The Three Major Religions

The Major Religions Judaism, Christianity and Islamic Humanities 101 August 28, 2010 Strayer University The major religions in the world are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. God cares about the entire creation and desires the well-being of all. God is just and has provided basic rules for our guidance so that we may be good and righteous, according to God's intention. All the major religions of the world have cities that hold special significance to their religion. It may be the home of a religious leader, the birthplace of their god, or the location of an important Temple or shrine. Many of these holy cities are important to more than one religion, which is a little more proof that we're all more alike than we are different. All three religions acknowledge that Moses was a prophet of God. The prophets of Israel and Judah are one of the most amazing groups of individuals in all history. The Islamic faith eagerly awaits the return of the Prophet Jesus born by a miracle of God without a father. The Prophet Mohammed's words give an account of the signs that will precede the coming of Jesus. Through Christianity, the prophets confirmed that God is sovereign over history and is working out His purposes in accordance with an overall plan, sometimes indiscernible, but always in the hands of the Lord. In Judaism, the people saw God's initiative at work in every step of their corporate existence. Yahweh (God) had called Abraham to father a chosen people of destiny. In Exodus, God used the Prophet Moses to affirm His power, goodness, and concern for history The religion's book of revelation, mediated by the prophet, is the Koran. It was not a completely new faith but is the third great monotheistic religion. In Muslim eyes, Mohammed completes a succession of prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, each of whom refined and restated the message of God. Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia that is of major religious importance to Muslims. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed who converted Arabia to Islam. All practicing Muslims accept belief in the ‘Six Articles of Faith’ and are obliged to follow the ‘Five Pillars. ’   They are 1) Muslim profession of faith or shahada, 2) Ritual Prayer or salah, 3) Ritual Prayer or salah, 4) Fasting or sawm, 5) Pilgrimage or hajj. The division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis on the guiding role of the imam. About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia. Muslims prayer five a day. The most important day for them to worship Allah is Friday in the mosque. â€Å"Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, is considered as one of the holiest months of the year. It was in 610 A. D. when the prophet Mohammad was said to have received revelations from God that later became Islam’s holy book, the Quran† (Ramadan – The Holy Month ,2010). Christians believe Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is a very important city to Christians because it is the place where Jesus was born. â€Å"The Christian life involves a number of different aspects. Among the key ones are fellowship with God Our relationships with others, and Obedience to God's commands and Discipline†( Hedrick, C. 1995). The Christian concept of God as creator holds a middle ground. Christianity conceives of God as One. But it is not an isolated One. Rather, God is a person, who is capable of affecting and being affected by others. This is implicit in the concept of God as Father, which is one of the most characteristic teachings of Jesus. The concept of God as personal ultimately led to the Trinity, which is surely one of the most distinctive. In Christianity their holy book is the bible ( Jewish bible and New Testament). Also their main day for worship is on Sunday in a church, chapel, and cathedral. Judaism is a monotheistic religion which believes that the world was created by a single, all-knowing divinity, and that all things within that world were designed to have meaning and purpose as part of a divine order. There are three branch of Judaism which form a type of lifestyle and beliefs of Jewish individuals. â€Å"Orthodox- Traditionalists who observe most of the traditional dietary and ceremonial laws of Judaism. Conservative- Do not holds to the importance of a Jewish political state, but put more emphasis on the historic and religious aspects of Judaism, doctrinally somewhere between Orthodox and Reform. Reform- The liberal wing of Judaism, culture and race oriented with little consensus on doctrinal or religious belief† (McDowell, J. 1992). Judaism has no dogma, no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, actions are far more important than beliefs, although there is certainly a place for belief within Judaism. In traditional Judaism, God is often perceived as a loving Father who is infinitely majestic with divine power? The central prayer of any Jewish religious service is to â€Å"love God†. Palestine was where Judaism found. The main day for worship is on Saturday in synagogue. Moses was the greatest of the prophets for Judaism and there holy book was Torah ( bible). Comparing the view of God between Islam, Judaism and Christiantaiy would reveal som e similarities but Judaism and Christianity will come closer in doctrine. This is because of the Old Testament. Both Judaism and Christianity reject the Origin of the Islamic faith. These are broad statements in comparing the three but still are general facts. From infancy, Muslims are taught about the oneness of God, hence monotheism. Muslim theology also advocates unity of the human race as one family under God and reject the Biblical teaching of a â€Å"chosen† people. To the Muslim, Allah is the name of God that encompasses all the Holy divine attributes. As in the Jewish faith, Jesus is regarded as a prophet but is rejected as the Holy Son of God. Judaism, at least from a traditional religious sense, draws its belief in a monotheistic existence of God from the Old Testament writings. In traditional Judaism, God is often perceived as a loving Father who is infinitely majestic with divine power. The three religions believe that human beings are the highest creatures here on earth. The three Abrahamic religions believe that God and human beings can and should communicate with each other. By revelation God communicates to people, among which the most important are revelation through prophets. These revelations are recorded in the Holy Scriptures of each religion. While the Holy Scriptures of the three religions are not the very same, nevertheless the younger two religions acknowledge God's truth as found in the previous religions, and encourage respect to the Holy Books. All three religions foster modesty, moderation, and honest work. We are to submit ourselves to the will of God. All three religions closely link religion and morality. Religion is to be manifested by showing concern for the well-being and dignity of others, in a life of service to others, and in personal and social ethical behavior. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share many salient features. All three of these major world religions posit the existence of a single God, or a monotheistic deity. In Christianity, however, it is held that the single God is possessed of three natures, that of God the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. Despite differences, at their core all three religions share the theme of right living and social interaction based upon it, as demonstrated in the following precepts from each religion: Christianity Thou shall not steal; Thou shall not commit adultery; Honor they mother and father. Islam Religion is based on reward and punishment; be good and you will be rewarded, be bad and you will be punished on the terrible day of reckoning. Judaism Refrain from incest, bloodshed, robbery, injustice and lawlessness, inhuman conduct, and idolatry. All three religions closely link religion and morality. Religion is to be manifested by showing concern for the well-being and dignity of others, in a life of service to others, and in personal and social ethical behavior.