Monotheistic Religions

Me: Why is the Holy Land an important site for your faith?

Moses: The book of my people is the Bible. The Bible builds on the Torah by adding the stories and teachings of Jesus.

Jesus: My people’s book is the Torah. The Torah is comprised of the first 5 books of what Christians call the Old Testament.

Muhammed: My people honor both the Hebrew and the Christian Bible but consider the Quran to be the latest, and most accurate, revelation. Muslims across the world memorize and recite the Quran in Arabic.

Me: What is the Holy book of your faith, and how does it compare to others?

Moses: My holy book is the Torah.

Jesus: My holy book is the Bible.

Muhammed: My holy book is the Quran.

Me: How are the basic beliefs of your faith similar to the other monotheistic faiths?

Moses: I was a prophet of God, Food taboos, Fasting, Monotheistic, Soul, Commandments, Afterlife.

Jesus: Resurrection of Jesus, Fasting, Monotheistic, Soul, Commandments, Afterlife, Sabbath.

Muhammed: I'm a prophet of God, Five pillars, Food Taboos, Fasting, Monotheistic, Soul, Commandments, Afterlife, Sabbath.

Me: How are the basic beliefs of your faith different from the other monotheistic faiths?

Moses: My major God is God, my place of worship is church, my symbol a Cross, my Clergy Priest, Preacher, Bishop, Pope. Premise and Beliefs God loves and cares for his people, Holds them accountable for sins and shortcomings, Love everyone as God loves His people, Jesus is the Messiah (Savior and Son of God who died for man’s sins) Heaven/Hell, Purgatory. My Practices Follow God’s commandments, Rejection of wealth and privilege in the face of Roman persecution.

Jesus: My major God is Yahweh, my place of worship synagogue, my symbol the star of David, my Clergy Rabbi. Premise and Beliefs Yahweh loves and cares for his people, Holds them accountable for sins and shortcomings, No clear view of the afterlife, A moral life through obedience of God’s law. My Practices I Focus on this life, Live ethically and follow Yahweh’s commandments.

Muhammed: My major God is Allah, my place of worship is Mosque, my symbol the Crescent and star, my Clergy Prophet. Premise and Beliefs Submit to the will of Allah, Allah loves and cares for His people, Holds them accountable for sins/shortcomings, Paradise/Hell. My Practices 5 Pillars of Islam, Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fast, Pilgrimage.

Me: Why are you an important figure to your respective religion? Moses: Some people say Judaism began with me. I led my people out of Egypt, called the Exodus, to the Holy Land. God gave me the Ten Commandments to share with my people, to teach them how to live.

Jesus: I was teaching the Ten Commandments, but some people saw me as a threat to Roman rule. They arrested and crucified me. My disciples and followers, now called Christians, believe I was the promised messiah and that I was resurrected from the dead.

Muhammed: I began receiving revelations in 610 CE and told my people they needed to obey and pray to one God. They had been polytheists. My followers, called Muslims, continue to follow my teachings. Me: How are your religions based on how you are descendants?

Moses: I'm a descendent from both Isaac and Ishmael both Jews and Christians see their religion as emerging from Isaac. I'm considered one of the founders of Judaism and Christianity respectively.

Jesus: I'm a descendent from both Isaac and Ishmael both Jews and Christians see their religion as emerging from Isaac. I'm considered one of the founders of Judaism and Christianity respectively.

Muhammed: I founded Islam. Muslims of Arabic descent trace their roots to Abraham's other son, Ishmael.