Comparison of Christian and Muslim faiths
Criteria |
Christian faith |
Muslim Faith |
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Key elements of Faith |
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Key Figure |
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Current Position Today |
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Understanding of Jesus Christ |
The Person
His work
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The Person ( see Suran 9 v30) His work |
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Understanding of God |
(see John 3 v16) |
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Holy Spirit |
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Holy Writings |
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Unfortunately there are numerous Faults and Errors in the Koran (Quran) including Historical errors, Various versions, unsubstantiated stories, Inherent Contradictions. Muslims such as Dr Zakir Naik who try to criticise the Bible deliberately distort and dishonestly misquote scripture to suit their own arguments. A Zakir quote "If Osama Bin Laden is terrorizing the enemies of Islam, I am with him. If he is terrorizing America, the biggest terrorist, then I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist." Zakir, A sad individual who promotes violence and death, a core belief of Islam. |
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Doctrine of Humanity |
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Doctrine of Sin |
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Doctrine of Salvation |
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Meeting Place |
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Life after Death |
Two Destinations
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Two Destinations |
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Treatment of Enemies |
Love your Enemies
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Koran teaches "Kill your Enemies"
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Other Characteristics |
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Treatment of other Faiths |
Christians in the main believe and agree that all man and women have a right to freedom of religious beliefs. This is why there is a multitude of faiths, cults and sects within the Western world including Muslims, Hindu, Buddists, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. Christians have been criticised for the Crusades but this was a reaction against the spread of Islam by the Sword (the Ottoman Empire) across Europe in late 1,000s. This bloody action was horrific and brutal and not supported by Christians today. |
Generally Islam is intolerant of others beliefs certainly as the percentage of Muslims within a country increase, this intolerance and aggression to other faiths increases. A list Islamic Terror Groups follows:- In Bali there has now has been two serious bombings with the last 3 years killing over 200 innocent tourists. Individual Persecution on non-Muslims, torture, murder, destruction of private and publicly controlled property (churches), removal of rights to worship freely, removal of religious holidays, discrimination against non-Muslims are commonplace. (reference the current treatment of non-Muslims in Sudan, Indonesia and Pakistan. ) A few examples of many: In Indonesia in the years 1965 to 1997 over 395 churches have been attacked by muslims. In October 2006, Pastor Irianto Kongkoli (General Secretary of the Christian Church of Central Sulawesi) was shot dead in Palu. In Saudi Arabia, between 1990 and 1993, 329 Christians were arrested, some were flogged. In Nigeria in 2006, 50 Nigerian Christians were murdered by irate Muslims as a result of cartoons of the "so called" prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper. An absolute sorry waste of precious lives by hot headed Muslims who don't value human life. In Jigawa State, Nigeria in Sept 2006 Islamic extremists went on the rampage. 2000 Nigerian Christians were left homeless, 80 christian businesses vandalised or burned, 6 people seriously injured and 14 churches destroyed. In Maiduguguri, Nigeria in October 2009 Islamic "Boko Haram" sect went on a killing rampage, 700 Christians were killed. In the Philippines, in June 2006 Pastor Mocsin Hasim and his daughter Mercilyn were shot dead in western Mindanao. Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are the suspected killers. In Iran during 2006, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad using his secret Police have applied intense violent pressure against Christians in Iran. Beatings, harassment, bashings and imprisonment against converted Muslims are common actions by the Islamic Government and now murder. Mr Ghorban Tourani was taken from his home in mid 2006 and murdered by Iranian Police. Then his blood drenched body was dumped at the front of his home within a few hours after being taken. This is same president who claims to be developing a peaceful nuclear industry that the United Nations, Israel and the US are so concerned about. There is strong evidence that Iran is funding Hezbollah's massive accumulation of missles that are proposed to be used against Israel. In Somalia, the country is ruled by warloads - Islamic Radicals. If you become a Christian in Somalia it means an almost instant death sentence. In Mumbai, India, in November 2008 171 Indians, Westerners and Jews were murdered by Islamic Radicals. Over 290 seriously injured. See photo below. Although horrific, this is not surprising because the Quran sees Christianity as a specific enemy of Islam. See Surah 4:17 and 5:14, 17, 72-73 and 75. (reference "Mosques and Miracles" book) Will violence by Muslims against Christians and Westerners continue across the world?. The answer is obvious , but the Lord Jesus is our strength and refuge in times of trouble.. |
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Treatment of Women (in accordance with Bible and Koran) |
Christian men called to love and respect and honour their wives. (see Ephesians 5 v25-28 and 1 Peter 3 v7) Women have a different role to men but equal under God. Equal rights on earth and heaven. Co heirs of God's love and gift - salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
Women generally treated as lesser importance as men. Emancipated throughout much of the Muslim world & treated as inferior. Eg. Young women in Afghanistan refused education when the Taliban Government ruled the country. Koran teaches that wives are for reproductive purposes and are likened to farmland. see Surah 2 v223. If wives are disobedient to their husbands they are to be beaten until they submit. see Surah 4 v34 Courageous women who are prepared denounce the muslim faith as "backward" such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali receive Death threats.
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Reference material for this table have been drawn from the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention and the Book "Mosques and Miracles - Revealing Islam and God's Grace" by Stuart Robinson - City Harvest Publications. A truly excellent book.
I consider it is key issue for all Christians to educate themselves about the Islamic religion. Islam will have a dramatic violent and aggressive affect on the free western world over the next 10 years and yet many Christians and non believers think nothing will change and consider Islam will not affect them..
For those readers who still believe ISLAM is a religion of Peace, Please click the link below.