I believe that religions are more alike than different. So, in the vein, I’m going to show the similarities between the two. Perhaps if we realise we are more alike than different, things will change.
Both Christianity and Islam are Abrahamic Religions, which means their origins trace back to Abraham.
Christianity is monotheistic, believing that there is one true God. This also encompasses the Trinity. (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, since they are one in the same)
Christianity is huge but divided by how a person interprets the Bible. For example, Protestant, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and so on.
When a Christian meets someone from another denomination, for the most part, there is no conflict because the general belief system is the same. With some exceptions of course. (Protestant and Catholic fighting within Ireland for example) The core belief is the same. Jesus came to Earth and died for our sins, etc.
Christians worship in church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, home bible study or personal dwellings. There isn’t a strict prayer system in place. Some pray before meals, dinner, certain events, etc. But here are some basic practices. Prayer, sacraments (some denominations), worship in church, reading the Bible, acts of charity and communion.
Christianity has a symbol of the cross and in Catholic & Orthodox Churches, the use of statues are worshipped.
Christianity’s leaders are called Priests, bishops, pastors, ministers, monks, and nuns.
Christianity’s goals are simple: To love God and obey his commandments while creating a relationship with Jesus Christ and spreading the Gospel so that others may also be saved. Jesus walked the Earth telling of the struggles to come, healing the sick and preaching tolerance.
Christians believe in Heaven or Hell and sometimes purgatory.
Confessing sins: Protestants confess straight to God, Catholic confess mortal sins to a Priest, and venial sins straight to God (Orthodox have similar practice) Anglicans confessed to Priests but considered optional. God always forgives sins in Jesus.
Most believe that Sunday (or the Sabbath) is the Lord’s day.
Equality: All races generally viewed equal in Christianity. However, Bible passages on slavery were used to support the practice in the past in the U.S
Religious text: Christian Bible (includes Old and New Testaments). What is considered canon may vary slightly by sect/denomination. Some groups, like Mormons with the Book of Mormon, have other important books, too.
Christianity simply means a follower of Christ.
Christianity consists of individuals who believe in God; a deity whose teach its followers—Christians—believe were recorded, verbatim, by the god’s son, Jesus.
A single, all-powerful god known as God that is typically thought of in “Trinity” form: God, the Father; Christ, the Son; and the Holy Spirit (or Ghost). Not all sects/denominations of Christianity believe in the Trinity.
Holy days: Christmas (celebration of the birth of Jesus), Good Friday (death of Jesus), Sunday (day of rest), Easter (resurrection of Jesus), Lent (Catholicism), saints’ feast days.
Clothing: Conservative Christians dress modestly; women may cover their heads, wear long skirts or dresses; men may wear dress clothes that do not show the chest, legs, and arms. More moderate or liberal Christians reject such clothing restrictions.
Mary is believed to be the mother of Jesus.
Christians believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The origin of Christianity is Jesus Christ.
Islam is also monotheistic. They believe that Allah is the one true God and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
Islam also has differing denominations within it. For example, Sunni, Shi’ite, Sufis, Baha’is and Ahmadiyyas. The Sunni denomination is the largest group within Islam.
Like Christianity, Islam does have conflict. (Sunni and Shi’ite are divided and have had bloody battles, just like Protestant and Catholics.)
Their religious leaders are Imams, Sheikhs, Maulanas, Mullahs and Muftis
Islam follows the guidance of the Qur’an and Hadiths to reach eternal paradise.
The goals of Islam are simple: To follow the Five Pillars: Testament that there is one God and Muhammad is his messenger (shahadah); prayer five times daily; fast during Ramadan; charity to the poor (zakat); pilgrimage (Hajj). Belief in one God, remembrance of God, repentance, fear of God and hope in God’s mercy.
Unlike Christianity, Muslims are not permitted to depict the image of God nor any prophets.
Islam is derived from the Arabic root “Salema”: peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.
Belief in one God, who has sent messengers with revelation and guidance for humanity so they may be guided to Islam (submission to God) & who have come with both good news and a warning, the last & final messenger being Muhammad.
Confessing sins: The Qur’an asks them to become repentant, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and make a sincere tawba, and assures them that if they do this, Allah will forgive them, and exonerate them from their misdeeds.
Islam consists of individuals who believe in Allah, a deity whose teachings its followers—Muslims—believe were recorded, verbatim, by the god’s last prophet, Muhammad.
Prayer five times daily is obligatory. Friday is the day of congregational prayer, obligatory for men, but not for women.
Holy Days: Ramadan (month of fasting), Eid-ul-Adha (feast of the sacrifice), Eid-ul-Fitr (sweet festival at the end of Ramadan).
Religious text: While the Qur’an is the only holy text of Islam, the Hadith, which is said to be the sayings of Muhammad, is also highly revered.
Regarding their version of judgement: A Muslim and all the beings will be accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgement and believe in Heaven (Paradise) or Hell (torment)
Islam denies the resurrection of Jesus because his death is denied. God raised Jesus to him, and he will return before the end of time.
Mary receives significant admiration from Muslims. She is said by the Prophet Muhammad to be the best woman God created. She is free of sin as the mother of Jesus.
Equality: Races generally viewed as equal, but those that accept Islam are viewed more favorably than those that do not. “Among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors…” —Surat 30:22
Islam doesn’t believe in the Trinity: Only Allah, who is seen as being all-powerful. “They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah.” —Surat Al-Ma’idah 5:73
Clothing: Women must present themselves modestly to cover hair and body shape. Men must be modestly dressed and covered from waist to knee. In most Muslim culture, women wear a form of the hijab; in some, they must wear the full-body cover known as the burqa
Jesus is mentioned in the Qu’ran, but not as the son of God, but the son of Mary.
The origins of Islam are the Prophet Muhammed.
As you can see, Islam and Christianity are very similar. Some beliefs are held by both religions, just the degrees of belief are different. So why can’t we focus on how we are the same, instead of how different we are?
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