Religious Figures

1. Religious Figures Reach for the Top Evan Sauve

2. Abraham • I am thought to have been born around 2100 BC, in the city of Ur. • I am thought to be the first proponent of a monotheistic philosophy. • I have two sons: Isaac and Ishmael, from whom Jews and Arabs (respectively) trace their lineage • I am a biblical figure, and before I changed my name, I was known as Abram.

3. Gautama Buddha • I was born in 563 BC, in India. • My father confined me to a palace, with a life of luxury and ease. Eventually, I sneaked out of the palace. • I found a sick person, a geriatric and a corpse. Due to this, I became determined to find an end to suffering. • Neuroscientists are confirming that my teachings regarding mindfulness meditation are accurate about the inner workings of the mind.

4. Jesus of Nazareth • I am a Jewish rabbi, born in 5 BC. • My teachings were challenging to the political and religious figures of the time, which made me unpopular, resulting in my execution. • I am thought to have been born in Bethlehem, perhaps only lived about 33 years and I am portrayed in many very famous paintings. • I am a descendent of Abraham, Isaac and David, my life is the premise of the New Testament and many refer to me as the son of God.

5. Muhammad • I was born about 600 years after Jesus’ death. Like Jesus, I am a descendent of Abraham and I preached beliefs which formed a religion that is still popular today. • Unlike Jesus, I was a descendent of Abraham’s son Ishmael. • I often contemplatedand questioned the common beliefs of my age, and prayed in a cave just outside of Mecca. • In this cave, an angel offered me the Koran, the word of Allah, and charged me to “Proclaim”. This was the beginning of Islamic faith.

6. Pope Urban II • In 1095, I convened a council after Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus approached me for support. • I gave an effective sermon to bishops from across Europe. There are five transcriptions of this speech. • Although these transcriptions differ significantly, they agree that I spoke of the violence in Europe, the willingness to help the Greeks, the righteousness of pilgrimage and the blessings for those who joined the fight. • This speech led to the retaking of Jerusalem, which was accomplished on July 15th, 1099. I died two weeks later, before the news had traveled to me.

7. Joan of Arc • I was born in 1412 and I had a short life, ending in 1431. • Today I am considered a saint. • I am also considered the Maid of Orleans. • As a child, I apparently heard voices in my head. I claimed these voices were of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. In 1920, I was canonised by the Roman Catholic Church, and today many French (and others) celebrated my feast day on May 30th.

8. Pope John Paul II • I was born the year Joan of Arc was canonised. I later became a pope. • Bill Graham said about me, “Few individuals have had a greater impact – not just religiously but socially and morally – on the modern world.” • Although my name at birth was Karol Wojtyla, you probably know me by a three-part name (two names and a number.) • I traveled more miles than all previous popes combined. I had a bulletproof Popemobile. • My names are two of the Beatles, and my number is how many Beatles are still alive.

9. Moses • I am most revered in Judaism, but I am also fundamental to Christianity and Islam. • In Biblical narratives, I am associated with the twelve enslaved Hebrew Tribes journeying from Egypt to Canaan. • After wandering 40 years through the desert, I died within sight of the Promise Land. • Atop Mount Sinai, I received the Ten Commandments.

10. St. Paul • A fanatical adherent of Judaism, I attempted a genocide of all Christians when Christianity was a new thing. • Dramatically, I converted to Christianity myself. • Despite having never met Jesus of Nazareth (before his death), I wrote a third of the New Testament • My birthname was Saul of Tarsus, but I changed it. • The fact that non-Jewish people are allowed to be Christians is entirely due to my teaching.

11. St. Peter • I was a fisherman before becoming a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth. • In Biblical narratives, I am depicted as impulsive. • My name was Simon, but Jesus called me a different name, which meant “Rocky.” • Catholics consider me the first pope.

12. Solomon • I was the product of a king of Israel and a woman he saw bathing on her rooftop. • I wrote the bible’s book of erotic poetry and many of its proverbs. • I became king after my father, and was known for great wisdom and fairness. • I was also known for allegedly having 700 wives and 300 concubines (servants with privileges) in my lifetime.

13. David • I was a shepherd before becoming a king of Israel. • I came to prominence by hitting someone in the head with a rock. • Before I was king, I was given permission to marry the king’s daughter if I took one hundred enemy foreskins as dowry. • I was known for my skill as a warrior and lyricist, and am credited with writing many of the bible’s song lyrics (psalms) • I stole one of my citizen’s wives after seeing her bathing on her rooftop, from my palace. • a famous sculpture of me depicts me as beardless and uncircumcised, despite being a Jewish patriarch.

14. Joseph • I am a Jewish patriarch. • I was one of many sons, and was sold into slavery to Egyptian slavers by my jealous brothers. • I was known for my ability to interpret people’s dreams. This eventually made me second-in-command after the Pharaoh of Egypt. • I supervised the relocation of my people to Egypt during a drought.