Comparative Study of Monotheistic Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Exams of World Religions

Download Comparative Study of Monotheistic Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and more Exams World Religions in PDF only on Docsity! Major World Religions & Geographical Themes x T G How does religion connect and separate societies? • What do Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have in common? Basic Facts of Judaism • Supreme Being: G-d (Jews do not spell out full name as it is considered too holy),Yahweh, Jehovah • Sacred Text: The Tanach which includes the Torah. • Place of Worship: Synagogue • Holy Land: Israel, particularly Jerusalem and the Western Wall Synagogue Western Wall a LEBANON nue VALLEY 0 50 km SEAGe 5 SYRIA ae GALILEE f HAIFA® o ae Tigerias Israel cssssees 4 “oy @BEIT SHE'AN jnaeLus i ae TEL Aviv) WEST BANK ’— RAMLA®UIERICHG = 25 AniniAM JERUSALEM c Ce a BETHLEHEM® pain GAZA “HeeRONe® = 2" STRIP. _@EIN GED! i ts e MasADs BEERSHEBA THE NEGEV JORDAN . MITZPE EGYPT RAMON {Sinai} |OeIS| Basic Beliefs of Judaism Monotheistic faith A belief in one god who is most often called Yahweh or Jehovah Basic Beliefs Creation Then said God, Let be light and was light. And saw God the light that good (it was) and separated God between the light and the darkness. And called God the light Day. and the darkness He called Night; and was the mixing and was the breaking forth time one. The Branch of Abraham God’s promise to Abraham—book of Genesis Ishmael Isaac Muhammad Jacob Twelve Tribes of Israel King David (Tribe of Judah) Jesus Islam Christianity Judaism Mosaic Covenant The Promised Land The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…” Exodus 3:7 Why is this important? Messianic Covenant • Promise of “Moshiach”—Messiah The days are coming," declares the LORD , "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5 What could this mean? Fundamental Beliefs Beliefs about G-d • G-d is Omniscient (sees all) • G-d is Omni-present (everywhere at all times) • G-d is Omnipotent (all powerful) • G-d is Eternal (existing forever) • G-d is neither male nor female • G-d is both just and merciful (judges individually) • G-d is holy and perfect (without sin) • G-d is the father and King (the authority) Scriptures and Laws Dietary Laws (aka Kosher Laws) 1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all (chews cud, split hoof, sea creatures without fins/scales, certain birds, certain insects) Lev. 11:9-46 2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law. 3. All blood must be drained from the meat (under Rabbinical supervision) or broiled out of it before it is eaten. More Kosher Laws 4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten. 5. Meat cannot be eaten with dairy. 6. Eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. Branches of Judaism Orthodox Judaism • Conform completely to G-d’s laws • Traditional culture with gender roles • Rarely associate w/outside world Reform Judaism • Believe in retaining essential elements of faith that make sense in today’s society • Torah is inspired by G-d but open to interpretation • Emphasize broad moral messages rather than strict adherence to rules Sabbath Services—Shabbat • Amidah—prayers and praise to G-d • Sh’ma— “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One.” • Reading from the Torah • Friday services—1-3 hours • Saturday services—3 full hours • From sunset Friday to sunset Saturday Rosh Hashanah • Jewish New Year (Sep or Oct) • Celebration of the Creation of the Earth • No work is performed • Considered a “High Holy Day” Yom Kippur • Day of Atonement • Holiest day in entire Jewish calendar • No work; must fast • Considered a “High Holy Day” Chanukah (Hanukkah) • Festival of Lights (8 days long) • Celebrates victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians • Minor holiday Mezuzah • Pieces of parchment paper with verses from Torah affixed to each doorframe in Jewish homes • “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One” Rituals • Bar Mitzvah (son of the commandment) • Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment) • Moving to adulthood; children become responsible for Torah • Jew marriage ceremonies are rituals as well Diffusion and Spread • Jews do not seek converts but has spread across the world through Diaspora (scattering). – Diaspora occurred due to persecution and forced exile – Thought to have begun in the 8th-6th century BCE (documented in the Old Testament and other ancient texts) and occurred throughout history until the creation of the nation of Israel in 1948 • What push and pull factors would affect choice of movement For an interactive map, of the Diaspora, click here: www.mccarter.org/Education/mad7/html/7.html Top Ten Jewish Nations 1. Israel 2. US 3. France 4. Canada 5. United Kingdom 6. Russia 7. Argentina 8. Germany 9. Australia 10. Brazil Essential Question How do Jewish beliefs and practices determine where and how they live? Basic Facts Tenets: – Is monotheistic – Jesus was the son of God – Jesus was God in the flesh – Jesus died, resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven – Follow the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Supreme Being: God Sacred Text: The Bible which includes the Old and New Testaments Beliefs about God • God is Omniscient—sees all • God is Omni-present—is everywhere • God is Omnipotent—all powerful • God is Eternal—will exist forever • God is both just and merciful—fair and kind • God is holy and perfect—incapable of doing wrong • God is the