Comparing Christianity and Islam
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Comparing Christianity and Islam
Christianity and Islam are two of the fastest growing religions, and they both have a lot in common. In this essay I will explain their differences and similarities, their messages, how they treat their believers and other religions, their historical relationship, and other topics along these lines.
I will start this essay by explaining Christianity, and many things about it. The word “Christianity” itself, means “Believer in Christ.” If you are a believer in this religion, you are called a “Christian”. There are many different denominations of this religion, and the things they share are the belief that the Bible is the Word of God, and that Jesus Christ was the savior sent by God through His love. It is hard to say everything about Christianity, because there are about 34,000 different Christian groups and many different customs and practices.
Christians have many beliefs derived from the Bible. They believe in the Trinity, which is three persons in one Godhead; the Father (God), Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. They believe that Jesus was the Son of God, but Jesus is worshipped as God. They believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and some denominations believe that Mary was also holy, and she is worshipped. Some denominations believe Jesus is now with God in Heaven, but other denominations believe His spirit is living here on Earth with all of us. Christians believe that Jesus will return a second time to take all his believers back to heaven with him, so they try to follow all his ways so He will be pleased when He comes to get them. Christians believe that the Bible is the complete Word of God, and they try their hardest to live according to everything it says. Christians believe that a baby is born into sin, and can only be saved and accepted into Heaven by accepting Jesus by its own will. Some denominations also rely on good works, baptism, and church sacraments to get you into Heaven. The Christian term “saved” means you have confessed your sins to either God, or a priest, and you have repented from your sinning ways. Different denominations have different looks on who Jesus really was. Some think he was just a perfect man, who never made a mistake, and others think he was the actual son of God, and he lived a Holy life and was the perfect sacrifice to get into Heaven. They all believe he was tortured by the Romans, and he was crucified.
Christians also have many practices, according to their denomination. Usually, Christians go to a church, usually one that corresponds with what they personally believe, or one their family is associated with. Church is where they worship God, and learn and associate with other believers. Many go to church on Sunday, but usually there are other gatherings throughout the week, based on the church and the denominations beliefs on how much church a follower should get. Christians usually separate church and state, because they are supposed to. The church is considered “holy” and the state is considered “secular.” Most Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, and Easter as the resurrection of Jesus, and they also celebrate other holidays. In most denominations, women are considered equal as men, knowing that God created all men equal. The rules on marriage are different according to the denomination. Some believe you should only marry someone from your own church, and some are okay with just marrying the person you love, whether or not he or she is in the church. Christians are also usually not racist, because, again, they believe God created all men equal. Sometimes, a person will leave their church for certain reasons, and there are many different reactions to a person leaving, all according to the denomination/church. In some religions you are shunned, and the remaining members are not allowed to talk to you without getting any of their own consequences.
Christian believers usually go to church. They are usually treated very well in their church. One reason they go is for fellowship with other believers. They discuss many different thing, including friendships, love lives, their beliefs, and every day life. They are treated very well, and very rarely do many church fightings happen, even though there has been some recorded ones.
Christians are usually very tolerant of other religions, and that is why there are so many different denominations with different beliefs. Most Christians just try to convert other people into their religion, because they are convinced they know the real truth. In some cases, depending on the individual, there are some fights with other religions, but that does not happen very often.
Islam is very similar to Christianity, but it is also different in many ways. The term “Islam” means “submission to the will of God”,