A Comparison of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Abrahamic Religions
Paragraph Writing Assignment Lesson 10-4

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6.1.3 Recognize the worlds major religions and their founders (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad)

 Date and Place founded:

Judaism approximately 1300 B.C. in Palestine
Some say the date is unknown

Christianity approximately 33 A.D. in Palestine Islam 622 A.D. in Saudi Arabia

 Founders and Early Leaders

Judaism Abraham and Moses Christianity Jesus Islam - Muhammad

 Followers Called:
Judaism Jews Christianity Christians Islam Muslims

Clergy Called:
Judaism rabbis Christianity bishop, pastor, ministers, priest Islam - imams
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 House of Worship
Judaism synagogue or temple Christianity church, cathedral, chapel Islam mosque
Day of Worship
Judaism Saturday Christianity Sunday Islam - Friday
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 Original Language
Judaism Hebrew Christianity Aramaic and Greek Islam Arabic

Names of God
Judaism Yahweh and Elohim Christianity God, the Trinity Islam - Allah
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 Major Locations TODAY

Judaism Europe, Israel, North America Christianity Europe, North and South America Islam Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia

 Early Expansion
Judaism Little expansion mostly confined to Israel Christianity by the end of the 4th century Christianity spread across the entire Roman Empire Islam Within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; after 100 years stretched from Spain to Southeast Asia
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 Current Worldwide Followers TODAY

Judaism 14 million (ranks 12th) Christianity 2 billion (ranks 1st) Islam 1.3 billion (ranks 2nd)
In the USA
Judaism 5.6 million Christianity 159 million Islam 1.1 million
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 Sacred Texts
Judaism Hebrew Bible Christianity Old Testament and New Testament Islam Quran (Koran)

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 Ultimate Reality (Type of Theism)

Judaism One God Christianity Trinity (God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) Islam One God

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 Divine Revelation How do we know about God?

Judaism through prophets recorded in the Hebrew Bible Christianity through prophets and Jesus as recorded in the Old and New Testament Islam through Gods final prophet Muhammad recorded in the Quran

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 Identity of Jesus
Judaism False prophet Christianity Son of God, the Messiah, Savior Islam prophet of God

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 Death of Jesus
Judaism death by Crucifixion Christianity death by Crucifixion Islam Did not die, but ascended into heaven (a disciple took his place)

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 Resurrection of Jesus
Judaism Denied Christianity Affirmed Islam Denied; since he did not die

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 Means of Salvation
Judaism Belief in one God; good deeds Christianity correct belief, good deeds; by faith accept Christ as Savior (Protestants) Islam Belief in one God; good deeds and follow Five Pillars of Faith

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 Afterlife
Judaism eternal heaven, or no afterlife Christianity eternal heaven Islam eternal paradise (heaven)
Judaism - eternal hell, or no afterlife Christianity eternal hell Islam eternal hell
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 Symbols
Judaism Star of David Christianity cross Islam crescent with name of Allah in Arabic

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 View of Fellow Abrahamic Religions

Judaism Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism. Christianity Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion. Islam Jews and Christians are respected as fellow believers, but with wrong beliefs and only partial revelation.
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Paragraph Writing Assignment

Using your class notes, you will write a one paragraph essay describing the origins, history and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.

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