My Midterm

7a). Compare and contrast Islam with Judaism, how is it similar, how is it different?
7b). Compare and contrast Islam with Christianity how is it similar, how is it different?

Answer:

7a). Compare and contrast Islam with Judaism, how is it similar, how is it different?

When comparing the religion of Islam with that of Judaism one finds that Muslims agree with portions of the Jewish Bibles up to a certain point as they share the same heritage of the people starting with Ishmael who was the first son of Abraham (After God had promised a son to Abraham, Sarah his wife believing that she was barren, gave Abraham her servant Hagar to bear his son.) The accounts of heritage deviate as Sarah eventually had her own son and persuaded Abraham that Ishmael and Hagar should be sent away.

The main philosophical teachings and practices of Islam are: God, Creation, human soul, and the Day of Judgment. Most of the basic theological concepts are closely related to that of Judaism. Islam also agrees with Judaism that in the beginning was God. Islam uses the Arabic term “Allah” which when translated means “The God.” Judaism refers to God using the Hebrew term “Yahweh.” Both Muslim and Jewish faiths have a monotheistic view of a Supreme Being (God) where everything is hinged on that strict view of God (the one and only God.) The Jewish people add that one cannot give oneself completely too more than one God.

Regarding the concept of creation, the Koran states that God created it and that is not some result of evolution. Judaism confirms a creation theory. In their account, God created everything and He declared that what He created was good! As such God then went on to mandate that his children “take dominion” or manage over the earth and everything within it.

Regarding Human’s, the Koran states that they are most important to God and that human’s are naturally good, it has not been tainted by some devastating fall. Life is a gift from the creator and as such one should be grateful and ready to surrender oneself back to the service of God. Jewish people find meanings in human existence because God thinks humans are important even though they don’t always match up to his standards. It was their moral weakness that weighed heavy for the Jews. They recognized that human life was free to choose it own destiny (free choice.) Since this was possible, Jews often saw humans at continually “missing the mark” or not matching up with God’s standards. Even though they had this tendency to miss the mark, their God was a loving God, who still relished in having them as his children.

The Koran also speaks about a “Day of Judgment”, where life is brief and offers one a chance for choice. Depending on how one chose to handle life one’s soul will either reach Heaven or be sent a Hell as each person will be held accountable for their actions and how they kept God’s commands while on Earth. The judgment will not be from God but from the soul itself. Death will bring the soul away from the natural self-serving tendencies allowing one to see fully how one has responded in life. It will be one’s own actions that will accuse or confirm one. Overall the Koran emphasizes deeds more than thoughts. Jewish people on the other hand viewed themselves for responsibility rather than just having fun (privileges.) They felt that they had been chosen by God to serve and to suffer any trials that their service would throw at them. Because of this they imposed a far more demanding morality on themselves than that of any of their peers. They felt their experiences brought them a better understanding of God’s elevated place among them and their neighbors, and brought about standards of justice and morality that still continue to challenge the world today. Some followers believe that “God has chosen Israel to be a unique instrument for good, where as others believe “cultural diversity enriches society.” The intent of ritualistic observance it to hallow life. Overall, Judaism is a faith in people and Jewish history has played a significant role in human history.

In regards to Divine revelation, Islam tells of how people of high influence began to believe in Muhammad’s claims and eventually acknowledged him as Allah’s prophet. According to the Muslim faith, Muhammad received his call during one of his meditated trances. In one particular instance an angel (said to be the Angel Gabriel) came to him in the form of a man and told him to “Proclaim.” Over time this voice returned to him again and again with the same command. Muhammad than decided to give his life to the service of God, preaching the words God was to give to him. The Jewish people also had Prophets (ones who spoke with authority from God) from time to time. These Prophets were extraordinary men who easily worked one on one with people while helping to shape the overall social structure of the group. Prophetic notions of Jewish history a common theme; everyone is a child of God and as such required respect. Thus through the Prophets Jewish people found meaning relating around the subject of justice.

In Islam salvation is from correct beliefs and good deed. The Koran instructs people to walk in a straight path (a straightforward, direct and implicit path.) In Islam the guidelines are the “five pillars” which are the principles of how one should regulate one’s life. First of these is a confession of faith (Islamic creed), claiming only one God and his prophet Muhammad. The second pillar is a canonical prayer that gives gratitude for life and to keep it in perspective and remove selfish motives. The third pillar is charity. Each person should share 2 ½ % of ones holdings to the poor. The fourth pillar is the observance of Ramadan which is the holy month for Muslims. It also reminds one of equality with others and brings people from various countries together which breaks down ethnic barriers. In addition to the five pillars, Muslims stay away from gambling, stealing, lying, drinking, drugs, and sexual promiscuity. Jewish people on the other hand viewed themselves for responsibility rather than just having fun (privileges.) They felt that they had been chosen by God to serve and to suffer any trials that their service would throw at them. Because of this they imposed a far more demanding morality on themselves than that of any of their peers. They felt their experiences brought them a better understanding of God’s elevated place among them and their neighbors, and brought about standards of justice and morality that still continue to challenge the world today.

In respect to sacred writings, Islam has the Koran. According to Muslims the Koran is a continuing revelation of God and presents itself as the crowning touch to Jewish and Christian writings. It however evaluates the Old Testament as having defects and claims that they only have portions of the truth and had been corrupted in their recording which explains what they feel are discrepancies between their accounts and the Koran’s version. Judaism has the Bible. As they Jewish people understand and explain it, what they had learned was revealed to them by God. The Jewish scribes recorded their interactions with God in books, one of which was called “The Torah”, First in Abraham God revealed the truth of that there is only one God, secondly to Moses he provided the 10 commandments.

