The 3 Major Religions of Southwest Asia

Judaism Christianity

Islam

Judaism

Oldest of 3 Set of beliefs and laws of ancient

Hebrews Its book is the Torah Waiting for leader called the messiah Abraham father of the Jews

(sometime around 2000 – 1500 BCE) Born in Ur, present-day Iraq Later moved to Canaan, present-day

Israel Promised Land to Abraham and

descendants

Judaism Continued

Abraham on SmartBoard

Judaism Continued

Abraham’s grandson Jacob (Isaac’s Son) had 12 sons

Jacob was later called Israel and his descendents are called Israelites

First Temple (about 950 BCE) in Jerusalem(most holy city for Jews)

Destroyed in 586 BCE by Babylonians Jews sent out of Canaan, returned after

50 yrs.

Judaism Continued

Diaspora = when a group of people move away from homeland to many different locations separately. All of the world’s Jewish communities that do not live in present-day Israel are part of the Jewish Diaspora.

Judaism Continued

Second Temple built around 515 BCE On site of First Temple

Judaism ContinuedPlundered by invading Romans about 54 BC

King Herod, a Jew, ruled Judea for the Romans

Herod rebuilt the Second Temple in 20 BCE

In 70 AD Romans destroyed Herod’s temple.

Western Wall—single remaining temple wallPlace of prayer for Jewish people

Jews moved away from the land again until

Modern state of Israel formed in 1948

Judaism Continued

Christianity

Around 30 CE (AD), a Jew named Jesus began preaching new ideas about Judaism.

Romans controlled the region. The later title of Jesus Christ is a

reference to the belief by his followers that he is the Jewish messiah.

Jewish leaders asked that Jesus be arrested.

Romans found him guilty of speaking against Jewish laws and sentenced him to death.

Christianity Continued

Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday (the Resurrection) after being crucified on Friday.

Jesus had 12 disciples (close followers).

Christianity Continued

Paul, who never met Jesus, became the person who spread Jesus’ message around the world Ephesus, Corinth, Rome and other citiesEpistles (letters) that Paul wrote Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians,

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews

Christianity Continued

Roman authorities fought the growth of the Christianity.

Christians were often arrested and killed. By early 4th century

Christianity may have reached members of the Roman emperor’s family

Roman emperor, Constantine (not a Christian) had his soldiers fight an important battle in 313 CE with a Christian symbol on their shields—his army won

Christianity Continued

325 CE, Constantine called meeting for all Christian leaders to meet in Nicea 300 men attended Discussed how Christianity should be

practiced Nicene Creed▪ Uniform statement of Christian doctrine▪ Catholic church formed (which means

universal)

Christianity Continued

Islam

Prophet Muhammad, an Arab born in 570 CE, in Mecca (#1 city of Islam), Saudi Arabia

Merchant known as “Al-Amin,” the trustworthy one

According to Islamic tradition In 610 CE while praying in a cave Had vision of angel Gabriel and received

messages from Allah (God in Arabic)

Islam

Muhammed spread messages he received

Forced to flee Mecca for Medina (#2 city of Islam) in 622 CE Flight known as the Hijrah Islamic calendar begins on this date By time he died in 632 CE, Islamic

control of central Arabia was well underway

Islam

Before 700 CE, Muhammad’s followers were fighting over his successor Fight split Muslims into the Shi’a and the

Sunni Shi’a 10% (Muhammad’s cousin Ali) Sunni 90% (Muhammad’s friend Abu

Bakr)

Islam

Five Pillars of Islam Believe in only one God and Muhammad

is his messenger. Pray in direction of Mecca 5 times a day. Donate money to the poor. Fast during the month of Ramadan. Make a journey, or hajj, to Mecca at least

once

Islam

Other rules What Muslims are allowed to eat and

drink (no pork)

Qur’an (Koran) is their sacred book Jihad requires believers to meet the

enemies of Islam in combat.

Islam

Islam