...Islam vs. Christianity The two largest religions in the world are Islam and Christianity. For most Americans, Islam is the religion of the Middle East; however, Islam is practiced all over the world by all races of people. The morning of September 11, 2001 was a very tragic moment for all Americans and unfortunately it caused most of us to view Islam as the religion of terrorists. As I started to prepare for this paper, Islam vs. Christianity, I wanted to focus on the religion and not the actions of some of the followers of the religion. But as I went deeper into the religious teachings, I could see how the religion itself could produce violent followers. Ahead, I will mirror some of the basic practices and principles of both religions to help us gain a better understanding of Islamic practices. Both Islam and Christianity believe in moral living and being good to others, but have different views on God and his interpretations. Both believe that there is a God; however, Christians believe in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and Muslims believe that God (Allah) is the one and only. Both believe that Jesus Christ existed, but Muslims believe that Jesus was merely a prophet who received a revelation from Allah and not the Lord and Savior that Christians proclaim him to be. The Christian holy Book, The Holy Bible, contains the Old Testament which chronicles the lives of those who lived before Jesus and is also sacred to Islam, and the New Testament which is unique to...
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...Christianity vs. Islam: A Religious Difference Brittnay Howell ENG 121 Professor Anna Crew Christianity vs. Islam: A Religious Difference Have you ever wondered about the differences and similarities between Christianity and Islam? Both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic, meaning they both believe in one God. In both religions God is the creator of everything and is loving and forgiving. He also has a special relationship with humans, and has made covenants with them. However, there is one major difference between the beliefs of Christians and Muslims regarding God. While Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, or three persons in one divine nature, Muslims believe that God is only one person. The trinity mentioned in the Christian religion is the belief in three God’s. The first major difference between these two religions is their founders. Muhammad is the founder of Islam. He, like all other Muslim prophets is believed by Muslims to be infallible and sinless. He was not only a religious leader, but also a political leader, which explains the common practice of integrated church and state in many Muslim countries. The founder of Christianity is Jesus. Although both Muslims and Christians recognize Jesus, their beliefs about him differ greatly. Both believe that Jesus was sinless, infallible, and born of the Virgin Mary. Both religions accept that Jesus preformed miracles, and was ascended, or raised up, to God. But while Muslims see Jesus...
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...Islam vs. Christianity There are varieties of religions in the world. Islam and Christianity has over one billion followers and counting. They both have unique characteristics and quite a few different aspects. This point-by-point research will compare and contrast the founders of the monotheistic religions; Muhammad and Jesus. Both founders show us the way to one God, but each man has different methods of leading people to this understanding. Jesus and Muhammad considered Abraham their ancestor. Jesus was the descendant of Isaac, the son of Abraham and his wife Sarah. Jesus was born to a Jewish virgin in about 4 BCE. The Bible says that Jesus had siblings, was familiar with the Scriptures, and attended synagogue. The Bible doesn’t touch up on his teenage years and young adulthood, but according to The Lost Years of Jesus, he too, worked in the camel caravan where he learned and shared mystical insights within the diverse cultures of India, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Persia (Iran/Iraq) where he is still known today by the name of Issa. There is no record or indication that Jesus was ever married. Muhammad came from his ancestor Ishmael. Ishmael was the son of Abraham born to him through his wife Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar, who acted as a surrogate wife. Muhammad was born in Mecca in approximately 570 CE into the Hashim clam of the Kuraish Federation. He was orphaned at the age of six years. His uncle, a tribal chief, adopted and raised him to work in...
