The Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, are the three key Western Religions that emphasize monotheism, achieving peace though justice, God’s love and mercy, all trace their lineage back to Abraham. Abraham provides legitimacy for the religions and also establishes the fact that there is a singular God worshiped by all three religions (Oxtoby). Although, in theory, the Abrahamic religions are supposed to act as siblings waiting for the arrival of the parent, God, there has been much conflict among the religions due to differing interpretations of faith and key religions figures though out history. The three Abrahamic religions all originated from the same geographical area and contain interrelated scriptural elements as well as similar, yet sometimes differing, views on ideological and practical topics. There is evidence to suggest that all three Abrahamic religions have been influenced by the paganism as well as other religions, especially Zoroastrianism, that preceded them.
In Christianity it is believed that Jesus Christ was the savior to all humanity and was sent to Earth by his father (God) to pay for the sins of all mankind. In Judaism on the other hand, Jesus was merely a prophet. Both Christianity and Judaism were established in Israel. Christianity was founded around 30 AD in contrast to Judaism which started around 1000 BC. Although a few sacred readings and the form that followers pray are similar in both religions they are also slightly different.
They both focus on adoration, submission, and Supplication. There are also similarities between the Quranic and Biblical stories, such as Adam and Eve, Moses and the Children of Israel. Similarities about creation also exist. Genesis 1:1,2 states, “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of GOD was moving over the surface of the waters.
In general, there are similar ethical beliefs amongst Christians due to Judaism being the only root of Christian ethics. In general Christian ethics is deontological and authoritarian and what is deemed right or wrong is based on belief in God. The ethics of Christianity is based on the holy bible, which is a library of books that expresses Christian faith. As the bible was written over a long period of time and includes many different teachings and morals, there is no overall biblical morality that can be chosen therefore different denominations choose different parts of the bible to support their beliefs. For instance in Genesis it says that ‘God breathed the breath of man into Adam’s nostrils’ and from this Roman Catholics can argue that as God has given life, only he can take it away so things such as abortion, euthanasia and murder are absolute wrongs.
The principal beliefs of Christianity are highlighted in the Ten Commandments, the Nicene Creed, the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule. The principal beliefs of Christianity are influenced by Judaism. As a monotheistic religion, adherents believe there is strictly only one God, originating from the Jewish YHWH. Christians believe that God is the Trinity, meaning one being of three co-equal persons – the Father who is the creator and sustainer of all life, the Son who is the redeemer, and the Holy Spirit which is the sanctifier. Christians believe that God created the world and all that is in it.
Mormons payers are ways of communicating with God. Comparing and contrasting the Islamic to the Mormon, both claims Prophets revealing the book are the guideline for their beliefs Qur’an and The Book of Mormon. Both claim the final prophet of God, Prophet Mohammed and Prophet Joseph Smith. Both were the long lost faith as the one true religion. Islam makes claim that Adam and Abraham were Muslims.
Originating in the Middle East, it quickly spread to Europe, Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Egypt. Christianity is related to western civilization. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, and the savior of humanity whose coming as Christ or the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament. 2. Islam: Also a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Qur’an (a religious text considered by its followers to be the word of God).
The two groups’ backgrounds both highly honor scripture. In the second chapter of Square Peg Robert Mulholland discloses the idea that fundamentalists believe the Bible has “comprehensive and rationally accessible inerrant divine truths or propositions.” Their idea of the Bible is that it becomes a collection of information given vocally or dictated to writers. On the contrary, Wesleyans have the belief that the Bible is the resource by which believers need to focus on the message of God. This message is most definitively given through Jesus Christ coming to earth. However, it appears that the shift in focus can drastically change the interpretations in the Bible.
Above all other areas of dogma within Christianity, monotheism tops the list. Monotheism is the belief in one God who rules over all. This one God is the creator, and stabilizer of the universe we reside in. Christianity also believes in the Bible being the only set of scripture inspired by the word of God; Virgin Birth; martyrdom; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the second coming of Christ; the creation of the world through the one true God; life after death; Hell; Paradise after death; and the Holy Trinity. Above all of these dogmas, the faith in a one creator God who rules the universe is the most important.
Islam vs. Hinduism Islam vs. Hinduism Introduction In the world today, there exists many religions and unlike Christianity, Islam and Hinduism tend to have similar beliefs, characteristics and some differences. Relations between the two religions started when Islam was introduced to the Indian sub-continent in the early seventh century (Hossein Nasr, 2003). Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam make up the world's three largest religions. Hinduism consists of a socio- religious way of Hindu life, while Islam is a monotheistic religion, which shares most of its concepts with Abrahamic religions, unlike Hinduism, which shares common elements with dhārmic religions (Williams, 2000). Islam vs. Hinduism Islam is believed to have originated in the deserts of Arabia because of native traditions.