FREE ESSAY ON ISLAM VS CHRISTIANITY

ISLAM VS CHRISTIANITY

Similarities and Differences between Christianity and Islam
The Muslim and Christian religions are two religions that share many concepts and beliefs
while at the same time having major differences in some areas of faith. The Islamic
religion was influenced in part by Christianity but developed into a very different
practice with its own unique rituals, prayers, and beliefs. In the Muslim faith, their
primary source of religious belief is the Qur'an, which was written by the prophet
Muhammed in a series of revelations, which lasted for 23 years from about 610 CE to 622
CE. 
The similarities between the two religions begin by looking at the basic concepts of each
religion. First, both are monotheistic and god is recognized as the creator who is
omnipotent and all knowing. Both believe that a prophet, Muhammad for Islam and Jesus for
Christians, were the last prophets to come to earth sent by god and each of the prophets
are responsible for at least some of the religion's holy book writing. In both religions,
god has a unique relationship with his people and makes covenants with them. It is also
understood in both religions that the world will come to an end someday and no one knows
when. At the end of the world, an evil figure, Satan, will be defeated and god will judge
all humans based on the moral code specified in the agreement with god. Both religions
also have books that are the primary source of religious knowledge. If a sin or
transgression from what is desired occurs both religion's god accept an apology and are
forgiven if they truly are sincere. The moral codes of the religions are also similar in
that in both, parents have special rights as do spouses and consequently adultery is
forbidden. Also, both maintain that society's laws must be obeyed and intoxication and
suicide are prohibited.
The differences between these two religions can begin with the fundamental fact that the
practitioners of Islam do not believe in the trinity and Jesus is not viewed as the same
as god. Muslims believe that Christ was not crucified nor killed by the Jews and that
certain circumstances created an illusion in the minds of his enemies. They also believe
that God raised Jesus from earth to heaven to reside with him (i.e. they are two
different people.)[Qur'an 4:157,158 & 3:55 & 4:157]. Christianity maintains that in fact
he was killed and crucified by the Jews under Pontious Pilot. Christians believe in
original sin, where all mankind is held responsible for the sins of Adam and Eve, which
only the sacrament of baptism can terminate. Muslims believe that all mankind is born
pure and people are responsible for their actions and not anybody else's. Entering into
heaven in the eyes of a Christian is an advantage enjoyed only by them while the Muslims
believe that no religion has a monopoly on salvation and all who follow a pious and
faithful life will enjoy paradise [Quran 4:124]. The Qur'an exists today exactly how it
did the day it was revealed to Muhammad. A special council was called in the early days
of Christianity where Constantine presided over the debate regarding the Nature of Jesus
around 325 C.E. The council codified standard Christian belief (Nicene Creed) and gave
the New Testament its current form. This action deprived some books the status of
scripture and thus made them less important. These books survive today and are known as
the Apocrypha. In Catholicism the pope, and the Patriarch in the Orthodox faith, has a
direct connection to god and interprets his word for the masses and can change various
beliefs from time to time claiming god himself inspired the changes. Muslims derive their
law from the Qur'an and from the Hadith, which in no ways contradicts the Qur'an.