Research Paper on "Compare Islam to Christianity"

Research Paper 6 pages (2100 words) Sources: 2

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Islam to Christianity. These two religions have similarities and differences that are guided by respective cultures and teachings from the Qur'an for Muslims and Holy Bible for the Christians (Robinson, 2010). Some of the practices may seem simple to one religion than the other but this does not mean that one is better than the other and the fact that some practices look similar, this does not mean that they will not differ on others, they will over the world (Robinson, 2010). However, the Lord's prayer for the Christians is similar to Surah Fateha of the Muslims as they convey the same message where only language used differs. The messages or adoration, submission and supplication appear in the Lord's prayer. Moreover, the morals and practices that these two religions have considerably determine their differences (Gaudet, Mills, & Ali, n.d.). It then becomes difficult to figure out the exact similarities and differences between these two religions. All the same, the power of their respective teachings, (Jewish and Christianity), is not superior to the Muslim teachings and what Christianity and Jewish teach, is a belief in gods or god, not necessary according to order of occurrences, but preliminary perspective to Islam.

Comparing Islam to Christianity

The doctrines that there is only one God are the fundamental factors that show the unity of God with man. Be it Islam or Christianity, they both have a similar perspective. However, there are distinct differences in these two religions with the Muslims' set of principals or beliefs being easy. To those who wish to be Muslims, the basic demand is that he/she has to assert emphatically in honesty under the guidance of a strong Islam believer that it is only Muhammad who should be worshiped and no other god. This is stated in the starting sections of the Muslim creed where they highly dishonor the acting of worshiping more than one god (polytheism). In specific, the starting section of the Muslim principals in belief assumes beforehand a theory of the universe that has both visible and invisible universe. The understanding of this creed on cosmology which is highly recommended and acceptable by many who believe in one god, is attached to prophesying of the future with the best interest of the Supreme Being, prophet Muhammad because they do not recognize God as the prophet, where else Muhammad is not recognized by Christians. To Muslims, they dearly acknowledge all teachings that Muhammad proposed. "From Adam and Abraham to Solomon and Jesus, the Biblical and even extra-Biblical prophets are affirmed, many of their actions and utterances being lauded in the pages of the Qur'an" (Gaudet, Mills, & Ali, n.d.). In this perspective, Muslims differ with the Jewish understanding that inclines to Jewish traditions and that 400 years before Christ, prophesy went extinct and thus new teaching could possibly be there, that came after this time. On the other hand, Christians ascertain that the teachings in the New Testament were similarly inspired just like the old teachings. All the same, from the Muslim stand that Muhammad is the only Prophet that existed last, whatever teachings are taught in Islam are final. Considering these two religions in the power of their respective teachings, those that are Jewish and Christian inclined are not superior to the Muslim teachings and what Christianity and Jewish teach, is a belief in gods or god, not necessary according to order of occurrences, but preliminary perspective to Islam.

The fact that Islam and Christianity can share certain views in the understanding of religion would not necessarily mean that they will agree on all issues, they will definitely differ. The conflicts will mostly differ in the human rights perspective. In addition, the religious practices will make it difficult to make comparisons of Christianity to another religion. Christianity as some scholars argue consists of several religions, which has the Bible as the binding scripture that drives belief (Robinson, 2010).

These practices have different and varying effects that determine the manner in which they are practiced over the world. First, the considerations of what the Sacred Scriptures teach will influence the understanding of religion. The interpretations on the information that is found in these teachings will in one way or the other dictate the understanding of the message/content and compare it to scientific arguments as dictated by individual experience. In addition, culture will significantly influence a religion and because these cultures differ across the world, the interpretation of a single teaching will differ considerably. For example, looking at the issue of sex, it will be a capital crime to encourage same sex behaviors. In addition, both religions have significant jail sentences for those who practice these types of behaviors. When this may be effective in some countries, others may completely lack similar jurisdictions, thus making it difficult bring clear lines on what exactly differentiates one religion to another on similar issues like same-sex behaviors (Gaudet, Mills, & Ali, n.d.).

Looking at Islam religion, it teaches about the obedience to God, with Muhammad as the founder. It is a religion that has approximately 20% of the world population as followers and believed to grow by 0.6% annually. On its part, Christianity bases it understanding on religion in believing in Christ. It has a great percentage compared to Islam with approximate 33% world population as followers (Robinson, 2010).

Having looked at the basics of these two religions, it is high time to concentrate on the distinct similarities. First, we look at the Islam's Surah Fateha that is a similar prayer as the Christians Lord's prayer. These two payers both appear in the starting of the respective Holy books that is Qur'an for the Muslims and Holy Bible for the Christians. These two are widely known as basic prayers and no one of the two religions could basically rebut to reciting them. However, the Christian prayer proves difficult compared to the Surah Fateha and this does not imply that one in better than the other. Looking these two prayers more critically, they have similar adoration message (Gaudet, Mills, & Ali, n.d.). For instance, in Islam, it would start with praising their God, who is the God of the universe who has both affection and mercy. He is also referred to as the Sovereign Being in the deciding time. Similarly, the Christian's Lord's prayer adores God as their father who is the creator in heaven and His name is Holly. In addition, looking at the surrendering of the believers, the Islam accepts Allah as only to be worshipped and is the only one who can help in terms of need. Christians on their part agrees that His Kingdom is up on the world and His will should happen on the world just like in heaven. Moreover, the prayers teach about humbleness where Islam asks Allah to direct them in the righteous ways and not through those that lead to the destroyer. Christians supplicate by saying and humbling for God to provide them with their daily food and forgive them as they do to others, protecting them from the bad ways and leading them in the righteous ones (Robinson, 2010). The messages in these two prayers remain the same and the only difference is the language used and is all guided in adoring, submitting, and supplicating.

Switching to Creation, Islam teaches that Allah connects the day to the night where sun and moon should shine during the day and night respectively. Similarly, in the Genesis scriptures, God separated night from the day where signs and seasons should make time. The Qur'an teaches Allah as the one who made heavens without support and He has his Kingdom in the throne where he sits firmly and has signs to direct time and activities over the universe He created in six days. The Bible teaches about God completing his creation by the seventh day and in the creation was man whom he gave life and started living. In the Qur'an, it teaches about creating a man from clay and breathing in him to give him life and so t was (Robinson, 2010).

Switching to the issues that govern marriage, Islam religion teaches that marriage should not take place between close relatives, as this act is shameful and is hateful. Christians also share the same stand where the Bible teaches in Leviticus that Christians should not involve in sexual relations with relatives who are close and thus mothers should be respected by not deceiving their fathers by having sexual relation with their mothers (Robinson, 2010). In addition, Islam teaches that God has a unique relationship with his people and there exists agreements that govern these relationships. Similarly, Christianity talks of there being a special relationship between God and man and that covenants that govern this relationships.

Apart from the similarities, there are the differences that differentiate these two religions. First, the Islam religion does not subscribe to the belief of the Trinity where else the Christian community believes in the God the Father, the Son and… READ MORE

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