Religions of the Middle East (SW Asia) Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

Religions of the Middle East (SW Asia)Religions of the Middle East (SW Asia)

Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Religions by land area

Religions in Europe, Asia,Religions in Europe, Asia, and Africa and Africa

Major religions in Europe,

Africa, and Asia

Judaism, Christianity, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have their and Islam all have their

hearth in the Middle Easthearth in the Middle East

come from come from SW Asia,SW Asia,

These are considered the “great Monotheistic religions”

The three monothiestic religions trace The three monothiestic religions trace their faith back to Abraham.their faith back to Abraham.

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world.

Where does the split between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam begin?

Jews and Christians believe Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. The angels stopped Abraham from killing his son.

Muslims believe God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael. The angels stopped him.

The split BEGINS here.

The sole The sole remnant of remnant of the second the second Jewish Jewish Temple.Temple.

Now a site of pilgrimage for Jews.

Western Wall (Judaism)

Jerusalem (Christianity)Jerusalem (Christianity)Site of important events in Jesus’ life.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The massive church holds the site of the crucifiction and the tomb of the resurrection.

Dome of the Rock (Islam)Dome of the Rock (Islam)

This is where Muhammad was said to have ascended into Heaven to receive the last scriptures o the Quran.

The Holy Books The Holy Books

Torah

Judaism Christianity Islam

Beliefs/ foundation of each Beliefs/ foundation of each religion is centered around the religion is centered around the key figures of Abraham, Jesus, key figures of Abraham, Jesus,

and Muhammad.and Muhammad. How old are the three religions?How old are the three religions?

Islam (~622 AD)

Christianity (~0-33 AD)

Judaism – thousands of years – no definitive date

ChristianityChristianityThe one God

Jesus is the Son of God.

He came and died for the sins of the world, then conquered death by rising from the grave.

Will one day return.

JudaismJudaismYahweh

Jews are the “Children of God”

Believe God gave them what is present day Israel (“the Promised Land”)

Still waiting on the Messiah.

IslamIslam

Allah

Muhammad was a prophet who received the word of God.

He is followed because he was the last one.Muhammad is not to be depicted.

Quran says that Jesus was a prophet who ascended alive into heaven.

2 primary branches.Sunni and Shiite

Places for public Places for public worship…worship…

Judaism-Judaism- synagogue; synagogue; templetemple

ChristianityChristianity- - church or church or cathedralcathedral

Islam- Islam- mosque mosque

HajjHajj (Mecca) (Mecca)Hajj (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)

Major Major branchesbranches of of each religioneach religion

JudaismJudaismOrthodoxOrthodox

ConservativeConservative

ReformReform (Reform offers the most “liberal” interpretations of (Reform offers the most “liberal” interpretations of

Jewish code or law…Orthodox is the most strict)Jewish code or law…Orthodox is the most strict)

ChristianityChristianityEastern OrthodoxEastern OrthodoxRoman CatholicRoman CatholicProtestantProtestant

–BaptistBaptist–MethodistMethodist–etc.etc.

IslamIslam Shia (Shiite) – Shia (Shiite) –

mostly in Iran and mostly in Iran and Iraq.Iraq.

Sunni – 85% of Sunni – 85% of Muslims.Muslims.

Islam splitIslam split Muhammad received the

word of God from the angel Gabriel.

The split happened after Muhammad’s death.

Sunni – believed new leader should be elected– Muhammad’s close friend

Abu Bakr

Shia – believed new leader should come from Muhammad’s direct blood line– his cousin/son-in-law, Ali

Cartograms

Islam

Christianity