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WRBS11 Q3 Mod3 Comparative Analysis of Judaism Christianity and Islam
WRBS11 Q3 Mod3 Comparative Analysis of Judaism Christianity and Islam
Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Quarter 3 – Module 3
Comparative Analysis of Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam
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Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Quarter 3 – Module 3
Comparative Analysis of Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam
In the previous lessons, you have learned how Judaism traces its origin as an
organized belief system during the Bronze Age in West Asia and found out how it
paved the way for other religions to spring—Christianity and Islam. You also have
studied the core teaching of Christianity which is the message that a loving God sent
His begotten Son to redeem humanity from eternal damnation. Then, you also have
been introduced to the teachings and core beliefs of the second largest group and
one of the fastest growing religions in the world—Islam, and have learned how and
why Muslims adhere strictly to their faith as they universally follow the “Five Pillars of
Islam.”
In this lesson, you will study how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam manifest
uniqueness and similarities—as well as their relevance in the world today. After
going through this module, you are expected to:
WHAT I KNOW
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write this on
your answer sheet.
2) Which of the following is NOT a common belief among the Abrahamic religions?
a. Abraham as patriarch c. heaven and hell
b. angels as messengers of God d. Holy Bible as the sacred text
7) As with Judaism and Christianity, the purpose of life according to Islam is:
a. to do charity works c. to love and serve God
b. to live a simple life d. to meditate and be prayerful
9) In _________, God may have the best plans for us, but our actions and decisions
determine whether God’s plans will materialize or not.
a. Christianity c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Zoroastrianism
10) In ______, even the decision they make out of free will is governed by God’s will.
a. Christianity c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Zoroastrianism
11) Belief in predestiny also encourages _______, which is one of the traits valued in
Islam. The notion that everything is attributed to God hinders one from bragging
about one’s achievements in life by attributing it to God’s divine plan for him/her.
a. holiness c. prayerfulness
b. humility d. stewardship
13)In Islam, men are allowed to have up to _____ wives as long as they can support
them financially and guarantee that they be treated equally. Meanwhile, women
are allowed only _____ husband and if they are caught with another man, in
some societies the punishment is public execution by stoning to death.?
a. four, one c. three, two
b. one, one d. twelve, two
14) Jewish women are considered impure for about half of each month because of:
a. birth-giving c. menstruation
b. defecation d. urination
15) Using the Roman political structures as its model, which were very hierarchical
and patriarchal, the role of women in __________ was downplayed, to the extent
of excluding women from priesthood.
a. Catholic Church c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Protestant Church
WHAT’S NEW
Judaism
Christianit
y
Islam
WHAT IS IT
Islam, the youngest of the Abrahamic religions, started around 622 C.E.,
considered as the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The word Islam is an Arabic
word which means “submission” or “surrender” and is also related to salaam, the
Arabic word for “peace.” It originated from Mecca, which is found in the Arabian
Peninsula, with Muhammad, considered the last prophet or “Seal of the Prophet.” It
was in Mecca where Muhammed was born and raised by his uncle Abu Talib,
worked as an assistant to a rich widow Khadija whom he later married, and
meditated on certain social issues such as unequal distribution of wealth, leading to
a great divide between the rich and the poor, as well as the possession of slaves. It
was during one of his visits to a cave that the angel Gabriel appeared before him,
delivering the message of Allah that he was chosen to find a new religion and preach
that Allah is the only God that should be worshipped. At first, he thought he was just
having a hallucination, but later on he was convinced that he was indeed chosen by
God to spread his words so he began preaching in Mecca, where he won some
converts. But his teaching of equality and brotherhood threatened the power of the
rich Quraysh tribe so he was forced to escape to Medina to avoid persecution. This
happened in 622 C.E. and was known as Hegira. From then on Islam gained
followers and became one of the dominant religions in the world.
If we compare the origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, we can see that
they share more commonalities than differences. For one, they all developed during
a time of political turmoil and social inequalities (Egyptian enslavement of the Jews,
Roman colonization of Christians, and the economic dominance of the Quraysh tribe
in Mecca). The conditions in society were ripe for the birth of religions which would
serve as the liberating force that would provide the people with hope for a better life.
