How similar are Islam and Christianity?

[ray245]

I read about many people talking as if Islam and Christianity are totally unrelated and different. However, I heard of certain stories between the bible and Qu'ran(Sorry if wrong spelling) are almost the same. Just those different names are used.

So just how similar are Islam and Christianity? Is Allah the same as God? Are the overall ideas and belief the same, just being viewed by believers differently, like Catholicism and protestant?

[General Zod]

Some of Islam's stuff might be comparable to the old testament in the Bible. I'm no means an expert on Islam, but after that everything is radically different. Jesus is not the savior of mankind, Mohammad is the last prophet of Allah, they have commandments for damned near everything. So it's far more obvious in the differences if you do some basic research on the topic than say, the difference between Protestants and Catholics.

[Falkenhayn]

I read about many people talking as if Islam and Christianity are totally unrelated and different. However, I heard of certain stories between the bible and Qu'ran(Sorry if wrong spelling) are almost the same. Just those different names are used.

So just how similar are Islam and Christianity? Is Allah the same as God? Are the overall ideas and belief the same, just being viewed by believers differently, like Catholicism and protestant?

Allah is the God of Abraham, and also Ahuru Mazda.

IIRC, the Prophet's on the record as saying there are so many Arabic words, and so many Arabic letters in the Koran, all straight from God, so there's NO room for interpretation.

Second, the Bible states clearly that other rival deities do exist, and God starved them (ex the Gods of Eqypt). The Koran says very clearly that there is no God but Allah.

So in Christianity, the worship of false Gods is very possible, while in Islam, anyone not a Muslim, Jew, Christian or Zoroastrian is simply delusional, if you catch my meaning.

[Pelranius]

I wasn't aware of any statements in the Koran regarding Ahuru Mazda. Will go look it up on the Net.

[Bounty]

So just how similar are Islam and Christianity? Is Allah the same as God? Are the overall ideas and belief the same, just being viewed by believers differently, like Catholicism and protestant?

IIRC, Islam is a combination of Judaism, Christianity, various pagan religions and Mohammed's own beliefs. It's based in the same tradition as Christianity and as far as I'm aware Muslims do accept Jesus Christ as an earlier prophet who had not yet been shown a 'full' revelation like Mohammed.

The overall beliefs are not the same, not in their origin and not in the way they developed over the centuries, but the religions do share the same root.

[Stark]

Yeah, I look at it as 'Judaism III: Revenge of the Arabs'. They appear to accept the OT, and some of the events of Christ's life (they ignore the 'he's god guyz' parts) and then add the unique flavour of Mohammad. It ends up somewhere different, but it has very similar roots.

[Bounty]

Yeah, I look at it as 'Judaism III: Revenge of the Arabs'.

More like Evil Dead II: not quite a sequel, not quite a remake, it just uses it's own interpretation of previous religions and builds from there.

[Rye]

I read about many people talking as if Islam and Christianity are totally unrelated and different. However, I heard of certain stories between the bible and Qu'ran(Sorry if wrong spelling) are almost the same. Just those different names are used.

Islamic stuff is a mix of judeo-christian theology and preislamic meccan mysticism (Jinn, for example). In practise, the religions are abrahamic and do not differ that much in how they're practised and what they depict. They all have a monotheistic worldview (christian godhead weirdness not withstanding), a male creator deity and the general teachings and mythologies of the old testament. They all have communal worship lead by a man and general misogyny that varies from mosque to mosque or church to church. They are all homophobic and all have typically violent fundamentalists.

So just how similar are Islam and Christianity? Is Allah the same as God? Are the overall ideas and belief the same, just being viewed by believers differently, like Catholicism and protestant?

Allah is just arabic for "the god" (al ilah), all arabic jews, christians and muslims refer to God by the name Allah in arabic. Their religions are peas in a pod and are grown from the same theological stock, however, time has evolved them away from one another though generally they have a fair bit in common.

Islamic pilgrimages are more based on Mohammed than Jesus or ancient judaism. The kabbah, the meteorite inside the big block they walk around is not jewish or christian or muslim in origin; that existed (as did the ritual walking around it and kissing the stone inside) prior to islam's arrival and they inherited it with a load of other meccan/medinan things. If you see a photo of the meteorite, it's actually situated in a big metal vagina. Seriously.

Islam teaches that the jewish interpretations are corrupt and that Jesus was definately not a god, nor the son of God, but a prophet. They refer to him as Isa and he is an important figure in islamic theology and eschatology as is my understanding.

