Islam Christianity Three Sunday Course April 23

Islam & Christianity Three Sunday Course April 23, 30 & May 7, 2017 Comparison of Christianity & Islam The Articles of Faith & the Five Pillars of Islam How Islam Started, Its Major Sects & Its Controversies

Definitions Islam is the name of the religion. Muslim is the name given to people who believe in Islam. The Quran or Koran is the religious text of Islam. It is akin to our Bible. Muhammad is the Muslims' ultimate example of piety, morality and wisdom. A Hadith is a saying of Muhammad or a report about something he did.

Islam & Christianity Comparison of Christianity & Islam

Major Islamic & Christian Beliefs Similar Beliefs Same God, Creator, Giver of Life Guidance from God in Torah & from Old Testament prophets Heaven, hell & final judgment day Guidance from Jesus, born of Mary & who ascended to Heaven Islamic Views God is not a Trinity, thus, Jesus is not His Son, just a prophet. Text of Bible has been corrupted over time; the Quran has not been corrupted. Muhammad is a messenger of the Word of God.

Summary Comparison of Christianity and Islam -1 Christianity Islam 30 AD 622 CE Place founded Israel Mecca and Medina, Arabia Founders & early leaders Jesus, Peter, Paul Muhammad Original languages Aramaic and Greek Arabic Adherents worldwide today 2 billion, largest in world 1. 6 billion, 2 nd largest in world Date founded Lissa Caldina https: //lissahk. wordpress. com

Summary Comparison of Christianity and Islam -2 Religious Authority Christianity Islam Sacred text Bible = Old Testament + New Testament Qur'an Inspiration of sacred text views vary: literal Word of God, inspired human accounts, or of human origin only literal Word of God Biblical prophets true prophets Summaries of doctrine Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed Six Articles of Faith Lissa Caldina https: //lissahk. wordpress. com

Summary Comparison of Christianity and Islam -3 Beliefs & Doctrine Christianity Islam Status of Jewish Bible Canonical, referred to as the Old Testament Noncanonical but useful as a (corrupted) inspired text Spiritual beings angels and demons angels, demons, jinn Identity of Jesus Son of God, God incarnate, savior true prophet of God, whose message has been corrupted Birth & Death of Jesus virgin birth, death by crucifixion & ascension into heaven virgin birth but did not die, ascended into heaven (a disciple died in his place) Mode of divine revelation through Prophets and Jesus (as God Himself), recorded in Bible Lissa Caldina https: //lissahk. wordpress. com through Muhammad, recorded in Qur'an

Summary Comparison of Christianity and Islam -4 Beliefs & Doctrine Christianity Islam Human nature "original sin" inherited from Adam - tendency towards evil equal ability to do good or evil Means of salvation correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone) correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars Afterlife eternal heaven & hell eternal paradise or hell View of the Islam is respected as a fellow Christians are respected other monotheistic religion, but as "People of the Book, " religion Muhammad is not seen as a but they have mistaken true prophet beliefs and only partial revelation Lissa Caldina https: //lissahk. wordpress. com

Articles of Faith 1. Belief that Allah is the only deity & Muhammad is His messenger. 2. Belief that God has angels. 3. Belief in the Books of God , especially the Qu'ran 4. Belief in successive revelations of Adam, Noah, Jonah, Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the last from Muhammad. 5. Belief that the world will end, judgment will occur, and there will be life afterward. 6. Belief in supremacy of God's will.

The Five Pillars of Islam 1. Testimony and declaration of faith – Allah is God alone. 2. Prayer 5 times a day 3. Give 2 & ½ % of surplus wealth to charity 4. Fast during month of Ramadan 5. Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime

Islam & Christianity How Islam Started

Ancient Trade Routes

Ancient History Time Line Century - Date 1 st BC Roman Empire expands 1 st AD Jesus's life, death & resurrection 4 th AD Emperor Constantine embraces Christianity 330 AD Roman Empire splits & Byzantine Empire begins 476 AD Roman Empire falls 610 AD Muhammad's prophet-hood begins; creation of Islam 632 AD Muhammad dies; Islam spreads throughout Arabia 632 -661 Arab Muslims conquer Jerusalem & Middle East 661 -699 Arab Muslims conquer N. Africa & Spain 700 -716 Arab Empire extends from Lisbon to China

Muhammad Born in Mecca in 570 CE & orphaned before he was 6. Raised by his uncle, he became a merchant, married at 25, an older, wealthy woman, and rose in status in Meccan society. At 40 he heard voice of angel Gabriel & began proclaiming God's message. Meccans, who were polytheists, feared his teachings would bring an end to tribal gods and to abuse of the poor, enslaved, orphans, widows and women so they persecuted him. His wife and uncle die, and he is forced to leave & settles in Medina, 280 miles north.

Muhammad His followers grow in numbers. Their common faith bands them together rather than tribal affiliation. His attempts to convert Jews fail. Raiding, particularly rich caravans from Mecca, & warfare were source of income for Medans. In 628 CE, Muhammad negotiates peace with Meccans. Following the killing of one of his followers in Mecca, Muhammad leads attack on Mecca which surrenders. Polytheism in Mecca is eliminated. Muhammad receives revelations until his death in 632.

Islam & Christianity Major Sects of Islam Shia (~15%) & Sunni (~85%)

Muslim Distribution Today

Islam & Christianity Controversies of Islam

Muslim Extremists Less than 1% of Muslims in Europe & the USA are at risk of becoming radicalized. Radicalization doesn't always lead to violent extremism. Radicalization might just mean that Sharia law is favored. Probably less than 1% of the 1% of Muslims at risk of becoming radicalized will become extremists. This probability is higher in Islamic countries.

Violent Extremism And Domestic Radicalization Radicals exist on the fringes of every religion. Religion can influence it, particularly in Islamic societies. Charismatic clerics play a pivotal role. Radicalization is driven by personal dissatisfaction, grievances, indignation, and a sense of adventure. Abject poverty and unemployment among youth makes them easy prey for radicalization. Social contacts and networks play an integral role. The desire to affect societal and political change can easily enthuse radicalism. Javid Ahmad, a South Asia analyst, graduate student at Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University

Sharia Law It is Quran & Hadith based guidance created by Islamic scholars. It is not a book of statutes, regulations & judicial precedent like Western law which confines itself largely to matters relating to crime, contract, civil relationships and individual rights. It is both religious & civil law in some Islamic countries. It is not law in all countries with Muslim majorities. It has been developed to help Muslims understand how they should lead every aspect of their lives according to God's wishes. It recognizes rights of women but more limited than what we have. It is not anti-feminist. It has harsher punishments than what we have.