Islam views and Christian views regarding right and wrong. Which is better?

Question

Muslims say that their religion has a code of behavior just as the Jewish and Christian. It goes father than that by saying that it has a good way of enforcing that behavior, such as cutting off the hand of a robber. They claim that this would make the world a better place. Christianity on the other hand says to forgive the robber and give him a second chance to reform. Christians see Muslims as barbaric people.

Let me present this view to the Muslims: If a person has a sense of morality WITHIN himself, he does not have to have a rule that says society will chop off his hand. The difference is that in Muslim society people are not expected to be responsible to live correctly because of their own inner restraints and the restrains have to be strictly imposed by outside forces of society. This is the same as we do for small children. But when a person matures he is expected to obey the laws of the society because he has internalized those laws into his own code of behavior.

It is true that we do have social laws and that some people do not have the internal code of behavior that they should have. I think that our system is better because it expects that 90% of the people will have an internalized sense of right and wrong. The law is for the 10% who don’t.

I have read the link that a Muslim gave me. There is says that people naturally want justice and a type of eye for eye justice. But Jesus taugh us that it is cruel and inhuman to want vengeance. What kind of a God is Allah if he allows you to have vengeance?

I did not mean that we chop off a child's hands. Nor do I think that you do. I mean that we impose rules from outside on a child until they learn to internalize them. But your adults apparently have not internalized your laws. Otherwise you would not need such stick ones in society.

DBznut, you copy and pasted that from the site that I read it on. You don't think that this is a harsh law? What if someone is falsly accused. In the U.S. we just let him out of jail. How you going to give him his hand back. You are sick people. And to the woman above you. He doesn't need a hand to steal, he can find another way.

Answer 1

as far as what you said about what kind of god is allah . . . some faiths believe that vengeance - or justice - is taken in action by their higher being. some faiths believe that vengeance/justic should be taken in action by themselves.

now with another point you picked out: when a person matures he is expected to obey the laws of the society because he has internalized those laws into his own code of behavior. it depends soley on where you live. in a place that is very strict with these laws, you will integrate them into your own code of behavior. not all muslims, especially those living in the us, believe the same as the muslims in iraq or afghanistan.

Answer 2

Muslims do have a code of behavior like the Jewish and Christians. The old testament also set down a law of 'an eye for an eye'. Islam has kept this law, because it works. It is a fact that there are less crimes in Muslim countries, but this isn't only because of the laws -it is because the offences are haram. The Prophet Muhammed did not change the laws of God -in the Old Testament, he re-enforced them.

But, having lived in the US for 20 years, and in the Middle East for 20 years, I would definitely be tempted to say that Muslims have a better code of behaviour. Not only are there fewer crimes, but people actually respect and help each other. They will go out of their way to help. If a person knows that their neighbor is in need of food or money, they provide -without being asked.

Another point to mention, is that punishment in this world -chopping off a hand, flogging, whatever the form, is a mercy. It may reduce the punishment in the hereafter. And, some punishments are left to the discretion of the victim or victim's family. For example, if a man is killed, the murderer may be forgiven by the man's family. He would then not be executed.

The difference is that in Muslims societies people are expected to be responsible for their actions. In Christian societies, people are forgiven.?. ...no matter how you look at it, there is more crime in Christian societies than in Muslim countries, despite the laws imposed by governments. So, to me it seems that relying on Christian morals, internalized codes of behaviour, and man made laws isn't working for them.

Answer 3

Most people are convinced that the are right, whether they are atheists, agnostics or from the many different religions or faiths that there are. Of course, there are many people who have researched and understand other religions or beliefs. There are also many who never bother and are not interested in learning about anything which doesn't match their own belief. I completely understand why people reach the conclusions they have about their belief or non-belief. My beliefs are strong. I too am convinced that my faith is the truth, however I respect that other people have come to a very different conclusion. I also understand they feel the same way as I do. At the end of our lives, only one belief will be right, everyone else will have got it wrong. This is one thing that we can be sure about. Until we die, we cannot prove who is right. How can anyone ever convince everyone what the truth is, when there are so many options? It's an impossible question to resolve. How did I do it? I researched greatly. Asked loads of questioned and prayed. I seeked God with all of my heart and believe that I have found him. God bless.

