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Christianity and Islam: Comparison and Contrast
In the world today, religion is one of the most divisive and persistent elements of human life. While many are leaving the traditional format of organized religion, these age old traditions remain as the most prevalent of spiritual paths throughout the world. Particularly, Christianity and Islam feature among the directions with the largest followings on earth. When comparing and contrasting these two, it becomes clear that, while there are certain parallels between these religions, they also have significant differences.
The Koran's description of Creation, for example, is scattered across all of its pages. In the Koran, Adam is prohibited from approaching the Forbidden Tree. When sin occurs, God is shown to be responsible for the pain and suffering in the world (Baianonie, 2001).
While the Bible also contains the Creation story that includes Adam and Eve, along with their fall from grace, it provides a more unified account. Adam is allowed near the Forbidden Tree, but just not to eat its fruit. Death and suffering are directly related to sin and decay rather than to God's will.
According to the Koran, human beings have a superior position on earth, being...
The universe is seen as being at the service of man. The Bible has a similar viewpoint of the human relationship to the rest of creation. Human beings are at the highest point of creation, with animals and plants created in their service. The Bible adds, however, that human beings are to tend to the needs of the animals and plants that provide their sustenance.
Free will is another component of what it means to be human. According to the Koran, human beings have the faculty of choice, while also being able to distinguish between good and evil. Having the choice, people can choose to obey or disobey and in this way earn their place eternally alongside Allah. The Bible also talks of free will, but removes the power from people to choose their own salvation. Salvation is based upon faith, while the gratitude for such salvation creates a platform of choice. Sinful man, being saved, chooses good over evil in a demonstration of love rather than in hope of salvation. Hence, where there is accountability before being allowed into Muslim eternal life, this is not the case for Christianity, where the responsibility for salvation remains with God (Kreeft, n.d.).
When it…
References
Baianonie, M. (2001). The Islamic View of the Human Being. Retrieved from: http://islam1.org/khutub/View_of_Human_Being.htm
Catchpoole, D. (2002). The Koran vs. Genesis. Creation 24 (2). Retrieved from: http://creation.com/the-koran-qur-an-vs.-genesis
Kreeft, P. (n.d.) Comparing Christianity and Islam. Retrieved from: http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics-more/religions_islam.htm
In the Qur'an, music is presented as something that can bring pleasure to Muslims. Numerous prominent religious individuals in Islam have apparently claimed that music should not be present in Muslim houses. Even with that, Muslims are aware that Allah cannot possibly prohibit something that does not harm the individual or society in general. It is divisive whether or not Islam allows its followers to enjoy music, considering that the
Sixth, Muslim morality is very similar to both Christianity and Judaism, due to marriage and family being of the utmost importance. Lastly, Muslims adhere to the concept of Jihad which basically means "the continual, inner spiritual struggle for submission to Allah in which all Muslims must engage in on a daily basis." This concept is very similar to what Christians practice, being a daily struggle to become closer to
Much like Catholicism, the religious system known as Islam whose believers are called Muslim dates back to around 610 A.D. when the prophet Muhammad allegedly was visited by the angel Gabriel who spoke to him and conveyed the actual words of Allah Himself (i.e., Allah as God). Muhammad was also told that he had been chosen by Allah as a prophet and that he must write down everything he had
Answering-islam.org/Authors/JR/Future/ch15_islam_and_the_goal.htm>. Barron, Robert. n.d. The Evangelical Task within the Context of the Contemporary Culture. USCCB. 6 May 2009 . Bnaiyer Website. n.d. Goals of Christianity. 6 May 2009 . Christianity Oasis. 2009. Creation Story. 6 May 2009 El-Hadi, Nehal. 2005. Islam and the Nature of the Universe. Islam Online. 6 May 2009 . Fenton, John. n.d. Mark's Gospel. Trinity URC Plymouth. 6 May 2009 . Kim, Bockja. n.d. Transcendental Knowledge -- The Goal (Telos) of Human Activities -- East
Christianity vs. Islam vs. Hinduism Comparing and Contrasting Christianity with Islam and Hinduism Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are among the five most practiced religions in the world. Christianity, with its top position, shares common grounds with both Hinduism and Islam. However, there are several differences that make Christianity a unique religion in comparison with Hinduism and Islam. Christianity and Islam Similarities Christianity and Islam are Abrahamic religions and monotheistic in nature. Abrahamic religions are the
The first five books were separated from the whole about 400 B.C. As the Pentateuch. Jean Astruc in the eighteenth century noted that the Pentateuch is based on even earlier sources. The two chief sources have since been identified in Genesis on the basis of their respective uses of Yahweh or Elohim in referring to the deity. They are called J. For the Jehovistic or Yahwistic source and E.