World religions - SL | Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Welcome to your In-Depth Study: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Hey there, IB World Religions student! Welcome to Part 2 of your curriculum: the in-depth studies. This section is crucial because it requires you to move beyond basic knowledge and truly understand how faith shapes the lives of believers.

We are diving deep into the three major Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These religions share common historical roots, but their theological paths diverged significantly. Understanding their core themes—Rituals, Sacred Texts, Doctrines, Experience, and Ethics—will prepare you perfectly for Paper 2 essays.

Don't worry if this seems like a lot! We will break down each religion step-by-step using clear language and focusing only on the concepts required by the SL syllabus.

Section 1: Judaism

Judaism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded on the covenant relationship between God (Yahweh) and the people of Israel.

Theme 1: Sacred Texts

The foundation of Jewish scripture is the Torah (the first five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). This is considered God's ultimate revelation and instruction.

• Tanakh: This is the entire Hebrew Bible. It is an acronym for T-N-K:
  • Torah (The Law/Teaching)
  • Nevi'im (The Prophets)
  • Ketuvim (The Writings)
• Talmud: This is the comprehensive body of Jewish oral law and commentary, compiled by rabbis. It helps Jews interpret and apply the laws found in the Torah to everyday life.

Analogy: If the Torah is the Constitution, the Talmud is the Supreme Court rulings and detailed legal codes that help people live by the Constitution.

Theme 2: Doctrines and Beliefs

• Monotheism: Belief in one, indivisible God (known as Yahweh or Adonai).
• The Covenant: The foundational idea that God chose the Jewish people (Abraham and his descendants) for a special relationship. The most important covenant is the Mosaic Covenant, established through Moses, where Israel promised obedience to the Law (Torah) and God promised protection.
• The Chosen People: This does not imply superiority, but rather a unique responsibility to live holy lives and be a "light unto the nations" (to model ethical behavior).
• The Messiah: The belief in a future figure (the Messiah) who will usher in an age of peace (the Messianic Age), restore the Temple, and gather the Jewish people back to Israel.

Theme 3: Rituals

• Shabbat (Sabbath): The weekly day of rest, observed from sunset Friday to nightfall Saturday. It is a mandatory cessation of work, dedicated to family, prayer, and study.
• Brit Milah: The ritual circumcision of male babies eight days after birth, symbolizing the continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The ritual marking the religious adulthood of a boy (Bar) at age 13 or a girl (Bat) at age 12, after which they are responsible for following the Mitzvot (commandments).
• High Holy Days: Especially Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, focused on repentance and forgiveness) and Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year).

Theme 4: Ethics and Moral Conduct

Jewish ethics are entirely governed by Halakha (the path or way), which includes all 613 Mitzvot (commandments) found in the Torah and interpreted by the Talmud.

• Tikkun Olam: Literally, "repairing the world." This concept emphasizes social responsibility, justice, and charity (Tzedakah) as necessary actions to improve society.
• Importance of Life (Pikuach Nefesh): Saving a life overrides nearly all other commandments.
• Emphasis on community, family, and education.

Theme 5: Religious Experience

For Jews, religious experience is deeply tied to historical memory, community action, and adherence to the Law.

• The primary religious experience is the observance of the Mitzvot—the feeling of connection to God by living according to His instructions.
• Prayer: Daily formal prayer (like the Shema, "Hear, O Israel," and the Amidah, the standing prayer) is central to worship.

---

Section 2: Christianity

Christianity originated in the first century CE out of Judaism, centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the largest world religion today.

Theme 1: Sacred Texts

• The Bible: The central sacred text, divided into two parts:
  • Old Testament (OT): Largely the same as the Jewish Tanakh, interpreted as pointing toward the coming of Jesus.
  • New Testament (NT): Contains the Gospels (the accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings), the history of the early Church (Acts), letters (Epistles) written by apostles like Paul, and Revelation (prophecy).
• The NT defines Christian understanding of salvation and the nature of God revealed in Jesus.

Theme 2: Doctrines and Beliefs

• The Trinity: The belief that God is one substance existing in three persons: the Father (Creator), the Son (Jesus Christ, Redeemer), and the Holy Spirit (Sustainer/Guide).
• Incarnation: The doctrine that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human (the word means "in the flesh").
• Salvation and Atonement: The central belief that humanity is separated from God by sin, but Jesus’ death on the cross (the Atonement) paid the price for that sin, offering eternal life (Salvation) to those who have faith.
• Resurrection: The belief that Jesus was raised bodily from the dead on the third day, providing hope for the resurrection and afterlife for believers.

Did you know? Different denominations (like Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant) share these core doctrines, but often interpret the exact mechanism of salvation or the role of sacraments differently.