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...Kyle Baldani Religious Studies Islam and Christianity: A Comparison October 4, 2010 Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, with more than one and a half billion followers worldwide it is the most rapidly growing religion today. While on the surface Islam and Christianity appear to be very different, the history of the two religions and the core beliefs behind them are very similar. Most of Islam’s population comes from the Middle East, but there are still large amount of Muslims all over the world including Africa, China, and the United States (NationMaster, np). Depending on the region in which they live some customs may vary. Within the United States Islam has grown significantly in the past twenty years, largely due to the high percentage of immigrants coming over from the Middle East. Fundamentally speaking there are a few major correlations between Islam and Christianity. Two of the biggest similarities are the monotheistic bases of the religion, or belief in one God and the belief that both religions result from the direct descendent of Abraham, a quality also shared with Judaism. While there may be many similarities in the area of which the two sects were founded, they still differ in many ways most of which come from the doctrinal beliefs at the heart of each religion. The most important figure in the world of Islam, and a name that is recognized by most around the world is the prophet Muhammad. Muhammad was born in approximately 570 C.E. in the town...
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...Christianity and Islam are the two most practiced faiths in the world. There are also many common misconceptions about both religions. Like with all religions, both have different believe systems, but there are more similarities than there are differences. For the most part their history, holy writings, featured leaders, and the way that they go about there everyday lives are more similar than most people think. The most surprising fact is that they both preach almost the same teachings! For example they both follow rules known as the ten commandments. Also, they believe that there is only one true God and that he is the keeper of the universe. Christianity is said to emerge in Levant (modern day Palestine and Israel) during the mid first century AD, initially it spread to places such as: Syria, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Asia Minor, Jordan, and Egypt. By the middle ages Christianity had spread over all Europe, mostly because of Europe's Age of exploration. During this time, European explorers in search of new trading partners, new routes, and new goods to sell. There where also some explorers who ventured out to gain more geographical knowledge and to spread religions. Its widely thought that the nation of Islam began in the seventh to eighth century and it rapidly spread to the east and west in short time, due to Arab armies conquering many different place at once. This was made possible by the Persian empire practically collapsing , also allowing Islam to be spread...
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...Undoubtedly something Muslim culture and Christian culture have in common is the certainty of monotheism, the belief that there is only one God. Both religions believe that God is eternal, omniscient, and omnipotent, knowing everything that can possibly be known. Muslims worship Allah through praying and reciting the Qur’an, the word of Allah conveyed to Muhammad through Gabriel; whereas Christians worship God by praying to him and Jesus, who they believe is the Son of God, and by using the Bible as their guideline for living their life. Although Muslims and Christians both believe in a monotheistic God, there are vast differences in the way these two religions express their monotheism. First for Christians, the Bible clearly states the monotheism of their God through the story of creation. The Hebrew account affirms that one transcendent God, and not many gods, created everything. For Christians, He is to be worshipped as one God, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (New International Version, Deut. 6:4). One can see how Genesis, in presupposing monotheism, rejects the assumption that polytheism can underlie any valid accounts of creation. Genesis 1 in the Bible purposefully portrays a monotheistic God who is the sole creator and transcendent source of all that has been brought into being. In Genesis 1 of the Bible, Christians are presented with the beginning of a divine drama that can only be examined and understood from a standpoint of faith. Genesis 1 reveals...
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...The two Religions On the surface, Islam and Christianity appear to have very little in common, however, as you get deeper into areas such as rituals, beliefs, ethics, founders, and sacred objects, the two show strong mutual similarities, particularly in the fundamental areas. In this essay we will compare and contrast the doctrines that make up the world’s largest and most recognized religions, Christianity and Islam. Islam, a major world religion, founded in Arabia and based on the teachings of Muhammad, who is called the Prophet. One who practices Islam is a Muslim. Muslims follow the Koran, the written revelation brought by Muhammad. The Muslim world population is estimated at more than 1 billion. Islam is the quickest growing religion. On the other hand, the Christian world population is at 2 billion people and it is considered as the bigger religious group. The central element of Christianity is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth, attracted a following of people who believed him to be a new prophet. Christianity is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Central to the Christian faith is the gospel, the teaching that humans have hope for salvation through the message and works of Jesus, and particularly his atoning death on the cross. Most Christians believe in the doctrine of the Trinity ("tri-unity"), a description of God as Father, Son...
