Monotheistic Religions

Monotheistic Religions

⚫ All three religions believe in one God.
⚫ They all actually trace their lineage back to one

individual.

Judaism Basic Beliefs

Name of God

God (Yahweh)

Founder

Abraham

Holy Book

Torah (Old Testament)

Symbol

Star of David

Worship center

Synagogue

Followers called

Jews

Believers live in

Israel, US, and former Soviet Union

Major Beliefs

Believers must follow the 10 Commandments

Many Jews left their holy lands during the Diaspora, and they were
forced to leave around 70AD.

Christianity Basic Beliefs

Name of God

God

Founder

Jesus

Holy Book

Bible (Old & New Testament)

Symbol

Cross

Worship center

Church

Followers called

Christians

Believers live in

North & South America, Europe

Major Beliefs

Jesus died/resurrected for the sins of all people

Islam Basic Beliefs

Name of God

God (Allah)

Founder

Muhammad

Holy Book

Koran

Symbol

Crescent Moon

Worship center

Mosque

Followers called

Muslims

Believers live in

Middle East, North Africa, and Indonesia

Major Beliefs

Five Pillars

Jerusalem is sacred to all 3 religions

⚫ Since the land is holy to three religions, conflicts have

occurred.

Wailing Wall

- Jews: Remaining

original of the
Jewish temple.

Dome of the Rock

- Muslims: Site

where

Muhammad
ascended into

heaven.

Church of the
Holy Sepulcher

-Christians:

Church built on
site where Jesus
was crucified.

Conflict in the Middle East
⚫ In 1947, the state of Israel was created for the Jewish

survivors of the Holocaust in their historic homeland.

⚫ The problem was that an Arab population called the

Palestinians were already living there.

⚫ This led to several wars between Israel and its Arab

neighbors.

⚫ The U.S. generally supports Israel in these conflicts.