Judaism, the first real monotheistic religion started in Palestine during 13th Century BC among the ancient Israelites. This idea of believing in one god came about when Moses received the 10 commandments from heaven on mount Sinai. Tradition says the founder of Judaism was Abraham. Judaism was the basis of the 3 major major monotheistic religions.

Started in 30 AD, Christianity, formed by Judaism was founded by Jesus of Nazareth. It has many of the same beliefs as Judaism except Christianity has a messiah. Jesus was a Jew before he broke away and taught that he was the son of God. Christianity was developed in the same location as it's connected religion, Judaism in Israel.

The third monotheistic religion, which was brought out by Judaism and Christianity, is Islam. Beginning in 622 AD in Mecca, Arabia Islam was founded by Muhammad. Before Mohammed's time, the Moslem religion was polytheistic, believing in several gods. The Islamic faith was the result of the Hegira, when Muha

Congregational churches insist that local church congregation should be independent and govern themselves. Congregational churches call their own ministers and determine how they will worship. The Congregational model is associated with Protestant divisions. Christians us a church for worship. In the United States there are 2 Cathedrals in New York City and Washington, D.C. Cathedrals contain a chair of the bishop. Christians use 2 symbols of their faith one major, is the instrument of Torture that the Romans used to kill Jesus. Another symbol is the fish. This symbol was used in ancient times to verify who was Christian. Judaism is similar to Christianity on how it is organized. Judaism is organized into 5 sections, reform, orthodox, conservative, Reconstructionist, and Hasidism. In Orthodox and Hasidic branches only men are ordained as Rabbi. Recently in reform, Reconstructionist and conservative women as well as men are ordained as rabbi.

Around the mosque is a tower called a minaret. Men used to climb atop it and call for prayer 5 times a day. Today they use loudspeakers. Mosques also have fountains, used for cleansing before prayer. In a Mosque there is a niche in front of the wall known as a mihrab it identifies the direction toward Mecca. Turbans are religious symbols as well as the crescent moon and star. In the Shi'ite branch Moslems fold their turbans exactly 12 times, it is Shi'ite loyalty.

Islam is organized similarly to that of Christians. Moslems are branched into Shi'ites and Sunni. This division took place due to the dispute concerning the succession of Muhammad. (Baer, 188) For Sunni, their clergy resided over Caliphs and sultans who oversaw matters of internal order and external defense. The religious authority resides among the Ulama who are scholars of Islam. However, the Imam controls Shi'ites' political and religious leadership. The Imam is the male descendant of Muhammad. A group called the Shi'ite Community Twelvers believe that the Imam uses his authority in hiding as well as the Nicari believe the same. The Twelvers' religious leaders are headed by the Ayatollahs. Last seen in AD 873, The Aga Khan exercises worldwide authority. A Moslem place of worship is called a Mosque. It is usually a dome shaped building.

Religious rituals are common in all religions. The 3 major monotheistic religions practice similar and different rituals of their faith. The most important rituals in the Christian religion are the Eucharist, and Baptism. The Eucharist is the sharing of the bread and wine, which Protestants teach, represents Jesus' body and blood. Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus. Baptism, sprinkling of water, (over the head), or total immersion, is a ritual in becoming a part of the Christian church. Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians practice Baptism as a birth ritual. Protestants, such as Baptists baptize as a puberty ritual. These rituals are called Sacraments. Sacraments are a special way in receiving gods grace (Ellwood, 40). Another important sacrament is anointing-physical and spiritual healing. There are a total of 7 sacraments in the Christian religion. Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders, and anointing are the 7 sacraments. Prayers are communication to god or other religious beings. Prayers can be used for thanksgiving, confession, adoration and also request. Protestant churches believe that one can ask for forgiveness straight to god, by prayer. Confession to god in Catholic and Orthodox churches requires that the sinner confesses to the priest and the priest sends the confession to god, so to speak. Sunday is the Sabbath (communal worship), for most Christian churches. The Seventh Day Adventists, a Protestant division, believe that the Sabbath is on Saturday. Christians attend a church service or mass on the Sabbath. In a

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