Fundamentals of Abrahamic Religions
Synopsis
- Introduction
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Conclusion
- References
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, collectively known as the Abrahamic religions, share historical and theological ties. Structured upon the teachings of significant prophets, namely Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, these religions are fundamentally rooted in monotheism, emphasizing the worship and belief in One God. The article explores the core principles of each religion.
Judaism
Abraham, regarded as one of the ancestors of the Hebrews, is credited with establishing the foundations of the Judaism faith, a tradition later refined by Moses. With approximately 4000 years having elapsed since its inception, Judaism stands as an ancient monotheistic religion. Despite its relatively small following of 15 million adherents, it holds Jerusalem as its holiest city. The Jewish calendar, based on lunar months alternating between 29 and 30 days, culminates in a total of 353, 354, or 355 days per year.
According to Jews, there is only one God. God is perceived not merely as the Creator of the Universe but also as the Divine Being with whom each Jew fosters a personal relationship. Jews anticipate a rescuer and a world ruler. While they acknowledge the existence of heaven, they believe that God will determine the destination for Jews who have passed away. The foundational code of conduct is encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, and the religious law governing Jewish life is known as Halakhah.
The Torah holds a paramount position among the five volumes of the Hebrew Bible (Tanak) for Jews. It is believed that God placed the Torah on Mount Sinai and entrusted it to Moses. Alongside the Torah, the Talmud, a significant Jewish oral and written text, also occupies a prominent role. Hebrew is read in a right-to-left pattern. Synagogues serve as Jewish religious venues where worship and prayer gatherings take place. Within these synagogues, a partition separates the spaces designated for men and women. A Jewish Rabbi leads the prayer service, and Saturday is observed as a day for rest and reflection, known as Shabbat.
The Temple in Jerusalem, the sole temple for Jews, faced destruction twice. The concept of the Third Temple is a hypothetical reference to its reconstruction in Jerusalem, surpassing both the First Temple built by Solomon and destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, as well as the Second Temple, authorized by Cyrus and later destroyed by the Roman Empire.
Christianity
The origin of Christianity can be traced back to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem in 30 AD. Following Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples embraced him as the Redeemer (Messiah). With 2.3 billion followers, Christianity stands as the world's most popular religion, founded on the teachings of Jesus around 2000 years ago.
Christians affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believe that God sent Him to rescue humanity from sin. They hold that Jesus was crucified, died, and resurrected on the third day, fulfilling the role of the promised Messiah in the Old Testament. The doctrine of the Trinity, portraying the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead, stands as a crucial Christian belief. This concept is considered a fundamental assertion about God in Christianity. Additionally, Christians believe in God as the creator of the universe, and the religious laws integral to Christian tradition are known as canons.
Christians believe in cultivating a personal relationship with God, relying on faith rather than works for salvation. They emphasize the study of God's nature, acknowledge the existence of heaven and hell, and regard the Bible as God's written message. A tithe, representing a tenth of their earnings, is contributed to the community. The Bible, divided into the Old Testament (the holiest book for Jews) and the New Testament (the holiest book for Christians), is considered a sacred text.
Worship among Christians takes place in churches, which typically feature an altar. In Catholic worship, priests lead, while in other Christian denominations, pastors take on this role. Sunday is commonly observed as the day of worship.
Islam
Between 610 and 632 AD, Muhammad founded the Islamic religion. Islam, the world's second-largest religion, boasts 1.9 billion followers and was established based on Quranic teachings around 1400 years ago. Its origins lie in Arabia, and those who follow the Islamic faith are known as Muslims. Muslims believe in a single, all-powerful God, referred to as Allah. The Islamic calendar consists of 354 days with 12 crescents.
The Quran serves as the sacred book for Muslims, forming the basis for their beliefs and actions. Muslims hold the Quran in great reverence, considering it a revelation from Allah. The authentic Quran is written in Arabic and is read from left to right. Mosques, places of worship for Muslims, are where they are summoned to the obelisk for 5-hour prayers. Fridays are the most common days for their prayers. Sharia, a religious law originating in the Islamic faith, guides their practices. In mosques, Muslim worshippers are led in prayer by the Imam.
The primary responsibilities of Muslims include believing in the oneness of Allah and recognising Muhammad as God's Messenger. Additionally, they are obligated to pray five times a day, contribute a portion of their income to charity, observe fasting during Ramadan, and undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. While a Rabbi leads Jewish prayers and a Priest leads Christian prayers, in Islam, leading prayers is generally considered a communal responsibility, unlike the other two religions where the responsibility is often vested in one person.
Conclusion
Judaism dismisses both Christianity and Islam as false, while Christianity acknowledges Judaism as a precursor but rejects Islam. Conversely, Islam recognizes Judaism and Christianity as partners in faith. Despite shared origins, the Abrahamic religions provide distinct perspectives on God, morality, and salvation.
Furthermore, the prolonged Israel-Palestine dispute, which is fundamentally rooted in religious and historical disputes, adds an extra dimension of complication to the interconnections among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The complicated relationship between faith, history, and territory is mirrored in the ongoing geopolitical conflict within the Abrahamic narrative.
References
The Three Abrahamic Religions
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