World Religions Report In APA Style

Judaism is the Judaic faith. It is adept of the oldest of the great world holinesss, and is the m diametrical religion of both deliverymanianity and Islam. Judaism was non founded by one towering individualality, as were most different religions. Abraham and Moses argon non regarded as founders. Abraham was the stick of the Hebraical great deal and Moses was the law-giver. With the destruction of Solomons temple at Jerusalem in 586 B. C. began the scattering of the Hebrews over more disgraces. From accordingly on Judaism developed as a religion without the hieratical class of the ancient temple.Moreover, Judaism is one of the oldest spirits that ar still observed and ripe up to the present and fenceed as one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths. The Judaics values and history atomic number 18 the principal(prenominal) fictitious character of the foundation of different Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Islam, Samaritanism and the Bahai Faith. In 20 06, Judaisms devotees ar approximately 14 million that makes Judaism faith as the eleventh-biggest organized religion glob altogethery. Unlike with another(prenominal) religions, Judaism is sumly distinct in such a way that its central authority is not vested in any person or group just it abides in its writings and traditions.This would mean that Judaism religion does not have a gallery or a attraction that oversees them but they sooner obey what is written in its writings and traditions. Moreover, the Judaism per carcass service is continually bound to a number of religious practices and beliefs, specifically its belief that in that location is one, omnipotent, omni benevolent, transcended omniscient theology who made the heavens and the earth and continually have its control over cosmoskind. The conventional Judaic belief say that the divinity who made the universe had made a covenant with the Jewish race only and gave his laws and com macrocosmd travelforcets through and through Torah.Judaisms belief and practices atomic number 18 rivet on these laws and com opusdments (see Asheri, Michael. Living Jewish the Lore and law of the Practicing Jew, 1999). According to Jewish law, anyone who has a Jewish mother counts as a Jew, even if he or she is not religious. Many Jews do, however, actively abide by the religious practices of Judaism. Judaism is one of the worlds oldest religions, beginning some 3,500 course of instructions ago in the Middle East. To daytime, there argon about 18 million Jews. They go away all over the world, but mostly in the unite States, europium and Israel.There be many different groups of Jews with different ways of practicing their faith. The main groups be Jewish- Jewish-Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Jews (see Jacobs, Louis. The sustain of Jewish Belief (Behrman Ho drug abuse, 2000). II. accentuate According to the Jewish holy books, the first Jew was a man cal conduct Abraham, who is cognise as the father of the Jewish people. He was the leader of a group of nomadic people, called the Hebrews. At that time, the Hebrews worshipped many different gods. Abraham taught his people that there is only one matinee idol and that they should worship only him. Jews accept that beau ideal made a covenant, or agreement, with Abraham.If Abraham and his people worshipped God and lived superb and just lives, God would look after them and give them a land of their own to live in. This was the Promised Land of Canaan (see Shenker, Israel. Coat of many colourise Pages from Jewish Life (Doubleday, 2001). The Jews pittled in Canaan but centuries later, dearth forced their descendants to move to Egypt in search of food. They worked for the Egyptians but were hardened like slaves and their lives were extremely miserable. God remembered his promise to Abraham and sent a man called Moses to lead the Jews to freedom.Several times, Moses asked the Pharaoh to let the Jews go, but each time he re fused. Only after God sent ten terrible plagues to Egypt did the Pharaoh mixed bag his mind. Moses led the Jews out of Egypt and into the desert. After 40 years of wandering, God guide the Jews back to the Promised Land (see Prager, Dennis, and Joseph Telushkin. Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism (Simon & Schuster, 1999). The Jewish scriptures are called the Tenakh. They are divided into three separatethe Torah (5 Books of Teaching), the Neviim (21 Books of the Prophets) and the Ketuvim (13 Books of Writings).The initials of the three office staffsT, N and Kgive the word Tenakh. For Jews, the Torah is the most important part of their scriptures because it contains the rules that teach Jews how to live their lives. These are the teachings that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai during the Jews travel through the desert. They are summed up by ten rules, or commandments (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to qabalah a staple fiber Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (O xford University, 1998). 