Religion The Middle East

1. Religion The Middle East

2. Religion • People from different ethnic groups may share the same religion; through they may be from very different cultures. • Religion has been important to the history of the Middle East. • Christianity, Islam, and Judaism were started in this region. • People who follow Judaism are called Jews. • Followers of Christianity are called Christians. • Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

3. Origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam • The three major religions that originated in Southwest Asia are Islam, Judaism, & Christianity. • All are based on monotheism, a belief in one god. • Each religion has a sacred text, or book, which is at the core of its faith. • Each book is a collection of writings compiled over time. • None was written by the central figure of the faith. • All three faiths trace their ancestry back thousands of years to the prophet Abraham

4. Islam • World’s second largest religion; monotheistic • Developed in Saudi Arabia • Worship in Mosques • Holy Book- Koran (Qur'an)

5. Key Beliefs: • AD 600s- Arabia had no central government; clans fought for wealth and power. People went to Mecca to worship many gods & goddesses. • Islam was began by Muhammad (born in Mecca, Arabia.) • Raised by uncle and grandfather. • Muhammad believed the angel Gabriel came to him and told him he was God’s prophet. • Began teaching that Allah was the only true God

6. Key Beliefs: • However, Muhammad’s beliefs were not popular • 622- he & his followers were forced to flee from Mecca to Medina- known as the Hegira • Thus, began the Muslim calendar • Two groups formed: • Sunnis- 80% Muslims today; strictly interpret the Koran & Muhammad’s teachings • Shi’ites- broke away and followed Muhammad’s son-in-law

7. The Five Pillars of Islamis the term for the religion’s five main beliefs. • The Five Pillars are: • Believe in only one God and Muhammad is his messenger (Shahada) • Pray in the direction of Mecca five times a day (Salat) • Donate money to the poor(Zakat) • Fast during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) • Make a journey, or hajj, to Mecca at least once. • Cannot eat pork or drink alcohol • Cannot make idols

8. The Great Mosque of Mecca

9. Origins of Judaism • Oldest major religion • First monotheistic religion • Primarily the religion of one people- the Jews • Believe in the coming of the Messiah- a savior who will deliver the Jewish people from their enemies & establish a time of peace and properity • Its book is the Hebrew Bible – aka The Torah.

10. Names Abraham as the “father of the Jews” • Abraham was called by God to enter into a covenant with him. God promised to bless and guide the Hebrews if they would obey his law. • God told Abraham to move into the land of Palestine and promised him a new nation (Israel) if he would obey. Abraham did, & his descendants lived there for many years. • Eventually, the Hebrews were taken as slaves by the Egyptians. • Moses led Hebrews out of Egypt- this is called the Exodus • God would later give Mosey the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai • 3 types of Jews: Orthodox, Conservative, & Reform

11. Sacred Texts: • Torah- first 5 books of Old Testament; consists of laws given to Moses by Yayweh (God) • The rest of the Hebrew Bible- history & wise teachings • Talmud- more writing on Jewish law, history, & folklore • Rabbi-religious leader • Worship in synagogues • Vocabulary: • Sabbath– The seventh day of the week, Saturday, observed by Jews as a day of worship and rest • Kosher– fit to be eaten, according to Jewish dietary laws • Passover– Jewish festival marking the flight or Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt

12. Origins of Christianity • World’s largest religion • Old Testament & New Testament (the Gospels- 4 books describing life and teachings of Jesus, others are letters and sermons written by early Christians) • Christmas- birth of Christ • Easter- Christ’s resurrections • 3 types- Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant

13. Jesus Christ- the Messiah told of in the Jewish scriptures; believed to be God in human form; came to save humans from sin & eternal death • Born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth as a Jew • Preached message of love & forgiveness; drew large crowds • Crucified by Roman soldiers, rose again 3 days later (resurrection- Easter) • Lived among disciples for 40 days; then, rose to Heaven

14. The Crusades • Holy Wars between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land in the Middle East • What caused them? • Ottoman Empire kept expanding and Europeans were fearful of being taken over • Religious revival during this time • Economic opportunities (get land, power, material goods) • Provided a way out for the serfs • Eight crusades in all, but did NOT succeed in taking over Jerusalem for the Christian West • Increased trade, developed better ships, destroyed feudalism, created permanent divisions between the 3 religions

16. Task: • Use notes to create a tri(3)-circle Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the 3 types of religion

17. ISLAM MUSLIMS 2ND LARGEST QUR’AN CHURCH AND STATE INTEGRATED MOSQUE 622 CE FRIDAY MUHAMMAD SAUDI ARABIA 1. VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS 1. DENY RESURRECTION OF JESUS 2. BELIEVE IN A SECOND COMING OF JESUS 1. STARTED IN ME JEWS 2. MONOTHEISM CHRISTIANS 12TH LARGEST 3. JERUSALEM THE HOLY CITY LARGEST JUDAISM SYNAGOGUE 4. GOOD DEEDS = SALVATION CHRISTIANITY SATURDAY CHURCH 2100 BCE 1. OLD TESTAMENT SUNDAY 2. CHURCH STATE SEPARATE ABRAHAM 33 CE 3. PALESTINE JESUS DISBELIEVE IN THE 2ND COMING OF JESUS BELIEVE IN RESURRECTION OF JESUS