1. Christianity vs. Islam Amber Laurin

2. Origins of Christianity Offshoot of Judaism First appeared around 33 A.D. Founded by the Apostle Paul after the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. Catholicism was the first denomination, most prominent up until 1500 Spiritual revolt around the 1500s, created the second non-catholic denomination, Lutheranism. Currently over 33,800 recognized denominations of Christianity (per the book) Christianity is the largest religion in the world.

3. Islamic Origins Muslims believe that Allah spoke to humans through prophets For Muslims, Muhammad was the messenger of God Muhammad delivered a religious message and a social order Muhammad was troubled by the idolatry of the Arabs and the fate of his people on Judgment day

4. The concern over these two issues caused Muhammad to suffer a kind of spiritual stress Then Muhammad deiced that there was only one God, Allah Muhammad also believed that church and state should not be separate so he created the city-state Medina Muhammad also preached what is now known as religious particularism

5. Basic Assumptions of Christianity Heart of Christian Faith: Assertion “that the crucified Jesus was resurrected by god and present in the church as the Body of Christ” Single omnipresent, omnipotent God Belief that salvation is possible only through their caring and loving creator Teachings of Jesus have been modified over time.

6. Basic Assumptions of Islam Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God (Allah) Submission to the will of God Events in life are predestined by Allah Koran

7. High/low context

8. Context of Islam The message is indirect, and is in the context of what is said, and gestures and expressions used. Will expect the receiver to understand the message, thus will talk around the main point (Prayer service, the individual is expected to know what is going on) Islam expects more from the group; (Jihad misinterpreted, radical islamists) Islam is based on respect (Hajji, elders, leaders, etc…)

9. Context of Christianity The message is direct, and in the Language we use. Expects the receiver to not understand the main point, will directly give it to him (Church, message is given directly) Christianity expects more from the Individual; (Salvation is individual) Christianity is based more on openness (about beliefs, thoughts, and ideals.)

10. TIME ORIENTATION

11. Time and Christianity Christianity is a “doing,” future oriented culture The doing aspect is seen in how Jesus lived his life The Jesus movement began to send out emissaries from the very beginning and told his story to all who would listen Jesus’ disciple, Peter, stated “He went about doing good.”

12. Jesus is portrayed to have been an active man and encouraged his followers to be active as well Jesus traveled from place to place healing the sick and Christians today still believe in trying to nurse the sick Christianity is also a future oriented religion In Christianity one of the lessons that is taught is that the future is very important

13. Muck states of Christianity “ no matter what happened in the past, it is the future that holds greatest promise.” The idea of a heaven also promotes this thinking toward the future

14. Time and Islam Islam is a future and present oriented religion The present and value of now is seen through the believe of a pilgrimage Every Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mecca during his or her lifetime During the official three days the individual visits multiple holy sites and is a part of multiple rituals During the journey the emphasis is placed on now

15. It can also be stated that Islam is a future oriented religion One major believe in Islam is the believe of the Last Judgment and an afterlife According to the Islamic teachings every person will be judged by Allah and will either be sent to heaven or hell “Islam says that what we experience in the afterlife is a revealing of our tendencies in this life. Our thoughts, actions, and moral qualities are turned into our outer reality.”

16. Gender

17. Gender and Christianity Old view: Women in second-class positions Paul in Timothy 1, “I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. Garden of Eden Adam created first, then Eden.

18. New view: Jesus as a “feminist” Jesus challenged Roman’s practices; Offering woman “not only greater status and influence within the church, but also more protection…” Defying custom, Jesus invited women to meals. “Although he only called men to be apostles, Jesus readily accepted women into his circle of friends and disciples.” Jesus helped define a new role for women by giving them greater responsibility. “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.” Number of women becoming priests is growing at a rapid rate.

19. Gender and Islam Difficult to describe: As westerners we are examining as “outsiders”. Worldwide attitudes regarding gender roles are constantly in a state of flux. Broad generalizations regarding gender often overlook regional differences. Koran and other religious teachings offer a variety of interpretations of women . Koran also contains several verses that make it apparent that “men are clearly depicted superior to women”

20. Dress of Women: (Koran instructs women to) “Cover their adornments” “draw their veils over their bosoms” “Modest in public and conceal their charms to all but their own men” Women from all backgrounds usually embrace rather than reject their religious tradition.

21. Human Nature

22. Human Nature Are people intrinsically good, evil, or a mix of both? Christianity According to the textbook: “We are rational beings, we have self-consciousness, and we have free choice.” Islam According to the textbook: “People have a penchant for evil and therefore cannot, when left to their own resources, be trusted to make a correct decision.”