there are 3 of them – name ‘em!

Monotheistic Religions

Judaism – General Facts

• Monotheism

• Holy book: Torah

• Day of worship: Saturday

• Place of worship: Temple/Synagogue

• Key figures: Abraham/Moses

• Symbol: Star of David

• Priests: RabbisThe Belz Great Synagogue

The Age of Faith

• Abraham makes a covenant with God (Yahweh)

• Covenant – Agreement to follow and worship God

• Abraham and followers are promised Canaan in modern day Israel and migrate around 1800 BC

• What modern day country did Abraham lead his people from?

The Covenant!

Abraham being tested…

The Age of Faith

Jewish tribes settled in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea

Judaism continues to develop in Canaan and evolves culturally as an oral religion between multiple Jewish tribes What does this mean? Why is this period called the “Age of Faith”

The Age of Law

• Jewish tribes migrate to Egypt due to famine and end up enslaved by the pharaohs

• Moses leads the Jews out of slavery and to freedom (Exodus)

• Celebrated during Passover

The Age of Law

• New covenant formed during the Exodus atop Mount Sinai

• While praying Moses received the 10 Commandments • Civil and religious laws for

Jews

• What written law codes in our society?

• Leads to the rise of Ethical Monotheism• What do you think this

means?

The return of the Jews to Canaan led to the Jewish

Golden AgeWhat is a golden age? Where is it going to occur?

The Kingdom of Israel 1022-920 BC

Saul – Unites 12 Hebrew tribes into one Jewish state

David – Son-in-law. Consolidates land and maintains peace

Solomon – Wise ruler, creates wealth through trade, and built Jewish Temple. Increased taxes and drained the treasury

After Solomon and the golden age, Israel is divided, conquered, and forced to pay tribute, to the Babylonians, Persians,

Greeks, Romans…

Under Roman rule the Diaspora (scattering) occurs and the Jewish people are driving from the

ancient homeland and forced to wander

What’s the big deal about the Diaspora?

There is no homeland for Jewish people until 1948 and the creation of

Israel after World War II

Christianity

Christianity…in one slide

He was Jewish Preached monotheism 10 Commandments Love ▪ What does he mean by

love?

Bible New and Old

Testament

Believed to be the Messiah One to free the Jews

Crucified by Romans Rose from the dead Jesus Christ ▪ Christos means “messiah”

or “savior” in Greek

Son of God Sacrificed for mans’ sins

Spread through missionaries

Day of worship =Sunday

What is being represented here? What Christian practice originates from this event?

The Word of Christ through the Gospel Luke“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let

him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it

back. Do for others just what you want them to do for you.” - Luke 6:27-31

INSERT A PICTURE HERE OR A MAP…

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Why does it spread…?

Embraced all

Hope to the powerless

Reject wealth of Rome

Personal relationship of love with God

Life after death – Heaven

How is Christianity organized?

Who’s at the top? Who’s at the bottom?

Church Hierarchy

Pope

Cardinals

Archbishops/Bishops

Priests/Fathers/Monks/Etc

GOD

you

Islam – the youngest of the monotheistic religions.

Islam – Rise of the Last Monotheistic Religion

PRE-MUHAMMAD

Arabian Peninsula Arab nomads

Desert/Oasis lifestyle Clan/family life

Trade routes through Mecca Spices, incense, silk

Polytheistic – worshipped idols at the Ka’aba (built by Abraham)

POST-MUHAMMAD

Voice of God, through the angel Gabriel, spoke to him He was the messenger

of God Last of the prophets Allah is the one and

only God Islam – “submission to

the will of Allah” Muslim – “one who has

submitted”

Islam

PRE-MOHAMMED

Arabian peninsula Nomadic culture Traveled from oasis to oasis

Mecca Center of Arabian trade and

commerce▪ Goods (spices/silk), ideas, and

people

Polytheistic/tribal religion centered in Mecca and the Ka’aba Structure built by Abraham

POST-MOHAMMED

Mohammed received revelations from the angel Gabriel

Last of the prophets

Religion emphasized strict obedience and submission to God (Allah)

Muslim: “one who submits”:

The HijrahMecca to Medina

622 C.E. Mohammed and supporters leave for Medina

• Starting point for Islam

• Why?

632 C.E. – Return to Mecca, destroy the idols at the Ka’aba, and convert people

• Converts joined the umma or religious community

Beliefs and Practices

The Five Pillars

1. Faith – “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah”

2. Prayer – 5 times a day. Pray in a mosque

3. Alms – Give $$$ to the poor

4. Fasting – Fast during holy month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset

5. Pilgrimage – Perform the Hajj to Mecca

Other Info…

No pork/alcoholic bevs

Friday is day of worship

Worship Allah directly

Scholar class called the ulama

Holy text – Qur’an

Islamic law = Sharia

No idolatry! Which means…?

Sunni and Shiite (Shia) – the two main branches.

Sunni follow an elected community leaderShiite follow a successor of Muhammad’s family

The Ka’bah

The Qu’ran

What do you notice about its design on the cover?

Muslim expansion and conquest