Christianity and Islam share many characteristics that most people are not aware of. Prior to taking HH215, I, like many others, was quite ignorant to the several similarities shared by Islam and Christianity. I found it interesting that Islam and Christianity share many prophets, both recognize Jesus as a figure in the religion, and hail from the same background. With that being said, I would say that with the current state of the world that the two religions are mutually exclusive.
The two religions share many prophets, most notably prophets such as Jesus, Moses, and Noah. While their roles and stories are not exactly the same, the presence of these people was a shock to me. For example Noah is portrayed as a drunk in the bible, but not in the Islamic religion, because prophets would never be portrayed like that in Islam. Regardless of that, the reality is that the two share this figure. This parallel between the two religions is so shocking due to the fact that today they are perceived as polar opposites.
The most surprising fact is that both religions involve Jesus. Obviously, the Christian religion recognizes Jesus Christ as the most prominent figure, as the Messiah. They worship him as their God. Whereas the Islamic religion as a prophet of God, not as a god. Although the religions don’t view him in the same way, it is very interesting that they both include Jesus as a figure.
The previous two points prelude to the fact that they came from the same background. To someone growing up in this day and age it comes as a surprise that these two religions come from the same roots. Most probably believe the similarities end with monotheism, and nothing other than that. But the truth is that these religions share prophets, and similar beliefs, and come from the same origins, even share Jesus.
But are these religions mutually exclusive? I would say that in this world’s current state that they are. The world is filled with so much hate and conflict, and because of that fact these religions cannot seem to get along. If people on both side realized all of the similarities stated above, as well as the countless others, then these two religions could come together in harmony. For people on both sides they merely see the stereotypical radicalized groups, skin color, and background of each respective religion, and write them off completely. Until people on both sides overcome these differences then the religions will remain exclusive.
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http://www.islamforchristians.com/greatest-prophets-christianity-islam-prophet-noah/
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tViPIynK3_bqu_Rzf_DD1kP4Sagpe3EV
The West in the Pre-Modern World 