The Prominent The Prominent Religions of Religions of

Southwest AsiaSouthwest AsiaIngrid Gero’s World Studies Ingrid Gero’s World Studies

ClassClass

The Three Monotheistic The Three Monotheistic ReligionsReligions

Three major world religions Three major world religions originated in the Middle East.originated in the Middle East.

JudaismJudaism

ChristianityChristianity

IslamIslam

The First MonotheistThe First Monotheist The first person to introduce the belief in The first person to introduce the belief in

one god was a man named Abraham. one god was a man named Abraham. He began the religion known as Judaism, He began the religion known as Judaism,

somewhere between 2000-1500 BCEsomewhere between 2000-1500 BCE He originally lived in the Sumerian city He originally lived in the Sumerian city

of Ur, but later moved to Canaan, which of Ur, but later moved to Canaan, which is now modern-day Israel. is now modern-day Israel.

According to Jews, the land of Canaan According to Jews, the land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his was promised to Abraham and his descendants. descendants.

Life in ExileLife in Exile

Jews have been living, for most of Jews have been living, for most of their history in exile.their history in exile.

The Jews were originally expelled The Jews were originally expelled from Israel by the Babylonians in from Israel by the Babylonians in 586 BCE with the destruction of the 586 BCE with the destruction of the First Temple, but returned after 50 First Temple, but returned after 50 years.years.

The second exile was forced by the The second exile was forced by the Romans in 70 CE after the Romans in 70 CE after the destruction of the Second Temple.destruction of the Second Temple.

The next religion to The next religion to emergeemerge

The religion of Christianity began The religion of Christianity began approximately 30 CE when a man approximately 30 CE when a man named Jesus began teaching ideas named Jesus began teaching ideas about Judaism in Judea.about Judaism in Judea.

Jesus’ ideas gained him many Jesus’ ideas gained him many faithful followers.faithful followers.

Jesus was crucified by the Romans in Jesus was crucified by the Romans in 33 CE, after preaching for only three 33 CE, after preaching for only three years.years.

The religion spreadThe religion spread

Jesus had 12 followers or disciples, that Jesus had 12 followers or disciples, that spread his message after his death.spread his message after his death.

The story of Jesus was carried on The story of Jesus was carried on through 4 books known as the Gospels through 4 books known as the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and a (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and a series of letters known as epistles, series of letters known as epistles, written by Paul of Tarsus. written by Paul of Tarsus.

Jesus was later referred to as Jesus Jesus was later referred to as Jesus Christ because the word Christos in Christ because the word Christos in Greek means “messiah”.Greek means “messiah”.

Out of Mecca…Out of Mecca…

The last of the three prominent The last of the three prominent religions to emerge was Islam.religions to emerge was Islam.

Islam was started by a man named Islam was started by a man named Muhammad in 610 CE. Muhammad in 610 CE.

According to the Qur’an, he was According to the Qur’an, he was visited by the angel, Gabriel, and visited by the angel, Gabriel, and was given messages directly from G-was given messages directly from G-d, known as Allah in Arabic.d, known as Allah in Arabic.

Forced to fleeForced to flee

Muhammad’s messages were not Muhammad’s messages were not completely well received in the city of completely well received in the city of Mecca.Mecca.

He was forced to flee to neighboring He was forced to flee to neighboring Medina in 622 CE. This event is what marks Medina in 622 CE. This event is what marks the beginning of the Islamic Calendar. the beginning of the Islamic Calendar.

Muhammad and his followers eventually Muhammad and his followers eventually returned to Mecca after several battles, and returned to Mecca after several battles, and it is considered to be Islam’s holiest city. it is considered to be Islam’s holiest city.

The Great DivideThe Great Divide

When Muhammad died, he had not When Muhammad died, he had not chosen a successor.chosen a successor.

One group of people believed that One group of people believed that the leadership should be dynastic, the leadership should be dynastic, and that Muhammad wanted his and that Muhammad wanted his cousin and son-in law, Ali to become cousin and son-in law, Ali to become the next caliph.the next caliph.

People who believe that Ali was the People who believe that Ali was the rightful successor belong to the rightful successor belong to the group known as Shia.group known as Shia.

Differing OpinionDiffering Opinion Many of the elders felt that Muhammad left Many of the elders felt that Muhammad left

no successor and that it was up to them to no successor and that it was up to them to decide who would take over after his death. decide who would take over after his death.

Abu Bakr, the first convert to Islam outside of Abu Bakr, the first convert to Islam outside of Muhammad’s family and his closest advisor, Muhammad’s family and his closest advisor, was chosen as the first caliph.was chosen as the first caliph.

People who believe that he was the rightful People who believe that he was the rightful successor are known as Sunni Muslims. successor are known as Sunni Muslims.

85-90% of the world’s Muslims today are 85-90% of the world’s Muslims today are Sunni Muslims. Sunni Muslims.

So, where are the So, where are the similarities?similarities?

All three of these religions have things All three of these religions have things in common.in common. They are all monotheistic, meaning that They are all monotheistic, meaning that

they believe in only one G-d.they believe in only one G-d. Jews and Muslims consider Abraham to be Jews and Muslims consider Abraham to be

the patriarch of their faith. Christians also the patriarch of their faith. Christians also believe Abraham to be the first prophet.believe Abraham to be the first prophet.

They all have religious ties to the land of They all have religious ties to the land of Israel, and in particular, the city of Israel, and in particular, the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem.

