Differences and Similarities between Christianity and Muslim Religions

Differences and Similarities between Christianity and Muslim Religions

Differences between Christianity and Islamic Religions

Religion gives people a set of standards as well as purpose in life. Christianity and Islam are the two major faiths in the world. These two religions share the traditional connection with some significant doctrinal variances and similarities. It is believed that the two principles share a common origin in the Middle East.

The origin of Christian religion dates back in the 1st century in the Roman province. Christianity began as one of the most influential figures of human history spread by Jesus of Nazareth. After the death of Jesus, His followers started spreading Christianity around the world. Today Christianity is the largest religion in the world, and it has influenced personal morality, the law as well as philosophies (Koopmans, 2015). Islam originated back in 7th in Saudi Arabia, approximately 500 years after Christianity was found. According to history, Prophet Mohammad introduced Islam in 610AD after he experiences innocent visitation. However, Muslims believe that Islam did not start with Prophet Muhammad, but it originated from God through Angel Gabriel to Mohammad.

Reports from the Pew Research Centre showed that there were 3 billion Christians around the world. 38% of all Christians in the world live in the United States, whereas 27 % live in Europe. The report also revealed that 1% of Christians live in the Middle East (Koopmans, 2015). On the other hand, the report indicated that there approximately 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. 30 % of Islamic live in South Asia, followed by 18% in the Middle East and North Africa.

The foremost leaders in Christian churches are in order of bishop, priest, and deacon, whereas in Islam religion, it is headed by an imam who leads Muslims followers in prayer. Christian religious belief that God exists in three forms, Islamic, on the other hand, believes that there is only one God. They teach that God had no children and no partners.

Christians perform baptism and Eucharist rituals. Baptism to Christians is a sign of repentance, moral purification, and Christian readiness for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Eucharist is a ritual practice performed by Christians to remember the death and renaissance of Jesus Christ (Nasr, 2018). Rituals and certain sacred rituals are essential to the Muslim religion. Ceremonies such as prayer are practiced daily, whereas others are annually depending on their Islamic calendar. Male circumcision is a necessary rite of passage in Islam religion. Parents should circumcise their newly born children immediately after birth. According to the Quran, circumcision is the only way a person is submitted to God.

The bible is the book of Christian religion scripture, and it comprises of Old Testament and New Testament. On the other hand, the Quran is the primary scripture of Islam. Muslims regard the book as the eternal word of God that was revealed by Prophet Muhammad (Lane & Redissi, 2016).

Easter holiday is an essential event for Christians around the world. Christians honor this holiday as the time to remember Jesus’ renaissance from crucifixion. Ramadhan is also an important holiday for Muslims (Koopmans, 2015). During this event, Muslims fast from dawn to evening with the last days earmarked for night prayer and watches. Religion plays a vital role in today’s society. According to teaching doctrines, Christianity, by its true nature, is about one and many. Christianity is trying to change the community by emphasizing both diversity and unity amongst its followers and non-followers. Islam, as a religion, believes that tension may occur in emphasizing unity and diversion among Muslims and non-Muslims. Although the Quran emphasizes that there is no compulsion in religion, other Islamic states interpret the doctrine that there is no competition in faith. In hard-core countries, Muslims who violate tawhid by joining another religion may be killed or their property destroyed.

Similarities in Christianity and Islam

Both Christianity and the Islamic community believe that the place of worship and prayer represents the body of Christ. Christianity and Islam acknowledge that the ideal society is not realized on earth but by will and action of God and Allah (Ali, 2015). Muslims regard Muhammad as the perfect example of humanity at its very best, whereas Christians regard Jesus as their model.

Christian and Muslims leader plays an essential role in leading their followers on prayer occasions. Both Christians and Muslims groups play a fundamental part in the assortment of their leaders. Both indicate their faith is the final, and God or Allah is for all people. Both religions, however, also affirm that other religions contain honest expressions of the heavenly will is capable of guiding people to a better life.

References

Ali, M. M. (2015). Holy Quran. Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore USA.

Koopmans, R. (2015). Religious fundamentalism and hostility against out-groups: A comparison of Muslims and Christians in Western Europe. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(1), 33-57.

Lane, J. E., & Redissi, H. (2016). Religion and politics: Islam and Muslim civilisation. Routledge.