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...Differences & Similarities …………………………………..……... 2 Christianity’s Culture & Spirituality ……………………….……… 4 Islamic Culture & Spirituality ……………………….…………….. 7 Bibliography ……………………………………………………… 10 The two Religions On the surface, Islam and Christianity appear to have very little in common, however, as you get deeper into areas such as rituals, beliefs, ethics, founders, and sacred objects, the two show strong mutual similarities, particularly in the fundamental areas. In this essay we will compare and contrast the doctrines that make up the world’s largest and most recognized religions, Christianity and Islam. Islam, a major world religion, founded in Arabia and based on the teachings of Muhammad, who is called the Prophet. One who practices Islam is a Muslim. Muslims follow the Koran, the written revelation brought by Muhammad. The Muslim world population is estimated at more than 1 billion. Islam is the quickest growing religion. On the other hand, the Christian world population is at 2 billion people and it is considered as the bigger religious group. The central element of Christianity is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth, attracted a following of people who believed him to be a new prophet. Christianity is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Central to the Christian faith is the gospel, the teaching that humans have hope...
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...question that separates many different religions and therefore people. What really is the difference between Christianity and Islam? One of the main chore thoughts in Christianity is that Jesus died on the cross to pay for human kinds sins. However if a person doesn’t repent of all their sins, and ask Jesus to come into their life or heart and change their lives then their faith is for nothing. Islam’s believe however that allah is the only God and allah tricked everyone including his servants that Jesus died on the cross. However muslims believe they can have their sins forgiven by praying at the right time, cursing Jews and Christians, or fighting for islam. From what I’ve learned from my research sin in Islam is not really a big deal. However in Christianity all sins are equal and a person must ask for forgiveness for all of their sins. Differences: living life As Christians people are expected to love God with all their heart, and to live for him completely. For a guideline Christians were given the Ten Commandments to help throughout everyday life. Some of these are that you can’t worship any other God, you can’t murder/ take your own life, adultery isn’t allowed, and neither is stealing. Also Christian’s are taught to love everybody equally including your neighbors or your enemies. One of the huge differences between Islam and Christianity is that Islam...
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...spiritual welfare lies between Christianity, religion and the Islamic faith. Christianity and Islam differences bring tremendous conflict in religious committees past and present. For centuries the debate which religion symbolizes the true religion has taunted the minds of followers. And still today this question continues to divide God’s people. Religion shapes the very existence of people. The belief of a higher power challenges the heart of the young and the old throughout the world. The desired feeling of purity gears ambition to seek truth in God through religion of Christianity or Islamic faith. Much disgrace, rage has surface the mind of believers leading non-believers...
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...Though two of the world's most populated religions, Christianity and Islam, have much in common, they do have quite a few differences. Both Christianity and Islam have one creator, God. Islam claims that their founder was given laws by Allah just like Christians received their Ten Commandments from God. Also, Christians believe that God is made up of three persons- the Holy Trinity- and that Jesus is the Son of God and savior of humanity while Islam believe Allah is only one God and He is the creator of all things and has no offspring, race or gender. All in all, these two religions, though having a similar origin, have different views on Jesus Christ, teachings, and scriptures. Islam was founded by a prophet named Mohammed in the approximate year of 610. At the age of forty, he was supposedly visited by the Angel Gabriel, who presumably told him the fundamentals of Islam, while in a cave near Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia.1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 states that Jesus Christ preached the gospel and we are saved by it. It was he who sent out apostles to spread God's word throughout the world, it was he who died for the world; and it was he who founded Christianity. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Mohammed, a prophet...
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...------- Dillon Alonso English 111 October 28, 2013 Islam and Christianity: Comparison and Contrast Religion is a large part of culture all around the world. Religion has effected governments, laws, and generations upon generations and has even been instrumental in the founding of some countries across the world. Among the world’s most prominent religions are Islam and Christianity. Both of these religions have influenced the world in a different way. Despite their differences, Islam and Christianity have many similarities in their core beliefs and convictions. Islamic and Christian people believe in one God that is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. They also both believe in God-sent prophets such as: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John, Jesus, and etc. The Ten Commandments and moral teachings are important to both the religion’s core beliefs and they have strong conviction that all people should live by the standards provided in the commandments and teachings (“Islam vs. Christianity”). Right and wrong are absolutes and cannot be wavered in between yet both religions claim to have “gray areas” that require personal conviction. Muslims and Christians believe that the Old and New Testament are Holy Scriptures inspired by God. Both Islam and Christianity believe in a fallen, evil angel called Satan. According to the religions, Satan should not be followed and people should avoid...
