Is Islam considered BLASPHEMOUS in Christianity? Is Christianity considered BLASPHEMOUS in Judaism?

Question

Hey, I notice that there are relationship between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism... but they're all different but similar... is there any herecy here? Which one is the blasphemy then? Islam? Christianity? Judaism? Or perhaps they're all blasphemous... none is saying the truth?

PS: NO MORE copy-paste from WIKIPEDIA, please!!

Answer 1

Being a religious Jew, of a Christian background, whose primary major in university is Near East Studies, which consists largely of Islamic history and philosophy, I think I can tackle this one...

Okay, to keep it short (watch me fail miserably at this - but keep reading, it'll be good), certain Islamic beliefs are inherently blasphemous to a Christian. Surely, all three Abrahamic faiths have many good things in common. And despite what a lot of people would have you believe, they all worship the same G-d. Jews and Muslims both take issue with Christian Trinitarianism, and some people may see in Islam relics from pre-Islamic Arabian pagan beliefs, as perhaps the Arabic name for a single, indivisible G-d may share its origins with the name of a Meccan idol, but certainly aspects of Christian worship are pagan in origin, as can be seen by even a cursory look at Christmas and Easter (the latter of which actually gets its name from an ancient Greek fertility goddess, but I digress). Long story short, regardless of questionable origins, all three religions acknowledge the G-d of the Hebrew Bible, albeit in slightly different ways.

Now, to get at the heart of your question, parts of Islam are necessarily blasphemous to Christians because Christianity as it exists today is entirely built around the supposed divinity of Jesus. While Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet, the idea of any sort of G-d in human form, let alone the notion of being able to kill G-d, are considered nonsense (and by Jews as well). So, that rejection of Jesus' place as part of a triune godhead, and the very idea of a triune godhead, makes Islam blasphemous to Christians. And the acceptance of the aforementioned doctrines, and their centrality to Christianity, makes Christianity blasphemous to Jews.

The Jews were given a Torah which they were told by G-d was their guide, and valid forever, and never to stray from it. So you have to understand how the growth of new religions looks to a Jew. First the Christians come and say "your scriptures are true and valid, but now we have something to supplant them - G-d changed his mind". Then come the Muslims who say "your scriptures, Jews and Christians, were originally good and true but have been corrupted, and now we have something better." Then come the Sikhs, who say the same of Muslims... fast-forward to present day with groups like the Baha'i, and you have this long succession of religions that say "The Torah was correct, but now it, and everything after it, is nullified for our new religion." Yet one look at the Torah itself shows it as stipulating that it will never be nullified, or altered, or replaced. Montesquieu once put it thusly, in remarks addressed to the perpetrators of the Spanish Inquisition:

You put us to death who believe only what you believe, because we do not believe all that you believe. We follow a religion which you yourselves know to have been formerly dear to God. We think that God loves it still, and you think that he loves it no more: and because you judge thus, you make those suffer by sword and fire who hold an error so pardonable as to believe that God still loves what he once loved.


Of course, it would be the height of folly to assume that the only differences among the three religions are centered around Jesus. There are profound differences in their theologies, ethics, metaphyisics... It is a common mis-conception, for example, amongst Christians and Jews alike, that Judaism + Jesus = Christianity, or that Christianity - Jesus = Judaism. Such an oversimiplication does a disservice to both religions.

In any event, while I can't think of any books at the moment comparing and contrasting all three religions, "Judaism and Christianity: The Differences" by Trude Weiss Rosmarin is a good place to start to understand and appreciate what distinguishes those two faiths. It's a bit dry, but concise, and very informative. Heck, you can get it used for like, six bucks on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Judaism-Christianity-Trude-Ph-D-Weiss-Rosmarin/dp/0824603982/sr=8-1/qid=1158159332/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8664123-5543805?ie=UTF8&s=books

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Very Good question!
Christianity, Judaism and Islam are indeed similar but different. Personally, I think that all three faiths have the same message and the real difference is in the different traditions.
One can clearly see that Islamic tradition is very similar to Jewish and that's not surprising since Jews and Arabs have a somewhat similar History. Christianity seem to be the more universal faith; Jesus condemned the old Jewish traditions within Judaism and Christians worldwide were able to accommodate that religion within their own national traditions.
The Jews in the Diaspora always carried their ancient traditions with them and today, many western Muslims tend to adopt ancient Arabic traditions.

Religion has come a long way; the last Catholic Pope showed great respect for Islam and Judaism; however I can't say that Islam and Jewish leaders respect Christians.
I think that the beauty of different religions is deeply rooted in the ancient traditions. Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe in the same one true God. If we could just respect each others beliefs, we may realize that the foundations of the three faiths are the same. Spread peace and love!!! Love God! Love each other!

Answer 3

Well, perhaps this isn't completely in scope, but it may just answer some portion of your question.

My own interpretation of Judaism - Christianity - Islam goes as such. Judaism - version one. Christianity - version two. Islam - version three. Near as I can tell, they all look to the same invisible man. Perhaps they are just localized versions of the same thing? At any rate, Version One came first, then two, then three, historically speaking. And they all build upon each other. So, personally, I'd say that no version is mutually exclusive in and of itself. And that none of them really point the finger at another as blasphemy. Mostly that's the followers doing. As always, the truth is up to you to decide.

Answer 4

Any religion considers those who consciously disbelieve it as blasphemous. The Old Testament, which both Christians and Muslims accept as a relgious document, contains laws about people who believe in other Gods.

I understand the Koran makes specific reference to Christianity. Obviously the Christian Bible does not refer specifically to Islam because Mohammed was on Earth later than Christ.

The real issue is how far people of one religion tolerate those of another. Coming from a Christian background, perhaps I could mention that in Mediaeval times Islam was more tolerant than Christianity.

Answer 5

There is one G-d-------G-d is One. So, I think Christianity is very wrong on saying G-d is three-their Trinity.

I like the simple version of Judaism. G-d is G-d, there is none other but him. Doesn't Islam say the very same thing?

So, of the three, I would have to say it is Christianity that is blasphemous.

Answer 6

Yes and yes, but neither is considered blasphemous by Islam.
Blasphemy is not the same as heresy; blasphemy means you speak about G-d in an unholy way.
Christians beleive those who say Christ isn't G-d are blasphemers. Jews believe there is only one G-d so counting Christ as G-d is blasphemy.

Answer 7

Jewa and Christians worship the same Father...but Jews dont think the Messiah has yet come He was one of their own Crazy huh? Islam is a cult They dont believe the trinity..

Answer 8

as a pure Muslim let me tell u that Islam respect and accept only Christianity and Judaism as they both came directly from god to the great prophets Jesus and mouses.
Christianity is complyting Judaism and Islam is complyting both, so it isn't strange to find a connection between the 3 religions, and any other religion outside this circle we never consider it as a real religion.
the Muslim man can get married a christian or a Jew wife only without asking her to convert to Islam, and this is a prove that Islam accept these 2 religions.

Answer 9

I'm not sure whether it's blasphemy or not, but they all believe in the same god yet believe each one of them is the chosen faith and the others will pay for not being in the right one.

Which one will this god choose??

I prefer to stay out of the whole bruhaha

Answer 10

Blasphomy is probably a word from the dark ages to scare people.Now days in the USA you can change your religion to suit you.Noone has that answer only you for you.