father and King—creator and authority • God is made up of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)—God, Jesus and Spirit that dwells within man Basic Facts Christianity – Origins: • Based on the teachings of Jesus (his lineage can be traced to Abraham) • Was founded in present-day Israel; approximately 32 CE – Place of Worship: Church – Holy Land: Israel Diffusion and Spread after Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Disciples and missionaries carried the faith Christianity became the official religion of nations With conquest and trade, was diffused and assimilated culturally Paul’s Missionary Journeys ‘ Ss “@ Sinope ome Thtee Taverns Black Sea _, Ra aeN ‘a_— Forum of Appius Neanell polis 7 Puteoli Amphini nerd ‘Eyapsen(GispPeion Ppesealan ey a S eNicaea = Bereas< _ . s A cn \ Qaesarea Se h \) Assos \Pergamum Autioch / gi Mazaca) Sea eS sn Z Mytelené? \* eThyarira in Pisidia f onian i ~ ‘ i a Delphi gy Spe Sardis Yo ; Sicily /f Rreeium Cofinthogaedthens’ sc! SRR yey jetbe) ‘ { Cénchreae SS Teodizos: eg Isous { Ms letus Nea Tarsus) : % Syracuse Spzita, “ : : Artalia Seleucia s NX e ‘ Tracheotiz Malta Ss “Crate Se Phoenix 1 aS Fair Havers *2L2 VARS PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS Mediterranean Sea coenral a +— Paul's first journey ecyrene Ptolemais® \ +— Paul's second journey “— Paul's third journey Jerusalem® ~— Paul's journey to Rome \ Alexandria, E peat (traditional) ‘ / Wee @ Gity to which a New 0 200 mi. Testament Epistle is addressed 0 300 km. Examples of Rituals and Practices • Baptism • Communion • Confession (for Catholics) • Confirmation (certain denominations) Example of Conflict • Though Christianity shares some similarities with Judaism and Islam (monotheistic, origins in the Middle East, God of Abraham), there have been periods of conflict. Examples include the Crusades. Introduction to Islam The Branch of Abraham God’s promise to Abraham—book of Genesis Ishmael Isaac Muhammad Jacob Twelve Tribes of Israel Judaism 2500 BC King David (Tribe of Judah) Jesus Islam Christianity Gen 16:9-15 550AD 30 AD Basic Facts • Place of Worship: Mosque • Holy Land: – Mecca – Additional pilgrimage sites include the Al Quds mount in Jerusalem (The Dome of the Rock) and the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia Islam and the Five Themes: Place Dome of the Rock Dome of the Rock, built on the Jewish site of the Temple Mount—a raised platform created by the Jews as the foundation of the first and second temples that were placed over the sacred Foundation Stone. According to the faiths, it is the place where Adam was given life, where Abraham was tested by God, and where Muhammad ascended to Heaven during his Night Journey. Beliefs About God • Ultimate Sin: “shirk”—to associate other deities with God • God is near “I am indeed close to my people. I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me. Let them also…listen to My call, and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.” (2:186) Named Prophets in the Qur’an • Adam • Elisha • Job • David • Ezekiel • Jesus • Aaron • Joseph •Abraham •Enoch •Isaac •Ishmael •Lot •Jonah •Zechariah •Moses •Noah •Solomon •Ezra •John the Baptist •Muhammad The Qur’an • Final Word of God • Authoritative only in Arabic • Protected from change/corruption • Supercedes previous revelations (such as the Old and New Testaments) • Only text Muslims turn to today • 114 chapters/varying lengths Fasting During Month of Ramadan • 9th month on Islamic calendar (lunar calendar) • Fasting (no food or drink) from sun up to sun down • Intended to teach patience, modesty, and spirituality • Is ended with the Festival of Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) Festival of Eid ul-Fitr Hajj What’s inside the Ka’ba? 1. two pillars 2. a table on the side to put items like perfume 3. two lantern-type lamps hanging from the ceiling 4. the space can accommodate about 50 people 5. no electric lights inside 6. walls and the floors are of the marble 7. no windows inside - there is only one door 8. the upper inside walls are covered with a curtain How to perform Ablution Branches of Islam Separate branches emerged over who should lead the faith after the Prophet’s death • Shi’ia (Shi’ite)—Muslim leadership should stay in Muhammad’s family – Now about 10% of Muslims • Sunni—most qualified should be selected to lead – Now about 90% of Muslims Example of Conflict Though Islam shares some similarities with Christianity and Judaism (monotheistic, origins in the Middle East, God of Abraham), there has been periods of conflict including the present-day conflict in the Middle East; there is also present-day conflict between the two branches of Islam. Compare and Contrast How are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam similar? How are they different? How does religion connect separate societies? • What do Hinduism and Buddhism have in common? Basic Facts • 1 billion practitioners worldwide (3rd largest world-wide) • Founder? None • Doctrine? None…more a “way of life” • Location of Origin? Indus Valley, 3000 B.CE. • Does not actively seek converts Indus Valley Hinduism in the World Today NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN NORTH . PACIFIC ATLANTIC be OCEAN Christianity Mostly Roman Catholic on i Mostly Protestant +) INDIAN OCEAN a [Bi Mostly Eastern Orthodox od Islam : HB Sunni Mi shia HB Hinduism 2 uusaism 2 [ Budahism OCEAN [i Chinese Religions [i Shinto and Buddhism [Z1 Traditional and Tribal [Bil tial and christian HH Tribal, Christian and Muslim | ain