The Three Abrahamic Religions

By: Kirk Lawton

9/25/2011
Basic Facts of Judaism
 Founded by Abraham,
followed by Isaac and Jacob
 Founded in Palestine during
Abraham’s lifetime, circa
1900 BC/BCE
 14 million adherents are
located primarily in Israel,
Europe, and USA
 Holy books: Hebrew Bible,
Mishnah, and Talmud
 Place of worship:
synagogue
 Branches: Orthodox,
Reform, Conservative, and
Hasidic
 Central Teaching: Jews
believe they are God’s
chosen people, and follow
the commandments that
God gave the prophet
Moses. Every life action is
conducted by demonstrating
obedience to God.
Beliefs of Judaism
 A Jew views God as one God  Jews are called to follow a
who is all powerful, but who calendar of daily, weekly, and
contains human emotions of yearly celebrations. They
anger, sadness, and joy. He adhere to laws that address all
aspects of community and
also desires a relationship with individual life.
His creation.
 God determines a person’s
salvation by judging his/her
moral life on Earth. A person
can repent one’s evil ways,
and perform good deeds to
achieve a good afterlife.
Basic Facts of Christianity
 Founded in Palestine by  Places of worship: church,
Jesus Christ around 33 chapel, cathedral
AD/CE  Branches:Roman Catholic,
 More than 2 billion Orthodox, and Protestant
adherents are located  Central Teaching:
primarily in Europe, Christians believe God’s
Australia, North and South gift of salvation comes
America, and parts of through Jesus Christ; not
Africa through performing good
 Holy books: Holy Bible works or rituals
Beliefs of Christianity
 A Christian views God as one
God, but He is a complex
unity, described as the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
 Anyone who truly repents for
his/her sins and professes
belief in Jesus will achieve
salvation (eternal life in
heaven).
 Although Christians
understand that no one is
saved by good works, they are
called to serve Jesus by
following his commands such
as praying, loving others, and
sharing the good news.
Basic Facts of Islam
 Founded in Saudi Arabia by
Muhammad in 622 AD/CE
 About 1.3 billion adherents
are located primarily in
Asia, the Middle East, and
North Africa
 Holy Books: Koran
(Qur’an), Hadith
 Place of worship: mosque
 Branches: Sunni, and Shi’a
 Central Teaching: There are
five main beliefs—
1. Declaration of Faith
(Shahada), 2. Prayer (Salat),
3. Fasting (Sawm), 4.
Welfare Tax (Zakat), and 5.
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Beliefs of Islam
 Muslims view Allah as one  Muslims are called to follow
God who creates and sustains the Qur’an and the Hadith,
all life. His will is absolute and which outline guidance for all
cannot be questioned. aspects of life. Islam is about
 A person who lives a righteous how one lives each day, and
life and submits to Allah’s will each day consists of five daily
has the best chance for prayers.
salvation (janna), an eternal
garden paradise. Allah judges
all of a person’s good and bad
deeds on judgment day.
Similarities and Differences
Category Judaism
Origins Abraham was the first prophet
Theism Belief in one God
Profession of Faith in God Is important
Relationship with God God has human emotions and
desires a relationship with man
Achieving Salvation Follows the rules and does good
works
Human Nature Man has an equal ability to do
good and bad
Respect for Jesus Views Jesus as just a man
Belief in a Messiah Believes that the Messiah will
come to Earth someday
Religious View Christianity and Islam are false
extensions/interpretations of
Judaism
Similar Beliefs Within Category
Christianity
Abraham was the first prophet
Belief in one God
Is important
God has human emotions and
desires a relationship with man
Repents of one’s sins, which are
forgiven by belief in Jesus
Man inherited original sin from
Adam/Eve and has a tendency to
be sinful
Respects Jesus and recognizes
Him as sinless
Believes that Jesus was the
Messiah who came to Earth
Judaism is a true religion but is
incomplete. Islam’s religion
contains many false beliefs
Different Beliefs Within Category
Islam
Abraham was the first prophet
Belief in one God
Is important
Allah cannot be compared with
any created thing. His will is
absolute and mankind must obey
Follows the rules and performs
good deeds
Man has an equal ability to do
good and bad
Respects Jesus and recognizes
Him as sinless
Regards Muhammad as God’s
Final Prophet on Earth
Jews and Christians follow
teachings that have become
corrupted
Ability of Followers to Get Along
 In 325 AD/CE, the Christian  During the Middle Ages,
Roman Empire cursed the Christians fought Muslims
Jews and forced them to move during the Crusades in an
to Babylonia. Over time, they attempt to stop the expansion
were dispersed all over the of Islam.
world.  The Gulf Wars and the World
 As done by the German Nazis Trade Center attacks have
during the Holocaust, Jews generated ill will between
have a long history of being Muslims and Christians/Jews.
killed and persecuted.
 In 1948, the modern state of
Israel was formed.
Arabs/Muslims immediately
opposed Israel, leading to a
series of wars.
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