What exactly is the difference between muslim and christian ???

Question

i ask this cause in my religion(MUSLIM) we believe in the quran and it is asked of us to respect other religions and the bible even though we do not believe them but never hate them for there religion. also we believe that muslim and christian are the same cause we believe in the same god and one similarity i know of is that in the bible its states that womens beauty is in thier hair and we believe that to so we cover our hair with a scarf. but for sure one thing i know of as a difference is that we believe jesus is a prophet and christians believe he is the son of god?? if he is the son of god then god must look like him?? nooo that is obsurd, because from what i heard god is undescribable so what now !!?? prove to me if you can!!

Answer 1

Islam, the only other monotheistic religion along with Judaism that deals with final salvation, heaven and hell. While we ought to respect many aspects of Islam (believing in one God, a strong code of morality etc), I am very uncomfortable with those who have, with good intentions no doubt, tried to suggest that Islam is practically equivalent to Christianity, and that it is a very peaceful religion; certainly in the sense that Christians understand "peace," at least. There are some fundamental, irreconcilable differences and problems between Christianity and Islam, as the Church has pointed out since it became aware of this new religion of Muhammad (the 600s A.D.)

First, the fact is that Islam was the first direct, major religious contradiction of and attack on Christian revelation and belief. God went to tremendous effort and trouble to reveal Himself to mankind through His Son. He became man, taught, healed, laughed, loved, suffered and died for us. He wanted us to know Him personally, "I and the Father are one" (Jn 10:30) and "He who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). He did not just dictate another book, albeit a miraculous, perfect one, again. No, that wouldn't do. He became one of us, and handed on the faith to other HUMANS and told them to do likewise, calling us to genuinely become His children: "Through faith, you are all children of God in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)

On the other hand, this new "revelation" from Muhammad reverted mankind's relationship with God back thousands of years, arguably even more. Muhammad gave us another book, no Holy Spirit, and insisted we are not sons and daughters of the Father, but merely bondservants or slaves. "Islam" literally means "submission" or "slavery". It insists on pushing us away from God, holding Him at a distance, a distance He once lovingly bridged with outstretched arms. It is revealing that of all the Muslim names for God, none is "Father" or "Love".

There are also many direct and intentional contradictions of Christianity within the Koran (the Muslim holy book). For instance, Muslims do not believe that Christ was resurrected after His crucifixion. They believe he merely fainted and was revived later on. They do not believe that Christ was God. In fact, they consider Christians blaspheming idolaters for believing that. Muslims also do not believe in eternal punishment in hell. They believe that hell is a place of temporary punishment and purification. The Koran also teaches that it is not only right, but mandatory to forcefully convert non-believers, and to kill them if they absolutely refuse to convert. They do not believe that Christ is the Savior, the One Who opened the gates of heaven. These are a few of the major theological differences, many of which came about because Muhammad learned of Christianity from exiled heretics who lived in the region.

However, the most troubling aspect of Islam is in regard to its view of peace..."salaam" and war…"jihad." In regard to the belief now common in the secular press, i.e. that Islam is a very peaceful religion, and only extremists who are twisting Islam resort to violence, I find myself wondering exactly what history books or version of the Koran they have read. Because by this view, Muhammad himself, the very founding prophet of Islam, was a twisted extremist! Any half-way objective history of Islam will readily acknowledge that Muhammad himself led raids on many villages and towns (some of which were Christian or Jewish) and slaughtered or forcefully converted the inhabitants. He helped to plan dozens more for other Muslims before he died. He was more peaceful early on, when he didn't have sufficient numbers to force his will upon resistant populations.

If you pick up a Koran (not one with a modernist, toned-down translation, but a traditional translation that is faithful to the original), especially read the chapter entitled "Repentance." The call for violence against non-believers is blatant and undeniable (and in this chapter, Christians and Jews are clearly lumped in together with pagans). Some revisionists (perhaps well-meaning) have tried to tell the non-Muslim public that "jihad" is ONLY about the interior struggle for holiness. One wishes it were true, but "jihad" is much more than that.

Here are a few eye-opening verses from the Koran:


"It is not for any Prophet to have prisoners until he make wide slaughter in the land." (The Spoils, 67-68)
"I shall cast into the unbeliever's hearts terror; so cut their heads off, and cut off every finger of them." (The Spoils, 12)

"then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay idolaters wherever you find them." (Repentance, 5)


Contrast the above with the approach of Jesus in the New Testament:


"You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:43-45)
"They crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do.'" (Luke 23:33-34)

"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord do not hold this sin against them.'" (Acts 7:59-60)


I find it particularly perplexing when the politically correct crowd, especially the feminists, praise Islam. If they find Christian society unfair to them, they ought to look a bit more closely at Islam:


Islam: "Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient...As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them, forsake them in beds apart and beat them." (Women, 34)
Christianity: "As the Church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her; so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies." (Ephesians 5:25-29).


