The origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam happened within an area of the world that was the center of all nations; the Middle East. These faiths have a core religious belief system that includes religious writings, holy sites and figures.
The religion of the Jewish people is referred to as Judaism and is considered one of the oldest religions, beginning over 4,000 years ago in an area of land called Mesopotamia. Abraham, known to the Jews as the father of their faith, entered the land of Canaan, later called Palestine, sometime around 1800 B.C.E. (Bellenir, 2004) God’s way was originally open to all people, only after they had rejected him, did he turn to a specific group; the Jews. For this reason, the Jews are known as a “chosen people.” They were chosen by God to be an example to the world. If the Jewish nation disobeyed God they would be punished; if the nation repented and obeyed God, they would be rewarded with grace and hope. (Bellenir, 2004) The Jewish visionaries along with others of the Sixth century introduced monotheism to the region; the belief that there is only one god. (Sivers, 2015) This was a new concept to the world, as many people up to this part of history had a belief that there was more than one god.
The stage for one of the central themes in Jewish thought—deliverance, was established after their move to Egypt ,where they subsequently became slaves also giving rise to another Jewish custom of practicing hospitality. (Bellenir, 2004) The effort to escape Egypt fell under the leadership of Moses who led The Exodus in 1250 B.C.E. which eventually led to the re-establishment of the relationship between God and his chosen people. (Bellenir, 2004) The growth of Judaism included now the Ten Commandments and its rules on how they should live under the laws that God established. It included 613 commandments (248 things to do and 365 things to not do). In their totality and as they are interpreted, the Jews believe that the laws express God’s will began the development of a tribal governing structure that eventually evolved as the population grew. (Bellenir, 2004) These laws were written into a holy book that would be called the Torah and showed them the path of obligation to their community they needed to follow.
Around 200 BCE prayer houses called “synagogues” emerged in cities and towns for the Jewish to study the scriptures and the new Jewish laws. (Sivers, 2015) Those who worship within these meeting places were required to cover their heads in respect to God, while those who would lead the prayers were referred to as Rabbi’s. In the world today there are three forms of Judaism; Orthodox, Reform and Conservative.
The origins of another religion, Christianity’s growth took place from the Jewish reform movement during the first century CE. (Sivers, 2015) It is considered to be the second oldest religion that grew out of the Middle East and is also monotheistic. The growth of this religion from its birth site to the rest of the world spread fast. (Northrup, 2013) Those who followed Jesus, later Christ are the originators of this religion and its eventual growth throughout the world. The linkage between Christians and Jews is their beliefs in one God and the birth of Christians was the creations of Jews. The belief is that Jesus is the Son of God and that those who accept him will be rewarded Heaven in the end.
Missionaries have often spread this message along trade routes, first within the Roman Empire and later stretching out in all directions. Because Christianity has been split, virtually from its inception, into major factions (broadly Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant) and many smaller denominations, missionaries from different sects have, at times, found themselves competing for the attention of potential converts. Colonialism and imperialism practiced by countries with national or dominant churches allowed for the exclusion of conflicting voices, shunning the material world and its temptations to sin and treating all people as siblings lay at the root of Christian teaching. Churches and individual leaders, to greater or lesser degrees, have frowned on business practices that seem to violate these principles. (Northrup, 2013) Upon the death of Jesus, his teachings were written down into the creation of the New Testament, and these teachings eventually would take place usually in a church by any of the following; priest, pastor and a minister to name a few.
The growth of the Christian church became even more stable when it was decided by church officials that a hierarchy needed to be created. This would eventually create the position of the Pope, highest ranking church official. While the world would change with powers issues, the Christian Church would also be affected from within. This danger from within led to the Protestant Reformation, the split of the church into several Christians groups; Roman Catholic, and Protestant. With the growth of Protestantism in Western Europe in the sixteenth century, participation in economic activity for profit found its champions, especially among the Calvinists, who saw earthly financial success as a sign of Divine favor, rather than as a cause for guilt. As Christianity fractured in Europe, it was spread throughout Europe’s new maritime world of trade and exploitation. (Northrup, 2013)
The growth of Islam around 610 AD, another Monotheistic religion, also has its origins from the Middle East and those who follow this religion are called Muslims. The prophet and founder of this religion was Muhammad and this religion has grown to be one the largest in Africa and parts of Asia. The Arabic word “Islam” means submission, in religious context, to submit to the will of God. (Ammar, 1998) Muhammed in his first revelation from God through an Angel gave the belief of one God only and an individual’s accountability and devotion. (Ammar, 1998) This shows a path linkage from Christians and Jews to Muslims in their teachings and the virtual same paths they follow for God.
The creation of the Quran was the compilations of several biographies and collections combined to create scriptures. (Sivers, 2015) These became the teachings of Muhammed and this profession of faith is summed up in a formula that all Muslims must follow in there prayer to Allah. (Sivers, 2015) The beliefs are that there is only one God, submit to prayer five times daily, give to the less fortunate, fasting and a pilgrimage to Mecca, while these are different duties than those from Judaism and Christianity, this is one separate this religion from the previous two. (Sivers, 2015) The worship site is called a mosque and those who teach the word are called imams. The most important date in this religion is Ramadan, a fasting to Allah giving thanks. The Islam religion is broken into two branches; Sunni and Shi’ite, giving them less differences in a breakdown within this religion versus the likes of Judaism and Christianity,
The growth of the world’s religions has taken place over the history of the world from 3000 BCE to 900 CE from Judaism around 2085 BC, Hinduism 1500 BC, the growth of Buddhism in 560 BC and Christianity in 30 AD with Islam in 610 AD, with future and other religions growing from within these mentioned above to establish their own faiths and practices.
The faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Muslims amongst the oldest religions in the world are no different from each other in that there is and continues to be conflicts within. This growth from each other shows that in the end they are more similar in their teachings than they are different. These religions all grew from one area of early civilization and they are able to have the same belief in one God, who provides them moral instructions for a heavenly life. This is the basis from which all other faiths are developed and form a civilization grown from these faith teachings allowing for the growth of the three religions from a tribal governing structures to the influential forces they are today.