Research Paper
on What Are the
Similarities and Differences between
Christianity and Islam?
Islam
and Christianity are two of the main religions of the world. Thousands of people
all round the world follow Islam and Christianity as their ultimate faith. Both
the religions have their origins settled a number of years ago.
“In the beginning, human beings created a God Who was the First Cause of all
things and Ruler of heaven and hell.” (Armstrong)
Islam is monotheistic religion meaning belief in only one God. In Islam God is
the only One worthy of worship and there is no one who can take His place. The
first phrase in the Declaration of the Faith states:
“I bear witness that there is no God but the Almighty God and that Mohammed (PBUH)
is a messenger of God. For God hath said, 'take not to yourselves two Gods, for
He is one God.'" (Sura 16:53;)”
“Verily God will not forgive the union of other gods with Himself." (Sura 4:51)
Thus Islam firstly establishes the fact that there is surely One God “Allah” and
no one else is to be tolerated in His place. The Christian Scriptures, both New
and Old Testaments, teach that the Godhead consists of three persons in one: the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Islam rejects the concept of the Trinity. Most
Christians believe in the Trinity; three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. According to Islam God is one and indivisible. Strict monotheism is
observed amongst Muslims.
Generally Jesus is considered the Son of God, worshiped as God; part of the
Trinity. In Islam Jesus is very highly respected as the second-last prophet
where Mohammed (PBUH) being the last messenger of “Allah”. Islam is Arabic word
which means submission or surrender. As Muslims use it, Islam becomes a
description of the religion of surrendering one's life to Allah the One true
God. (Sharrosh)
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 least liberal and conservative wings--
divisions that hold few beliefs in common.
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In Christianity God is recognized as the Creator. God is Omnipotent, Omniscient,
and Immanent within His creation yet Transcendent. God has a unique relationship
with humans. God makes agreements or Covenants with humans, a figure referred to
as Antichrist or Satan (a figure of evil) will be defeated at the end of the
world, at the end of the world God will judge humans based on their actions in
compliance with a moral code, specified in the Covenant which God makes with
humans. The judgment will determine one's eternal journey, heaven or hell (bliss
or punishment). Human beings have a soul which is eternal, continuing its
existence after the physical death.
Humans have the ability (free will) to choose between good and evil. Angels
exist who are the servants or messengers of God. Satan exists, as well as evil
spirits who follow him; they are the enemies of humanity. The Divine scriptures
exist which are the primary source of religious knowledge (there are no more
biblical books yet to be revealed). Miracles occur on occasion.
If a person errs or transgresses, God may forgive him provided he sincerely
repents. Prophets brought spiritual instructions. There are numerous
similarities between the Quranic and biblical version of many stories, such as
Adam and Eve, Moses and the children of Israel, etc. At the end of the world,
Jesus Christ will come again. Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary. (An
Immaculate Conception). Islam has all the beliefs that have been described in
this paragraph which form the Christian faith. Like belief in Angels, Satan,
heaven, hell, Judgment and the soul for example: Human beings have a spirit
which is eternal, continuing its existence after our physical death. As to its
origin, the Qur'an says:
"When I [God] have fashioned him [Adam] (in due proportions) and breathed into
him of My spirit . . ." [Qur'an 15:29]
Islam is a religion of morals and principles. Islam does not treat law and
morality as different things. What is legal/lawful is also moral and conversely
what is unlawful/illegal is also immoral. Consequently, Islamic law
automatically covers and governs morality -- moral values are neither changeable
nor are they dependant on the whims of individuals or society. In Christianity
Secular law, and morality are often different things. For example, abortion is
considered legal by the government in Canada. Many Protestants have no problem
with this law, yet Catholics forbid it for their followers. What is considered
moral has tended to change with each generation. The guideposts and/or criteria
of what is considered moral or what is considered immoral are interpreted
differently depending on the era or the group (Catholic, Protestant, etc.).
