Disclaimer:

This unit based on oral history, historical biblical text, and modern tradition.

Material will simple be presented as “Theory”

Material will be presented from an outsider looking in on all three religions.

You may not agree with what is said, that’s ok

Remember: Faith is simply that Faith, b/c it cannot be proven either way

R.E.A.P. RESPECT

Remember just b/c it is different than something you might think or practice it is not

1. Wrong2. Weird3. BadIt is simply different and that is something we all have in common

MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS

Judaism Christianity Islam

Ur

Ur is the temple/town where Abraham worshiped before EL- the name of his one god

Ziggurat of Ur was built in 2100 BCE

Built for the Moon goddess Nanna

Judaism

A.K.A –Jews, Israelites, Hebrews

Key People Abraham- the father of the Jews

(descendants) Wife Sarah= Son : Isaac

Moses-led the Israelites out of slavery (under Egyptian rule) and given the LAW

Key Beliefs

One God “G-d” ( no name) Israelites/Jews are God’s Chosen People All men have a covenant (promise) with

God Follow laws-break =sin God promised a Messiah/Christ=human

leader not divine

Jesus could not be the messiah b/c :

The Messiah must: Ingathering of the exiles Restoration of the religious courts of

justice End wickedness, sin, heresy Reward the righteous Rebuilding of Jerusalem Restoration of the line of King David

Scripture/Holy Writings

Torah-Jewish book of law TaNaKh- “Old Testament”

Controversy

Judaism is not just a religion,it can also be an ethnicity

Traditions

http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/141138/jewish/Shabbat.htm

19 minutes http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKFC4jYqS8 Kosher 2 minutes

STOP

Christianity

A.K.A –Christians

Viewed by the Romans as a branch of Judaism

Key People

Jesus of Nazareth- Palestinian Jew Lived in Galilee center of Zealots (Jewish)

militant group Preached Humanism-Humility, charity, bro

love Paul (Saul of Tarsus)-Jewish leader and

missionary Began Christianity movement by preaching Letters, epistles outlined beliefs

Key Beliefs

Jesus of Nazareth was Messiah savior of Jews and Gentiles

Jesus was a deity – divine/god (or son of a deity) Other beliefs followed those of the Jewish

faith

Key Scriptures

Bible- (later on) Old Testament *Protestant version stops about 400

years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, Catholic version includes other books about the time period

Tobit Judith The Book of Wisdom Sirach (also called Ecclesiaticus) Baruch 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees Seven chapters in the book of Esther Two chapters and a prayer in the book of Daniel

New Testament-Gospels- stories of Jesus of Nazareth-Epistles-letter written by early church leaders

Romans and Christianity

Romans had Jesus of Nazareth put to death for “in sighting riots” controversial figure Roman’s allowed other religions, but no one

was above law and order 313 C.E.-Emperor Constantine became

Christian, ended persecution (ex. feeding to the lions)

392 C.E. Emperor Theodoisus Named Christianity official religion of empire

PBS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZPKCDOeyMg

Stop

Islam

Followers: Muslims

Key People

Muhammad-Prophet Not a deity Orphaned as a child, adopted by uncle,

married his boss of the caravan (Trader) he drove

619 (ish)C.E.-received revelations from Allah

Beliefs

Arab Culture (Before Islam) Polytheistic supreme god known as Allah

No priesthood Spirits were to believes to live in natural objects(rivers, trees, mountains)

Beliefs

Jews, Christians, and Muslims known “people of the book” believers in a faith based on scriptures

Beliefs

Islamic 5 Pillars of Faith

Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Pillar 5

Confession of Faith“There is no god but, Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”

Pray 5 times a day -while facing Mecca

Alms giving-Giving to charity

Fasting-during the holy month of Ramadan-sun up to sun down

Pilgrimage-trip (hajj) to the holy city of Mecca

Ka’ba in Mecca

This is the shrine Muslims make a pilgrimage to. The Ka’ba shrine is the most sacred site for the faithful.

Sunnis and the ShiitesWho would be caliph

Sunna (The path) Larger Abu Bakr (father-in-law of

Muhammad) named 1st califph

Umar 2nd califph (another father-in-law)

Uthman 3rd Califph prominent family in Mecca

Hadith- not word of God, but good laws

Leaders- not sinless Prayer – 5 times a day Prayer rug

Shia (Shiites-people of) Smaller Group Official religion of Iran Followers of Ali (Son-in-law

of Muhammad) blood line of the family

Hadith-canonical some rejecting some

Prayer- 5 prayers, but 3 times a day

Give status to Ali Call leaders – imams

believed to be without sin and interpret scripture

Feel oppressed