1. The Prominent ReligionsThe Prominent Religions
of Southwest Asiaof Southwest Asia
Ingrid Gero’s World Studies ClassIngrid Gero’s World Studies Class

2. The Three Monotheistic ReligionsThe Three Monotheistic Religions
Three major world religions originated in theThree major world religions originated in the
Middle East.Middle East.
JudaismJudaism
ChristianityChristianity
IslamIslam

3. The First MonotheistThe First Monotheist
 The first person to introduce the belief in oneThe first person to introduce the belief in one
god was a man named Abraham.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 of Ur,He originally lived in the Sumerian city of Ur,
but later moved to Canaan, which is nowbut later moved to Canaan, which is now
modern-day Israel.modern-day Israel.
 According to Jews, the land of Canaan wasAccording to Jews, the land of Canaan was
promised to Abraham and his descendants.promised to Abraham and his descendants.

4. Life in ExileLife in Exile
 Jews have been living, for most of their historyJews have been living, for most of their history
in exile.in exile.
 The Jews were originally expelled from Israel byThe Jews were originally expelled from Israel by
the Babylonians in 586 BCE with thethe Babylonians in 586 BCE with the
destruction of the First Temple, but returneddestruction of the First Temple, but returned
after 50 years.after 50 years.
 The second exile was forced by the Romans inThe second exile was forced by the Romans in
70 CE after the destruction of the Second70 CE after the destruction of the Second
Temple.Temple.

5. The next religion to emergeThe next religion to emerge
 The religion of Christianity began approximatelyThe religion of Christianity began approximately
30 CE when a man named Jesus began teaching30 CE when a man named Jesus began teaching
ideas about Judaism in Judea.ideas about Judaism in Judea.
 Jesus’ ideas gained him many faithful followers.Jesus’ ideas gained him many faithful followers.
 Jesus was crucified by the Romans in 33 CE,Jesus was crucified by the Romans in 33 CE,
after preaching for only three years.after preaching for only three years.

6. The religion spreadThe religion spread
 Jesus had 12 followers or disciples, that spreadJesus had 12 followers or disciples, that spread
his message after his death.his message after his death.
 The story of Jesus was carried on through 4The story of Jesus was carried on through 4
books known as the Gospels (Matthew, Mark,books known as the Gospels (Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John) and a series of letters known asLuke, and John) and a series of letters known as
epistles, written by Paul of Tarsus.epistles, written by Paul of Tarsus.
 Jesus was later referred to as Jesus ChristJesus was later referred to as Jesus Christ
because the word Christos in Greek meansbecause the word Christos in Greek means
“messiah”.“messiah”.

7. Out of Mecca…Out of Mecca…
 The last of the three prominent religions toThe last of the three prominent religions to
emerge was Islam.emerge was Islam.
 Islam was started by a man named MuhammadIslam was started by a man named Muhammad
in 610 CE.in 610 CE.
 According to the Qur’an, he was visited by theAccording to the Qur’an, he was visited by the
angel, Gabriel, and was given messages directlyangel, Gabriel, and was given messages directly
from G-d, known as Allah in Arabic.from G-d, known as Allah in Arabic.

8. Forced to fleeForced to flee
 Muhammad’s messages were not completelyMuhammad’s messages were not completely
well received in the city of Mecca.well received in the city of Mecca.
 He was forced to flee to neighboring Medina inHe was forced to flee to neighboring Medina in
622 CE. This event is what marks the beginning622 CE. This event is what marks the beginning
of the Islamic Calendar.of the Islamic Calendar.
 Muhammad and his followers eventuallyMuhammad and his followers eventually
returned to Mecca after several battles, and it isreturned to Mecca after several battles, and it is
considered to be Islam’s holiest city.considered to be Islam’s holiest city.

9. The Great DivideThe Great Divide
 When Muhammad died, he had not chosen aWhen Muhammad died, he had not chosen a
successor.successor.
 One group of people believed that theOne group of people believed that the
leadership should be dynastic, and thatleadership should be dynastic, and that
Muhammad wanted his cousin and son-in law,Muhammad wanted his cousin and son-in law,
Ali to become the next caliph.Ali to become the next caliph.
 People who believe that Ali was the rightfulPeople who believe that Ali was the rightful
successor belong to the group known as Shia.successor belong to the group known as Shia.

10. Differing OpinionDiffering Opinion
 Many of the elders felt that Muhammad left noMany of the elders felt that Muhammad left no
successor and that it was up to them to decide whosuccessor and that it was up to them to decide who
would take over after his death.would take over after his death.
 Abu Bakr, the first convert to Islam outside ofAbu Bakr, the first convert to Islam outside of
Muhammad’s family and his closest advisor, wasMuhammad’s family and his closest advisor, was
chosen as the first caliph.chosen as the first caliph.
 People who believe that he was the rightful successorPeople who believe that he was the rightful successor
are known as Sunni Muslims.are known as Sunni Muslims.
 85-90% of the world’s Muslims today are Sunni85-90% of the world’s Muslims today are Sunni
Muslims.Muslims.

11. So, where are the similarities?So, where are the similarities?
 All three of these religions have things inAll three of these religions have things in
common.common.
 They are all monotheistic, meaning that they believeThey are all monotheistic, meaning that they believe
in only one G-d.in only one G-d.
 Jews and Muslims consider Abraham to be theJews and Muslims consider Abraham to be the
patriarch of their faith. Christians also believepatriarch of their faith. Christians also believe
Abraham to be the first prophet.Abraham to be the first prophet.
 They all have religious ties to the land of Israel, andThey all have religious ties to the land of Israel, and
in particular, the city of Jerusalem.in particular, the city of Jerusalem.

