The Birthplace of Three Religions Father Abraham

The Birthplace of Three Religions

Father Abraham Age: 105 Hagar Sarah Housemaid Age: 90 Ishmael Isaac Jews believe that Isaac was promised Zion- the holy land. Muslims believe the promised land belonged to Ishmael- Ishmael was the one to be sacrificed, not Isaac. Arabs/Muslims And so the conflict begins. Jews/Christians

Religious Center Three Religions: • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all began in Southwest Asia (The Middle East) Jerusalem (located in Israel) • A city where Jews, Christians, Muslims have lived for centuries

The Basics Three Religions Believe: • One God – monotheism • Each led by a single person • Set of sacred writings Jerusalem

JUDAISM

History • Hebrews - 1 st monotheists • Sacred writings – The Torah – 1 st 5 – Talmud – serves as “guide”/laws and traditions. • Called God “Yahweh” or “Adonai” Written: “G-D” • Yahweh spoke to Abraham, “Go to Canaan” (present day Israel, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, parts of Lebanon, and Syria. ) • Abraham’s descendants are Jews Interesting Facts: Noah had a son named Shem. This is where the Arabs come from. Eber was Noah’s grandson (Hebrew comes from this).

Map of Abraham’s Journey God told Abraham to leave Ur (South of Iraq near Basra). Abraham went to Hara (Turkey), then to Canaan became Judea, thus Judaism.

A Story of Exile 586 BC: • Babylonians ruled Mesopotamia • Babylonians (King Nebuchadnezzer) destroyed the First Temple built by Jews in Jerusalem • Jews exiled to Babylon 1 st Temple built by King Solomon

Rebuilding the Temple 536 BC: 50 years later… • Persians took control of Mesopotamia • Jews allowed to return to Jerusalem • Temple was rebuilt Second temple 2 nd Temple in Jerusalem Built by King Herod

Second Temple Destroyed Roman Control: • Jews revolted in 66 AD • Second Temple destroyed by Titus (Romans) in 70 AD • Romans forced the Jewish people to leave-Jewish diaspora • The Wailing Wall remains Diaspora- Latin for “disperse”

Jewish Leaders… • Encouraged Jews to replace worship in the Temple with prayer, study, and good deeds. Places of Worship • Jewish temple • Synagogue

The star is a symbol of Zion 1800 Years Later… • Jews lived outside of Jerusalem hoping it would once again be home of Judaism.

The Jewish Diaspora How can a dandelion remind us of the Jewish Diaspora? Diaspora. Jews living outside Israel ･ the dispersion of the Jews beyond Israel. ･ the dispersion of any people from what happened to the This is their Jewish people and explains original homeland why they are in Europe and Dia- “across” disperse around the world.

What is Zionism? • Zion- the hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built. ･ Jerusalem. ･ (in Christian thought) The heavenly city or kingdom of heaven. ･ the Jewish people or religion. ･ the Christian Church. • Zionism- the movement for the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.

Just so you know… On this land Is the temple mount. The temple mount (Jewish holy site) is where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. 70 AD- 1947 - Arab people lived on the land (for 2, 017 years). The conflict is 3, 500 years old. 1947 - Declaration of Independence was kept a secret.

No longer Palestine… May of 1948 The United Nations declared Israel as a state. Law of Return The 1950 Law of Return allowed anyone that was Jewish (including a spouse that was Jewish or if one was of Jewish ancestry) to immigrate to Israel and claim full citizenship.

Terminology & Dietary Restrictions • Creation of Israel- Some Jewish people do not believe in the creation of Israel. They believe that it is God’s place to find Israel. • Mizrahi- Jews living in Muslim lands • Sephardim- Spanish Jews • Kosher- beef, chicken, bread are kosher. • Shrimp is not because by the time that got it from the sea, it was bad. Jews are instructed not to eat anything that has not been prepared in a kosher way (i. e. the animal was killed correctly (hit the main artery in the neck); the process was done the correct way. The rabbi must certify that the food does not violate kosher laws as prescribed by the Hebrew Bible. “No IFS, ANDS or BUTTS”- Use the front of the cow/animal • Kosher salt? - I have no idea!

Jewish Bar/Bat Mitzahs

Prayers during Rosh Hashana Orthodox Judaism: A major branch within Judaism that teaches strict adherence to rabbinical interpretation of Jewish law and its traditional observances.

Newly Discovered Synagogue

The Birth of Christianity

8 BC to 4 BC • Jesus, Jewish boy • Born in Bethlehem in ancient Palestine (Israel)

The Four Gospels • Story of his life written 30 years after Jesus’ death • The Bible – Christian sacred writings (Old and New Testaments)

Early Life • Jesus grew up Galilee. • Baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist • Jesus traveled preaching religion of love and forgiveness, and performing miracles. • People (disciples) came to hear his words.

