THE TWO MAJOR RELIGIONS

Nothing is totally similar to each other. There should be some differences that we can appreciate it with its own values. Normally, as everything, the two big religions, Islam and Christianity have a lot of differences. Some of them are the concept of deity, the concept of purity, worship center religious symbols and so on.

People who believe Christianity are named Christian, on the other hand Islam believers are called Muslim. Christian’s holy book is Bible ; Muslim’s one is Qur’an. Considering the major differences , the first difference is the concept of deity. Qadri (1989) states that “Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of Christian religion – The father is God, the son is God and the Holy Spirit is God “ (p.71). In contrast ,according to Aydin (1999) Muslims believe in only one God, named Allah (p.3). Second difference is the baby’s status at birth. In Christianity, there is “Baptism”. Qadri defines baptism as “the ritual whereby the Christian babies, as also new entrants to Christianity, are immersed in water to purify them from sins” (p.95). However, the principle is different in Islam. The information on a website source (religioustolerance.com)tells that there is no baptism in Islam. Babies are born in pure state of submission to Allah.
The same website gives another example of difference which is the name of worship center. Christian’s worship place is church (for some cathedral); Muslim’s worship center is mosque. Muslim’s main worship day is Friday, but Christian’s day of main worship is Sunday.

Last major difference is in religious symbols. “Cross” is the symbol of Christianity. It is put on the top of the churches to show it is the symbol of the religion, Christianity. Qadri states that “ The cross is by far the most important symbol having a unique significance in its mythical origin and magical application. It is believed to be the reflection of the Plank of gallows whereupon Jesus was allegedly crucified with hands and feet nailed thereto” (p.105). However, Islam has the “crescent” as its symbol. And this symbol of Islam is put on the top of the mosques to show it to be the symbol of Islam.

In conclusion, there are so many differences in fact that we can write books about these major religions. Here I can not tell all of the differences. However people can learn them. Because, they have freedom of belief. Everyone can choose their own religion with its own values and differences.




References:
1. Aydin, M. (1999). Namaz Hocasi . Izmit

2. Qadri, A.H. (1989) . Dimensions of Christianity Islamabad : Da’mah Academy

3. Robinson, B.A. originally written: AGU 26, 2001
Latest update: JULY 29, 2007
Retrieved DEC 26,2007
http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm