INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

Quarter 1 – Module 6: Comparative Analysis of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Learning Activity Sheet #6

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND links the symbol to the "Seal of Solomon", the magical signet
ISLAM ring used by King Solomon to control demons and spirits.

What are the differences among Judaism, Christianity

and Islam? Three major religions are rooted in the Abrahamic
tradition: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on

the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents,
known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose
coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible,
called the Old Testament in Christianity, and chronicled in the
New Testament.
Torah has a range of meanings. It can most specifically mean
the first five books of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. This
is commonly known as the Written Torah.

Jesus ( c. 4 BC – c. AD 30 / 33), also referred to as Jesus of

Nazareth or Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher
and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity.
Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son
and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old
Testament.
The illustration below shows Abraham, the first of the
three prophets and revered the three Abrahamic religions
The Bible is a collection of sacred texts or scriptures. Varying
(Judaism, Christianity and Islam) as a prophet of God. Both
parts of the Bible are considered to be a product of divine
the Jews and Christians believe that he was ordered by God
inspiration and a record of the relationship between God and
to leave the land of Ur in Mesopotamia and established a
humans by Christians, Jews, Samaritans, and Rastafari.
new nation whioch was later called Canaan. He would
eventually be considered as the “The Father of Mny Nations”
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion that believes in a
both by the Jews and Christians. Meanwhile, Muslims view
single, indivisible God and that Muhammad is a messenger of
Abraham as a prophet of God and patriarch of many people,
God. With over 1.8 billion followers, accounting for 24.1% of
and father of Ishmael, known as a prophet and ancestor to
the world's population, Islam is the world's second-largest
Muhammad. Abraham is also the father of Isaac, considered
religion.
as the physical and spiritual ancestor of Judaism, together
with his son Jacob. Three monotheistic religions clearly trace
PROPHET MUHAMMAD
of their common roots from the Patriarch Abraham, hence
 Around the year 570 C.E., Muhammad ibn Abdullah was
the label Abrahamic religions.
born in the oasis town of Mecca just off the western
coast of the Arabian Peninsula (Karabell 2007).
Muhammad’s father died before he was born while his
mother died before he was six years old.

The Quran, also Romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central

religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a
revelation from God. It is widely regarded as the finest work
in classical Arabic literature.