As opposed to Islam, we must also remember that Catholicism celebrates a WOMAN as the highest created creature, the Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Blessed Virgin Mary. I suggest reading Islam Revealed by Dr. Anis Shorrosh, The Life and Times of Muhammad by Sir John Glubb and Answering Islam by Geisler and Saleeb if you want to learn more. There are several more recent books out as well.

Now, people may point out that Christians have at times resorted to violence wrongly, including the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. But the comparison is off. First, Christ Himself NEVER advocated forced conversion and slaughter of unbelievers. Muhammad not only advocated it, but personally cooperated in it. Second, in the case of the Crusades we have to be careful not to buy all of the anti-Catholic propaganda out there. Do you know why Christians fought the Crusades? Because Muslims FIRST forcefully took over Christian lands and persecuted the Christians living there, and controlled Christian holy sites.

It is true that some Crusaders did some despicable things in a spiteful, vengeful way. But the Church never condoned, let alone ordered, these excesses. And as for the Inquisition, if it was as bad as some anti-Catholics claim, it is odd that there are records of people requesting transfers of their cases to the Inquisition from the secular Spanish courts! No doubt, some horrid things occurred, but that was the unfortunate result of the weaknesses and sin of individuals, not the official teaching of the Church.

Additionally, the Inquisition NEVER asserted authority at all over non-Christians, unless they were pretending to be Christians. The Inquisition was aimed at eliminating heresy within the Church, not at the conversion of non-Christians. Conversely, Islam has taught and practiced slaughter and forced conversion of non-Muslims from the beginning. It is not the case of an isolated historical event or period here or there. Even now, we have Muslim "mullahs" and "imams" (highest level religious authorities) who emphatically agree that suicide bombers are martyrs for the faith of Islam; entitled to 72 virgins and all; basing it all on the Q'ran and the traditions related to it.

Considering the violent beginnings and spread of Islam, one is hard pressed to discount the current violence as an "aberration" or perversion of Islam. Quite the opposite, it would seem that those Muslims who support religious freedom and tolerance today are at odds with their own prophet, holy book and history. We all ought to pray that Muslims one day reject the violent essence and genesis of their faith and make it truly peaceful. Even more, we ought to pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, that they come to accept Christ, Who is true peace.

I also think it's worthwhile to discuss the nature of Mohammad's revelation (Koran). As even Muslims acknowledge, Muhammad himself believed that these "revelations" were coming from the Devil for quite some time. It was only after being persuaded by his wife, Khadija, that he came to finally believe God was speaking to him through the Archangel Gabriel. I don't know about you, but I can't think of anyone who wrote Old Testament or New Testament scripture who couldn't tell whether it was God or the devil talking to him.

Have you ever heard of the "Satanic Verses"? Remember a guy named Salman Rushdie? He wrote a book by that title and some Muslim leaders called for a jihad against him, promising paradise (replete with 72 virgins) to anyone who managed to kill him. Well, just what are these "Satanic Verses"? To make a long story short, Muhammad supposedly took dictation from Gabriel in regard to allowing certain pagan gods of some local peoples to be honored as "working with" Allah (the Muslim name for the one God), as lesser gods of a sort. These local people resisted Muhammad because their gods were not being recognized within Islam. According to Muhammad, Gabriel subsequently revealed that God was totally "okay" with this, and these local gods could be honored, etc. A bit "convenient", you say?

Well, some time later (interestingly, well after the local leaders who supported these "gods" agreed to accept Islam as a result, and convinced the others to as well) Muhammad received a "new" revelation that totally contradicted the first revelation. These pagan "gods" were NOT okay, now. And the reason for this turn around, you ask? "The devil made him do it"...seriously. He claimed that the first revelation about this was from Satan, and that he had been tricked! And thus, they are called "The Satanic Verses" to this day. Well, I don't know about you, but fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice......you know the rest.

As a last note, it is interesting to note that Muhammad died almost exactly 6 centuries after the death and resurrection of Christ. The number six denotes imperfection, sin. This understanding of the number "6" is best known in the book of Revelation, wherein the antichrist (the man of deepest imperfection) is identified by the number "666." The number seven is related to completeness and goodness, as in the "7" days of creation. Is the timing of this supposed prophet who contradicts and mocks of the Gospel of Christ a mere coincidence, or is it a Divine sign for us to discern? I'm not sure.

