What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?

Article Title: What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?
Shared by: Craig Lock

Category (key words): Christianity, Islam, religion, faith, beliefs, peace, spiritual, spiritual unity

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WHAT ARE SOME KEY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM?

Submitter's Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find 'common ground'/principles/ and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to 'enlighten' (himself and perhaps others) regarding 'eternal and universal truths.' These notes form part of Craig's new novel set in the Middle East, titled 'A New Dawn: Let the Journey Begin'. Hope this piece may be of interest to you too.
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INTRODUCTION

The issue of RELIGION throughout history of mankind and today evermore plays a vital part in many conflicts around the world. Religion is (and was) often blamed as the cause of the conflicts; whereas it is/was people misusing religion for their own ends (often taking particular and significant interpretations out of context) that have shaped societies and cultures. I truly believe it's critically important to emphasize the common values shared by different religions to drastically reduce tensions around the globe. So that religion (and it's beliefs) can be turned around from being part of the conflict to be part of the SOLUTION. Instead of focusing on the differences between people, in this 'battle of ideas/ideologies" we should focus far more on what we have in common.

So what are the foundations, what is the frame-work of the respective beliefs?

Most religions of the world espouse (nice word, eh!) good moral values as a code of conduct: the virtues of passion for liberalism, tolerance, compassion, decency and generous ideals. However, there is a fundamental doctrinal incompatibility between the major faiths of Islam and Christianity (though together with the Jews, they worship the God of Abraham). These three major religions share the common truth of the Old Testament, having many prophets in common and consequently have many "shared values" that have shaped societies over the past two millennia.

Whilst there are some major differences between Islam and Christianity, from my research (fascinating and mainly online) some of the fundamental similarities in beliefs between these two main religions (as well as Judaism) are as follows:

ISLAM

The main beliefs:

* There is only One True God: the Sovereign Ruler of the universe...
and has full control over our lives (and will meet all of our needs)

* God (Allah) is the Creator of everything and central to Muslims lives. Allah is simply beyond human thought and understanding.

* True believers are not to worship any other gods

* Allah's goodness and benevolence is seen everywhere, because He is compassionate and merciful.

* Many Old Testament prophets were from God (ie. were sent by God as messengers to the world)

* Jesus's strong sense of mission, unity and sense of purpose.
He was sent by God to serve humanity and being divinely inspired was a great moral teacher and prophet.

* God gave the Torah, the prophets, the Koran and the Gospel to guide our lives. ( I don't know enough about Mohamed and his "divine destiny" to pass comment on his "mission").

* We are to obey God’s words (as in the first five books of the Old Testament, the 'Pentitukes'- spelling?)

* We should surrender/sacrifice ourselves fully to God
(in fact, the word 'Islam" means 'full submission to God's will')

* Jesus will return to earth one day (though in which form is uncertain). Though Jews do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah...
and I'm not sure on that point with Islam.

* Humans have free will and exercise a choice between doing good or evil in their daily lives.

* Humans only live once on this earth, then face judgment:
One day there will be a day of Judgment for how we've lived our lives.

* Believers who die will go to 'heaven' and live forever (though the concept of heaven is not precisely defined).

* Disbelievers will go to 'hell' (or suffer torment, which is 'separation from God' forever). Heaven or hell are written about in the Qur'an in poetic terms, ie. symbolic rather than actual places.

* It is important to pray to God frequently (Muslims do it five times a day) and attend a congregation at least once a week (usually mid-day on Fridays)

* We should have a spirit of charity and help the poor and those in a less fortunate position to ourselves (with money and/or works)

* A person's allotted time on earth is predestined.

* All people are equal before the law.

and finally

* We should respect our differences and Christians, Jews, and Muslims should never be killed purely on account of their faith.

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CHRISTIANITY

Christianity and Islam are both missionary religions. Both faiths believe they have a monopoly over the truth. Both want to share their version of truth with others and both compete in seeking converts. I am motivated to share these "truths" with others, so people may benefit and enhance their lives in a meaningful way...if they so CHOOSE.

There IS a significant difference from Islam: Christianity exists solely on the basis that Jesus Christ is the 'son of God' (ie. the fact is taken literally); whereas the faith of Islam exists purely on the basis that God dictated his laws to Mohammed and that the Koran contains God's actual words. Most "informed" Christians, however, do not believe the Koran is the un-intermediated word of God. Most followers of Christ know very little about Mohammed being perceived as a 'messenger of God.' They can, therefore, only think that Mohammed was deluded, if not a liar. (Of course, most Christians are far too polite to say such a thing!).

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the son of God/God incarnate ("the human face of God") and that he dies on a cross to reconcile mankind and God. Then he was resurrected after three days and now lives in heaven. The gospel message teaches that reconciliation with God is to be found through the redemptive work of Jesus only.

Good works as "entry" to heaven count for nothing, in the absence of acceptance of Jesus.

And as regards Christianity, it's the notion of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one), which rationalists find to be the most implausible aspect of Christianity. If Jesus was not the Son of God, then he too was deluded, crazy ... or perhaps even a "liar". And if he - as opposed to He - was either of those things, then the Resurrection is also a lie and Christianity, as a faith rather than as a philosophy is utterly null and void.

Christianity is based on the concept of FAITH and God's Infinite Grace. We are "saved for eternity" (so our soul lives on) through our faith in Jesus and are not solely judged for the 'hereafter' by our good works during our lifetime. (And these good works are inspired by our faith and the 'divine spirit' at work through God's Infinite Grace). This is a battle of ideas. Cardinal Ratzenberger: "Islam simply does not have the separation of the political and religious spheres which Christianity had from the very beginning. The Koran... insists that the whole order of life be Islamic (ie. no separation of religion/church and state). One must understand that Islam is not simply a denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic society."

True Muslims cannot accept either the separation of powers or the freedom under the law (ie. "democracy"), which are the hallmarks of Western civilization.

* extracted from an article (excellent) in 'The Independent' by Dominic Lawson.

As we are what we believe yourself to be (You are what YOU believe), I believe that Jesus genuinely believed himself to be a 'Son of God', divinely ordained with a specific mission, a unique purpose which he CHOSE to fulfil in his short life. Christians say that the tradition of Jesus of Nazareth points us to a new life and new thoughts, as well as new possibilities... as a community and as a nation. Still you may or may not CHOOSE to believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings as YOUR pathway to connect to God, a Higher Power, 'the Ground of all Being, the Essence of Existence', your spiritual self.
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Whilst we can celebrate our differences, we should love God (whatever we understand the concept to be) with all our hearts, minds and souls and our neighbour as we love ourselves (common teachings from both faiths of Islam and Christianity). Simple, eh!

It's not such a matter of conflicting idiologies, the great 'battle of civilizations' is it?

So
Isn't WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!

and

God's greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.

Craig Lock

Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu: "We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world."

"A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance."
- J.Nehru, first Prime Minister of India

"It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe...
because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.

In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love - one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged."
- craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)

"What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light."

"What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other... and how we live. Only when we can say, 'I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi'ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh...' will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. "

"Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together...in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood - our common humanity as citizens of planet earth."

- craig
"God's greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths."

Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let's plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.

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“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
- author unknown