There are important nuances to each faith, but yes, they're really quite similar and profess to believe in the god of Abraham, Yahweh.

[irishmick79]

There are interesting points of conversion between twelver Shi'ism and Catholicism. Fatimah and Mary are pretty prominent figures in both religions, and the idea of the return of the mahdi is strikingly similar to ideas about the return of Christ. Both faiths feature a strong sense of redemption through suffering, exemplified by the crucifixion of Jesus and the death of the Imam Husayn at the 'Battle' of Karbala.

There's a book that draws comparisons called Roman Catholics and Shi'ia Muslims - Passion, Power and Politics. I forget who the author is, but it's a pretty interesting read if you want to delve into the theological nuts and bolts.

[Darth Wong]

The similarity of Islam and Christianity depends on how much you care about knowing the finer details of both religions. At the core, they're both about the God of Abraham and the Jewish religious ideal of authoritarianism and monotheism, sans the notion of Jewish racial supremacy. They just have different details.

[Ariphaos]

The Arabian peninsula was one of the strongholds of the Unitarian heresy - believe in one, undivided God and the nondivinity of Jesus.

[Sarevok]

Rye is correct. The prophets of jews and christians are very important to muslims. They are accorded great respect. Many of the events in these religons are also believe by muslims. For example muslims believe in Noah's flood and the second most important muslim festival of the year is based around Abraham's sacrifice of his son. However one important aspect where Islam disagrees with Christianity is it says Jesus or Isa did not die. He was rescued by allah at the last moment and replaced by a doppleganger. It is believed by muslims that he would return one day. Like Christians muslims too wait his return.

[Big Orange]

Ah, but is Islam closer to Judaism?

[Darth Yoshi]

IIRC, Mohammed tried to cut back on Jewish elements in Islam after the Jews in Medina snubbed him. That was when the "bow towards Mecca daily" thing started (before that Muslims were to bow towards Jerusalem).

[irishmick79]

Ah, but is Islam closer to Judaism?

In the sense that both religions try to develop a complete dedication to God through faith in every aspect of life, yes. In terms of accessibility and doctrine, no. Islam is much more inclusive than Judaism.

[Big Orange]

Ah, but is Islam closer to Judaism?

In the sense that both religions try to develop a complete dedication to God through faith in every aspect of life, yes. In terms of accessibility and doctrine, no. Islam is much more inclusive than Judaism.

Of course, Judaism is much more intrinsically xenophobic than Christianity and Islam. That is why Christianity and Islam have vastly outgrown it's source religion (then both younger religions ironically saw their source religion as an obstacle when the adherents of the said source religion did not accept Christ or Mohammad).

[irishmick79]

Ah, but is Islam closer to Judaism?

In the sense that both religions try to develop a complete dedication to God through faith in every aspect of life, yes. In terms of accessibility and doctrine, no. Islam is much more inclusive than Judaism.

Of course, Judaism is much more intrinsically xenophobic than Christianity and Islam. That is why Christianity and Islam have vastly outgrown it's source religion (then both younger religions ironically saw their source religion as an obstacle when the adherents of the said source religion did not accept Christ or Mohammad).

Exactly. I guess I'm puzzled at by what your getting to with your question. In some instances it seems that shi'a islam at least has some striking similarities and common threads with christianity. The islamic religion as a whole is much more similar to christianity at least in terms of what it takes to join the faith (easy entry requirements, I mean). I'm no expert on the sunnis, so I can't really place their general outlook on things in relation to the jews or to the christians.

[Thirdfain]

I'm aware Muslims do accept Jesus Christ as an earlier prophet who had not yet been shown a 'full' revelation like Mohammed.

On the contrary, Muslims hold that Jesus (and the other prophets before him) were shown the full text of the Qu'ran and werre, in fact, Muslims. However, they contend that Jews and Christians failed to properly record the Word of God, leading to the creation of imperfect religions.

The overall beliefs are not the same, not in their origin and not in the way they developed over the centuries, but the religions do share the same root.

I've heard the Abrahamic (Judeo-Christian-Islamic) religion described as being two similar religions and one quite different religion all descending from the same roots. The two similar religions are Judaism and Islam, the different religion being Christianity.

The islamic religion as a whole is much more similar to christianity at least in terms of what it takes to join the faith (easy entry requirements, I mean). I'm no expert on the sunnis, so I can't really place their general outlook on things in relation to the jews or to the christians.

