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SCTR 19 - "Religions of the Book" - Winter 2007

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Dept. of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Daily Worksheets - Section 2

Group Project/Presentations
March 7 - 16, 2007


Worksheet #18 – Prophets: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (for Wednesday 3/7/07)
Group # 5: Caspian Alderman; Danny Honda; Jordan Korneliussen

1) How is the word “prophet” defined in the online article from Judaism 101?

2) Acc. to Wayne Blank’s article on “Prophets,” why do Christians consider Jesus the “greatest of all prophets”?

3) Based on the assigned reading selections from the Qur'an, what do Muslims believe about Jesus? 


Worksheet #19a – Abraham & Family (for Friday 3/9/07) - front side
Group # 4: Eric Armann; Sean Jellison; Jessica Paul; Gillian St. John; Karen Waldmann

1) Based on the various readings, what are the different titles that Jews, Christians and Muslims give to Abraham?  What do these different titles say about their views of Abraham in reference to their own faiths?

2) Muslims believe Ishmael was almost sacrificed by Abraham, while Jews and Christians believe Isaac was the one. What major conflicting opinions between Jews, Christians, and Muslims odes this difference of opinion cause? (as always, cite specific refs. from the Bible and the Qur’an to back up your comments)


Worksheet #19b – Jerusalem / Holy Land (for Friday 3/9/07) - back side
Group # 2: Nick Antonelli; Connor Laughlin; Joseph Nally; Ben Thompson

1) What do the selected texts from Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and the two Psalms say about the importance of Jerusalem in ancient Judaism?

2) What do the selected NT readings tell you about the role of Jerusalem in the life of Jesus and in early Christianity?

3) What is the significance of the Qiblah for Muslims? Why do they use it in their prayers? [give some specific references from the Qur'an to support your answer.]


Worksheet #20a – Women in HB, NT, and Qur’an (for Monday 3/12/07)
Group # 3: Gina Belmonte; Taylor Chaput; Katrina Gould; Lindsay Smith

1) Compare and contrast how Mary, mother of Jesus, is portrayed, mentioned, or alluded to in the scriptures of each religion (as usual, cite specific scriptural references):

  • Judaism –
  • Christianity –
  • Islam –

2) Based on the assigned readings, pick another female character from each religion (other than Mary, Mother of Jesus) and describe her role in that passage (again, please cite specific references):

  • Judaism –
  • Christianity –
  • Islam –

Worksheet #20b – Women in Western Religions Today (for Monday 3/12/07)
Group # 1: Max Altshuld; Subhan Ayoubi; Leslie Kincaid; John Michael Reyes

1) What does Ephesians 5:21—6:9 say about the way people should treat one another?

2) After looking over the three websites, what were some things you found interesting or surprising about the roles of women in modern Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

3) How have women become more prominent or involved in the three western religions today?  In your own opinion, in which of these religions (or which of their branches) has the role of women progressed the most?  Explain how/why?


Worksheet #21a – Sexual Norms & Practices (for Wednesday 3/14/07)
Group # 7: Brittani Conley; Jacob Lambers; Michelle Tezak; Marcela Castanon

1) How is sex viewed in Judaism, according to the online article from Judaism 101?

2) From the assigned NT readings and the online article about celibacy, what do you find surprising about Christianity's take on sexual activity? (as usual, cite some specific biblical references)

3) What is the main purpose of sexual activity, according to Genesis 1:28? How does this relate to Islamic beliefs about sexual activity? (again, cite specific references from the Qur’an)


Worksheet #21b – Marriage Rites & Expectations (for Wednesday 3/14/07)
Group # 6: Woody Amidon; Carlo Ammatuna; Ian Fletcher; Will Jopling

1) Based on your reading of the websites, compare & contrast the stages or parts of marriage in Judaism and Islam.

2) Based on the readings from the NT and the “DeaconMinistry” website, how does Christianity view marriage?

3) Based on the assigned Surahs, what does the Qur’an say about marriage of people who do not believe in Allah? What about marriage between Muslims and the “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians)?


Worksheet #22a – Inter-Religious Dialogue (for Friday 3/16/07)
Group # 8: Kaitlin Dahill; Tina Iguchi; Rick Momboisse

1) What is the overall message or common theme of the three selected Psalms (esp. regarding the role of Israel or Judaism in relation to the rest of the world)?

2) What is the main message of Nostra Aetate? And in particular, what does this document say about how the Catholic Church views Judaism and Islam?

3) Acc. to the selected passages from the Qur’an and the website, how do Muslims view Jews and Christians?



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