What are the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The two largest religions in the world. Controversy over both for hundreds of years. Many deaths, disturbances, uprisings, wars etc. concerning both at various points in history. Christianity is the older of the two by a few hundred years. What do they have in common? How do they differ? Keep it civil like the other thread and maybe we can all learn a little bit here.

I don't know a lot about Islam, just what I read in the news and see on TV. And that is mostly the negative side of the radicals and extremists. We have some Muslim members active here and we have many Christians. Some are stricter than others, some are in name only and follow very little of the principles.

Discuss.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

The two largest religions in the world. Controversy over both for hundreds of years. Many deaths, disturbances, uprisings, wars etc. concerning both at various points in history. Christianity is the older of the two by a few hundred years. What do they have in common? How do they differ? Keep it civil like the other thread and maybe we can all learn a little bit here.

I don't know a lot about Islam, just what I read in the news and see on TV. And that is mostly the negative side of the radicals and extremists. We have some Muslim members active here and we have many Christians. Some are stricter than others, some are in name only and follow very little of the principles.

Discuss.

Well, we both believe that good works will get you into God's graces

[bsd058 296]

According to Islam, Jesus was a prophet but not God. In Christianity, Jesus was God in the flesh.

According to Islam Jesus was not crucified, but Allah made it appear so. In Christianity, Jesus was crucified, raised, seen by up to 500 witnesses (there were probably more than this, but these are generally seen as witnesses who knew who he was), and ascended into heaven to sit "at the right hand" of God the Father.

Food laws are a part of Islam. They are not a part of Christianity due to Jesus declaring all foods clean in the Gospels (Quote: "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man").

Lots of differences. Both are monotheistic faiths, though.

If I'm not mistaken, most Muslims view the Christian Scriptures as corrupt. Christians view the Hebrew (Jewish) and Christian Scriptures as pure and inerrant. I'm not sure if Muslims view the Hebrew Scriptures as corrupt though. I've heard mixed views on that so I couldn't comment.

This info above is from many debates I've seen.

The nature of the Qu'ran is different from the nature of the Scriptures in Christianity. The Qu'ran is eternal (again from what I've heard from Muslims), and the Bible was written in history by men who were controlled by the Holy Spirit in such a way that their personalities remained intact, but their words remained pure, according to Christianity (I'm a Christian).

I'm open to correction from Muslims on this forum. If I've misrepresented anything, please correct me. Thanks.

These are only a few differences. There are so many topics within religion that you couldn't discuss all of the differences, though. I would watch debates online to see the differences more clearly.

Best Regards.

Well, we both believe that good works will get you into God's graces

Not Reformed protestants. They believe grace from God gives you faith and inevitably causes you to produce good works.

However good works are a sign of a believer at least. I think both reformed and non-reformed believe that.

Edited April 12, 2013 by bsd058

[newacct 688]

In Christianity, Jesus was God in the flesh.

Not all Christians believe this. Various Non-trinitarian branches of Christianity do not.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

According to Islam, Jesus was a prophet but not God. In Christianity, Jesus was God in the flesh.

According to Islam Jesus was not crucified, but Allah made it appear so. In Christianity, Jesus was crucified, raised, seen by up to 500 witnesses (there were probably more than this, but these are generally seen as witnesses who knew who he was), and ascended into heaven to sit "at the right hand" of God the Father.

Food laws are a part of Islam. They are not a part of Christianity due to Jesus declaring all foods clean in the Gospels (Quote: "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man").

Lots of differences. Both are monotheistic faiths, though.

If I'm not mistaken, most Muslims view the Christian Scriptures as corrupt. Christians view the Hebrew (Jewish) and Christian Scriptures as pure and inerrant. I'm not sure if Muslims view the Hebrew Scriptures as corrupt though. I've heard mixed views on that so I couldn't comment.

This info above is from many debates I've seen.

The nature of the Qu'ran is different from the nature of the Scriptures in Christianity. The Qu'ran is eternal (again from what I've heard from Muslims), and the Bible was written in history by men who were controlled by the Holy Spirit in such a way that their personalities remained intact, but their words remained pure, according to Christianity (I'm a Christian).

I'm open to correction from Muslims on this forum. If I've misrepresented anything, please correct me. Thanks.

These are only a few differences. There are so many topics within religion that you couldn't discuss all of the differences, though. I would watch debates online to see the differences more clearly.

Best Regards.

Not Reformed protestants. They believe grace from God gives you faith and inevitably causes you to produce good works.

However good works are a sign of a believer at least. I think both reformed and non-reformed believe that.

Good input, good post.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Good input, good post.

