What are the Three Great Monotheistic Religions

of our world?

General InformationBasic beliefs and Practices

What Are the Three Major Religions that Began in the Middle East?

JUDAISM ISLAM CHRISTIANITY

God or Gods?Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all believe in 1 God.

MonotheismJudaism begins monotheism and the Ten Commandments

establish worship and treatment of other people1 God – you are accountable.1 God – How do you treat your fellow man, not how many

sacrifices did you make

In Polytheism – there is a belief in many gods.How well do you treat your gods? Sacrifices?Who’s God/s are stronger?

How many Believers in Judaism: 14 million Jews Worldwide

6.1 million in the US

House of Worship Synagogue in New York City

Believers are called JewsPainting of Jewish Prayer

How Many Believers in Christianity: 2.1 Billion Worldwide 224 Million in the USA

House of WorshipChristian Church in Morehead City, NC Believers are called

Christians in Prayer

How Many Believers in Islam: over 1.2 Billion Muslims Worldwide

over 6 million in the US

House of WorshipMosque in Dearborn, Michigan – largest in the US

Believers are calledMuslim son with fatherin prayer

Beginnings Judaism:Where: IsraelWhen: Approximately

2000 BCE Founders:Abraham and Moses

The Torah in Hebrew

רעל־ ים וכחול אש י השמ ככוכב ה את־זרע ה ארב והרב כי־בר אברכ

ער איביו׃ ת ש א ש זרע ם ויר ת הי שפ

I will bestow My blessing upon you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands on the seashore; and your descendants shall seize the gates of their foes.

BeginningsChristianity:Where: IsraelWhen: 33 CE FounderJesus Christalso Abraham

Christianity and Islam also consider Abraham a founder

Beginnings

Islam

Where: Mecca, Saudi ArabiaFounder: Muhammad also AbrahamWhen: 622 CE

Islam on Equality

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:"No Arab has any superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, & Adam was created from clay"

THE HOLY QUR'AN (49:13)

Holy Text / Leader / Day of Worship

Judaism:The TorahReligious Leader:RabbiDay of Worship:Saturday

Christianity:The BibleReligious Leader:Catholic - PriestProtestant – MinisterDay of Worship:Sunday

Islam:The Qur’anReligious Leader:ImamDay of Worship:Friday

View of Jerusalem Judaism: Holy to all 3

2nd/Last Temple built on the site to house the stone where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son. The Romans destroyed this in 66 CE and all that is now left is the Wailing Wall.

View of Jerusalem Christianity

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre built by the Romans where Christ was

crucified and resurrected

View of Jerusalem Islam

Dome of the Rock Mosque built on top of the 2nd Temple which is where Abraham … and Muhammad ascended to Heaven in 621 CE

View of Jesus ChristChristianity: The Son of God

Islam: A Prophet of God

Judaism: Existed but was not the Messiah

Islam: MeccaAbraham built the Kaaba in MeccaMuhammad received revelations from Allah