differing sects. Islam is the second largest of the three, and Judaism the smallest. Christianity has the most influence in the west, whereas Islam is the main religion of most of the Middle East, and Judaism is scattering throughout both regions. The hereditary, small family orientation of the Jewish community, the incorporation of church and state in Muslim cultures, and the relative openness of the Christian religion to all who have faith all offer plausible explanations for the size difference. To continue, nomadic, patriarchal peoples founded Judaism, and its doctrines reflect the fact. For example, the Hebrew Bible illustrates many scenes in which the main characters are shepherds, or tribes at war. The Christians incorporated part of the Hebrew Bible into their own Bible, calling it the Old Testament. To this they added accounts of the life, death and promises of Christ. The Romans and Greeks both influenced Christianity, in language, traditions, and educational regulation among other things. Islam, founded in the same geographical region as Judaism and by the same types of peoples, includes characters and versions of the stories found in the Jewish and Christian traditions. Muslims believe Abraham's son Ishmael became the ancestor of the entire nation of Islam, as Jews believe themselves the descendants of Abraham's younger son, Issac.Finally, the Jews still await the Messiah, the Son of God who's Coming signals the beginning of a new era, whereas the Christians believe that One was Christ and so await the Second Coming. Muslims agree with the Jews. This fundamental difference in the religious beliefs of the three major monotheistic religions of the modern world keeps their respective followers from uniting under the banner of their one God.In conclusion, the differences described above in addition to many others throughout history have instigated intolerance and bloodshed among three religions that worship the same ...