This is what happens when you leave the hate out of it. I am learning as well.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Well, we both believe that good works will get you into God's graces

Not so in the Christianity I have been exposed to. Don't remember the exact quote but something along the line of works without faith are like dirty rags blah blah

[spookyturtle 9,466]

This is what happens when you leave the hate out of it. I am learning as well.

There is a lot for me to learn. I am not familiar with the religion. No need for anyone to get nasty and turn it into a hate thread either way. I think that here in the US we mainly hear about the radical groups that practice Islam. I would genuinely like to know what the religions views are on the treatment of women, equality of mankind, and also are the stoning's and harsh punishment actually part of the religion or has that become perverted by the radicals, all of this killing for God, etc. Are these views typical of the religion or just by a small group that seems to garner all the headlines here in the US? I ask this sincerely as I don't know.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Not so in the Christianity I have been exposed to. Don't remember the exact quote but something along the line of works without faith are like dirty rags blah blah

You may be referring to the quote about doing good deeds just to be seen and that is your just reward.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

The two largest religions in the world. Controversy over both for hundreds of years. Many deaths, disturbances, uprisings, wars etc. concerning both at various points in history. Christianity is the older of the two by a few hundred years. What do they have in common? How do they differ? Keep it civil like the other thread and maybe we can all learn a little bit here.

I don't know a lot about Islam, just what I read in the news and see on TV. And that is mostly the negative side of the radicals and extremists. We have some Muslim members active here and we have many Christians. Some are stricter than others, some are in name only and follow very little of the principles.

Discuss.

here are my childhood memories of Christianity

Church get's out at 12:00 noon or people get grumpy

When the preacher comes over for Sunday dinner you got to eat in the formal dinning room and where probably going to get spanked for something you did foolish .

we got a new Pastor about every 4 or so years and his kids were always wild as the 4 winds

Dad use to get pissy when Mom wanted to donate keeping up with the Jones money to the church

.

[zahrasalem 114]

There is a lot for me to learn. I am not familiar with the religion. No need for anyone to get nasty and turn it into a hate thread either way. I think that here in the US we mainly hear about the radical groups that practice Islam. I would genuinely like to know what the religions views are on the treatment of women, equality of mankind, and also are the stoning's and harsh punishment actually part of the religion or has that become perverted by the radicals, all of this killing for God, etc. Are these views typical of the religion or just by a small group that seems to garner all the headlines here in the US? I ask this sincerely as I don't know.

That's true....why would the media print anything positive about Muslims or Islam, especially after 9/11? Negative stories get more attention and readers.

I am Muslim, my husband is Muslim from Egypt, and we have lived in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai. Each country has different practices and ways of doing things. There is no 1 way of thinking or doing things for every Arab country. Dubai is more Westernized than Saudi and Qatar, but Qatar is not as hard-lined as Saudi. I enjoyed living in all 3 countries, never had a problem and never missed anything from the USA. I had everything I wanted. The not mixing of men and women is an Arab culture thing. The degrees of harsh punishments for criminals varies by country, Saudi being the hardest of the 3.

In short, Muslims (not radicals) are normal people with families, jobs, kids, homes, just like everyone else.

Edited April 13, 2013 by zahrasalem

[sandinista! 1,816]

This is a really informative link, on a topic that comes up a lot here anyways.

http://www.loonwatch.com/2010/01/anti-sex-laws/

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What does Islam believe about Jesus?

[sandinista! 1,816]

There are various miracles ascribed to Jesus, and he was born to the Virgin Mary (Maryam) in arabic, for starters. He's mentioned in the Quran as a great prophet several times. He is not believed to be divine, or anyone's son, not God's or of any human. Nor is he believed to have been crucified, but ascended into the heavens before dying, because the Romans had a cross with his name on it, but that was not to be. There are also big plans in store for him re his participation in the day of judgment. ie, he's quite important in the faith.

[himher 634]

What does Islam believe about Jesus?

Jesus is referenced over 40 times in the Quran.

Some general teachings:

It is taught that he is a Prophet and a Messenger sent to guide Isreal. It is taught that he received / delivered a revelation but it was distorted and lost.

A reference from the Quran: That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah”;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-

The large number of discrepencies between the existing (4) gospels, especially those concerning the cricifixion story, are currently referenced to as evidence of the mentioned conjecture.

It is taught that Jesus is not God's "son" but was a man who ate, drank, and prayed to the same God that Abraham prayed to

A reference from the Quran:

Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart . . ."

Christ disdaineth nor to serve and worship Allah . . .

They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode.

Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food.

"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an Prophet Apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth.

NOTE: Some christian faiths also teach this and gleefully condemn trinitarians to the depths of hell every sunday morning.

It is also taught, as it is in christianity, that Jesus will eventually descend on or near the final day of judgement

A reference from the Quran:

And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.