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...Contemporary Issues in Western Religions Religious beliefs have been the center of many conflicts across the entire world since the beginning of time. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism the major monotheist religious traditions have been at the heart of many of those religious conflicts. Historical connections and theological similarities are prevalent between the three. In parallel to the similarities exists the contemporary struggles affecting these western religious traditions. From the internal struggles within Christianity such as abortion, to its struggles with Islam and Muslim extremists, finally to the contempt against Christianity from actions of the Holocaust, each tradition faces contemporary struggles within their own right. Gaining a better understanding and insight into the historical, theological, and contemporary struggles between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism will enhance appreciation for each belief. Historical Connections and Theological Similarities: One main pillar of similar theology between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is the belief in one god. However, each has different perspectives in relation to God. For example, Christians believe in [pic]the Trinity[pic] of [pic]God; God the Father, the Son (Jesus[pic] Christ), [pic]and the Holy Spirit[pic] ("Judaism, Islam, Christianity-Comparison", 2002-2011). Also Christians consider Jesus [pic]the son of God, born to the Virgin Mary, and[pic] had [pic]come to earth to offer redemption for...
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...Opposite Ends of the Belief Bench One subject darkly clouded with confusion is religion, and the idea that they are all the same. Mahatma Gandhi, an important Hindu teacher states, “The soul of religion is one, but it is encased in a multitude of forms.” Two of the most popular religions in the United States, Christianity and Islam, are facing this problem. I grew up Christian so the subject of religion is very important to me. After 9/11 the American public was on high alert for terrorists, and they still are today. Just recently a US Ambassador to Libya was killed along with two Navy Seals by an Islamic terrorist group. Some people may ask why do they attack, what motivates them it is what they believe. When your Sacred text, the Koran in this case, has verses that say, “And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]”, it is seen clearly why there are terrorist attacks ( Koran 2:191-193). Americans live in a culture where acceptance is the goal. Everything is acceptable because everyone has their own opinion. No one can refute that opinion because the refusal itself could be seen as offensive and the offender will likely get sued. As a result, most people keep their thoughts to themselves, creating the opposite of the desired environment. Instead of freedom of speech we have freedom to speak as long as you do not mind being chewed up by the media...
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...Investigate a Social Issue Jacquelyn Wintersteen Don Anderson Introduction to Sociology December 9, 2012 Religion plays a large role in society across the globe, whether it’s being recognized by believers or non-believers. The main religions that have been viewed around the world for most of our developments are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. There have been new religions forming, such as Mormonism, which have been aiding in the reshaping of our societies and tolerance. For a good part of human existence, religion has been a factor of life, shaping the mind of the Homo sapiens. Hinduism is viewed as the world’s oldest religion, dating back to 2nd century BCE. Hinduism had gone through great change over the centuries, beginning with the change of the Aryan Gods, originally including Indra, Soma, and Agni, with Vishnu and Shiva as minor deities that become the main deities by 300BCE. Mahatma Gandhi has become the ‘face’ of Hinduism since the 1950’s, when he attempted to abolish the caste system within the religion. Hinduism has segregated its followers into ‘castes’, which include the Brahmins, the ritual priests, Kshatriyas, the warriors, Vaishyas, the merchants, and lastly the Shudras, the manual laborers (Kinnard, 2012). The caste system is separated much like the class system of earlier eras where Church was at the top, followed by Nobles, merchants, and the lower class of laborers. Buddhism was created out of dissatisfaction for Hinduism in 5th...
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