Comparing Christianity and Islam:
the world's two largest religions
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Overview:
Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam are three closely related religions.
Because they all revere Abraham and certain other patriarchs mentioned in
the Bible as their spiritual ancestors, they are sometimes called Abrahamic
religions. (The Baha'i Faith is sometimes also included in this
grouping.) However, their many points of similarity are no guarantee
that their followers can get along. Most of the serious religiously motivated conflicts, mass crimes against
humanity and genocides in the 20th century
have been between Muslims and Christians. This has included genocides
in Bosnia Herzegovina, East Timor, and the Sudan, as well as serious conflicts in Cyprus,
Kosovo, Macedonia, and the Philippines. As of mid-2007, two of these conflicts
(Sudan and Philippines) are still active, and
three others are inert only because of peacekeepers on the ground.
It is difficult to compare
Christianity to any other religion, because there is such a wide range of
beliefs and practices among various wings of Christianity:
Roman
Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox churches, the Anglican communion and the
tens of thousands of Protestant faith groups. Some commentators have suggested
that Christianity consists of a number of different religions which share little
more than the Bible and the name of their religion. Protestant
Christianity is obviously divided into a least
liberal and conservative wings -- divisions which hold few beliefs in
common. Some of the descriptions below will thus
necessarily be somewhat simplistic and lacking in precision.
Was not killed, crucified, or
suffered death. Muslims believe that he ascended alive into heaven. 2
Yeshua's location
Ascended into Heaven
Ascended into Heaven
Identity of "another helper" or "comforter" *
Holy Spirit
Muhammad
Second coming of Jesus
Conservatives: expect in near future.
Liberals: varied.
Anticipate the second coming in the
future.
Status of Adam:
Disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
Free from all major sins and faults.
Some regard him as a prophet.
Main holy book:
Bible 6
Qur'an 7
Original languages:
Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek.
Arabic.
Status of the holy book:
Conservatives: the
inerrant Word of God. Liberals: a historical spiritual
document.
God's word and final revelation,
dictated by angel Gabriel.
Additional guidance:
Writings of the leaders of the early
Church. For Roman Catholics: church tradition.
The Hadith -- sayings of Muhammad (pbuh).
Ethic of reciprocity (Golden rule):
"Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
Matthew 7:12
"Not one of you is a
believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."
Fourth Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
A baby's status at birth
Various views. One is that a baby is born with a sin nature,
separated from God. God needs to grant grace so that he may be
saved.
All babies are a born in a pure state of
submission to Allah. However, as they mature they are often taught
other beliefs by their parents and their culture.
Once they reach puberty, his/her
account of deeds is opened in Paradise. To attain paradise, at death, their good
deeds (helping others, testifying to the truth
of God, leading a virtuous life) must outweigh their evil deeds.
Confessing sins:
Roman Catholic: to God or Jesus, either directly or through a priest; Others: to
God or Jesus
To Allah
Probably the most misunderstood term:
Immaculate Conception: Roman
Catholics believe that the conception
of the Virgin Mary, circa 20 BCE, was without sin. Many
incorrectly relate it to Yeshua's' conception.
Jihad: internal, personal struggle
towards the attainment of a noble goal. Many incorrectly equate it to
"holy war."
* From John 14:16: "And I will pray the Father, and he
shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."
Strongly affected by cultural
traditions. Severely oppressed in some countries.
Marriages forbidden:
Inter-faith marriages, in the Eastern
Orthodox church. Marriages between conservative Christians and others,
within conservative Christianity.
A Muslim woman may not be married (or
remained married) to a non-Muslim man.
Racism:
Promoted by the LDS church until
1978. Still
supported by Christian Identity, KKK, and other
Christian fringe groups. Officially rejected by almost all other denominations.
but remains widespread.
Officially rejected by all Islamic
movements. 5
Reaction to apostasy (leaving the faith due to
religious conversion):
Prior to 1792, the end of the "burning
times," execution was possible.
Traditionally, death to the apostate.
Rarely practiced in the 21st century.
Historical treatment of
Jewish people (Prior to World War 1):
Gregorian solar calendar. 1
CE occurred
about four to seven years after birth of Jesus.
Islamic lunar calendar. 1 AH occurred
in 622
CE, the year of the Hegira when Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina.
Most misunderstood practice:
The sacrifice of the Mass, a Roman
Catholic ritual. Some Native Americans and others interpreted it as a form of ritual
cannibalism.
Female genital
mutilation. This is often considered a religious requirement of
Islam. Actually it is cultural tradition common in some countries of
Northern Africa. It is unknown in many Muslim countries.
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Notes:
The Christian church is normally considered to have begun at
Pentecost, 50 days after Christians believe that Jesus was executed. Unfortunately, the year of
his death is unknown.
Most religious
historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 CE. However, many if
not most of the followers of Islam believe that:
Islam existed before Muhammad (pbuh) was born.
The origins of Islam date back to the creation of the world.
Muslims traditionally acknowledge respect for Muhammad, Jesus and other prophets (peace be
upon them) by adding this phrase or an abbreviation "(pbuh)" after their
names.
Greg H. Parsons, Executive Director, "U.S. Center for World Mission,"
Pasadena, CA; quoted in Zondervan News Service, 1997-FEB-21.
One exception is the Nation of Islam which promotes a black
supremacist ideology. For example, leader Louis Farrakhan stated that "White
people are potential humans…they haven’t evolved yet." (Philadelphia
Inquirer, 2000-MAR-18). However, most Muslims do not consider the
Nation of Islam to be part of Islam, because of its unique beliefs
about God, humanity and the rest of the universe.
The books included in the Bible differ among Christian faith groups. The Roman
Catholic Church includes the Apocrypha; most other Christian denominations do
not. Members of the approximately 100 faith groups in the
LDS Restorationist movement, including The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) add other holy books,
including the Book of Mormon. Christian Scientists consider Mary Baker Eddy's
book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"
to be a major resource.
Muslims generally believe that the Qur'an is the
literal word of God, as dictated to Muhammad over an interval of 23 years. It is
the only book that is considered free of tahrif (error). There
are four additional books:
The Suhuf-i-Ibrahim (Scrolls of
Abraham/Ibrahim) which have been lost.
The Tawrat (the Pentateuch from the Hebrew Scriptures) which many Muslims
believe were altered by ancient Hebrews.
The Zabur which many Muslims believe
are the Psalms from the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Injil (the Gospels; the words of
Jesus). Muslims believe that this consists of the entire Christian
Scriptures (New Testament), or perhaps only the four canonical Gospels. They
also have been distorted and corrupted over time. Other Muslims believe that the
Injil is not a book, but a group of teachings.
"The Wisdom Fund" views their purpose as promoting the truth about Islam. See:
http://www.twf.org
"Death of Jesus in Quran 'reasonable and valid," Light &
Islamic Review, Vol. 70 #3, 1993-MAY/JUN, Pages 9 & 10. See:
http://www.muslim.org/light/93-3.htm