It is also noteworthy that all three religions developed belief in one God, or
monotheism, with Judaism being the first monotheistic religion in the world. The first
two religions, Judaism and Christianity, also emphasized the importance of having a
covenant with God, and in a way we can say that it is also true with Islam because in
the Quran, even though Adam and his wife were banished from paradise, Allah
promised that they will have no reason to feel fear or grief if they will just follow
God’s will, foremost of which was to worship only one God, Allah. The role of angels
as messengers of God was also evident among the three religions, especially in
Christianity when Angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary to tell her that she would
bear the Messiah, and in Islam when Allah sent Angel Gabriel to tell Muhammad that
he was chosen to be God’s last prophet. The story of creation was also shared by
the three religions, with the universe and the first man and woman being created by
God, but then they were tempted by evil and were banished from paradise, hence
the need to follow God’s commandments to restore humanity’s relationship with God.
Lastly, one of the most important commonalities is the belief in Abraham as the
patriarch of the three religions---the “Father of Many Nations” for Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. He was the ideal follower of God for the three religions, for he
followed God’s will unconditionally, even to the extent of sacrificing his own son
when God ordered him to do so. In short, Jews, Christians, and Muslims trace their
common ancestry to Abraham.
MORALITY
In Judaism, morality and ethics are based on the covenant between the Jews
and God: that they are God’s chosen people and in return they should follow His
commandments, specifically the Ten Commandments found in the Torah. Although
there are around 613 commandments (mitzvoth) in the Torah, the Ten
Commandments serve as a summary of all the laws found in the Torah. Hence,
based on the Ten Commandments, murder, adultery, and theft, are prohibited, which
are also forbidden in Christianity and Islam as well. Judaism also espouses
retribution, or the philosophy “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” which served as
the guiding principle of the famous Code of Hammurabi in ancient Babylon. This
philosophy can be found in Exodus 21:2, but according to scholars, this should not
be confused with belief in vengeance but equal compensation for damage or loss,
often in the form of money and not physical harm. Treating others as you would have
yourself treated by others also serves as a basis for Jewish morality and ethics. This
stems from the belief that people were created in the likeness of God, therefore we
all have goodness in ourselves that is why we should treat each other well. Lastly,
morality and ethics in Judaism are also based in the Halakhah, a religious law that
provides prescribed rules in everyday living, such as eating, praying, wedding and
funeral rites, etc. Like the Ten Commandments, its essence also came from the 613
commandments found in the Torah.
Christianity shares a lot in common with Judaism since both religions use the
Hebrew Bible, where the Ten Commandments were listed. Thus, in Christianity,
murder, adultery, and theft are also considered evil and should be avoided if one
wants to live a moral life. Aside from the Ten Commandments, Christianity also
considers following in Jesus Christ’s footsteps as basis of morality. Since Jesus lived
a life for others and even died on the cross for the salvation of humanity, Christians
are also expected to live a life for others. After all, they were created in God’s image
therefore people have an intrinsic goodness in them. Even in the Ten
Commandments, what was emphasized was to love God above all else and to love
your neighbor as you love yourself. Hence, living an exemplary life means following
how Jesus lived. When one is led astray from God’s teachings, the Sacraments will
help in reconciling oneself to God. For example, the Sacrament of Confession gives
an opportunity for Christians to confess their sins to God through the priest and
perform the necessary atonement for the forgiveness of their sins. Certain
observances such as Lent also give Christians an opportunity to reflect on their lives
and help them become better Christians. Unlike Judaism, Christianity does not
advocate for retribution since Christians are advised to love their enemies.
Islamic concept of morality and ethics is based on having faith in one God,
which is manifested in exhibiting righteousness and piety. A strong relationship with
God is the key to achieving virtue and right conduct. Since Islam is considered not
only as a religion but as a way of life as well, moral righteousness is expected of
Muslims in their everyday lives. The following passage from the Quran explains the
Islamic concept of morality:
“It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is
righteousness—to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the
Book, and the Messengers; to spread of your substance, out of love for Him, for your
kin, for your orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the
ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in your prayer, and practice regular charity; to
fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (and
suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of
truth, the Allah-fearing (Al Quran 2:177).”