Judaism is an ethnic religion comprising the collective

religious, cultural and legal tradition and civilization of the
Jewish people. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be
the expression of the covenant that God established with the
Children of Israel.
The Star of David, a symbol of Judaism as a religion, and of
the Jewish people as a whole. And it also thought to be the
shield (or at least the emblem on it) of King David. Jewish lore
The three Abrahamic religions-Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam all originated from a region we now call Southwest Asia.
They are also called Semitic religions since they came from an
area where people speak the Semitic languages particularly
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic. Judaism originated from a land
called Canaan; Christianity began in Palestine while Islam
developed in Arabia. Looking back at the history of the three
religions, we can see that they share commonalities in certain
beliefs such as belief in the same Patriarch and other ngs').
The writings of the The Hadith, a The Talmud, an
prophets; angels as messengers of God; heaven and hell; and Other
early church fathers collection of oral tradition
judgment day, among others. Traditions and ecumenical traditions/sayings of explaining and
Recognizing the inherent limitations of speaking for councils, including the the Prophet interpreting
Creeds. Mohammed. The the Tanakh. It
another faith tradition, we can say that Judaism and Islam Hadith functions as a includes the
differ primarily from Christianity in an understanding of the supplement to the Mishnah-a
person of Jesus. For Christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Quran, giving code of Jewish
guidance to Muslims law.
Old Testament promise. Judaism and Islam simply do not for daily living.
recognize the divinity of Jesus. For this reason, the Examples of The Sacraments, Five important Rituals include
monotheism practiced by Judaism and Islam is different from Rituals including Baptism and rituals (known as the
Holy Communion the pillars of Circumcision of
the monotheism of Christianity. Christianity has a Trinitarian (Eucharist). In newly born
Islam):
understanding of the one true God because of Jesus’ divinity Orthodoxy and Roman 1. Shahadah-A Jewish males,
Catholicism, five more Barmitzvah-a
that is not shared by Judaism and Islam. In fact, Islam would are added, viz:
profession of faith.
ceremony
2. Salat-Prayer five
describe Christianity as a tri-theist religion, rather than a Confirmation times daily. marking
monotheistic religion. (Chrismation), Marriage, 3. Zakat-alms giving. the 'coming of
Penance, Holy Orders 4. Sawm-Fasting during age' of Jewish
and Anointing of the sick. the Holy month of Boys and
Comparison Table Prayer is also an Ramadan. observation of
important part of the 5. Hajj-Pilgrimage to the Sabbath
faith. the Holy city of (Shabat). As in
A table showing the differences and similarities between Mecca the other
faiths, prayer
Christianity, Islam and Judaism is important.
TOPIC CHRISTIANITY ISLAM JUDAISM The Jewish
Origin of the From the Greek: Derived from an From the prayer book is
Name Christo’s, 'Anointed' Arabic word for Hebrew: called the
-referring to Jesus Christ. 'submission'. Yehudim, siddur.
Also related to 'Judah'. Sin We inherit a sinful There is no concept Judaism
the Arabic word nature through our of original sin, nor rejects the
salaam, 'peace'. common ancestor vicarious atonement. doctrine of
Jesus Christ (c. 4 Abraham Adam, who rebelled All Humans are born original sin.
Founder Mohammed (570-
B.C.-30 A.D.) (First against God. Jesus sinless, but human Atonement
632 A.D.) Christ atoned for our weakness leads to for sins
Patriarch,
born c. sins through his death sin. committed is
1800 B.C.) on the Cross (Romans made
Divisions Three main groups: Two main groups: Several 5:12-17). through
Orthodox, Protestant and Sunni and Shia (The divisions, seeking
Roman Catholic. division occurred including forgiveness
due to a dispute as Hasidic, from God in
to the legitimate Conservative prayer and
successor of the and Reform repentance.
prophet Judaism. In addition,
Mohammed). Ethnic the day of
There is also a groupings atonement
mystical/ascetic include (Yom Kippur)
movement in Ashkenazi (The is set aside
Islam known as Sufi. majority) and special for
Sephardi Jews. this purpose.
Followers 1,500 Million (1.5 By grace through faith Achieved through Through
2,200 Million (2.2Billion) 14 Million Salvation
(2009 Billion) in Jesus Christ good works, thus good works,
Estimates) (Ephesians 2:8-9). personal prayers and
Nature of God One God, who exists in One God (Arabic: One God righteousness must the grace of
three distinct persons Allah), who is not a (known in outweigh personal God. There is
(The Trinity): Father, trinity. The Islamic English as sin (Quran 23:101- no parallel
Son and Holy Spirit view of God is 'Yahweh' or 103). to the
(Matthew 28:19). called strict 'Jehovah')-".. Christian
Monotheism .Hear Israel, view of
(Quran 112:1). the Lord is substitutiona
our God, the ry
Lord is one." atonement.
(Deuterono A place of A place of torment Traditionally,
Hell
my 6:4). everlasting and fire (Quran there is
punishment for 25:65, the concept of
Holy Book(s) The Bible (from the The Quran or Koran The Hebrew
the unrighteous 104:6-7). In Islam, Gehinnom or
Greek: Biblos, 'books'), (Arabic: Tanakh, similar
(Matthew Hell is known as Gehenna-those
given by God to man. 'recitation'), to the who die in sin
25:46). There is Jahannam.
The Bible writers were revealed to the Christian Old may suffer
no crossover Jahannam has
inspired by God in prophet Testament, temporary
between Heaven several levels and a
their writings. Thus Mohammed over a comprised of punishment,
and Hell. person may not
Christians refer to the period of about 20 the Torah but certain sins
necessarily spend
Bible as the Word of years. The Quran is (Hebrew: merit eternal
eternity there. punishment.
God(2 Timothy 3:16). the final revelation 'Law'), Nevi'im
given by Allah to ('Prophets') However,
mankind. and Judaism's
Ketuvim('Writi ideas of the
 afterlife have
varied widely
among
different
groups and in
different time
periods. For
the most part,
Judaism does
not emphasize
the afterlife.

CONCLUSION
It goes without saying that the major world religions
discussed in the chapter have become influential in the world
up to the present. Two of these monotheistic religions remain
the most popular religions in the world in terms of number of
adherents, with Christianity as the most popular, followed by
Islam. Thus, the cultures which developed in these societies
are heavily influenced by their religious doctrines and beliefs,
especially since these religions are not only treated as
religions but as ways of life. In fact, it has even been
predicted that the conflict among civilizations would be based
primarily on religion. Aside from these religions provide
societies with public morality, which aids the state in
maintaining peace and order among citizens. Political
configurations in certain regions of the world are also based
on religion, such as countries in West Asia which are
predominantly Islamic. Certain historical developments such
as the holocaust, crusades, and holy wars have also been
attributed to religion.

ACTIVITY
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are known as the
Abrahamic religions. Using the Ideas that you have learned
from the previous lesson, list down four similarities and
differences of the three Abrahamic religions:
Abrahamic Similarities Differences
Religions

Judaism

Christianity

Islam