1. I am the master key your God. 2. Worship no other gods but me. 3. Do not use Gods name ill-advisedly. 4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. . Respect your father and mother. 6. Do not kill. 7. Do not commit great(p)ery. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not tell lies about other people. 10. Do not be jealous of other peoples possessions. Copies of the Torah are written on scrolls and kept in the synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. Traditional Jews follow the Torah exactly and believe that its teachings should not be changed. Less traditional Jews believe that the teaching of the Torah can be adapted to make them more worthy for modern intent. Jews can worship anywhere but many consume to pray with other Jews at the synagogue.The word synagogue means come across place. Synagogues are not only places of worship but besides centers for study, celebration and for the community to meet. Large synagogues have services every day but many Jews go to the synagogue only on the Sabbath (called Shabbat in Hebrew) (see below) and supererogatory holy days. The service on the morning of the Sabbath lasts for about devil hours. A service includes prayers, blessings and readings from the Torah and is led by a teacher, called a rabbi. Readings from the Torah are given from a raised platform, called a bimah, in the centre of the synagogue.When they are not in use, the scrolls of the Torah are kept in a special alcove, called the Holy Ark. This is the holiest part of the synagogue. Everyone faces the Ark as they pray (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to cabbalah a Basic Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (Oxford University, 1998). At services in the synagogue, Jewish men wear a wasted cap, called a kippah, to show respect for God. At some services, men excessively wear a prayer shawl that reminds the person wearing it of God. Traditional Jews may as rise as wear two small leather boxes, called tefillin.One is worn on the middle of the foreh ead the other is tied to the arm, facing the heedt. Inside the boxes are tiny scrolls on which passages from the Torah are written. The tefillin remind Jews that they should love God with their whole hearts and minds (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to Kabbalah a Basic Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (Oxford University, 1998). III. Discussion A. Name and status of the Site The interview was conducted at Mikvah Chabad House at refreshed Brunswick, New Jersey this is where I had the chance to conversed and interview Gary Austein.It is the place where Jewish people go for spiritual purification. Going in these place help Jewish women come unitedly with their husband and together with their love for each other where in they also follow the commandments that God has established for His people. Mitzvah of Mikvah is one of their tradition in which helps them get more connected with their God. B. Interview heavyset During the interview I asked Gary Austein the important holidays and traditions of this religion. He answered The important holidays and tradition of Judaism are Yom Kippur.Rosh Hashana and the Passover. The holiest day in the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This day is set aside to repent for the sins of the previous year. It is a day when any adult who has been Bar/Bat Mitzvahd (age 12-13) fasts and reflects on the past year and asks God for forgiveness. Rosh Hashana is the previous weeks and is the Jewish New Year. Passover is in the spring and it is a time when Jews cannot eat unleavened bread reflecting on the Israelites exodus from Egypt. When I asked him on how Judaism has shaped his life.And I quote Religion defines who I am as a person. I would say I am a Jew first and an American second, that is how important it is to me. My value and belief system is a product of my Jewish identity and upbringing. My adult life has brought my Judaism more into my life than ever as I now have a Jewish home, Jewish wife and child on the way. I also work at a Jewish Day School so I am ever so reminded of my Jewish identity as both my pro and personal life revolves around my religion. Jews throughout the world are unendingly a target of anti-Semitism.This is a fact that they received and so with other families. It is scary that millions upon millions of people have been murdered because of their belief in Judaism. amidst the final solutions, pogroms in Russia, and terrorists attacks, an astounding amount of Jews have died because of their belief. Society is not very conducive for an observant Jewish lifestyle Jews are alleged(a) to observe the Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) and are not supposed to drive, work, spend money, etc. A lot happens on the weekends so this is difficult.Also if you keep cosher (Jewish dietary restrictions) it is difficult to eat out as the vast majority of food and restaurants are not kosher. People have much false impression about Judaism. A lack of underst anding and acceptance has led to misconceptions, not only