It is interesting to see that both Islam and Christianity acknowledge Jesus as apart of both their religions but in very different ways. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, worshipped as God and apart of the trinity whereas for Muslims, Jesus is highly respected as the second-last prophet. Yet both believe he was a virgin birth and his current location is in heaven and there will also be a second coming of Jesus in the near future. Yet both religions disagree on the nature of Jesus’ death. Christians believe Jesus was crucified by the Roman Army and then resurrected three days later, yet the Muslims believe Jesus did in fact not die but rather ascended alive into heaven.
Both religions have what we could call a ‘Golden Rule’. The Christian Golden Rule is “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matthew 7:12 The Muslims ‘Golden Rule’ is “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Fourth Hadith of an-Nawawi 13.
Both religions view of life after death is basically the same (Heaven and Hell) except Catholics believe in purgatory.
There are also similarities and alternatives to the practices performed or participated in by both Christians and Muslims such as the place of worship. Christians worship is a church or cathedral whereas Muslims worship in a Mosque. They are both holy structures in which they pray and achieve closeness to God but under different names. Christians Sabbath day is Sunday, sometimes Saturday and Muslims is on a Friday.
A very interesting difference between Christianity and Islam is the use of statues of Holy figures. Statues are extremely common in all Christian denominations whereas Muslims absolutely forbid the use of statues as they consider is idolatry.
A seemingly irrelevant but nonetheless important difference is the basis of calendar used between the Christians and Muslims. Christianity uses the Gregorian solar calendar where 1CE occurred four to seven years after the birth of Jesus. Islam uses the Islamic lunar calendar where 1AH occurred in 622CE, the year of the Hegira when Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina.
Muslims believe that Christianity started out with the same message as Islam, but that eventually due to their abandonment of adherence to strict monotheism, the followers of Moses earned Gods anger and the followers of Jesus went astray (because of worshipping him directly and not God). It is popularly held by Muslims that the revelations given to both Moses and Jesus have been corrupted over time and that the present day Holy Bible and Torah share little or no resemblance to the original message.
Religion, in both Islam and Christianity both share the same purpose which applies to humans of the 21st century. They both strive to create morality, social and ideological community and spiritual enlightenment.
Their doctrines are a purpose but within it have two separate purposes which are overcoming the fear of death and teaching and encouraging morality. Both doctrines also theorize what happens after we die, whether it is heaven and hell, or heaven, hell and purgatory. The purpose of these beliefs is to reassure humans that we have nothing to fear from death and that in this life, nothing is fair, but in the next it will be.
A very important purpose of religion is to teach and encourage moral and ethical behaviour but both religions definition of moral behaviour differs. Aristotle (neither Christian nor Muslim) explains ethics as: “Building good habits, and constantly seeking for the virtuous mean between the too much and not enough. It is better to become virtuous in moral code that it is not correct than to not have any real morals at all.”
Two Interviews with a member of Christianity and Islam:
Roman Catholic:-
1. Does your religion play a large and important role in your life?
Yes
2. Why is your religion important to you?
Because Catholicism is my entire upbringing as well as my entire families. My mum and grandparents are extremely devout which is why it is a large part of my life. Because I truly do believe in God and I believe that the Catholic Church is the church Jesus Christ really founded.
3. In your opinion does your religion or religion in general, makes you and others a happier and more fulfilled person?
Yes and No. Yes because I’m assured a place in heaven once I die but no because being a teenager in the 21st century conflicts with the guidelines and standards of being a good catholic. I have a lack of freedom that I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t Catholic. Because it gives meaning to life in general.
4. Describe and explain significant practices and rituals that are involved in your religion.
There are 7 Sacraments, but I have only endured 5 of them being birth, Baptism, Communion, Confirmation and Reconciliation. I have yet to come to Marriage and death. I also take part in religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Lent, Advent, Church on Sundays and Prayer.
5. How do they personally benefit you?
The 7 Sacraments are tradition and easy to do. They’re basically foolproof. And Prayer and church brings you closer to god and heaven.
6. Which one is your favorite and why?
Prayer because it’s very convenient. I can do it anytime time of day when I’m feeling lonely or sad and it doesn’t take a vast amount of effort. Attending mass would be my second because it’s a way of ending and starting a new week. I also learn more about my own faith whilst belonging to a catholic community.
7. Are there any conflicts or difficulties in practicing your religion in 21st century western culture?
Yes. Sex, drugs, freedom and swearing are strictly forbidden which is hard because 21st century western culture is open to these things but my church condemns them.
8. Do you receive criticism from non-Catholics?
Yes, because it is hard for people without religion to understand why I’m so committed. They can’t fathom why I would want to go to church if I wasn’t forced and they see it as wasteful time.
9. How do you feel about the socialization between people of different religious beliefs?
I think it’s good to compare and gain perspective. It all falls under tolerance and acceptance of god’s people.
10. Is there anything significantly annoying about your religion?
The whole concept of homosexuality in relation to Christianity. I believe it’s unfair to condemn someone because of their sexual preference, yet preach to equality and peace amongst all humans. It’s also saddening to see other denominations that are mislead.
Sunni Muslim:-
1. Does your religion play a large and important role in your life?
Not exactly large, but a consistent part. It isn’t my number 1 priority but it would be my second or third.
2. Why is your religion important to you?
Because it tells me how to live and it sets moral and ethical guidelines. It also visualizes a consequence so intern it’s a prevention of wrong doing.
3. In your opinion does your religion or religion in general, makes you and others a happier and more fulfilled person?
Yes because it creates a sense of joy and it enables you to appreciate good karma but no because it also creates guilt that I can’t escape from. If I commit sin it stops me from living my life because I am so wrapped up in guilt.
4. Describe and explain significant practices and rituals that are involved in your religion.
5 pillars of Islam – 1st is reciting the shahadah (testifies your faith)
Prayer 5 times a day
Fast (sawm)
Charity
Pilgrimage
Ede (which is kind of like Christmas)
5. What does each represent?
They all bring me closer to God and prayer is a form of communication with Allah. Fasting teaches self control and Charity promotes the sharing of wealth with those who are less fortunate.
7. Are there any conflicts or difficulties in practicing your religion in 21st century western culture?
Yes, the lack of freedom. There’s so much room for interpretation in the Koran especially when it comes to the rights of women.
8. Do you receive criticism from non-Muslims?
There are so many clichés and stereotypes when it comes to Muslim women and with outsiders (non-Muslims) think all people of Islam are extremist terrorists. People also don’t recognize that some practices and rituals are part of certain cultures not Muslim faith.
9. How do you feel about the socialization between people of different religious beliefs?
My parents are like “stick with Muslims and Indians” and I’m not allowed to marry someone who isn’t Muslim. But by my own standards I wouldn’t marry someone who wasn’t Muslim unless they converted.
10. Is there anything significantly annoying about your religion?
Yes. It’s really annoying how my faith promotes the equality of humanity no matter what religion and the acceptance of humans yet it condemns those who are homosexual and in some parts of the world, women. Segregation of men and women in schools and mosques is also a double standard I don’t like.
