ISLAMIC BELIEFS AND WESTERN CHRISTIANITY

Islamic Beliefs and Western Christianity



Islamic Beliefs and Western Christianity

Religion is defined as the belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. (Meri 2005) A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. (Dean 1994)

Christianity as we know it is founded on the life and teachings of Jesus. Islam is a monotheistic religion characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God. All three religions believe in a single God but differ in many ways including worship of that god and also daily life routine including pray, preparation of food, and punishment. (Bartholomew 2009) Major comparisons in the religions can be seen in development, history, toleration, holy war, and religious doctrines. (Stearns 2000)

Christianity was founded off of the beliefs of Jews. Christians are considered Jews because they too believe in Abraham and Moses. They also share the same origins of birth which is in Palestine. Christians, believe in Heaven and Hell. Where Christians differ from Jews is there belief that Jesus was the messiah. They soon entered Rome. Because of their disbelief in the gods of Zeus/Neptune Christians were executed. Paul and Peter had to hide in secrete in order to escape their deaths. Soon after their arrival a major fire broke out in Rome which lasted nine days. (Lincoln 1999) The Roman Emperor used the Christians as an escape goat.

Seeing the danger, Christians move under the city roads and into the burial crypts. Those who were found were publicly tortured, executed, or used in gladiator fights. Paul was found and beheaded; Simon-Peter was crucified upside down. Diaclysion was the last great persecutor of Christians who eventually splits Rome. Following Diaclysion, Constantine re unites Rome and finally allows the worship of Christianity. He too was a Christian and makes it Rome's official religion. The Bible was written during the rule of Constantine, three hundred years after the death of Christ. Christians do tolerate other religions but they also try to convert them. They feel that Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation they also feel that Islam is a false religion. Christians did participate in The Holy Wars to save their religion and to spread it. Christians worship the lord on Sundays in churches, chapels, and cathedrals. Christianity is the largest religion in the world with currently two billion followers. (Dean 1994)

Islam is the latest of the three "Abrachamic religions." Founded in 622 CE, the belief of Islam was founded by Muhammad "the great prophet." The belief of Islam is built off of both Christianity. All three believe in God also known as Allah in Arabic ...