MESSIAH Jewish People: • Believed a Messiah, or Savior would come to lead them out of exile Messiah: • Some people believed Jesus was the Messiah • Jesus became know as Christ, Greek for Messiah means (Anointed One)

Christians: People who believed in Jesus’ ideas and teachings Government & Religious Leaders: • Feared Jesus’ teaching as threat to their power • Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and was betrayed by Judas, a Disciple • Jesus was arrested, tried, crucified, and died. Disciples spread the word that He had risen from the dead. Gospels- Jesus’ life and teachings

Canaan

The Word Jesus’ Disciples: • Spread his teachings and their belief that he was the Messiah promised in Jewish scripture Roots in Judaism: • New religion, Christianity, developed Christianity: • Based on life and teaching of Jesus • Spread to other parts of world from Jerusalem • Christianity evolved from Judaism Places of Christian Worship: • Church or Cathedral

Muhammad Prophet of Islam

Muhammad 570 AD: • Muhammad was born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) • Founder of Islam Mecca during Hajj

The Basics Islam: • Believe in one god and Muhammad is his Prophet (person who speaks through Divine inspiration) Muslim: • A believer in Islam 610 AD: • Muslims believe God spoke to Muhammad

Beliefs Muhammad’s Teachings: • Came from angel Gabriel, who revealed the will of God Qur’an: • Collection of revelations, sacred text of Islam Gabriel: Muhammad: • Sent revelations to • Encouraged people to Muhammad for 22 years worship one God, aid the poor (included in the 5 Pillars of Faith)

622 AD Blue Mosque Istanbul, Turkey • Muhammad left Mecca for Medina (where he later died) • Government thought he was a threat to traditions and business • Muslim calendar begins from this year • Ramadan is at different times because of the Lunar calendar • Mullah/Meuzzin (priest) Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Prophet Mosque- Supposedly where Muhammad is buried Medina

The Qur’an (Koran) • Muslims believe that the Koran was the direct word of god and Muhammad. • Muslims read the Koran from right to left. • God spoke to Muhammad through the angel, Gabriel. Muhammad could not read or write. Muhammad memorized what Gabriel revealed to him and began preaching about the messages. Muhammad dictated the Koran to scribes. The Koran is believed to be the actual word of god. • Qur means “recite this”, thus the Koran means recitation. • Muslims must be able to speak Arabic to read the Koran. • Muslims believe that Jesus was a great prophet and was sent to preach exclusively to the Jews; believe that He will return to judge everyone, including Muslims.

The Qur’an

Pages of the Qur’an

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!” The “Pillars” of Islam Profession “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger. ” Prayer Pray formally five time a day. Almsgiving Pay a specified amount of money to assist the poor and sick. Fasting During Ramadan, no eating, drinking, & smoking from dawn to sunset. Pilgrimage Make at least one visit to Mecca. These are the Five Sunni Pillars of Islam Different Shi’i groups have seven or even ten pillars, and recently some fundamentalist Shiites have been trying to add Jihad as a sixth pillar.

The Five Pillars of Islam • All Muslims practice the five pillars of Islam. It is like a checklist and if you follow it, your faith is good. • The pillar of prayer is at certain times of the day. • Muslims used to pray toward Jerusalem, then restored the Kabba (rid of pagan idols) • Ramadan- You cannot let anything past your lips once Ramadan begins from sun up to sundown, including water. You know that Ramadan begins if you can tell the difference between a white/black thread in the dark. • Dietary restrictions: No pork! Beef must be drained of blood before you eat it.

The Hajj Mecca was a pagan city. The Kabba (black stone) was filled with idols. The black stone was built by Abraham and was a rock that fell out of the sky. Abraham built it, thus Muslims worship the god of Abraham. Muhammad tore out all the idols and restored it back to what Abraham built. Hajj customs: Muslims circle it 7 times; counter clockwise. Saudi Arabia is holy for Muslims. Only Muslims are allowed to go to the holy land that they call Mecca. The Pilgrimage: • Ishmael was to be sacrificed instead of Isaac; Muslims visit a well. • Muslims throw stones under a bridge; Muslims believe they are throwing stones at the devil.

Prayer at Mount Arafat Hajj is not complete unless you make it to the afternoon prayers at Mt. Arafat.

The Station of Ibrahim is the rock upon which Ibrahim stood while erecting the Kaaba. His son Ishmael helped him erect it, by passing him the rocks. Station of Abraham

The Kaaba

Diagram of the Kaaba

A Turkish seamstress is hired to make velvet cloth for the Kaaba every year. Use gold/gilded thread. Kaaba is washed. At end of Ramadan, they start making the new curtain for the next year.

Mosques

Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away class distinction and culture so all are equal before God. Ihram, the two seamless white sheets of cloth

Muslims in New Delhi, India

Muslims in New Delhi, India Notice the Muslim architecture

The stoning of the stone pillars at Mina exemplifies Abraham’s rejection of satanic temptations to prevent him from sacrificing Ishmael.

Someone is always watching!

Night at Muzdalifah

Location of the Zamzam Well Zamzam- well that sprang up in the middle of the desert so Hagar and Ishmael could drink

Dome of the Rock Jerusalem, Israel

The Dome of the Rock • Earliest Islamic monument, begun 684. octagonal plan. • Site where Muhammad was taken to heaven by the angel Gabriel and deemed the messenger of Islam. • The story says that Muhammad actually died in Medina and was taken by horse to Jerusalem and ascended to paradise from the Dome of the Rock.

