law
A copy of the Torah, written in Hebrew, must be kept in a synagogue
Synagogue – Jewish religious house of worship

6. Important Jewish Figures
Abraham
Born in Ur (Mesopotamia)
Made covenant, or promise, with God
Ancestor of the Jews
Moses
Jewish prophet
Brought the Ten Commandments to the Jews from God

7. Jewish Holidays Hannukah Yom Kippur Rosh Hashanah Festival of Lights
Rededicates the Temple of Jerusalem
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement (forgiveness)
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year

8. Judaism Facts 12 millions followers around the world
If not for the Holocaust, Jewish population would be near 35 million worldwide
Most Jews live in Israel or in the USA
Jewish community leader called a rabbi
Holy Day, or Sabbath, is from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday

9. Christianity Founded by Jews, called Disciples
Started between 4 B.C. and 30 A.D.
Fundamental beliefs:
God created, maintains, and will destroy the Earth
The Ten Commandments
Jesus, the Messiah, died for mankind’s sins so humans may have eternal life in Heaven
Love thy neighbor

10. Holy Text - The Bible Divided into Old Testament and New Testament
Old Testament = Jewish Torah (written before Jesus was born)
New Testament = the four Gospels (written after Jesus died)

11. Important Christian Figures
Jesus
Son of God, who is the human form of God
Holy Spirit
Spirit of God that can enter humans
Holy Trinity – the three forms of God
God, in Heaven
Jesus, God’s human form on Earth
Holy Spirit, inside all humans

12. Christian Holidays Christmas Easter The birth of Jesus
Jesus’ death and resurrection into Heaven

13. Christianity Facts About 2 billion Christians worldwide
Christianity divided into two sects (groups)
Roman Catholic (1 billion)
Spread after the Roman Empire became Christian
Pope is the leader of the Church
Protestant (1 billion)
Martin Luther protested against the Catholic Church in the 1500’s
Many Protestant faiths:
Baptist
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Episcopalian (Anglican)
Pentecostal

14. Islam Founded around 600 A.D. in Saudi Arabia Fundamental beliefs:
There is only one god named Allah
Muhammad is the true prophet
Mecca is the most holy place on Earth
The 5 Pillars of Islam

15. The 5 Pillars of Islam Pillar 1 – Shahada Pillar 2 – Salat
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger
Pillar 2 – Salat
Pray 5 times daily facing toward the holy city of Mecca
Pillar 3 – Zakat
Give a portion of one’s income to the poor/charities
Pillar 4 – Sawm
Do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan
Pillar 5 – Hajj
If in good health, make a pilgrimage (journey) to Mecca at least once in a lifetime

16. Important Muslim Leader
Muhammad
Lived about 600 years after Jesus
Was a trader and traveled in caravans
Along the routes, learned about the Jewish and Christian faiths
Was visited by the angel Gabriel who was sent by God
Retold those messages to others who became his followers
Believed it was the true version of Judaism

17. Mecca Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site
Used to be Jerusalem until Muhammad cut ties with Jewish religion
Millions make pilgrimage yearly
Birthplace of Muhammad
The location Muslims orient to when praying

18. Holy Text - The Quran
The Quran = collection of the messages sent by God to Muhammad through Gabriel
Many Muslims believe the only true Quran is written in Arabic
Sharia Law
Not a part of the Quran, but derived from it
Religious code for living
Today, used as governing laws for many Arab nations

19. Islamic Holidays Ramadan Hajj Most holy month of the Islamic Calendar
1 month of daytime fasting
Time for reflection, devotion to God, & practicing self-control
Hajj
Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Mecca
Time set aside during the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar

20. Islam Facts Muslims often pray at a mosque
About 1 billion Muslims worldwide
Most live in the Arab nations of the Middle East
Many Middle East nations are theocracies
Theocracy = religion and government are the same
Sharia Law is the governing law
Two major groups:
Sunni
Follow the elected Muslim leaders
Majority of Muslims (940 million)
Shia
Follow the descendents of the family of Muhammad as leaders