of Judaism, but throughout the world. People need to always remind themselves that both Christianity and Islam were born from Judaism. Both religions accept the Torah (the Jewish Bible, also referred to at the Old Testament) as the word of God and credit Judaism for the fork up of their respective religions.If people are more aware of this people then maybe open to differences of people. Judaism defines who a Jew is, they wear it as a badge of honor. For them it is awful that time still honors traditions that are still practiced at present. Something like male circumcision is the oldest religious tradition in the world today. It is amazing that it has lasted for thousands of years. It shows the resiliency and the testament of the Jewish faith that they are able to gallop throughout the generations. Judaism has greatly shaped his life as a Jew.And it is through the people around that have helped him a lot in his unearthly belief. His parents gave him his Jewish identity and the friends of his family have nurtured it. His best friend who is a rabbinical student has been very influential in shaping his Jewish identity. His wedlock also shaped his Jewish identity as his wife converted to Judaism which has given him a newfound zeal and love for his religion. His study of Holocaust has been a dramatic part of his Jewish identity. Finally his visits to Israel, the Jewish aver has given him a unique pride in his homeland.He considers himself a Conservative Jew which is best classified as the middle of the road. For the most part, Jews of different backgrounds are fairly understanding and respectful of the traditions and practices of other sects of Judaism, with the exception of the ultra-Orthodox movement. He believes that if you are a Jewish according to the laws and traditions of Moses then it does not proceeds how you practice as long as you believe it in your heart. However, he believes that there a re certain misinterpretations some of the other sects have undertaken, but that is not something that he could be worried or be load about.Judaism has been the vulgar bond of the Jewish people. It is the foundation of their culture and the reason for the intro of Israel, the Jewish State. Israel is the most important tangible asset they have and something that mustiness be protected at all costs. Judaism is the reason the Jewish people have and are persecuted, yet is the belief and intangible asset that keeps them together as a people. The Covenant is the agreement between God and Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, that the Jews will be the chosen people. This is a fact that is trustworthy by both Christians and Muslims alike. This covenant was symbolized by Abraham beingness circumcised and is something that is required for all Jewish males a week after they are born. This is a common misconception. All three of the major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christiani ty, and Islam have more similarities than differences. Their major prophets are the same their historical texts are born out of the Jewish Bible, and their belief in one all powerful, all knowing, and benevolent God are distinct commonalities.They all practice and worship God in different ways, but when it comes down to it, they were all born from Abraham and Sarah, meaning they are all brothers and sisters. IV. Comparing Judaism to Christianity A. Christianity Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of rescuer Christ. It began in Palestine and was proclaimed the fulfillment of Jewish teaching regarding the plan of attack of the messiah, promised by God to redeem man from sin. Jesus taught the doctrine of the Hebrew prophets that the Jews were Gods chosen people and indeed had the right to hear the sum of the Gospel before all others.However, his teachings had a universal verifiable and were destined to reach every man and nation (see McCollister, J. C. The Christian Book of Why (Jonathan David, 2000). Christianity is a missionary religion, holding that Christs message was intended for the whole world, not just for a particular battleground of people. In Mark 1615-16, Jesus is quoted as saying Go ye into the entire world, and preach the credo to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Christianity has been not only a religious force, but also a social and political one.Often it has been imposed by army power that hardly seems in keeping with the precepts of the gentle Jesus. Nevertheless, the moral lessons taught by Christianity have had a profound effect in teaching man to deal justly with his fellows and to observe the pleas of Jesus to love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 1919). About one-fourth of the worlds people are Christians. Christian churches have an estimated world membership of more than 1. 