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A Comparison and Contrast

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Presentation Outline

• Why Learn About Islam • Islam’s Status Worldwide • Understanding Islam and its Roots

Introduction to Islam

• Same God and Prophets • Similar Beliefs About Jesus

Commonalities in Islam and Christianity

• Jesus’ Divinity • The Trinity • Jesus’ Crucifixion

Key Differences in Islam and Christianity

• “Christians and Muslims belong to the family of those who believe in the one God, and who, according to their respective traditions, trace their ancestry to Abraham. This human and spiritual unity in our origins and destiny impels us to seek a common path… We are called to work together, so as to help society to open itself to the transcendent, giving Almighty God his rightful place. The best way forward is via authentic dialogue between Christians and Muslims, based on truth and inspired by a sincere wish to know one another better, respecting differences and recognizing what we have in common.”

Pope Benedict XVI

• Why Learn About Islam

Introduction to Islam

World Muslim Population

15% Arabs 85% Non-Arabs

22% Africa

11% Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan

25% India Subcontinent

10% Russia & China

13% other places of World

19% South East Asia

USA Population (280 m) 84% Christians (234 m) 4% Muslims (10 m) 2% Jews (6 m)

10% Other (30 m)

• Islam’s Status Worldwide

Introduction to Islam

Source: Hye, Abdul. “Where Do You Stand?” (Houston: Madina Masjid, Inc.)

• Islam and its Roots

Introduction to Islam

What is

Islam and

where did it come from?

• Worldwide Growth

Introduction to Islam

'Islam' means submission to the will and law of God

Other meaning of 'Islam' is peace (through God)

Islam is seen as the universal religion for all mankind

5 Pillars of Islam:

• Understanding Islam

Introduction to Islam

Profession of Faith

Shahadah

Prayer

Salah

Fasting

Sawm

Charity

Zakah

Pilgrimage

Hajj

• Torah: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.” (Isaiah 44:6)

• Bible: “The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29)

• Qur’an: “He is God, The One and Only.” (Qur’an 112:1)

Monotheism

• Muslims believe in and accept the Prophets in Torah and Bible (e.g., Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus)

Prophets

Other Similar Beliefs: Video

• Similar Key Beliefs

Commonalities in Islam and Christianity

• Besides Christianity, Islam is the only religion that accepts Virgin Birth of Jesus

Miraculous Birth of Jesus

• Muslims also believe in Second Coming of Jesus

Jesus’ Second Coming

Any Other Similarities?

• First, Muslims do not believe in divinity of Jesus

But, Several Key Differences

• Similar Key Beliefs

Commonalities in Islam and Christianity

• As a Prophet and the Messiah

• But, not as the divine Son of God

How does Islam view Jesus?

• Muslims do not accept the Christian doctrine that God is One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

• Islam views the Trinity as polytheism (worship of multiple gods)

Islam does not accept Trinity

• Jesus’ Divinity

Differences in Islam and Christianity

• Not as our Father who loves each of us

• Transcendent (over us), not Immanent (with us)

• Humans not made in image and likeness of God

How does Islam view God?

• Islam teaches it was not Jesus who was actually crucified, but a look-a-like imposter

• Therefore, Jesus did not redeem humankind by his sacrificial death on the cross, which Christians believe atoned for our sins

Islam and Jesus’ Crucifixion

• The Holy Trinity

Key Differences in Islam and Christianity

Summary

• Why Learn About Islam • Islam’s Status Worldwide • Understanding Islam and its Roots

Introduction to Islam

• Same God and Prophets • Similar Beliefs About Jesus

Commonalities in Islam and Christianity

• Jesus’ Divinity • The Trinity • Jesus’ Crucifixion

Key Differences in Islam and Christianity