This gets a little This gets a little complicated…complicated…

Both Jews and Muslims believe that Both Jews and Muslims believe that Abraham was the father to their people.Abraham was the father to their people.

Abraham had two sons.Abraham had two sons. The first born was Ishmael, who was born The first born was Ishmael, who was born

to his handmaiden Hagar. Ishmael is to his handmaiden Hagar. Ishmael is considered to be the ancestor of the Arab considered to be the ancestor of the Arab people.people.

Isaac was born to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, Isaac was born to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, 14 years later. Isaac is considered to be 14 years later. Isaac is considered to be the ancestor of the Jewish people.the ancestor of the Jewish people.

The Torah and the The Torah and the Qur’anQur’an

According to both holy books, According to both holy books, Abraham was told by G-d that his Abraham was told by G-d that his descendants would be as “numerous descendants would be as “numerous as the stars”, and that the land of as the stars”, and that the land of Canaan was promised to them.Canaan was promised to them.

Is it any wonder that both Jews and Is it any wonder that both Jews and Muslims feel that the land of Israel Muslims feel that the land of Israel belongs to them?belongs to them?

The City of JerusalemThe City of Jerusalem Each of the three monotheistic religions Each of the three monotheistic religions

have a holy site within the old city of have a holy site within the old city of Jerusalem.Jerusalem. Jews worship at the Western Wall, which is all Jews worship at the Western Wall, which is all

that is left of the Second Holy Temple. It is also that is left of the Second Holy Temple. It is also referred to as the Wailing Wall.referred to as the Wailing Wall.

Christians visit a site known as The Church of the Christians visit a site known as The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is the site where Jesus is Holy Sepulchre. This is the site where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected. believed to have been buried and resurrected.

The Dome of The Rock is a mosque that has been The Dome of The Rock is a mosque that has been built on top of the Temple Mount. It is believed built on top of the Temple Mount. It is believed that Muhammad ascended to heaven at that site that Muhammad ascended to heaven at that site to meet with the angel, Gabriel. to meet with the angel, Gabriel.

What are some of the key What are some of the key differences?differences?

Each of the three religions has a distinct Each of the three religions has a distinct holy book.holy book. Judaism’s holy book is the Torah. It is the first Judaism’s holy book is the Torah. It is the first

5 books of Moses, also referred to as the Old 5 books of Moses, also referred to as the Old Testament.Testament.

Christianity accepts the Old Testament, but Christianity accepts the Old Testament, but adds on the New Testament, which includes adds on the New Testament, which includes the Gospels and the Epistles of Paulthe Gospels and the Epistles of Paul

Islam’s holiest book is the Qur’an. It is Islam’s holiest book is the Qur’an. It is believed to be the word of G-d, revealed to believed to be the word of G-d, revealed to Muhammad by Gabriel.Muhammad by Gabriel.

Houses of Worship and Houses of Worship and Religious LeadersReligious Leaders

A Jewish house of worship is referred to as a A Jewish house of worship is referred to as a synagogue and the religious leader is called synagogue and the religious leader is called a rabbi.a rabbi.

A Christian house of worship is called a A Christian house of worship is called a church, and the religious leader is referred church, and the religious leader is referred to as either a priest or a minister, depending to as either a priest or a minister, depending on the denomination of Christianity.on the denomination of Christianity.

A Muslim house of worship is known as a A Muslim house of worship is known as a mosque, and the religious leader is known as mosque, and the religious leader is known as an imam. an imam.

Holy DaysHoly Days

In Judaism, two of the holiest days are In Judaism, two of the holiest days are Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the day of atonement). Yom Kippur (the day of atonement).

In Christianity, two of the holiest days are In Christianity, two of the holiest days are Christmas (marking the birth of Jesus) and Christmas (marking the birth of Jesus) and Easter (the celebration of the resurrection)Easter (the celebration of the resurrection)

Islam has two holy days. Eid al-Fitr, marks Islam has two holy days. Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha coincides with the dates of the Eid al-Adha coincides with the dates of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca.yearly pilgrimage to Mecca.

Each Religion’s View on Each Religion’s View on JesusJesus

One concept that is taught in the Torah One concept that is taught in the Torah is that one day a Messiah will come and is that one day a Messiah will come and bring a world of peace to all. According bring a world of peace to all. According to Jews, that Messiah has not come yet.to Jews, that Messiah has not come yet.

Christians believe that Jesus was the Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and that the time of peace will Messiah, and that the time of peace will be here when he returns again. This is be here when he returns again. This is the concept of “the second coming”.the concept of “the second coming”.

The Islamic ViewThe Islamic View

According to the Qur’an, Jesus is According to the Qur’an, Jesus is considered to be a prophet, along considered to be a prophet, along with others discussed in the Old with others discussed in the Old Testament, such as Adam, Noah, Testament, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Abraham, and Moses.

However, Islam considers However, Islam considers Muhammad to be the final prophet, Muhammad to be the final prophet, and the religion is based on his and the religion is based on his revelations. revelations.

In conclusion…In conclusion…

All three of these religions have All three of these religions have their foundations in Southwest Asia. their foundations in Southwest Asia. Despite their differences, it is Despite their differences, it is important to see the similarities that important to see the similarities that each of these religions share. each of these religions share.

These religions are all part of what These religions are all part of what shapes the culture of the Middle shapes the culture of the Middle East. East.