Sunni or Shia? Sunni • The Five Pillars are for Sunni only • After Muhammad’s death, followers thought that Abu Bakr (one of Muhammad’s prominent disciples) should rule, so they claimed him as Caliph (leader or successor). • The followers of Muhammad should lead. • The civil war between the Sunnis and the Shiites began. • Secular- what you do that is NOT determined by religion • Saddam was Sunni; Sunni accept a more secular government (of the world). Typically 90% Sunni; 10% Shiite Shia • The Shiites wanted Muhammad’s son -in-law (Ali) to lead; thought that the rightful leader should be a direct descendant. • During the battles, Ali was killed in southern Iraq, thus the south of Iraq is holy to the Shiites. The Shiites were the ones to break off from the Sunnis. Fighting led to Ali being killed on the banks of the Euphrates River. • Some Muslims want to additional pillars. Some have 7 -10 in addition to the 5 pillars. Examples: Forbid what is evil; promote what is good; jihad (this will not happen because it is only the external struggle). • Iran is Shiite

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!” SUNNI KURD S SUNNI ARABS SHI’I ARABS

The Basic Beliefs of Islam Sharia is the legal and moral code of Islam. The Sharia is what Saudi Arabia and Iran use for their laws. Sharia means the way that leads to god. Both religious and non-religious aspects of life are covered in the Sharia. The Sharia is based on the Qur’an. • System of morals, religious observance, ethics, and politics • Covers religious and nonreligious ways of life –Guidance on how Muslims: • wash • eat • pray • maintain friendships • conduct business • govern

Islam, Judaism, and the Holy Land Jerusalem is located in the West Bank of Palestine and is considered to be the Holy Land. The Israelis and the Palestinians fight over this piece of land for religious reasons. Israelis are mostly of the Jewish faith and Palestinian Arabs are mostly of the Islamic faith. People of the Jewish faith consider Jerusalem to be the holiest city and Muslims consider it to be third holiest city. Jewish people consider Jerusalem to be the holiest city because this is where Abraham was ordered by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac at the Temple Mount. Muslims think of Jerusalem as a very holy city because this is where it is believed that Muhammad ascended to heaven from the Dome of the Rock. The Jewish built a temple which was destroyed by their enemies. They built a second temple which was also destroyed. The Dome of the Rock was built in the same location as the temples.

Jihad Effort or struggle on behalf of the religion of Islam Greater Jihad Lesser Jihad • “internal effort of each person to overcome temptation and lead a moral • an armed struggle against the enemies of Islam life” Martyrs – Muslims who have sacrificed their lives for their beliefs (are often celebrated)

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!” Religion, War, & Terrorism Jihaad is an Arabic word meaning “effort” or “struggle” Tens of thousands of Do religious terrorists… Al-Qaeda philosophies Is suicide terrorism cause the most violence, tied to religion? suffering, and war? out of roughly It can mean an external struggle like a war, or an internal struggle, like fighting sin and temptation Some Muslims even speak of jihaads against poverty, political corruption, or disease What type of jihaad is most important? 1. 5 billion Muslims

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!” The Breakdown Every religious group has many internal conflicts as well as external conflicts with other religions Religion is a useful tool for attracting people to a political cause they might not otherwise support Therefore, understanding the religious factors can still help people understand political conflicts

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!”

Islam’s Warriors • Most conflicts are world-wide due to political reasons, not religion; It is who is going to be in control of the political structure? ; Who will own the land? • The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) was originally political, for land, ethnic differences; later promoted a religious tone. • Hezbollah means “Party of God” • In the Koran, Muslims talks about wars; much of this is taken out of context by radicals; “kill the infadel” refers to wars during Muhammad’s time. Radicals take this out of context and use for present day. • Jihad means “struggle” or “effort”. The most important struggle is the internal struggle. This means that if you have an urge for sin and temptation. There are jihads against poverty, political corruption, and disease. Arabs and Jews are closely related. Islam is the fastest growing religion

Religion’s Role in World Conflicts “It’s not that simple!” It’s never so simple… All groups of people, including religions, are made up of individuals & smaller groups who often disagree with each other Members of different religions have often lived side by side in peace all over the world Individuals and small groups often do political acts in the name of an entire religion

Is it truly Religion? • Tamal tigers- secular, non-religious group • Tamal Tigers trying to take over Sri Lanka were the first suicide bombers. They were trying to assassinate Rajvi Ghandi in early 90 s (1992). Tamal tigers created the suicide vest. There ideas are actually good-equal rights for women and children, they want/are fighting for good things. Al-Qaeda • 1 out of 75, 000 would be a terrorist. Roughly 20, 000 out of 1. 5 billion = 20, 000 that is 1/75 would be a member of Al. Qaeda.

The Importance of Jerusalem • Sacred to Jews- Isaac; Adam was buried there; 1 st & 2 nd temples built by God are there • Muslims- Muhammad was carried and ascended into Heaven- Dome of the Rock; Dome of the Rock is also where Adam was buried. • Christians- Galgotha/Calvary