Unit 1: History of World Religions

1. Unit 1: History of World Religions

2. In this unit, you will: • Know the vocabulary and key figures in the history of the five major religions. • Understand the effects of religious thought on societies. The similarities and differences between the major religions. • Compare and contrast the major religions with 100% accuracy.

3. What is religion? • Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. • Religion facets:

4. Judaism • Essential Questions: • What are the main beliefs and who are the key figures of Judaism? • How has Judaism acted as a foundation for both Christianity and Islam?

5. How did Judaism start? • It started with Abraham • Abraham (Abram) was a Semitic man who was living in Mesopotamia. • Monotheistic • Made a covenant with Yahweh

6. Abraham’s Covenant with God • Abraham gets Canaan • Becomes known as Israel

7. Abraham’s Journey

8. Abraham’s Genealogy HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH Ishmael Isaac 12 Arabian Tribes Jacob Esau 12 Tribes of Israel

9. Ancient Israel • Abraham’s to Issac to Jacob leads. • Jacob’s = Israel • 12 sons = 12 tribes of Israel

10. Story of Moses “Prince of Egypt” “Shepherd of His People”

11. The Exodus • Israelites work as slaves for Egypt • Moses requests to take Israelites to “promised land” • 10 plagues • Parting of the Red Sea

12. Route of the Exodus

13. Moses and the 10 Commandments A new “covenant” with Yahweh

14. Mount Sinai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TAtRCJIqnk

15. Resettlement • Used Diaspora to expel the other peoples • Have claimed the land since. • Jubilee • Synagogue • Levites

16. Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People • The Torah • The first 5 books of the Christian Bible. • The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition. The Torah

17. King David • Story of David and Goliath • David becomes King of Israel. • As king, David created the most powerful nation in the World at the time.

18. King David’s Empire

19. Psalms and Song of Songs • A compilation of songs and poetry from the years of Israel rule • Written mostly by David and Solomon

20. Psalm 23 23:1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 23:3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 23:6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

21. Solomon’s Kingdom

22. Israelites in Captivity

23. Israel’s History • Very cyclical • Constant story of success and failure • There is one God who is the creator and judge over us. • Jews are the “chosen people” by god

24. Religious holidays • Big three: • Passover • Rosh Hashanah • Yom Kippur • Hannakuh • Orthodox Jews

25. Israel Historical Law • Talmud • Mishnah • Gemara • Used in Israel Today • Independent since May 14, 1948

27. The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

28. Population • Worldwide: 13,296,100 • Israel: 5,593,000 • USA: 6,444,000 • Mostly centered in NYC and Philadelphia

29. Christianity • Essential Questions: • What led to the appeal of Christianity becoming the most popular religion in the World today? • What are the main beliefs and practices of Christianity?

30. History of Christianity

31. Prior to Jesus • Christianity roots in Jewish culture/religion. • Old Testament prophecy

32. Isaiah Scroll

33. Culture at the time • Jews were conquered by the Romans. • Messiah theories

35. The coming of Jesus • Roman emperor Augustus (31BCE-14AD) • Decree for a new census to be taken to properly tax his empire. • Everyone had to return to their tribal land/hometown

36. The coming of Jesus • Story of Jesus’ birth • Immaculate conception • Stable birth

37. Early life of Jesus of Nazareth • Jesus grew up Jewish. • Temple story • He worked as a carpenter • Jesus had several brothers and sisters, including James.

38. The ministry of Jesus • Jesus began to teach at the age of 30. • Teaches for three yrs. • Used miracles to show his power • First miracle • Taught with parables. • Recruited 12 disciples.

39. Death of Jesus • Came to Jerusalem • Pharisees claimed he had revolutionary ideas. Was found guilty by the Roman court. • Crucified on Golgotha.

40. Themes of Jesus • Jesus’ teachings focused mainly around: • Love • Need for personal morality • Prayer and meditation • Self-control • Service to others • Jesus is the only way to heaven

41. Ministry of Paul • Paul was a Roman • Learned from disciples writings, converted to Christianity • Apostle

42. St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

43. Christianity gains popularity • Paul established Christian churches • Martyrdom • Constantine accepts Christianity in … • Edict of Milan • Becomes dominant religion in Europe by middle ages

44. Christian Bible • Contains the 36 Old Testament books plus 27 New Testament books • Old Testament- Hebrew, before Jesus • New Testament- • Jesus’ teaching written down (first 4 books) • Apostle’s teachings for the rest

45. Judaism • 23If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. • 26 When a slave-owner strikes the eye of a male or female slave, destroying it, the owner shall let the slave go, a free person, to compensate for the eye. 27If the owner knocks out a tooth of a male or female slave, the slave shall be let go, a free person, to compensate for the tooth. • Christianity • You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. • —Matthew 5:38-42, NIV

46. Christianity today • 3 main Sects 1) Eastern Orthodox- 2) Roman Catholic- -most popular -Based in Rome

47. 3) Protestant- (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, UCC, Anglican, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Amish, Mennonite)

48. Holidays • Most important holidays: • Easter • Christmas • Pentecost • Lent

49. Islam • Essential Questions: • What are the main beliefs of Islam? • What is the origin of Islam and how does it connect with Christianity?

50. What is a Muslim? • Muslims are strict monotheists. • They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah. • Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.