The Three Monotheistic

ReligionsMrs. Jones’ 7th Grade Social

Studies

Judaism Christianity Islam

Why Study Religion?

1. Religion plays an important role in history and culture. Ex. Sept.11,2001

2. This is not a devotional study but academic. We will be fair and balanced.

3. We need to understand the U.S. 1st amendment rights – freedom of religion for all – not just the people that believe as we do.

**To understand the history and culture of the middle east (Southwest Asia) we need to know the basic facts about the three religions that started here - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in ONE god.

Covenant

An agreement between God and Abraham; God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Israel; they are the chosen people.

Sarah“Wife”

Abraham Founder of Judaism

(about 4000 yrs. ago)

Hagar“Sarah’s Servant”

MosesThe prophet who received “The Ten Commandments”

Ishmael(Abraham’s 1st born)

Isaac(Abraham’s 1st born son

from marriage.)

3 World Religions Family Tree

Muhammad“Founder of Islam”(about 1400 yrs ago)-Prophet for Muslims-

Jesus “Founder of Christianity”

(about 2000 yrs. ago)

After Isaac was born, Hagar and Ishmael cast out and sent

back to Arab lands.

“Father of all 3 religions”

Judaism

Judaism is the oldest of the three religions.

• Name for God – Yahweh (Hebrew for GOD)• Holy Book – The Torah (1st five books of the Bible)

– The Torah holds all of God’s laws including the Ten Commandments.

Judaism

Major Beliefs1. God made a covenant with Abraham – his

descendants are the chosen people and the land of ‘Israel’ belongs to them.

2. Follow God’s commandments (The Ten Commandments – How to lead a good and moral life.)

3. Fast during Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Judaism

Practices/Rituals/ Major Holidays1. Eat Kosher foods. – No pork or shellfish.2. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – Most

important holiday.3. Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year4. Hanukkah 5. Passover

Judaism• Worship Services

– Day of Worship – Saturday– Place - Synagogue or Temple– Religious Leader – Rabbi

• Three Sects/Groups • Orthodox • Conservative • Reform

• Founder – Abraham (nearly 4000 yrs. ago)• Followers are called – Jews• Holy City - Jerusalem

Christianity

•Christianity – Largest–Most followed religion worldwide.

•Symbol: Cross

• Name for God: God • Holy Book: Bible

– Old Testament – history of law and prophets

– New Testament – includes four Gospels – stories of Jesus’ life

Christianity

1. Trinity – God, the Father; the Son (Jesus), the Holy Spirit (God’s presence on Earth)

2. Jesus is the Savior 3. Pray4. Follow 10 Commandments5. Charity (Love thy Neighbor)

1.Baptism 2.Communion – Lord’s supper;

reenacts Jesus’ last dinner before His death.

3.Easter – Holiday that Christianity was based on … Most important!

4.Christmas – Holiday celebrating Jesus’ birth.

Practices/Rituals/Major Holidays

• Worship Services– Day of Worship - Sunday– Place – Church

– Religious Leader - Priests, Preacher,

or Pastor.

Christianity

• Sects/Groups of Christians– Catholic (oldest)– Protestant – Originated as a PROTEST

to Catholic church• Ex. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutherans, etc.

– Orthodox• Founder - JESUS• Name for follower – CHRISTIAN• Holy City - Jerusalem

Christianity

Islam

Islam is the youngest of the three.

• Name for God – Allah – Same God as Judaism and Christianity just a

different name.

• Holy Book – Koran or Qur’an (pronounced the same)

Islam Major Beliefs

1. Five Pillars of Faith (How a Muslim shows his/her devotion)

i. There is no God but Allah.ii. Pray 5x per day facing Mecca.iii. Give to charity/poor.iv. Fast during Ramadan.v. Pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime.

2. Believe in all of the same prophets as in the bible.

Practices/Rituals/Major Holidays • Can’t eat pork or drink alcohol.

• Fast during Ramadan.

• Holidays – Ramadan -lasts an entire month and is celebrated because they believe this is the time that Muhammad spent on the mountain receiving the word of Allah (God).

Islam Cont.

• Worship Services

– Day of Worship - Friday

– Place - Mosque

– Religious leader – Cleric

• Sects/Groups :

– Sunni

– Shi’ite or Shia

They disagree on who should lead the Muslim world.

Islam Cont.

• Founder – Muhammad

• Followers called – Muslim

• Holy cities –

– Mecca / Makkah (pronounced the same)

– Jerusalem

Holy City:– Jerusalem

All three religions Started here in the Middle East. … They all consider Jerusalem a holy city.