Judaism and Christianity

For thousands of years, millions of people around the world have been born into a family where a religion is practiced. In a country like Canada, people are fortunate enough to be accepted no matter what their religious beliefs may be. The two dominant religions in Canada and in North America are Christianity and Judaism. Though Christianity and Judaism are very different religions, there are more similarities than differences between the two faiths. Both Jews and Christians believe that there is one god, thus making both religions monotheistic. Furthermore, they believe in the same god. Jews and Christians alike also believe in ethical behavior and respecting values; the most important being respecting thy mother and father and elders. Judaism and Christianity also follow the Old Testament, and more importantly the Ten Commandments. Finally, both faiths recognize one day out of the week as a holy day. Although Jews observe the Torah and Christians observe the New Testament, the Old Testament is a scripture that is studied in both Judaism and Christianity. The Old Testament was studied initially by Jews and once Christianity was established, by Christians as well. Both Jews and Christians follow the Ten Commandments,

A fact that many are unaware of is that Christianity was formed by Jews (Chidester 12). Circumcision is still active in Christianity (Chadwick 43), however it is not common as when Christianity was established the practice was not seen as an important ritual for Christians as it was for Jews. Though the Bible and the Torah are very different, Christians and Jews both believe in the story of the Adam and Eve (Abrahamic Faiths: n. The Jews did not see Jesus as their messiah. Followers of Christ, who believed that Jesus Christ was their Messiah, split from the Jewish faith and began practicing Christianity (Gascoigne 63). For Jews, the Holy Day is on Saturday. For Jews, it is the Synagogue and for Christians, it is the Church (Eskenazi 22). It is on this day that orthodox Jews refrain from using automobiles, electricity, and other amenities used any other day. They also believe that he died for his followers and the sins that they commit. For the most part, Christian children are baptized (Abrahamic Faiths: n. For Jews, they believe that their Messiah (one who is regarded as a savior or liberator) has not come for them yet (Chadwick 23). Both Judaism and Christianity see violence and war as a negative situation and should only happen as a last resort (Abrahamic Faiths: n. Rituals have been practiced by both Jews and Christians since the beginning of their existence. In early Christianity, they performed Christians services in Synagogues as churches had not been introduced yet at that time.