12. This gets a little complicated…This gets a little complicated…
 Both Jews and Muslims believe that AbrahamBoth Jews and Muslims believe that Abraham
was the father to their people.was the father to their people.
 Abraham had two sons.Abraham had two sons.
 The first born was Ishmael, who was born to hisThe first born was Ishmael, who was born to his
handmaiden Hagar. Ishmael is considered to be thehandmaiden Hagar. Ishmael is considered to be the
ancestor of the Arab people.ancestor of the Arab people.
 Isaac was born to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, 14 yearsIsaac was born to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, 14 years
later. Isaac is considered to be the ancestor of thelater. Isaac is considered to be the ancestor of the
Jewish people.Jewish people.

13. The Torah and the Qur’anThe Torah and the Qur’an
 According to both holy books, Abraham wasAccording to both holy books, Abraham was
told by G-d that his descendants would be astold by G-d that his descendants would be as
“numerous as the stars”, and that the land of“numerous 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 MuslimsIs it any wonder that both Jews and Muslims
feel that the land of Israel belongs to them?feel that the land of Israel belongs to them?

14. The City of JerusalemThe City of Jerusalem
 Each of the three monotheistic religions have a holyEach of the three monotheistic religions have a holy
site within the old city of Jerusalem.site within the old city of Jerusalem.
 Jews worship at the Western Wall, which is all that is left ofJews worship at the Western Wall, which is all that is left of
the Second Holy Temple. It is also referred to as the Wailingthe Second Holy Temple. It is also referred to as the Wailing
Wall.Wall.
 Christians visit a site known as The Church of the HolyChristians visit a site known as The Church of the Holy
Sepulchre. This is the site where Jesus is believed to haveSepulchre. This is the site where Jesus is believed to have
been buried and resurrected.been buried and resurrected.
 The Dome of The Rock is a mosque that has been built onThe Dome of The Rock is a mosque that has been built on
top of the Temple Mount. It is believed that Muhammadtop of the Temple Mount. It is believed that Muhammad
ascended to heaven at that site to meet with the angel,ascended to heaven at that site to meet with the angel,
Gabriel.Gabriel.

15. What are some of the keyWhat are some of the key
differences?differences?
 Each of the three religions has a distinct holy book.Each of the three religions has a distinct holy book.
 Judaism’s holy book is the Torah. It is the first 5 books ofJudaism’s holy book is the Torah. It is the first 5 books of
Moses, also referred to as the Old Testament.Moses, also referred to as the Old Testament.
 Christianity accepts the Old Testament, but adds on the NewChristianity accepts the Old Testament, but adds on the New
Testament, which includes the Gospels and the Epistles ofTestament, which includes the Gospels and the Epistles of
PaulPaul
 Islam’s holiest book is the Qur’an. It is believed to be theIslam’s holiest book is the Qur’an. It is believed to be the
word of G-d, revealed to Muhammad by Gabriel.word of G-d, revealed to Muhammad by Gabriel.

16. Houses of Worship and ReligiousHouses of Worship and Religious
LeadersLeaders
 A Jewish house of worship is referred to as a synagogueA Jewish house of worship is referred to as a synagogue
and the religious leader is called a rabbi.and the religious leader is called a rabbi.
 A Christian house of worship is called a church, and theA Christian house of worship is called a church, and the
religious leader is referred to as either a priest or areligious leader is referred to as either a priest or a
minister, depending on the denomination ofminister, depending on the denomination of
Christianity.Christianity.
 A Muslim house of worship is known as a mosque, andA Muslim house of worship is known as a mosque, and
the religious leader is known as an imam.the religious leader is known as an imam.

17. Holy DaysHoly Days
 In Judaism, two of the holiest days are Rosh HashanahIn Judaism, two of the holiest days are Rosh Hashanah
(the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the day of(the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the day of
atonement).atonement).
 In Christianity, two of the holiest days are ChristmasIn Christianity, two of the holiest days are Christmas
(marking the birth of Jesus) and Easter (the celebration(marking the birth of Jesus) and Easter (the celebration
of the resurrection)of the resurrection)
 Islam has two holy days. Eid al-Fitr, marks the end ofIslam has two holy days. Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of
the fasting month of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha coincidesthe fasting month of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha coincides
with the dates of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca.with the dates of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca.

18. Each Religion’s View on JesusEach Religion’s View on Jesus
 One concept that is taught in the Torah is thatOne concept that is taught in the Torah is that
one day a Messiah will come and bring a worldone day a Messiah will come and bring a world
of peace to all. According to Jews, that Messiahof peace to all. According to Jews, that Messiah
has not come yet.has not come yet.
 Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah,Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah,
and that the time of peace will be here when heand that the time of peace will be here when he
returns again. This is the concept of “the secondreturns again. This is the concept of “the second
coming”.coming”.

19. The Islamic ViewThe Islamic View
 According to the Qur’an, Jesus is considered toAccording to the Qur’an, Jesus is considered to
be a prophet, along with others discussed in thebe a prophet, along with others discussed in the
Old Testament, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham,Old Testament, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham,
and Moses.and Moses.
 However, Islam considers Muhammad to be theHowever, Islam considers Muhammad to be the
final prophet, and the religion is based on hisfinal prophet, and the religion is based on his
revelations.revelations.

20. In conclusion…In conclusion…
 All three of these religions have theirAll three of these religions have their
foundations in Southwest Asia. Despite theirfoundations in Southwest Asia. Despite their
differences, it is important to see the similaritiesdifferences, it is important to see the similarities
that each of these religions share.that each of these religions share.
 These religions are all part of what shapes theThese religions are all part of what shapes the
culture of the Middle East.culture of the Middle East.