Theme 3: Rituals

Most Christian rituals revolve around Sacraments—outward signs instituted by Christ to convey inward, spiritual grace.

• Baptism: A public declaration of faith, often involving water, symbolizing death to sin and rebirth into a new life in Christ.
• Eucharist (Communion/Mass): The ritual commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper, where bread and wine are shared. It is central to worship and represents participation in the life and sacrifice of Christ.
• Worship Services: Structured weekly gatherings often including scripture readings, preaching, prayer, and singing.

Theme 4: Ethics and Moral Conduct

Christian ethics are fundamentally based on love and forgiveness, summarized by Jesus.

• The Great Commandment: Love God entirely, and love your neighbor as yourself (this summarizes the Ten Commandments).
• Agape: Unconditional, self-sacrificing love (the highest form of love), which believers are called to model.
• The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
• Social Justice and Charity: Strong emphasis on caring for the poor, marginalized, and sick, seen as direct service to Christ.

Theme 5: Religious Experience

Religious experience is diverse but focuses on a personal relationship with God through Christ.

• The Holy Spirit: Experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit, often manifested in inner peace, guidance, or (in Pentecostal/Charismatic traditions) spiritual gifts like healing or speaking in tongues.
• Prayer: Ranging from formal, structured prayer (liturgy) to spontaneous, personal dialogue with God.
• Receiving the Eucharist is a key spiritual experience of unity with God.

---

Section 3: Islam

Islam, meaning "submission to the will of God," is the third Abrahamic faith, founded on the revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE.

Theme 1: Sacred Texts

• The Qur’an (The Recitation): The primary and most sacred text. Muslims believe the Qur’an is the literal, infallible word of God (Allah), revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). It is considered the final and complete revelation.
• The Hadith: A collection of traditions detailing the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Hadith provides practical guidance on how to live out the principles laid down in the Qur’an.

Memory Aid: Q for Qur’an (The ultimate source), H for Hadith (How the Prophet lived).

Theme 2: Doctrines and Beliefs (The Six Articles of Faith)

These are the fundamental beliefs shared by most Muslims:

1. Tawhid (Oneness of God): The absolute core doctrine. God is one, unique, and has no partners or equals. Any form of polytheism (Shirk) is the greatest sin.
2. Belief in Angels (who carry out God's commands).
3. Belief in the Revealed Books (including previous revelations, but the Qur’an is the final).
4. Belief in Prophets (Muhammad being the final and greatest Prophet).
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (Akhira) and the Afterlife.
6. Belief in Predestination (God's supreme power and knowledge, though humans have free will to choose their actions).

Theme 3: Rituals (The Five Pillars of Islam)

These five ritual obligations are the framework for a Muslim's life and practice. They demonstrate submission to Allah.

1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." (Recited to become a Muslim.)
2. Salat (Prayer): Mandatory formal prayer five times a day, facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
3. Zakat (Charity): Obligatory annual purification tax (usually 2.5% of one's wealth) given to the poor.
4. Sawm (Fasting): Required fasting from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan, promoting self-discipline and empathy for the poor.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): A required pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.

Theme 4: Ethics and Moral Conduct

Islamic ethics are derived from the Shari'a (the sacred path or law), which guides all aspects of personal and public life based on the Qur’an and Hadith.

• Submission (Islam): The entire ethical framework is built on submitting one’s will to God.
• Justice ('Adl): Upholding justice and fairness in all dealings.
• Modesty and Family: Strong emphasis on modesty (dress and behavior) and the sanctity of the family unit.
• Jihad (Struggle): This term primarily means the inner, spiritual struggle against sin (the greater Jihad), and secondarily, the struggle to defend Islam or oppressed peoples (the lesser Jihad).

Theme 5: Religious Experience

Muslims experience connection with Allah primarily through submission to His will and the practice of the Pillars.

• Salat: The act of standing, bowing, and prostrating five times daily is a powerful, physical, and mental act of submission, creating an intense spiritual connection.
• Fasting in Ramadan: The physical discipline and heightened sense of community and spirituality during the fasting month is a profound religious experience.
• Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, involving millions of Muslims performing the same rituals, provides an unparalleled experience of global Muslim unity (the Ummah).

Final Thought: Connecting the Three Faiths

Remember, all three of these faiths are Abrahamic, sharing the same prophetic line and foundational belief in one God. When writing your Paper 2 essays, try to identify areas where their themes overlap (e.g., all have Sacred Texts, all emphasize charity/justice) and where they diverge (e.g., the nature of Jesus, the interpretation of the Messiah, or the form of required rituals).

Mastering these five themes for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will give you the depth needed to achieve those top scores!