The Major World Religions: Islam and Christianity

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Differences
Similarities
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Religion is of great importance to many people in the world. By following their various religious beliefs, people are able to find meaning in their lives and lead purposeful lives. Religion also provides a moral code that guides the lives of the followers. While there are hundreds of religions in the world, only a few have considerable numbers of members.

Two of the major world religions are Islam and Christianity. Each of these religions has over one billion followers who are found in all the continents. This paper will compare and contrast some of the aspects of Christianity and Islam with the aim of showing that while these two religions often appear irreconcilable, they have some significant similarities.

Differences

The first difference between Islam and Christianity is that the two religions have different founders who lived in different historical times. A Jew called Jesus Christ, who claimed to have been the son of God, founded Christianity (Streng 5). On the other hand, Mohammed, who is revered by his followers as the last and most important prophet of God, founded Islam (Gerner 5).

The two religions leaders occupied different times in history and they introduced their respective religions to different groups of people. Christianity was introduced in the year 1AD to Jews in Jerusalem while Islam was introduced in 7AD to Arabs in Mecca. The leaders of these two religions played differing roles in society. While Jesus was primarily a spiritual leader, Mohammed was both a spiritual and a political leader (Ayoub 342).

The relevance of Jesus Christ in Christianity and Islam also proves to be a major area of divergence in the two religions. While the person called Jesus is recognized by both religions, the two religions hold varying beliefs about him. To Christians, Jesus is a central character in the faith and his followers believe that he was crucified and later resurrected, making him mankind’s salvation (Streng 8). He is therefore worshiped and held in the same reverence as God.

For Muslims, Jesus was a prophet who preached the word of God to the Jews. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was a son of God and his role in the religion of Islam is minor compared to that of Mohammed. Even if Jesus might be referenced by Muslims since he is recognized as a prophet, he cannot be worshiped.

While both religions have the concept of salvation for humanity, they differ in how this salvation is obtained. According to Christianity, all people are born with an “original sin” (Baker 131). This is the sin that was passed on when the first two people created by God, Adam and Eve, sinned.

The only way that this original sin can be removed is by repenting to God and accepting his forgiveness. Christians think that believers can obtain salvation through the deeds of the saints as well as Jesus’ suffering (Baker 131). In contrast to this view, Muslims believe that people are born without a sin. Each person is supposed to lead a pure life and therefore maintain this sinless state until death (Ayoub 349). For Muslims, the individual cannot earn reparations for his/her sins but must work for his/her personal salvation.

Similarities

The first major similarity between the two religions is that their dogmas are based on one all-powerful God. Both religions are therefore monotheistic in nature.

For Muslims and Christians alike, this all-powerful God created the universe and man. Human beings are therefore accountable to God and they must show reverence to him (Ayoub 345). Both religions suggest that God has a special relationship with humankind and is constantly looking out for them. Believers are supposed to seek the will of God in prayer and supplications.

Christianity and Islam have roots in Judaism, which is the religion of the Jews. The Judaic roots of the two religions are evident from the fact that both believe in Abraham, Jacob, and many other patriarchs who are first referenced in Jewish texts. The link between Judaism and Christianity is more apparent since Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was a Jew (Streng 11).

He encouraged his disciples to follow most of the Jewish beliefs and customs. With Islam, the link is a bit weak since Mohammed, the founder of Islam, was an Arab. Even so, Islam embraces the prophets of Judaism and the Muslim holy book, which is the Koran, borrows heavily from the Jewish Tanakh (Gerner 10).

Islam and Christianity share the idea of an afterlife. The two religions believe that the world will end at some time in the future and that when this happens, people will exist as souls in the afterlife. Both religions warn their followers to prepare for a great judgment during this afterlife (Baker 131).

In the afterlife, people will be rewarded with heaven or cast into hell depending on their deeds while on earth. The concept of heaven and hell arises since both religions believe that God is just and he will therefore reward the good with heaven and punish the evil people with hell.

Islam and Christianity place special emphasis on giving alms and helping the needy in society. For Muslims, being charitable is a key tenet of the religion and it is included in the third pillar of Islam (Ayoub 364). Every Muslim has a religion obligation to give part of his wealth to the needy if he is well off.

Christians are exhorted to be charitable to their neighbors and help the needy. The Christian bible declares that the person who has a lot should share with those in need around him so that God can bless him (Baker 150). By following these teachings on alms-giving, followers of Islam and Christianity offer help to the unfortunate members of the society.

Conclusion

This paper set out to highlight the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. It began by noting that while Christianity and Islam appear to be absolute opposites, the two religions have many similar beliefs in addition to their differences. The major differences include the respective religion founders, the status of Jesus, and how followers of the two religions attain salvation. However, there are some major similarities beginning with the monotheistic nature of both religions and their roots in Judaism.

In addition to this, the two religions share in the concept of the afterlife and believers of both religions are encouraged to observe good morals and help the needy in society. Considering these facts about the two religions, followers of Islam and Christianity should avoid the deep animosity they have towards each other since their religions have similar roots and many important common beliefs.

Works Cited

Ayoub, Mahmoud. “The Islamic Tradition.” World Religions: Western Traditions. Ed. Willard G. Oxtoby, 2nd ed. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2002. 342-455. Print.

Baker, David. Biblical faith and other religions: an evangelical assessment. NY: Kregel Academic, 2004. Print

Gerner, Katy. Islam. NY: Marshall Cavendish. 2008. Print.

Streng, Fredrick, “The Nature and Study of Religion.” The Nature and Study of Religion. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2000. 1-18. Print.

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