World Cultures

Middle East

Belief Systems- Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Judaism

Founder: Abraham Date: c.2000 BCE

Location: Middle East Holy Book: Torah

Followers:12-18 Million

Founding Story: * Abraham

* Covenant

* Canaan

I. Central Beliefs

A. Torah

B. Monotheistic

C. Ten Commandments

II. Rituals & Customs

A. Synagogue

B. Bar Mitzvah

C. Marriage

D. Death

E. Prayer

F. Sabbath

III. Religious Festivals / Holy Days

A. Rosh Hashanah

B. Yom Kippur

C. Pesach

D. Savuot

E. Sukkot

IV. Branches

A. Orthodox

B. Hasidic

C. Conservative

D. Reform

V. Important Figures

A. Abraham

B. Moses

1. Exodus

2. Ten Commandments

C. Isaac

VI. Important Events in the History of Judaism

A. Exodus

B. Babylonian Capitvity

C. Diaspora

D. Holocaust

E. Creation of Israel

Christianity

Founder: Jesus Date: c.4 BCE

Location: Middle East Holy Book: Bible

Followers:2 Billion

Founding Story: * Birth

* Teachings

* Crucifixion

* Resurrection

Central Beliefs

A. Monotheism

B. Jesus

- Messiah

- Died to save humanity

C. God is almighty

D. Apostle’s Creed

E. Nicene Creed

Spread Of Christianity

A. Peter

B. Paul

Holy Writings

*

Rituals & Customs

A. Prayer

B. Baptism

C. Confirmation

D. Marriage

E. Death

Religious Festivals & Holy Days

A. Christmas

B. Epiphany

C. Ash Wednesday

D. Palm Sunday

E. Easter Sunday

Prevelant Christian Faiths

A. Catholicism

B. Eastern Orthodox

C. Protestantism

Important Events in the History of Christianity

A.

B.

C.

Islam

Founder: Muhammad Date: 622

Location: Middle East Holy Book: Quran

Followers: 1 Billion

Founding Story: * Muhammad

* Gabriel

* Last & Greatest Prophet

Central Beliefs

Five Pillars

Quran/Koran

Shariah

Method of Worship

Prayer

Mosque

Minaret

Muezzin

Riturals and Customs

Festivals

Calendar

Ramadan

Eid ul-Adha

Al-Isra Wal Miraj

Muhammad-Maulid al-Nabi

Family Life

Death

Modern Developments

Shari'ah

Hadith

Quran

Sunna

Jihad

Branches of Islam

Sunni

Shiite

Sufi