Religions of the Middle EastLesson 2

Objectives

• Compare the three major world religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

• Explain how geography contributed to the birth of Islam.

• Analyze the Islamic religion.

Warm Up

• To what religious affiliation do most Middle Eastern groups belong?

• Islam- Muslims• All but Israelis and

Armenians

Comparative Religions

Religion

Judaism Christianity

Islam

Origins Canaan~2000 BCE

Palestine~30 CE

Saudi Arabia622 CE

Founders

Moses Jesus Christ Mohammad

Adherents

Jews Christians Muslims

Population

14 millionIsrael, Euro, US

2.1 billionEuro,

Americas, Africa

1.5 billionMid East, SE

Asia

Comparative Religions

Religion

Judaism Christianity

Islam

Diety GodYahweh, Elohim

God GodAllah

Holy Book“People of the book”

Torah(Old Test.)

Bible(Old and New

Test.)

Qur’an(Koran)

Religious Law

Halakhah Canon Law Sharia

Place of Worship

Synagogue ChurchChapel

Cathedral

Mosque

Clergy Rabbis Priest, Minister, Pastor

Imam

Judaism• ~1800 BCE, Hebrews flee

Canaan, migrate to Egypt (enslaved).• Lead by Moses to Sinai

Peninsula. Covenant w/God.• 1 God, 10 Commandments,

Chosen People

• ~1025 BCE form kingdom of Israel in Fertile Crescent.• Kings David & Solomon help

reach greatest glory

• ~500 BCE Persians take over, Return to Israel & rebuild temple in Jerusalem.

• ~70 CE, Romans expel Jews from Israel/Palestine – diaspora…• Won’t return until late 1800s

Christianity• Jesus born in Roman ruled Palestine

(Bethlehem)• Carpenter’s apprentice• Studied w/ rabbis - Preacher 30 yrs old

• Some believed he was the messiah – Savior from foreign rule, restore kingdom

• Roman’s, scared of popularity & refusal to accept emperor as a god, crucified him in 33 CE.

• Followers, Christians, spread word• Everyone equal, salvation & eternal life• Persecuted by Romans, became martyrs• 313 CE, Emperor Constantine converts• 395 CE, official religion Roman Empire

Birthplace of Islam

• What was life like in the Middle East in early centuries?

• Desert• Bedouins• Oasis towns• Feuds, rivalry,

lawless

Islam• ~610 CE Angel Gabriel tells

Mohammed he is to be the messenger of God/Allah• Merchant in Mecca

• ~622 flee to Medina, build 1st mosque• Hejira – Yr 1 of Muslim Calendar• Prophet

• Expansion of Islam• Uses war & political maneuvering

to spread ideas• 632 control Peninsula• 732 Atlantic to Indus

Activity-

In groups of 3, analyze various elements of the Islamic faith.

• Ideas of Islam• Five Pillars

• Jihad• Sunni v. Shi’ite (Shia)

• Women

Closure

• What is meant by the term “People of the Book”?

• All 3 monotheistic• Allah is same God and God of

Jews/Christians• Follow God’s teachings in the Bible• Believe in final day of judgment

(heaven/hell)• Protected/treat all with tolerance