Comparing World Religions - Townsend Harris High School

Transcript Comparing World Religions - Townsend Harris High School

Comparing Western Monotheistic Religions

Aim: To what extent were early monotheistic religions similar?

Vocabulary: Monotheism, ethics, Torah, Messiah, Bible, Golden Rule, Koran, Five Pillars of Faith, sharia

Major beliefs of Judaism

• • Originates: 1200 BCE in Near East Kingdoms of Judah and Israel (1000 BCE-70 CE) located in crossroads of Egypt and Mesopotamia Major Beliefs: 1 God – Yahweh Follow Yahweh’s laws Books or Scripture: Torah (5 Books of Moses), Old Testament 10 Commandments are within the Torah Since 576 BCE majority of Jews live in Diaspora (outside of Jewish Kingdoms or state)

The Ten Commandments • • • • • • • • • • • •

Exodus Chapter 20

1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 "You shall have no other gods before me.

4 "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

13 "You shall not kill.

14 "You shall not commit adultery.

15 "You shall not steal.

16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's." Fordham.edu

Judaism 14 million Jews today Over 6 million in Israel Over 5 million in USA Over 2 million in New York City (largest population for a city) Reform Traditions are Heritage of the Past – modern Ethical code Is key Conservative Traditional Laws Are changed over Time but are still the Basis of Judaism Orthodox Strict followers of Traditional Laws

Major beliefs of Christianity

• Jesus Christ is divine • Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost • Scripture: The New Testament “updates” the Old Testament (10 Commandments focused on) • Spirit of Law (Ethical Code) is most important • Forgiving, Understanding God • Sacraments: Baptism, Communion, etc. (performed by Church or the individual becomes the debate) • Salvation can be achieved for next world

Matthew 1:18

• • • •

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[ c ] because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"[ d ] —which means, "God with us." 24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Fordham.edu

Luke 6:29

“And to him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke, forbid not to take thy coat also.”

Q: How does the quote allude to some important Christian values?

• • •

Christianity – main divisions

early Christianity persecuted by Romans until Emperor Constantine converts to the religion (330s). Eventually by late 380s it becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire Eastern Orthodox Christianity – split 1066 officially from West Practiced in Eastern Roman Empire, then Byzantine Empire, Today in Russia and Eastern Europe Western Christianity Practiced in Western Roman Empire • 400+ million followers Protestant 600 million followers 15 th Century Division begins Faith = Salvation No Church needed Lutherans, Calvinists, Anabaptists, etc.

Roman Catholic 900+ million Followers Believe in Pope As leader of Church

Early Christianity

• Starts in Near East • Paul (universalist – converts including “gentiles” – non-Jews vs Peter (local missionary work) – Peter later changes his outlook to fit with Paul’s • By 100 CE minority communities arise throughout Roman Empire • Orthodoxy (dominant “correct” way) vs heterodoxy (minority opinions) • Heterodoxies (heresies) include: What is the Trinity? What is Jesus (son of God, Messiah, Prophet, etc.) • Good vs Evil, Importance of Knowledge vs deeds • Includes Arianism, Nestorianism, Manichaesim, Gnostics, etc.

• Orthodox way becomes clear under Emperor Constantine and Council of Nicaea (330s-350s CE)

Compare Judaism and Christianity

• Judaism • Christianity

Major beliefs of Islam

('Qur'an,' II, 166-75, 180-2, 186-93)

“0 believers, eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and give thanks to God, if it be Him that you serve. These things only has He forbidden you; carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, what has been hallowed to other than God. Yet whoso is constrained, not desiring, nor transgressing, no sin shall be on him; God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. Those who conceal what of the Book God has sent down on them, and sell it for a little price-they shall eat naught but the Fire in their bellies; God shall not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection neither purify them; there awaits them a painful chastisement.”

Q: How is a Muslim’s life centered around religion?