Comparative Religions
Textbook Reference: Pages xiv-xv and 63-70 and 80-86
Judaism Christianity Islam
What are its Jews Christians Muslims
followers called?
Monotheistic or monotheistic monotheistic monotheistic
Polytheistic?
Holy book or set of Torah (instructions given to Moses) Bible contains both the Old Testament Koran (words given by God to
writings? Talmud (interpretation of the Torah) (before Jesus Christ) and New Mohammad – commandments and
Testament (Jesus’s teachings) parables)
Hadith (narratives telling of
Mohammad’s life and deeds)
Place of Worship? Synagogue Church Mosque
What are the Rabbi Priest or Minister Imam or Caliph
leaders called?
Where did it begin? Middle East – Egypt and today’s Middle East - Jerusalem Mecca - in today’s Saudi Arabia
Israel
When did it begin? approx. 3500 years ago 1st Century CE 610 CE
How did it begin? Followers believe God made a Followers believe that Jesus Christ was Followers believe the prophet
covenant with Abraham (first the son of God. When he was crucified Mohammad received several powerful
patriarch): he would make them a by the Romans, his followers believe he revelations from God (Allah) telling him
mighty nation if they followed God rose from the dead so all people could there was only one God and giving him
share eternal life. Jesus’s teachings guidelines on how to live. (5 Pillars)
were spread by his apostles.
What are the basic People are expected to read the 10 commandments Islam means “submission to the will
beliefs/ principles? entire Torah every year Love God and one’s neighbours as of God”
A specific set of laws as set out in much as oneself Live by the 5 Pillars to be rewarded
the Torah on how to live your It was wrong to live in luxury while in this life and the next (declare
daily life is supposed to be others lived in poverty your faith, daily prayer, fasting,
followed including the 10 People should be generous charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca)
Commandments All people, no matter your station in Acknowledges prophets from both
life, are loved equally by God Judaism and Christianity in its faith
Comparative Religions
History & Eventually the Kingdom of Judea This group was persecuted by the Mohammad and followers persecuted
Development of the (Israel today) was created. All Romans (many died as martyrs because in Mecca so they fled to Yathrib and
Religion festivals were celebrated in the they refused to worship Roman succeeded in resolving a civil war there.
Temple, in Jerusalem, until the emperors) until the Roman Empire Many converted and the city renamed
Romans destroyed it in 70CE and converted in 313CE. Became known as Medina and they began converting
forced Jews to leave because they the Catholic Church. people from this city.
had rebelledthe Diaspora
Where did the Throughout the Roman Empire Throughout the Roman Empire Middle East, Northern Africa, Spain
religion spread and and Europe. and then Europe
how? When the Romans destroyed the Paul, an apostle of Jesus, Spread primarily via Islamic armies
temple in Jerusalem, the Jews travelled extensively and spread who felt that spreading the new
were forced to leave and spread teachings and wrote much of religion was a sacred duty.
all over Europe the New Testament.
Message that all were loved
equally by God very appealing
so spread quickly.
Missionaries spread message
throughout Europe.
Other This group has been persecuted in This religion did not stop war but it Today there are two forms:
Europe ever since the Roman Empire did provide some ground rules for Sunni – followers of the first caliph –
became officially Christian in 313CE. living together. Mohammad’s general
Restrictive laws made it difficult for supported learning and created Shia – followers of Ali, Mohammad’s
them to make a living. Latin as a common language in son-in-law
Western Europe
