3 Religions

Kevin Brewington

June 21, 2010

POLS 1101

Dr. Hammond

I. JUDAISM

II. ISLAM

III. CHRISTIANITY

I. JUDAISM: The way of life known to Jewish people is known as Judaism. It is one of the oldest religions in the world and spans back to some 3000 years. Being first presented in the Hebrew bible Jews referred to Judaism as the form of religion in which God created to form of relationship with the children of Israel. Jews are unified by birth and by those that convert to Judaism. There were 13 million Jews in 2007 of which 40% reside in Israel and 40% in the United States. The largest Jewish movement is known as Orthodox Judaism. Jewish laws have been enforced by special courts. These courts are established on a voluntary basis. There laws are not based on just one persons opinion but are interpreted by many scholars and rabbis.

The Hebrew version of the bible underestimates God’s existence. The Hebrew sees God as one. They define God’s relationship as one with the world and not with other gods. His focus on the world is the actions of the people loving and caring of one another. The Jewish Bible provokes the worshiping of any other god. Some have argued that Judaism does not require you to believe in God but to merely practice the acts and commandments of God.

Jewish law is based on the Torah also known as the five books of Moses. The torah lists 613 commandments most are directed to men and women while others may be directed to farmers in Israel. While these laws have been written there have been Jewish groups that believe in only the oral law. The oral traditions were written and transcribed by the Pharisee of ancient Judaism and expanded upon by the rabbis. After the destruction of Jerusalem much of this material was edited and included in the Mishnah. Over...