Hence, Islam values holiness, humility, and accountability to God, who is all-
knowing. Charity is considered important, and this is reflected in one of the Five
Pillars of Islam, the Zakat, in which Muslims are obliged to give alms to the less
fortunate. Vanity is also discouraged, for it is a trait that is not pleasing to God,
alongside attachment to material possessions on earth. Being accountable to God is
also important for nothing can be hidden from Him, and He will be the one to judge
people of their sins when the judgment day comes. Acts that contribute to the
welfare of the individual in particular and of society in general are considered morally
good, while acts that harm the individual and society are immoral.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a lot in terms of morality and ethics.
First, emphasis on the worship of one God as the basis of morality. Second, concern
for others as a manifestation of one’s love of God. Judaism and Christianity share
the Ten Commandments as the written code of morality, with emphasis on the
avoidance of committing murder, adultery, and theft. Meanwhile, based on the
Quran, Islam emphasized the need to possess traits such as holiness and
righteousness as guidelines in becoming morally good. Adherence to religious laws
is also important and may pave the way for the eternal salvation or damnation of the
soul, with emphasis on the judgment day as a way of ensuring that people obey the
will of God. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam believe that God is the only source of
forgiveness for humanity and only those who follow the righteous path will go to
heaven, while those who lived a life away from God will go to hell.
PURPOSE
Life’s purpose for Judaism is also based on the covenant between God and
the people, particularly the Jewish people who were considered the “Chosen People
of God.” And because they were chosen by God and created according to God’s
image, Jews should strive to become god-like and possess the attributes and traits
of God by being holy. Only when people achieve holiness, primarily by following the
Ten Commandments, can they perform acts emulating God such as helping the
needy and the oppressed. Thus, the ultimate purpose in life for the Jews was to
praise God as the Creator of the universe and imitate God or become God-like. As
God-like creatures, they have certain purposes in the world, the community, to
themselves, to their families, and to God Himself. One’s purpose is to realize one’s
full potential and realize who one is meant to be. Living in the likeness of God will
guide Jews on how to treat themselves, their families, communities, and the world.
In Christianity, the purpose of life is to love and serve God, who created the
universe purposefully so it is basically good. Since the creation was purposeful,
everything and everyone is naturally important. Just like in Judaism, Christianity also
advocates the belief that human beings were created in God’s image and this
enables them to have some understanding of God and His divine plan. God granted
human beings with reason and free will, which they can use to have a glimpse of
God’s divine plan but can also be used for selfish reasons. Since human beings are
capable of committing sins, they can decide to follow God’s will or live a life of sins.
But a person’s sin does not devalue a person in the eyes of God, for in Christianity it
is believed that everyone is capable of redemption, including sinners.
DESTINY
Judaism believes in predetermination, which means that it is God who
decides on a person’s basic lifespan, wealth, and opportunities, but it is still
humanity’s free will that is the deciding factor. A person’s duty is to overcome evil by
choosing goodness in everything he or she does. To allow people to choose
goodness over evil, God allowed people into different stations in life. The main
reason why God puts people in certain situations in life is for them to serve God
according to their destiny. In that sense, God allows certain people to be rich and
some to be poor, for this challenges the poor to rise above the economic challenges
to do good and to serve God, while this puts the rich in an easier situation to serve
God, and if they fail to serve God despite their advantageous circumstances, all the
more will they be punished. In short, God places each and everyone in different
situations to challenge us to do our best in serving Him no matter what our
circumstances are. Similarly, one’s lifespan is predetermined by God, but one’s
lifestyle will be the deciding factor on whether God’s plan will succeed or not. God
may prolong a wicked person’s life to give him/her more time to repent, or He may
take it away even before his/her predestined time of death in order for him/her to
stop doing wicked things. Similarly, a good person’s time on earth may be taken
away earlier than God’s plan so that he/she will no longer fight the evil in
himself/herself, or He may prolong his/her life so that he/she will continue to do good
things for others. In the Hebrew Bible, it is written that, “There was the righteous man
who perished in his righteousness, and there was the wicked man who lived long in
his evildoing” (Ecclesiastes 7:15).
