1 European Religions Three major religions in EuropeChristianity, Judaism, and Islam All 3 are monotheistic

2 Judaism… Major BeliefsIn one true god, God that is all- knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere They are God’s “chosen people” God will send a Messiah, or savior to save them Sometimes called the “children of Israel” in the Bible

3 Judaism… Holy books Torah or Pentateuch the Five Books of Moses (what Christians call the Old Testament) Within the Torah, God gave the Jewish people through Moses the Ten Commandments (The laws of God)

4 Judaism… Houses of WorshipJewish people worship in a synagogue (means meeting place) Prayer is lead by a rabbi, or teacher The Sabbath for Jews begins at sundown on Friday night

5 Jewish people living in Europe in 2005Top countries in 2002: France UK Russia Ukraine Germany Belarus Belgium Hungary Spain

6 Judaism… Founder Founder of Judaism is AbrahamLived in what is now known as Iraq According to Jewish belief, God told Abraham to leave his homeland and mover where God told him. He would also make Abraham the father of a great nation Abraham then traveled to what is now known as Israel

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8 Islam… Major Beliefs One god, Allah Muhammad is the Islamic prophetA person who practices Islam is a Muslim Five Pillars of Islam Profession of faith (there is only one god, Allah) Prayers (5 times at certain times towards Mecca) Giving of alms (charitable giving) Fasting (during Ramadan) Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

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10 Islam… Holy Books Koran or QuaranHowever, view Torah and New Testament as holy books too

11 Islam… Houses of WorshipMosque Friday is the Sabbath day Religious leaders- imams

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13 Islam… Founder Muhammad- the last and greatest prophetAlso view Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as great teachers BUT Muhammad is the greatest (closest to perfection)! Received revelations from Allah through an angel, Gabriel the arch-angel Put the revelations in the Koran

14 Islam… Location(s) in EuropeRussia The Balkans (close to the “Middle East”)  Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Bulgaria  Greece Kosovo (disputed independence)  Macedonia  Montenegro Croatia  Serbia  Slovenia  Romania  Turkey

15 Christianity…Major BeliefsSecond oldest religion Only one god, God sent his son, Jesus who Christians call Messiah or Christ Only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christians and Jews share many of the same beliefs Early Christians were Jews, as was Jesus

16 Christianity…Holy DaysEaster- celebrates the resurrection of Jesus (celebrated about the same time as the Jewish Passover) Christmas- celebrates the birth of Jesus Sabbath day is Sunday

17 Christianity… Holy booksThe Bible- both the Old and New Testament New Testament- are the teachings of Jesus and his followers, the Disciples

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19 Christianity… Houses of worshipPlace of worship is called a church Person who leads the congregation is called a pastor, priest, or minister

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22 Christianity… FounderJesus is the true founder Paul of Tarsus– transformed the faith from a branch of Judaism into a full-fledged religion Helped spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire

23 Christianity… primary locations in EuropeLargest religion in Europe Mainly divided into 3 different sects: Roman Catholic or Catholic Eastern Orthodox Protestant

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25 Catholicism Largest branch of ChristianityThe Pope is Christ’s representative on Earth Center of the Catholic church is in Rome and it is called the Vatican

26 Eastern Orthodox Officially split from Roman Catholicism in the 11th century Found mostly in Greece, Eastern Europe, and Russia Do not follow the Pope or his “rules” but have their own leaders called Patriarchs

27 Protestant Began in the 16th century with Martin Luther nailing his 99 theses on the door of the Catholic church (he was a Catholic monk) Many churches are included in this group: Baptist, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Pentecostals, Quakers, Calvinists, and others Do not follow the Pope’s leadership or a patriarch

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