Christianity and Islam

1. Christianity and Islam

2. Question for thought… What are some things that most religions have in common? What are some things that often differ from religion to religion?

3. Question for thought… If you were starting your own religion, list 5 characteristics, beliefs, or requirements that would be absolute must haves.

4. Christianity • Roman empire had a religion grown out of various traditions • Polytheistic, influenced by Greeks and others • Emperor began to be viewed as divine • All conquered peoples must worship Roman gods • Jews in the Middle East were allowed an exception – Why? • Jewish leaders did not like being under Roman control • Believed Messiah(anointed king sent by God) would appear to lead them to independence – Does Jesus fit this description? • Rebellion rises out of their discontent • Romans destroy Temple and eventually most of Jerusalem • Diaspora– Jews are forced to leave Israel and spread out along Mediterranean • Jesus – all we know of him comes from Gospels • Said to be descendant of King David • Said to be a carpenter by trade • Age 30 - begins preaching near sea of Galilee • Recruited 12 apostles or close followers • Used parables or short stories with moral lessons • His followers viewed him as the promised “Messiah” • Others viewed him as a false prophet and a threat to Judaism -

5. Christianity • Jesus spread a new way of looking at Judaism • Same beliefs - 1 God, 10 commandments, Jewish prophets • New beliefs • Jesus is son of God (many thought he was the Messiah) – Your reaction? • Mission  spiritual salvation, eternal life to those who believe • Emphasized  Gods love, need for justice, morality, service to others and importance of forgiveness • Jewish priests and Roman officials saw him as dangerous • Why would Jewish leaders feel this way? Roman officials? • Was convicted and crucified on the cross • Disciples claim he rose from the dead, telling them to spread his teachings • For a time Christianity stayed a Jewish sect • Over time evolved into a new religion

6. Growth of Christianity

7. Growth of Christianity • In only a few hundred years, Christianity grew from a cult of a few hundred people following Jesus into the main religion of Europe • Why was Christianity able to grow so quickly? • Christianity is inclusive, actively recruiting converts • Christianity gives everyone access to heaven • Christians spoke and wrote in Greek • Allowed them to blend in during times of persecution • Allowed them to spread the word quickly (many people knew Greek) • Martyrs died for the religion, sparking interest of others • Constantine converted to Christianity, giving it political clout

8. Islam • Islam is a religion • Arabic translation – “submission to the will of Allah” • Similar in many ways to monotheistic faiths of Christianity and Judaism – What do you call a follower of Islam? • A Muslim is a follower of Islam • Arabic translation – “one who has submitted” • Allah • Monotheistic God of Islam – How is Allah different? • Same God as Christians and Jews • Muhammad • Main prophet of Islam • 570-632 AD • Religious, military, and political leader • How is Muhammad different from Jesus?

10. Five Pillars of Islam What would your 5 Pillars be?

11. The Five Pillars of IslamBenefits? ----- Challenges? • Faith (Shahada) • Declaration of Faith • “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.” • Prayer (Salat) • Five daily prayers while facing Mecca • Alms (Zakat) • 2.5% of income is given for charity • Fasting (Sawm) • During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk • Pilgrimage (Hajj) • All able Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime

12. Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Kaaba in Mecca The Kaaba is a sacred shrine in Mecca. The Quran states it was originally built by Abraham, though it has been rebuilt many times.

13. Quran • The Quran is the holy book of Islam • The collected revelations from the angel Gabriel to Muhammad • Written in Arabic – only when read in Arabic does it reveal the true word of Allah • How is the Quran different from the Bible? • The final book • Muslims trace their ancestry back to Abraham, just like Jews and Christians • Muslims view the Quran as a perfected version of the Torah/Bible • Shari’a Law • Moral code and religious law of Islam - covers MANY areas of daily life • Compiled from the Quran and the example of Muhammad

14. Expansion of Islam • 632 AD – Muhammad dies • Mecca and Medina (and a portion of the Arabian peninsula) are united under Islam • There is no system set up for his political succession • Muslims elect Abu-Bakr as the first Caliph, or “successor,” to Muhammad • Expanded the empire through jihad • Jihad – translated to “striving” against inner evils, but could also be interpreted as a call to armed struggle against unbelievers • All four of the “rightly guided” Caliphs continue this policy • Abu-Bakr  Umar  Uthman  Ali • How was the spread of Islam different than the spread of Christianity?

15. Expansion of Islam

16. Umayyad Caliphate (661 – 750) • Came to power after the assassination of Ali (the 4th Caliph) in 661 AD • Went against the tradition of Muhammad and accumulated wealth and prestige • Moved capital from Mecca to Damascus • Why? • More central location to control empire • Created a rift in the Muslim world • Sunni – went along with Umayyad rule • Shi’a (Shiite) – party of Ali – thought the Caliph must be a descendent of Muhammad • Sufi – rejected the luxurious life of the Umayyads • Rebels overthrew the Umayyads in 750 AD

17. Abbasid Caliphate (750 – 1258) • Drove out remaining Umayyads to Spain • Moved capital to Baghdad • Newly built city • Why? • Economic reasons – access to trade routes • Created large bureaucracy (government) by raising taxes • Especially on non-Muslims • Became economically strong through trade • Created advanced systems of banking

18. Muslim Culture • Muslim cities such as Damascus, Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo, Jerusalem, and Mecca became centers of commerce, culture, and thought. • Social Classes within Baghdad • 1. Muslims at birth • 2. Muslim converts • 3. “Protected people” – Any guesses? • Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians • 4. Slaves • Role of Women • Were granted larger roles and responsibilities than women in many other cultures of the time period, but still expected to submit to men • Modern Day – Muslim women’s rights and responsibilities lag behind much of the modern world

19. Emphasis on Art and Science WITHOUT THE ARAB MUSLIMS, ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GREECE AND ROME WOULD BE GONE!!!!! Art Science Art Calligraphy – ornamental writing Use of geometric patterns in art Literature Rich poetry tradition Often influenced by the Quran Architecture Built upon Roman and Greek concepts Math Algebra al-jebr – “reunion of broken parts” Science Observation and experimentation Medicine Highly advanced for the time Astronomy Advanced observatories House of Wisdom – Center of Scholarship set up in Baghdad

20. Islam into the Modern Era Muslims continued to control much of Persia, The Middle East, and Northern Africa into the modern day Flag of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran

21. Islam into the Modern Era Islam continues to be a major world religion, second only to Christianity It also is one of the fastest growing religions today