In theory, Islam treats men and women equally, for it is stated in the Quran
that men and women are equal in the eyes of God and are expected to fulfill the
same duties, such as prayer, worship, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is also stated in Islamic law that women should be given dowry or property given
by the husband upon marriage, and that they have the right of inheritance and
property ownership. There were also women political leaders in the history of Muslim
expansion in West Asia and even in Europe. However, certain Islamic practices
contradict the claim that Islam has a high regard for women. Some of these practices
are the limited access to education, seclusion, strict veiling, polygyny (polygyny
refers to a partnership wherein a man has many wives. This Islamic practice
originated from Muhammad who decided that men should be allowed to have more
than one wife to accommodate the widows and orphans of those who died in the
wars participated by the Muslims), slavery, and concubinage, or the practice of
having mistresses. In Islam, men are allowed to have up to four wives as long as
they can support them financially and guarantee that they be treated equally.
Meanwhile, women are allowed only one husband and if they are caught with
another man, in some societies the punishment is public execution by stoning to
death. It is also a practice in some Islamic societies that when a woman is raped,
she must produce four witnesses to prove that she was indeed raped, and failure to
do so would invalidate her case and penalize her by lashing in public. Strict veiling is
also an issue raised by feminists against Islam—some societies require only the
hijab or head covering worn in public by Muslim women; some require the burka, or
a long, loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet. The practice of
purdah or strict veiling of women in Islam is symbolic of their subordination and
literally inhibits their social mobility.
WHAT’S MORE
CHRISTIANITY
JUDAISM ISLAM
religions with each other.
WHAT I CAN DO
Judaism
Christianit
y
Islam
POST ASSESSMENT
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write this on your answer sheet.
4) As with Judaism and Christianity, the purpose of life according to Islam is:
a. to do charity works c. to love and serve God
b. to live a simple life d. to meditate and be prayerful
5) Jewish women are considered impure for about half of each month because
of:
a. birth-giving c. menstruation
b. defecation d. urination
7) In _____, even the decision they make out of free will is governed by God’s
will.
a. Christianity c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Zoroastrianism
10) In _________, God may have the best plans for us, but our actions and
decisions determine whether God’s plans will materialize or not.
a. Christianity c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Zoroastrianism
12) Judaism believes in ____________, which means that it is God who decides
on a person’s basic lifespan, wealth, and opportunities, but it is still humanity’s
free will that is the deciding factor.
a. freedom c. karma
b. intervention d. predetermination
13) Using the Roman political structures as its model, which were very
hierarchical and patriarchal, the role of women in __________ was
downplayed, to the extent of excluding women from priesthood.
a. Catholic Church c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Protestant Church
14) Belief in predestination also encourages _______, which is one of the traits
valued in Islam. The notion that everything is attributed to God hinders one
from bragging about one’s achievements in life by attributing it to God’s divine
plan for him/her.
a. holiness c. prayerfulness
b. humility d. stewardship
15) In Islam, men are allowed to have up to _____ wives as long as they can
support them financially and guarantee that they be treated equally.
Meanwhile, women are allowed only _____ husband and if they are caught
with another man, in some societies the punishment is public execution by
stoning to death.?
a. four, one c. three, two
b. one, one d. twelve, two
I think the most important commonality among the three Abrahamic religions
is
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
because
_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Ong, Jerome A. & Jose, Mary Dorothy dL. Introduction to World Religions and Belief
Systems (Book). Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc., 2016
Ong, Jerome A. & Jose, Mary Dorothy dL. Introduction to World Religions and Belief
Systems (Teacher’s Manual). Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc., 2016
Religion Facts. Compare Christianity, Islam and Judaism. 2010. Accessed July 13,
2020. http://www.religionfacts.com/charts/christianity-islam-judaism
ANSWER KEY
d 10) b 15) a 5)
c 9) a 14) c 4)
b 8) d 13) a 3)
d 7) c 12) c 2)
c 6) a 11) b 1)
What I Know (Pretest)
a 10) a 15) c 5)
b 9) c 14) c 4)
a 8) c 13) b 3)
d 7) b 12) a 2)
d 6) d 11) c 1)
Post Assessment
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