Muslims, like Jews do not consume the flesh of swine. Christians consume the
flesh of swine. Alcohol and/or intoxication are completely forbidden. Alcohol
intoxication is forbidden for Christians, but alcohol consumption is not. Free
mixing of the sexes was historically discouraged, but today this injunction
doesn't play the role it used to. Muslims do not believe in the separation of
'holy place from the state' that is secularism. However, it is permissible to
separate the functions of government from religion and be undertaken by
different individuals -- politics would still be subject to religion. Almost all
Christian countries have secular governments. Muslim’s daily rituals and
practices are clear and detailed (e.g. proper way to use the washroom, specifics
of purification for prayer, inheritance, details of charity, prescribed
punishments etc. Christianity on the other hand lacks such details that Islam
holds. Prayer forms the basis of Islamic beliefs and is a reflection of Islamic
teachings. Prayer is very specific and exactly the same no matter which country
the Muslim happens to live in. There are five prescribed prayers per day. All of
these prayers are obligatory on every Muslim.
The
prescribed prayers are recited in Arabic and are recited exactly the same in all
countries of the world. The culture of a person does not influence the
performance of prayer. It is the exact prayer that Muhammad (PBUH) taught
Muslims to do. With a few memorized exceptions, like the 'Our Father' and the
'Apostle's Creed,' prayer is an improvised conversation with God in
Christianity; there is neither prescribed time for nor daily number of Christian
prayers. Actions may be forbidden, allowed, obligatory, and so on in Islam.
Christians don't have any specific categories of actions as seen in Muslim law.
Funeral prayers, the birth of a baby, donations to charity etc. are ritualized
and clearly set out no matter which culture a Muslim belongs to. Certain rites
called sacraments are performed: i.e. Baptism, Confession, the Eucharist, etc by
Christians. There are no monks in Islam. Religious leaders are not obliged to
remain celibate. Certain sects (i.e. large sects like the Catholic and Eastern
Orthodox churches) condone monk-hood. Celibacy is considered a good practice in
Christianity. Catholic monks and priests are obliged to remain celibate.
Protestant ministers are not obliged to remain celibate.
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Muslims
are forbidden to put pressure, either directly or indirectly, on another person
to convert to Islam. Efforts in this regard have to be through persuasion (i.e.
without involving any kind of pressure). The Qur'an clearly lays down the law
that the duty and function of all the Prophets and all Muslims is only to convey
the message of God. Christians have an obligation to proselytize. Missionary
work is considered very important. Homosexuality in Islam is considered to be a
perversion and is forbidden. Since the prohibition on homosexuality is found in
the Old Testament only, some Christian sects say it does not apply (i.e. the
United Church ordains homosexual ministers). Interest is forbidden to Muslims
who live in Islamic countries. Interest used to be forbidden in Christianity,
but it seems that this is no longer the case. Polygamy is allowed to Muslims.
There are strict limitations and prohibitions concerning it so it does not
become a method to dominate women. Polygamy used to be allowed by the Church,
but now it is forbidden to all sects but the Mormons. All games of chance and
gambling are forbidden in Islam. Some sects are very strict about gambling, but
others are not strict at all in Christianity.
Islam both allows and forbids murder and violence, depending on who is the
recipient of the act. Murder is forbidden in Christianity. Murder is listed
right alongside sins like sorcery, fornication, and robbery amongst Christians.
All the religions of the world or rather most of them believe in the betterment
of the entire human race in some way or the other and so the basic beliefs come
nearly to the same conclusion. The case with Christianity and Islam is the same.
Both faiths pray to a God and work for the conditions of their people to improve
and for the world to become a better place to live in. Religion is for the whole
society and is to uplift the masses morally and make them better individuals. In
order to achieve such a purpose
religions teach what is right according to their practices and so in turn the
differences and similarities arise.
Works Cited
Armstrong; Karen: A History Of God: The 4000-Year Quest Of Judaism, Christianity
And Islam: Ballantine Books.
Sharrosh; Anis. A: Islam Revealed: A Christian Arab's View Of Islam: Thomas
Nelson.
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