12

INTRODUCTION
TO WORLD RELIGION
AND BELIEF SYSTEM

1st Quarter: Module 7

Comparison of Three Monotheistic Religions

Rogelio DG. Burce

Mary Ann C. Doctor
Module Writers

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Content Standard
The learner demonstrates understanding of similarities and differences
of three monotheistic religions.
Performance Standard
The learner can complete the table showing the differences and
similarities of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Most Essential Learning (Week 7)
Compare and contrast the uniqueness and similarities of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam.
Learning Competency
 Distinguish the differences and similarities of Judaism, Christianity and
Islam
 Appreciate the uniqueness of three monotheistic religions

Learning Objectives
At the end of this module the students will be able to:
-Understand the similarities and differences of three monotheistic
religions.
-Compare the teachings and practices of the three monotheistic religions.
Value the uniqueness of the three monotheistic religions.

EXPECTATIONS

 This module is intended for you learners of Grade 12 Humanities and

Social Science Strand classes specifically in your course subject,
Introduction to World Religion and Belief System.
 The lesson included in your module teaches you to compare teachings
and practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
 It also helps you to understand the similarities and differences of the
three monotheistic religions. In this module there are activities that will
guide you to better understand your lesson.

Are you ready and excited? Let‟s start…

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 2

 PRE-TEST

Multiple Choice: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of your correct answer
on the space provided.
1. He is the founder of Christianity.
a. St. Paul b. Muhammad c. Abraham d. Jesus
2. He is the founding leader of Islam.
a. St. Paul b. Muhammad c. Abraham d. Jesus
3. He was known as the father of Jewish religion.
a. St. Paul b. Muhammad c. Abraham d. Jesus
4. The word Islam is literally means ______ to Allah.
a. submission b. followers c. praise d. love
5. The word Christians means ________ of Christ.
a. submission b. followers c. praise d. love
6. The word Judaism was taken from the tribe of Judah which means _______.
a. submission b. followers c. praise d. love
7. This is known as the symbol of Islam.
a. cross b. candle c. Star of David d. crescent moon
8. This is known as the symbol of Judaism.
a. cross b. candle c. Star of David d. crescent moon
9. This is known as the symbol of Christianity.
a. cross b. candle c. Star of David d. crescent moon
10. This is the place of origins of Islam religion.
a. Saudi Arabia b. Israel c. Persia d. America

LOOKING BACK

Build the Pillars!

How do you know them?
Place all the Pillars of the religion of Islam below.

.
ISLAM
1 2 3 4 4

P I L L A R S O F I S L A M

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 3

 INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON
Compare to share!
Nothing is more significant in studying religions than to compare all of their
major beliefs and teachings. This is a great step to lessen any misunderstanding and
divisions instead we will able to appreciate their own uniqueness while accept their
differences.

What Is It?

Lesson: The inseparable social and moral issues

Religion cannot be separated from the social issues from woman, sex, marriage,
war and other ideas and events that we experience in our daily life. Let‟s see at least
some of those significant social issues starting from those which have major impact in
our society.
1. Women
Orthodox Jews have more traditional treated of women (remain at home as
mothers and wives) than reform Jews which similar with modern age. Islam
emphasized the superiority of man over woman (all equal but not identical).
Christianity in general has high regard for the rights of woman in all aspects such as
authority, employment, politics and others.
2. Family and marriage
All of the three religions have high regard for family and marriage but both
Judaism and Islam consider divorced as last resort because Christianity especially
Catholicism has seen marriage as forever. In general, Jewish is more family oriented
as part of their culture followed by Islam and lesser in Christianity because of their
liberal-individualism mentality.
3. War
Christianity is generally anti-war but many denominations accept „just war‟
with a just cause such as self-defense or reclaiming lost territory. Judaism has divided
into two categories, an obligatory (a pre-emptive strike or self-defense) and optional
(when all attempts to secure peace failed). Islam has greater Jihad (spiritual, fight
against sin) and lesser Jihad (physical, as last resort).
4. Poverty
Although all the three religions have practiced regular charity works and
concern for the poor, Islam and Judaism have more systematic and obligatory system
with their „Tsedaka,‟ financial aid for the poor (in Judaism 10% of their wealth) and
„Zakah,‟ one of five Pillars of Islam (2.5% of yearly savings).

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 4

5. Animals
Judaism and Islam have higher standard in treating animals than Christianity.
Experiments on animals may be tolerated if it would greatly benefitted mankind such
as medicine but as a last result.
6. Environment
Muslim teaching on environmental issues is very similar with Judaism. At the
Day of Judgment, we will be required to answer for any ill-treatment of the planet and
its resources. Christianity believes that God makes man as stewards of his creations
but its Western culture seemingly contradicted it.
7. Crime and Capital Punishment
Generally, all three faiths believe that God commanded us to follow laws which
might include the capital punishment especially for major crimes. Although Islam
have more detailed harsh execution as stated in their „shari‟ah law‟ like in Saudi
Arabia.

