1. Religious Influences
on
Western Political
Development

2. Polytheism
• Before Judaism most religions were
polytheistic (many gods)
• People thought that Gods wanted sacrifices
and rituals in their honor

3. Israel
and Monotheism
• Israel existed between the kingdoms of
Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• While it did not develop a powerful
civilization the ancient Jews did have
writing and left the world a legacy with
the first lasting monotheistic religion,
Judaism.
• Monotheism is the belief in a single god,
and Judaism became the foundation for
the other two monotheistic religions,
Christianity and Islam.
• About half of the people on earth
practice one of these three religions
today.

4. Hebrew Beliefs
• Monotheism – one powerful God
• People created in Gods image
• God wants people to live moral lives,
people can decide between good and evil
• Gods rules had to be obeyed but at the same
time God was forgiving
• Contributes to democracy because this is
where we see the beginning of individual
worth

5. Hebrews and Ten
Commandments
• Ten Commandments serve as
the basis of Jewish laws.
• Hebrew tradition states that
these commandments were
given by God to Moses on
Mt. Sinai.
• Commandments such as
• “thou shalt not kill”
• “thou shalt not steal”
• Religious and social laws too.

6. Hebrews and Ten
Commandments
• Certain Commandments tell children to
respect their parents and for people to “not
bear false witness against thy neighbor”
which is lying.
• These commandments reflect the values of
the Hebrew people in addition to their
religious beliefs.

7. Jewish Influence on Political
Thought
Then
•Each person
created by God
•Choose between
good and evil
•Help the poor
people
Now
•All men created equal
•Voting – choice
•Government
assistance to those in
need

8. • Out of Rome came one of the world’s major religions –
Christianity.
• It offered the masses of poor people hope during the
troubled times of the late Roman Empire when it suffered
through corrupt officials and barbarian invasions.
• Become the favored religion of Rome by emperor
Constantine early in the 4th
century. The Roman Empire
eventually fell but the Christian religion has endured to the
modern day. The main organization of the early church was
the Catholic Church.

9. Christianity
• The Christian religion also
follows the Ten
Commandments
• Many people have heard of
the “Golden Rule” which
basically says “treat other
people the way you wish to
be treated by them”.

10. Christianity
• This idea combined with the ones
included in the Ten Commandments is
what makes the Judeo-Christian ethic,
which makes up a major part of our
modern Western concept of law and
ethics.

12. Christian Influence on Political
Thought
Then
•Love your neighbor as
yourself
•Welcome all converts
(people)
Now
•Equality
•Diversity

13. Islam
• The next thousand
years saw the rise of a
new monotheistic
religion, Islam
• Also taught many of
the same ideas found
in Judaism and
Christianity in regards
to moral and ethical
values

14. In the 7th
century the new religion of Islam was
Founded in Saudi Arabia and it quickly spread
Throughout the Middle East and parts of Southern
Europe. Expansion was stopped at Tours, France, in
732 ACE, but Islam continued as a leader in education,
science, and culture during this time period.

15. Prophets Taught…
• Everyone should
• Oppose injustice and oppression
• Help those less fortunate
• Poverty and injustice could cease
• Individuals capable of high moral standards

16. Islam’s Contribution to Political
Thought
• Dignity of individual
• Ability to make moral decisions
• Opposition to injustice/oppression
• People could make a better life for all
• Equality of believers

18. Modern Times

19. Wait There are
More Contributors
• Middle Ages: The Scholastics
• Renaissance
• Reformation
• It is through these events we see the
emphasis moving from the Church and
religion to the individual

20. The Scholastics
• Medieval churchmen who retained respect
for rational thought handed down by the
ancients
• Preserved Greek philosophy
• Tradition of learning
• Reason and faith can coexist

21. The Renaissance
• Rebirth
• Education more than just for church life,
thinkers begin to challenge the political and
moral absolutism of the Dark Ages
• Some criticized authoritarian Roman
Catholic Church that dominated Europe

22. The Renaissance
• Led to the growth
of individualism
and intellectual
challenges
expressed through
• Art
• Exploration
• Conquerors
• Entrepreneurs

24. The Reformation
• Started by Martin Luther when he criticized
the Roman Catholic Church
• People were encouraged to make their own
religious judgments
• Encouraged independent thought, criticism of
perceived corruption
• Authority of Roman Catholic Church weakened
• Protestant churches begin
• Clergy did not have special powers, individuals
could make their own path to God

25. The Reformation
• Martin Luther provided Europeans an
alternative model of religious expression
Since religion politics and society were
so closely linked, the divide between
Protestants and Catholics plunged
Europe into a century of bloodshed.
Rejected the idea that only the Church
or priests could read and understand
the Bible
Since religion politics and society were
so closely linked, the divide between
Protestants and Catholics plunged
Europe into a century of bloodshed.
Rejected the idea that only the Church
or priests could read and understand
the Bible