Answer 2

Muslims have no recourse for the payment of sin. They expect to go to Heaven fully in their sins, which would not be Heaven! Christ paid the death penalty for us so that we may enter Heaven.
Muslims claim descendancy from Abraham of the Bible, but they descended from Ishmael, who was the firstborn, but he was not the "Child of Promise". Isaac was. Abraham was warned, since he disobeyed God to conceive Ishmael, that these brothers would be constantly at war, and that he "would be a wild @$$ of a man, and everyone's hand will be against him."
Jesus Himself said, "Before the world began, I AM." Here he was admitting that He had the same nature as God the Father. The Bible also says, "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God." (The "Word" is another term for Christ.) Some people have a hard time understanding how this can be. I take it on faith. God the Father took the form of a human because He loved humanity so much, He was willing to humiliate Himself to save us. If Jesus had lied when He admitted He was God, why would he willingly die a torturous death when He could have just recanted and saved Himself?

Answer 3

Don't you love it when you ask a question on this forum and no one gives you any real answers? Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God and savior of the world. Muslims believe that Jesus was only a prophet, and therefore a mortal man. Muslims also believe in the prophet Muhammad, who came after Jesus and considered himself to be a kind of final prophet. He came to put the final brick in the wall, so to speak. He was to finish the teachings of all the prophets who came before him. So, Muslims follow his teachings primarily along with the prophets that came before. Christians do not follow the teachings of Muhammad.

Answer 4

A few words, a different holy scripture, a different culture.

Not much.

Same problem in both religions.

Subjugation of women was a characteristic of both religions, although Christianity is slowly moving out of that and Islam has only begun to treat women as equals and not think that they have a right to tell women what to do with their hair.

Nothing can be proven in either religion. There is nothing in any belief, Christian or Islam, that can be proven. They are both equally unable to verify their claims.

Answer 5

ONE God, Who has revealed that He eternally exists in three "Persons": Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost.

Not that the Son was begotten by the Father in the sense a human son is begotten by a human father.

Rather, it is a description of Relationship between the First Person and the Second Person of the Trinity.

Answer 6

Can you prove to us that Muhammad had the over night trip to Jerusalem and back? probably not. Because you believe in it in faith. You have been taught by your Muslim family it happened, and that was enough for you, and you believe it with all your heart. correct
Can you prove that your prophet is a prophet using any other source other than the Quran. Which Muhammad was the one to was preaching it? probably you can't that one either. Because it too you learned it from your other Muslims, and you believe it without question.
I have many more questions that you can't prove about Islam, but you believe it without any question. You refuse to believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God, because that is what your religion told you. I question whether Muhammad was a prophet, because of what he did in his life, not just what I read about him. He is a walking contridiction of his teaching. No disrespect intended, but I find it very hard to believe in a man who caused so much pain to be sent by the one and only God.

Muslims and Christian are not so much different. We are similar with, and we are indifferent as well. It all depend on the situation. Your question can takes so long to answer, but all in all, we are more alike than different.

Answer 7

Actually the difference between Muslims and Christianity is the same answer as what is different between Christianity and ALL Religions.

Christians believe in one true God in triune as God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all in one. We believe the Crucifixion, burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ as full payment of all sins of mankind as accepted by God. We believe in placing our trust in this one act as acceptance of the free gift God gave to save us. We know after we accept and trust in the gift of salvation that it is ours from that immediate moment Forever.

It is not by our own works that we earn. It is not by our good acts outweighing our bad acts. It is not something that after we accept and trust in it that we can lose ever. It is not something we are unsure that we have until we get before God and find out our fate.

No other faith claim what we claim. They all have part or all of the requirements in the paragraph above as their way of acceptance.

Answer 8

christians believe Jesus is the son of God. and that he is Gods gift of salvation the only way to heaven. Muslims do not believe in his over of salvation or that he was crucifide for our sins.

Answer 9

lol.........
of course i cant prove that, and you know that well, but i think that you have heard about FAITH.......right?
I know that you have faith in Allah......and that he will come to judge us at the end of the times......so......why we christians cant have as much faith as you have???
I'm half arab, but i'm christian and my family has been christian for centuries. I dont question myself about if Jesus is God's son or not.
I dont question myself about how God looks like. I respect all the religions, and i dont hate anyone that dont share my own beliefs
I'm not interested in a theological discussion.
I only know that the faith move the mountains, and all I have for explain what you want to know is just that.....FAITH....and is enough for me

Answer 10

Muslims belive in Jesus NOT being Gods son while Christians belive in Jesus BEING Gods Son... plus other differences but dat is da major one.

Answer 11

One believes in a God of love, the other believe in a god who wants to be loved.