Does fundamentalist Christian equal Fundamentalist Muslim?

Question

Here's what I have so far (Please let me know if you have more):

1) Both groups believe that their views are right and everyone else is wrong.
2) Both groups have skewed religious teachinging to preach love within their group and hate outside
3) Both groups are recruiting an munipulating children with the hopes of a strong religious/political future for their faith
4) Both profess their work is the work of God...
5) Both groups teach intollerance of others.

I'm Christian, but I feel that some Christians are angry by Muslim Fundamentalists in the middle east, but then turn around and do the same thing?

I was taught to love my neighbor in church...has this message been lost? I was also taught that this country allows freedom of religion. Could this be changed in the future?

Answer 1

With regards to your question on whether the notion of loving one's neighbor has been lost, if you are saying that you learned it, then no.

As for changing freedom of religion, certainly. If you paid attention in civics as well as church, you'd already know that the U.S. Constitution can be changed by passing an amendment and having it ratified by three-quarters of the states.

Answer 2

I'm so relieved when I hear another Christian say something that I've been thinking all along.
I was taught to love my neighbors as I love myself as well further besides loving God it is most important.
I hope that we are always free to practice religion as we see fit. However there is a big difference in that when Christians kill we all agree it is wrong and are not sympathetic to their mission of murder and the Muslims are. Also as I have not read their sacred text the Koran and I have seen some very disturbing comments about the book on this forum but I have also seen quotes from our text that are disturbing the way they are used. Until I read it for myself I'm not going to say that it is perverted. Maybe that is what he said muhammed I mean to kill all the infedels. At any rate though all Muslims are not terrorist intent on killing us but there are far too many who sympathise and support the terrorist. I find that disturbing. Like we wouldn't come and kill you if you didn't help Isreal is the attitude you get from so many.
Yet if by the lack of love the people claiming to be members of God's church causes people to turn even more away from God then maybe it is just as bad. Personally I would suffer physical death before spiritual death if I had that choice. To never enter into God's presence is awful. And what if the fundamentalist Christians have in fact through the ages brought on the hate of the Muslims.
I have been praying for God to work a miracle in Bin Laden's life so that he will lead his followers down the path of love and reconciliation where we all know that God abides. Maybe you can join in my prayer.

Answer 3

Statement 1: True, but atheists believe the same...so be sure to put them in that group.

Statement 2: True again. But the religion should not be judged by it's adherents, but on the basis of it's teachings and truth claims. In that sense Christianity and Islam are diametrically opposed.

Statement 3: You pigeon-hole entire groups here. And for that matter, atheists do the same. They also teach their children what they believe is true. No difference...just parents raising children according to their belief system...whether it's theistic or atheistic.

Statement 4: Yes. But this statement is so broad and sweeping that it's meaningless. Almost every religious group claims to be doing the work of God. That's like saying a rock and a person have a lot in common since they're both composed of matter.

Statement 5: I can't speak for Islam on this matter, but Christianity teaches tolerance. Intolerance is "convert or die". Tolerance is "I believe you are wrong, but that is your choice to be wrong."

Answer 4

CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS HAVE A LOT IN COMMOn. DOnt listen to those people on here who basically have zero clue on both religions. ISLAM believes in the same god as christians because it says so in their holy book.

You hit it right on the dot when comparing both groups. Good job because what you are saying is absolutely true if you can look at both religions from an outside perspective.

Christians are quick to say they are not like islam becauuse of the muslim terrorists of today. If you take a look of christian history you will find that they used terrorism MANY MANY times in history to convert people to christianity or destroy those who do not follow their believes.

It is fascinating because there is nothing new under the sun.

Answer 5

I recognize SOME of the similarities you point out in practice, but ideologically, they could not be farther apart. We Christians, regardless of the extra labels we may have, believe that a loving God invites the repentant sinner, and calls on His children to show His love to others. The Muslims are taught to eliminate those who do not believe as they do.
Believe as they do and avoid the chance of being killed. Is that "tolerant" and inclusive?
Biblical Christians, despite being imperfect, offer a loving invitation to others to become God's children, with a place in heaven reserved.
Total opposites at the core of it all, don't you think?

Answer 6

They kill people in Pakistan, miss, so I'd say *practically* they are worse. (They do this with government support, I'll add) Should the fundamentalist of our country have government support as well?' It's possible they'd be as bad, but it's only theoretical.

Answer 7

The message is not lost if you always carry it with you, and teach it to others.

Extremists exist among followers of all faiths. When their behaviors and actions are seen in the light of day they appear the same and labels no longer apply.

Answer 8

attempting to change the views of religious people is a hopeless cause. not even thousands of religiously motivated murders and tortures have changed their views so i really doubt that you can change their way of thinking (even though what youre saying is very rational...) it is because of people like the ones you speak of that i have fallen away from the church myself. i prefer to practice worship alone without the judgmental cloud that follows other church-goers around

Answer 9

Real muslims, rarely go on TV.

Real muslims do not advertise their wisdom because they know that with advertisement along comes pride in knowing theyve done something right and then all that work in trying to get your ego to melt in the presence of God has gone down the drain.

Muslims will only speak when theyre asked to.

and fundamentals? they are so many I dont even bother..

but extremists...exist in every culture.

Answer 10

Are you asking are they the same or similar?
They ar obviously not the same because one is one religion and the other another.

They both feel that their religious books are accurate history.