Abrahamic religions are the monotheistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham[1] or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with Abraham.[2][3][4] They are one of the three major divisions in comparative religion, along with Indian religions (Dharmic) and East Asian religions (Taoic).
The three major Abrahamic religions are, in chronological order of founding, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism regards itself as the religion of the descendants of Jacob,[n 1] a grandson of Abraham. It has a strictly unitary view of God, and the central holy book for almost all branches is the Hebrew Bible, as elucidated in the oral law. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism[n 2] in the 1st century CE and evolved into a separate religion—the Christian Church—with distinctive beliefs and practices. Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, considered by almost all denominations to be divine, typically as one person of a Triune God.[n 3] The Christian Bible is typically held to be the ultimate authority, alongside Sacred Tradition in some apostolic denominations, such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Islam arose in Arabia[n 4] in the 7th century CE with a strictly unitary view of God.[n 5] Muslims (adherents of Islam) hold the Qur'an to be the ultimate authority, as revealed and elucidated through the teachings and practices[n 6] of a central, but not divine, prophet, Muhammad. Outside of these three well known religions, there are a number of relatively minor ones such as the Bahá'í Faith and Druze, both originally offshoots of Shi'a Islam.[5]
The three religions have certain similarities. They are considered inextricably linked to one another because of a 'family likeness' and a certain commonality in theology: all three are monotheistic, and conceive God to be a transcendent Creator-figure and the source of moral law.[6] The sacred narratives of all three of these religions feature many of the same figures, histories and places in each, although they often present them with different roles, perspectives and meanings. Although the three major religions are defined by common beliefs, they have many internal differences based on details of doctrine and practice. Christianity divided into three main branches (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant), dozens of significant denominations, and even more smaller ones. Islam has two main branches (Sunni and Shi'a), each having a number of denominations. Judaism also has a small number of branches, of which the most significant are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. At times and in various locations the different religions, and some of the branches within the same basic religion, have been in bitter conflict with each other to the extent of war and bloodshed.
The three major Abrahamic religions are, in chronological order of founding, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism regards itself as the religion of the descendants of Jacob,[n 1] a grandson of Abraham. It has a strictly unitary view of God, and the central holy book for almost all branches is the Hebrew Bible, as elucidated in the oral law. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism[n 2] in the 1st century CE and evolved into a separate religion—the Christian Church—with distinctive beliefs and practices. Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, considered by almost all denominations to be divine, typically as one person of a Triune God.[n 3] The Christian Bible is typically held to be the ultimate authority, alongside Sacred Tradition in some apostolic denominations, such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Islam arose in Arabia[n 4] in the 7th century CE with a strictly unitary view of God.[n 5] Muslims (adherents of Islam) hold the Qur'an to be the ultimate authority, as revealed and elucidated through the teachings and practices[n 6] of a central, but not divine, prophet, Muhammad. Outside of these three well known religions, there are a number of relatively minor ones such as the Bahá'í Faith and Druze, both originally offshoots of Shi'a Islam.[5]
The three religions have certain similarities. They are considered inextricably linked to one another because of a 'family likeness' and a certain commonality in theology: all three are monotheistic, and conceive God to be a transcendent Creator-figure and the source of moral law.[6] The sacred narratives of all three of these religions feature many of the same figures, histories and places in each, although they often present them with different roles, perspectives and meanings. Although the three major religions are defined by common beliefs, they have many internal differences based on details of doctrine and practice. Christianity divided into three main branches (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant), dozens of significant denominations, and even more smaller ones. Islam has two main branches (Sunni and Shi'a), each having a number of denominations. Judaism also has a small number of branches, of which the most significant are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. At times and in various locations the different religions, and some of the branches within the same basic religion, have been in bitter conflict with each other to the extent of war and bloodshed.
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