Since all have been already discussed in the past modules it is only appropriate
to give the comparative summary of the three Monotheistic religions using Burcenian
Table.

The Burcenian Comparative Analysis on the

Three Monotheistic Religions
Theme Judaism Christianity Islam
1. Name The name is derived Christian means Literally means
from the tribe of Judah followers of Christ submission to Allah
which means “praise”
2. Symbols Star of David (two Cross – Death and Crescent moon,
interlaced triangles) Victory of Christ frequently with a star
inside it
3. Numbers Fourteenth million Two Billion (largest) One and half billion
Jews followers followers (second)
4.Time of 2000-1800 B.C 1-33 A.D in the Book 570-632 A.D
Founding of Acts
5. Place of Jerusalem, Israel Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Origins
6. Founder/s Abraham Jesus Christ Muhammad

7. Scripture Primarily Torah and the Old and New Qur‟an

Writings of the Testament Bible
Prophets

8.Major 1. Orthodox 1. Greek Orthodox 1. Sunni

Subgroups 2. Reform 2.Roman Catholics 2. Shi‟ite

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 5

 3. Conservative 3. Protestant

9.Major 1. Yahweh as one and 1. Trinity Essential beliefs

Beliefs only God 2. Salvation 1. Allah is one
2. Jews as Chosen 3. Jesus as God-man 2.angels and spirits
people 4. Judgment Day 3. Prophets
3. Salvation 5. angels and demons 4.Books
4. Judgment Day 6. Man as sinners 5. Judgment
5. angels and demons 7. Heaven and hell 6. Decrees
10.Major 1. Sabbath 1. Baptism and Five Pillars of Islam
Practices 2. Festivals Lord‟s supper for 1. Profession of faith
3. Dietary laws Protestant 2. Prayer (five times
3. Seven Sacraments daily)
for Catholics 3. Almsgiving
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage

What’s More?

Activity 1- Social temperature of religion

Give your personal opinion regarding the social temperature of each religion in
different social issues. Choose a one particular social issue and put a high (very good)
medium (good) and low (poor) condition with a short explanation.

Social Religion Social Explanation

Issue Temperature

Ex. 1. Islam Ex. High

Woman

2. Medium
Christianity

3. Judaism Low

Guide Question:

1. Why you choose the particular social issue?

______________________________________________________________________________

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 6

______________________________________________________________________________

2. What makes the activity difficult or easy?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

3. What have you learned on this activity?

________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Moving On!

Activity 2: Invent your own religion

Create your own religion by completing the table below. You can choose your
own name, symbols and other aspects involving the creation of your own religion.
Aspect General Descriptions

1.Name

2. Symbols

3. Founder

4. Place of Origins

5. Time of founding

6.Sacred Writings

7.Major Beliefs 1.

2.

3.

8. Major Practices 1.

2.

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 7

 3.

Activity 3: Filipinos are religious!

Choose and list two of the positive effects of religion and apply it in the life of
Filipinos who are known to be one of the most religious people in Asia.
Religion Things you like Most Applications in your life

1. Judaism ex.celebration with

family

2. Islam

3. Judaism

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What I CAN Do?

A. Write T if the statement is True and F, if it is false.

_____ 1. Christianity and Judaism originated in the same place.

_____ 2. Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in one God.

_____ 3. Only Judaism and Christianity believe in angels and demons.

_____ 4.There is no Judgment Day for the Judaism religion.

_____ 5. Islam and Judaism have more systematic and obligatory system in charity
works.

_____ 6. Christianity in general has high regard for the rights of woman.

_____ 7. Judaism emphasized man‟s superiority over woman.

_____ 8. Islam has the biggest followers around the world.

_____ 9. Christianity is the first Monotheistic religion which was established.

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 8

_____ 10. Islam has three major subgroups.

B. Identify the religion which being mentioned in the statement.

_____ 11. It considered marriage as forever and has never been open to divorce.
_____ 12. It has more strict and harsh punishment for the major crime.
_____ 13. It essentially believes in „just war.‟
_____ 14. It believes that God makes man as stewards of his creations.
_____ 15. It is more family-oriented as part of their culture.

ENRICHMENT

Congratulations! You‟re almost done in attaining a deeper understanding

in matters of religion. Kindly, answer the following questions.

1. What‟s the most significant understanding you gained in this module?

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. How can you share it to someone whom you know will also benefits with your
learning?

________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

INTRO TO WORLD RELIGION-MODULE 7 9