6 one thousand thousandmore than twice the membership of any other religion. The original primary beliefs of Christianity are stated in the Apostles Creed.It affirms that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that God sent him to earth to live as a man and to suffer and die for the redemption of mankind. It also states the belief that Jesus, after being crucified, arose from the dead and ascended to heaven, from which he will return to earth to judge the sprightliness and the dead. Belief that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and that there is a life for man after death are infixed parts of the creed (see McCollister, J. C. The Christian Book of Why (Jonathan David, 2000).Mans need for help from a higher power was stressed in religions earlier than Christianity. The concept of God as benevolent and forgivingrather than as vengeful is a main tenet of the Christinas faith. another(prenominal) Christian belief is that even though man has sinned seriously and unconnected himself from the love of God, he can be saved by repentance. The necessity, and therefore the possibility, of co mmunion between God and man are accepted by all Christians (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). B. Doctrinal DifferencesAt first, the gospel of Jesus was spread by his disciples, followers who remembered his sayings. As gentiles (non-Jews) as well as Jews entered the church, the influence of other minds began to be seen in the interpretation of doctrines. In this work, other(a) Christian theologians borrowed ideas from the teachings of the Greek philosophers. At the same time, case traits and usance began to affect rituals and observances. Even within each of the three great divisions of the Christian churchroman guinea pig Catholic, Protestant, and eastern Orthodoxthere are variations of practice.This is in particular true of the Protestants. The sacrament of baptism provides an example. Baptists hold that the convert must be whole immersed in water Methodists believe that sprinkling water on the head is sufficient . more or less denominations baptize infants, but some insist that the individual be old enough to understand the meaning of the sacrament (see Walker, Williston. A business relationship of the Christian Church, 4th edition (Sribners, 1998). There are other differences. The Disciples of Christ and certain other Protestant groups insist upon using the Bible only if as a source of guidance.The doctrine of the Trinitythe belief that God is three beings (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one divine natureis accepted as basic by most Christians, but is egested by Unitarians and Universalists (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox and Anglicans have it off seven sacraments, while most Protestants recognize only those of Holy manduction (also called the Eucharist or Lords Supper) and baptism. Catholics believe that the priest by the sacrament of the Eucharist changes bread and wine int o the body and blood of Jesus.Most Protestants see in the ritual only a spiritual federal agency of the presence of Jesus (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). The method of church government us a common cause of differences between denominations. The Roman Catholic Church places final authority in the pope, whom it calls the Vicar of Christ. The Episcopal form of church government is headed by bishops of equal authority. Authority over the churches in the Presbyterian form of government is exercised by boards, called presbyteries, ministers and elected laymen.In churches with the congregational type of government, each congregation has complete local rule (see Walker, Williston. A recital of the Christian Church, 4th edition (Sribners, 1998). IV. Conclusion Judaism is the United States has four branches Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist. The total membership of the four branches is lower than the est imated total number of Jews in the United States, because many Jews are not outside the United States and Canada are Orthodox. Orthodox Jews advocate strict observance of traditional rituals and customs.Hasidic Jews form a small, extremely Orthodox, mystical group. Many orthodox synagogues are members of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Reform Jews have abandoned many rituals and customs that they consider unsuited to modern life. They stress the prophetic ideas of the Bible rather than the Law, and stress the mission of the Jews to spread godliness throughout the world. The shed light on movement began early in the 19th century in Germany and is now centered in the main in the United States. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations is an association of reform congregations.Conservative Jews hold a middle ground between the orthodox and the reform. In the United States, this movement began during the 1890s. The United Synagogue of America is the national o rganization of Conservative congregations. Reconstructionist Jews observe many of the traditional rituals and customs, but reject supernaturalism and divine revelation. Reconstructionist Judaism was founded by Mordecai Kaplan in the 1920s as a movement within the Conservative branch. With the establishment of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1968, it emerged as a separate branch of Judaism.