Answer 4

Lets abolish all laws and see how well the Christian teachings keep everyone civilized and law abiding. Since you say no enforcement is needed, or is that why Christianity only survives in secular nations ? Because it has no system of enforcement so it leaves that necessary job upto the "state" while the Church can say they fogive the robber ? Something terrible must have happened during the past 2,000 years to force Christians to write it into the law of the land that the Church can NEVER come anywhere near the controls of the state.

Answer 5

Christians (at least, ppl in the Bible) were pretty Barbaric too, it someone did something wrong then they would die, be excluded. I'm not Muslim but they live in a different world to us and have a right to different laws i guess.....IF they're practising it in their own country where it's a given rule then it shouldn't be a problem in the eyes of a thief....after all if a person becomes a thief then they're taking the risk onto themselves because they know what may happen if they get caught....I think, tHEY think that eliminating the bad ppl will make the worl better--- i mean if there are only good ppl leftit may appear logical but its not practical is it? I dunno..... everyone has some bad in them, humans are born that way....You can't ask which is better because they apply in different situations with different peoples with different morals, values, a different way of looking at the world and a different upbringing and scriptures.
"rules" can be interpreted diff too- see Jesus said if a man slaps you on one cheek offer the other, but if you get raped you can't exactly offer yourself again....i think often interpretation, literally, figuratively ppl often can't see which is which

Answer 6

As you said, if someone robs, his hand should cut off for robbery. The reason behind this is that if there is no more hand, he's not going to rob again. Do you see what I mean?

Let's take an example. In Muslim country: if a guy breaks into a house, and steals off the money, etc. He is caught and thrown in jail and later his hand(s) are cut off and he's free now. So what's the probability of him breaking into someone's house and stealing again? Not a whole lot.

In Christian country: once they guys is caught by the police, he just sits and rots in jail...or maybe even get out on parole. He is again having the urge to go steal (ie for drugs)...what's his chances of stealing again? A lot because he will be able to do it again.

These are the differences. This is why the crime rate in Muslim countries are low compared to other countries because people realize that it is wrong and the consequences are very harsh.

Hope that answered your question.

edit: what other way is he going to find? give me an example and I'll try to rebut it. as far as saying that if a man is innocent, he is freed from jail...really? That's amazing; in the US, so many people are sitting in jail for the crimes that they haven't committed. Their lives are thrown away. Whereas in a Muslim country, I haven't heard of anyone's hand being chopped off wrongfully. If for instance, it does happen, of course he wouldn't get his hand back but he will get a higher position in heaven because of what happened to him in the world.

Answer 7

Children are exempt from that law it is only for the adults. Sure would be a sick world if children got their hands chopped off; especially when they are so new to the world.
Being an American Muslim I can tell you this much; I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Christian

Answer 9

Neither is better. Both are man-made rules of behavior and have nothing to do with the will of God. Enlightenment is far superior to both. Only when you discover God within, will you follow the true will of God. Laws have their place in society, no doubt, however, I disagree that they are only for 10%. In the end they are still man-made laws and have nothing to do with the will of God.

Answer 10

better? depends on where ya grew up. if ya grew up Muslim, then you know the consequences of yer actions, then ya won't be doing nuthin wrong on purpose to avoid the heavy penalty.

if yer Christian, ya won't be doing bad stuff on purpose but sometimes things are inevitable, and in such cases some its good to know the laws are merciful and yet just.

thing is, now our laws aren't as strict as Muslim laws, and if you suddenly implement them, a lot of hands are gonna roll...

I believe some Muslim rules are OK, but some are too harsh. and some i just don't agree with. aren't ya thankful our laws (most of em anyway) are not as extreme. (lawmen are corrupt tho...)