I agree, however, the actual practice and content of the religions is quite similar- just look at Jewish and Islamic jurisprudence. Judaism and Islam are much more comprehensive religions with stronger frameworks for the construction of a "holy" society than Christianity is.

[Big Orange]

Exactly. I guess I'm puzzled at by what your getting to with your question. In some instances it seems that shi'a islam at least has some striking similarities and common threads with christianity. The islamic religion as a whole is much more similar to christianity at least in terms of what it takes to join the faith (easy entry requirements, I mean). I'm no expert on the sunnis, so I can't really place their general outlook on things in relation to the jews or to the christians.

Is there a explanation why Judaism is much more xenophobic and insular? In my opinion Christianity is messianic and self righteous evil, Islam is fanatical and militant evil, while Judaism is arrogant and chauvinistic evil. Pour the three ingredients into the "Holy" Land and stir.

[irishmick79]

Exactly. I guess I'm puzzled at by what your getting to with your question. In some instances it seems that shi'a islam at least has some striking similarities and common threads with christianity. The islamic religion as a whole is much more similar to christianity at least in terms of what it takes to join the faith (easy entry requirements, I mean). I'm no expert on the sunnis, so I can't really place their general outlook on things in relation to the jews or to the christians.

Is there a explanation why Judaism is much more xenophobic and insular? In my opinion Christianity is messianic and self righteous evil, Islam is fanatical and militant evil, while Judaism is arrogant and chauvinistic evil. Pour the three ingredients into the "Holy" Land and stir.

I think it stems largely from the concept of 'the chosen people' in Judaism.

[Big Orange]

I think it stems largely from the concept of 'the chosen people' in Judaism.

Hmmm, is this religious concept unique? Or do other tribalistic religions hold similar chauvinistic notions?

[irishmick79]

The islamic religion as a whole is much more similar to christianity at least in terms of what it takes to join the faith (easy entry requirements, I mean). I'm no expert on the sunnis, so I can't really place their general outlook on things in relation to the jews or to the christians.

I agree, however, the actual practice and content of the religions is quite similar- just look at Jewish and Islamic jurisprudence. Judaism and Islam are much more comprehensive religions with stronger frameworks for the construction of a "holy" society than Christianity is.

Good point. To summarize so far, in terms of establishing a comprehensively "holy" approach to life, Islam has much more in common with Judaism. Islam has more in common with Christianity, however, in terms of entry requirements and has striking similarities with Christianity with some basic theological concepts, like the return of the Mahdi and the prominence of Fatima and Mary as holy women in their prospective faiths. Would you say that's an accurate summarization?

Hmmm, is this religious concept unique? Or do other tribalistic religions hold similar chauvinistic notions?

Not really - a lot of sects in Christianity view themselves as being the chosen people of God, like the Latter-Day Saints, and there are strands of that idea in Hinduism, although it's not a specific component of Hindu tradition. Judaism is the only major religion that I know of where the concept of ethnocentrism and exclusivity is etched out under that doctrine.

[Big Orange]

Hmmm, is this religious concept unique? Or do other tribalistic religions hold similar chauvinistic notions?

Not really - a lot of sects in Christianity view themselves as being the chosen people of God, like the Latter-Day Saints, and there are strands of that idea in Hinduism, although it's not a specific component of Hindu tradition. Judaism is the only major religion that I know of where the concept of ethnocentrism and exclusivity is etched out under that doctrine.

Well Judaic ethnocentrism would've been acceptable about 4000 years ago, but it really has no place in modern society (I think even the Romans 2000 years ago must've been annoyed by the Hebrew's religious-tribal snobbery). However that said, Christianity and Islam caused more worldwide damage through their militaristic and expansionist conversion of disparate peoples (and hypocritically preying on their source religion, Judaism).

[Z-Ha-Dum]

Not really - a lot of sects in Christianity view themselves as being the chosen people of God

I believe Christians would use the term "The Elect". Though if you look at the dictionary it means the same as "The Chosen People", Christianity makes a distinction. Chrsitians will always view the Jews as the chosen people of God, you can't change that. But being one of the elect makes you a notch higher that the chosen people.

[ArmorPierce]

Well Judaic ethnocentrism would've been acceptable about 4000 years ago, but it really has no place in modern society (I think even the Romans 2000 years ago must've been annoyed by the Hebrew's religious-tribal snobbery). However that said, Christianity and Islam caused more worldwide damage through their militaristic and expansionist conversion of disparate peoples (and hypocritically preying on their source religion, Judaism).

When has Islam preyed on Judaism?