7b). Compare and contrast Islam with Christianity how is it similar, how is it different?

When comparing the religion of Islam with that of Christianity one finds that Muslims agree with portions of the Bible (as with the Judaism as well) up to a certain point as they share the same heritage of the people starting with Ishmael who was the first son of Abraham (After God had promised a son to Abraham, Sarah his wife believing that she was barren, gave Abraham her servant Hagar to bear his son.) The accounts of heritage deviate as Sarah eventually had her own son and persuaded Abraham that Ishmael and Hagar should be sent away.

The main philosophical teachings and practices of Islam include: God, Creation, human soul, and the Day of Judgment. Like Judaism, most of the basic theological concepts are closely related to that of Christianity. Islam also agrees with Christianity that in the beginning was God. Islam uses the Arabic term “Allah” which when translated means “The God.” Christianity (like Judaism) refers to God using the Hebrew term “Yahweh.” However, both Muslim and Christian’s faiths have a different interpretation of the monotheistic view of a Supreme Being (God.) Christians add in the concept of the Trinity, while recognizing that God is fully one, he is also three, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. Key to the Christian beliefs was the doctrine of Incarnation in which God assumed a human body, affirming that Christ was fully God and Man. The core of Christianity centers on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus claimed to have the Spirit of the Lord upon him. Jesus was more interested in healing humanity that in just healing individual. The Koran honored Jesus as a prophet and accepts his virgin birth, however did not accept the notion that Jesus is God incarnate, nor does the Koran recognize the Holy Spirit and the concept of the Trinity.

Regarding the concept of creation, the Koran states that God created it and that is not some result of evolution. Christianity (like Judaism) confirms a creation theory. In their account, God created everything and He declared that what He created was good! As such God then went on to mandate that his children “take dominion” or manage over the earth and everything within it.

Regarding Human’s, the Koran states that they are most important to God and that human’s are naturally good, it has not been tainted by some devastating fall. Life is a gift from the creator and as such one should be grateful and ready to surrender oneself back to the service of God. For Christianity the ultimate show of affection of God to people was displayed in the doctrine of Incarnation in which God assumed a human body, affirming that Christ was fully God and Man. To Christians, Jesus had really been born, really suffered, really died, really buried and really rose from the Dead. They saw this as bridging the Gap between God and Man. Like the Jewish people Christian’s also found meaning in human existence because God thinks humans are important even though they don’t always match up to his standards. It was their moral weakness that weighed heavy for the Jews. They too recognized that human life was free to choose it own destiny (free choice.) Since this was possible, they often saw humans at continually “missing the mark” or not matching up with God’s standards. Even though they had this tendency to miss the mark, their God was a loving God, who still relished in having them as his children.

The Koran also speaks about a “Day of Judgment”, where life is brief and offers one a chance for choice. Depending on how one chose to handle life one’s soul will either reach Heaven or be sent a Hell as each person will be held accountable for their actions and how they kept God’s commands while on Earth. The judgment will not be from God but from the soul itself. Death will bring the soul away from the natural self-serving tendencies allowing one to see fully how one has responded in life. It will be one’s own actions that will accuse or confirm one. Overall the Koran emphasizes deeds more than thoughts.
Christians on the other hand viewed themselves

In regards to Divine revelation, Islam tells of how people of high influence began to believe in Muhammad’s claims and eventually acknowledged him as Allah’s prophet. According to the Muslim faith, Muhammad received his call during one of his meditated trances. In one particular instance an angel (said to be the Angel Gabriel) came to him in the form of a man and told him to “Proclaim.” Over time this voice returned to him again and again with the same command. Muhammad than decided to give his life to the service of God, preaching the words God was to give to him. Like the Jewish, Christians shared the same Prophets (ones who spoke with authority from God) from time to time. However for the Christians, Divine revelation came from the life and actions of Jesus.

In respect to sacred writings, Islam has the Koran. According to Muslims the Koran is a continuing revelation of God and presents itself as the crowning touch to both Jewish and Christian writings. It however evaluates the Old and New Testament as having defects and claims that they only have portions of the truth and had been corrupted in their recording which explains what they feel are discrepancies between their accounts and the Koran’s version. Christianity (like Judaism) has the Bible and includes both Old and New testaments. Christians feels that the combined texts reveal the mind of God, the state of man, and the way of salvation.

In Islam salvation is from correct beliefs and good deed. The Koran instructs people to walk in a straight path (a straightforward, direct and implicit path.) In Islam the guidelines are the “five pillars” which are the principles of how one should regulate one’s life. First of these is a confession of faith (Islamic creed), claiming only one God and his prophet Muhammad. The second pillar is a canonical prayer that gives gratitude for life and to keep it in perspective and remove selfish motives. The third pillar is charity. Each person should share 2 ½ % of ones holdings to the poor. The fourth pillar is the observance of Ramadan which is the holy month for Muslims. It also reminds one of equality with others and brings people from various countries together which breaks down ethnic barriers. In addition to the five pillars, Muslims stay away from gambling, stealing, lying, drinking, drugs, and sexual promiscuity. For Christians it is a faith in Jesus resurrection from the dead that produced the Church and Salvation for his followers. It was easily to see Jesus’ life as one that provides an example for us as to how to life and give of ones self. To the Christians, they now saw the love God had for them in his willingness to limit himself to human life and to suffer on behalf of it. Another key belief was the doctrine of Atonement, which came from Christ’s life and subsequent death which provided the reconciliation needed from humanity’s missing the mark, going their own way and disobeying God (as first seen from eating forbidden fruit.) Christ’s death paid the penalty.