Customer Reviews

Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD identifies the essential elements that integrate, and not merely unites, the three religions. Its discussions of the importance of the law, ritual and family in all three religions point to the foundation stones of dissolving the conflict between all three religions.

After reading the reviews and then watching it, I had to add this to augment a few of the other reviews. I wouldn't call the documentary over-simplified since there is a range offered from ordinary people to theologians, all for a good reason-- to make this attractive for others to join in. It is a more of a conversation than a presentation and it does that well-- we talked about it afterwards. There are already many books and dvd's that offer an indepth analysis or comparison of the three faiths. I like Karen Armstrong's work and was pleasantly surprised to see her included.


I wouldn't call it requiring more candor for it not to be considered a superficial sham since there is plenty of candor-- real people expressing real thoughts and feelings. What bias or inaccuracies might be percieved were either unintended, minor or missed the point of what it was designed for--- an inviting opener to a dialogue about common ground. It is a beginning, one that emphasizes it's continuation rather than it's perfection.


And lastly, I would not be inclined to claim that tolerance and understanding of other faiths is cliched after watching people of three faiths authentically cracking the door on intolerance and misunderstanding through effective workshop techniques. Some of the expressions the people wore told a story in themsleves.


But if one is concerned about how religious intolerance interferes with today's world, if one is curious about what a doorway to a workable intersection between Christianity, Islam and Judaism might resemble, then this documentary will prove worth a look. That may be what it was designed for and if so, it succeeds as designed. Like one reviewer, I would like to see part two, especially if it included follow up to see what lasting effects these encounters with other faiths produced in the people who participated.

This is a good documentary pointing out all the overlooked similarities between the three religions. Some of the earlier posts who disagree with the title or other parts of the film is there own personal take on it. It has a heart-breaking moment in the middle with a speaker talking about a Muslim doing a killing. You'll have to watch the rest to see how that statement is unfolded. It is nice that it does not only talk to scholars, but students as well in high school and below.
The study guide is pretty good. Maybe a sequel to flesh out the differences between them more. It's good to know we have brothers and sisters throughout the world. shalom. salaam. peace.

THIS DVD SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IN ALL SCHOOLS SO THAT CHILDREN CAN LEARN AND UNDERSTAND THAT THESE THREE GREAT FAITHS ARE VERY SIMILAR AND RESPECT EACH OTHER'S TEACHINGS.ALL THE MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE FAITHS WOULD THEN BE SHED AND PROMOTE GREATER TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING,PARTICULARLY IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

I'll admit that perhaps the discussion of the three faiths is a bit oversimplified. Nevertheless it is just ignorant to boast that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jesus, and Moses is not the God of the Muslims. In fact, the term Judeo-Christian is recently being reassessed as inapplicable and Judea-Christian-Islamic used in its stead. This is similar to the academic movement to use terms such as Before the Common Era (BCE) and Common Era (CE) as opposed to the overtly Christian CE/AD in terms of historical dates.

Our society needs to aknowledge that these forms of religious discrimination are closed-minded and historically innacurate. Adam, Noah, and Jesus and Mary are all figures within the Islamic historical tradition and this documentary illuminates such instances of likeness between the three faiths. That does not make it a weak film. It only directs us to reasses our weak intellects.

It has opened my eyes to the three different religions. This DVD is very special to me. You have to get this DVD and add it to your collection!

I enjoyed this very much, and recommend that everyone see it. There were some important issues which received little mention if at all. This film tries to persue the laudable goal of how different faiths should approach one another in peace, however in order to do so, some key tenants of faith were abandoned. One of the theologins rightly mentioned that the key issue was "who is Jesus?" For the Jews and the Muslims to admit that Jesus was only a prophet is no stretch at all, but for the Christian, it is an abandonment of their faith. It is interesting that the only ones it seems who have to give up anything were the Christians. I wonder how the other faiths would have reacted if they would have been required to renounce one of the key tennants of their faith in the same way??? It was also interesting to see an Imam lead a group of children in an apparently christian church, through the conversion ritual to Islam, where all that is required to be a convert is to say "There is no god (Allah) but god (Allah) and Mohammed is his prophet." I wonder how it would have gone over, if a christian minister had gone into a Jewish or Muslim community, and asked them if they wanted to be baptised? The God of Abraham Issac and Jacob invites us to "come let us reason together..." and to the extent this film promotes that I applaud it, however a bit more candor in certain areas will be necessary in order for this dialogue to be more than a superficial sham...

I enjoyed this very much, and recommend that everyone see it. There were some important issues which received little mention if at all. This film tries to persue the laudable goal of how different faiths should approach one another in peace, however in order to do so, some key tenants of faith were abandoned. One of the theologins rightly mentioned that the key issue was "who is Jesus?" For the Jews and the Muslims to admit that Jesus was only a prophet is no stretch at all, but for the Christian, it is an abandonment of their faith. It is interesting that the only ones it seems who have to give up anything were the Christians. I wonder how the other faiths would have reacted if they would have been required to renounce one of the key tennants of their faith in the same way??? It was also interesting to see an Imam lead a group of children in an apparently christian church, through the conversion ritual to Islam, where all that is required to be a convert is to say "There is no god (Allah) but god (Allah) and Mohammed is his prophet." I wonder how it would have gone over, if a christian minister had gone into a Jewish or Muslim community, and asked them if they wanted to be baptised? The God of Abraham Issac and Jacob invites us to "come let us reason together..." and to the extent this film promotes that I applaud it, however a bit more candor in certain areas will be necessary in order for this dialogue to be more than a superficial sham...

This is an excellent DVD which shows the similarities and differences in the three Abrahamic faiths. It does a good job dealing with the misconceiptions about Islam and the history of each faith throught the voices of leaders of each faith. I plan to show it at our Gathering of Presbyterian Women.

The people in the documentary have studied the holy scriptures with an open mind have commentated. They are all professors from well renowned universities.
I hope and wish all Americans watch this documentary which was shown on PBS channels