Introduction to the Abrahamic religions

The Abrahamic religions are:

• Judaism

• Christianity

• Islam

These religions all trace their beginnings back to Abraham, who lived in the Middle East around 1800 BCE. There are some similarities and important differences between these three religions.

Similarities

• Trace their beginning back to Abraham

• Belief in one God (monotheism)

• Importance of the city of Jerusalem

Differences

• Worship is different

  • Islam - compulsory prayer 5 times a day

  • Judaism - prayers such as Shema, Amidah

  • Christianity - Lord's Prayer

• Representing God

  • Islam - no pictures of God

  • Judaism - no pictures of God; use the word G-d, rather than writing God out in full.

  • Christianity - pictures of God are allowed

• Beliefs about Jesus -

  • Christinaity: Jesus is the Messiah (the saviour of humankind) and is the son of God

  • Islam: Jesus is the Messiah (the guide for the Jews) but is not the son of God

  • Judaism: Jesus is not the Messiah (the saviour of teh Jews or of humankind), and is not the son of God.