Why do Muslims, Christians and Jews fight over their religion when there are similarities in them?

Question

I am a Muslim and I totally believe in Allah (a.s) but I do not condone what these Muslim terrorists are doing by being suicide bombers (people who commit suicide would be deemed to have gone out of Islam) and fighting for what they say is Jihad (the real meaning of Jihad is something else).

Anyhow, there are a lot of similarities between Jews and Muslims like we cannot consume pork, rice must be washed 3 times, how Muslims have their halal and Jews their kosher etc, etc, etc.

All these 3 religions also believe in many of the prophets except that Jews do not recognise Prophet Jesus(pbuh) and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as messengers of God nor do Christians believe in Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w).

Why then do they like to fight so much?

To Jake B, even though I am Muslim, I have never had any problems with people of different religions and I do sympathise with the plight of the Jews especially during Hitler's reign.

In fact, I respect people who believe in God as they know and acknowledge the existence of the Almighty One.

Btw, never meant for the phrase "like to fight" to sound nasty or whatever. Merely, I just wanna know why you think we (as in Jews, Christians and Muslims) could never co-exist peacefully since the early days.

FIY, all of my close friends are not Muslims, except one so I hope that you know I have nothing against Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists. In fact my dad is a Buddhist and my Grandpa was a Hindu before his marriage.

Answer 1

Most Muslims, Jews, and Christians agree with you and respect each other.

A few bad apples in each group try to damage the honor and respect that exists between these groups.

The Catholic Church in the United States already has the following open dialogs:

- Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
http://www.usccb.org/seia/islam_index.shtml

- Consultation with the National Council of Synagogues
- Consultation with the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America
http://www.usccb.org/seia/jewish.shtml

The Catholic Church teaches, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

"It is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as communities in respectful dialogue, never more as communities in conflict."
-- Pope John Paul II, Meeting with Muslim Leaders in Omayyad Great Mosque, Damascus, May 6, 2001. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20010506_omayyadi_en.html

Christians and Muslims, following their respective religions, point to the truth of the sacred character and dignity of the person. This is the basis of our mutual respect and esteem, this is the basis for cooperation in the service of peace between nations and peoples, the dearest wish of all believers and all people of good will.

As an illustration of the fraternal respect with which Christians and Muslims can work together, I would like to quote some words addressed by Pope Gregory VII in 1076 to a Muslim prince in North Africa who had acted with great benevolence towards the Christians under his jurisdiction. Pope Gregory spoke of the particular charity that Christians and Muslims owe to one another “because we believe in one God, albeit in a different manner, and because we praise him and worship him every day as the Creator and Ruler of the world.”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, Meeting with the President of the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate in Ankara, Turkey, November 28, 2006. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061128_pres-religious-affairs_en.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

With all due respect, it is arguable whether Jews identify Jesus as a prophet. As a son of God or Messiah, Jesus is not to Jews (today), but the topic of whether he was a prophet is arguable (It depends which Jew you talk to). Also, as a Jew, i'm not aware of any halacha (rule) that rice needs to be washed 3 times. I think you mean that it is customary (and obligatory at that) in Judaism to wash before we eat anything.

Also, I understand from your question and subtext that you are Muslim, so I am going to say what I have to say with as little "anger" as possible at your statement of "Why do they like to fight so much."

Jews never, past and present "like to fight." Again, I understand and respect your religion, but for the history of the Israelites and Jews, since Ishmael (from whom the Arabs emerged) and Isaac in the Torah, the Arabs (generally, not all) have been troublesome for the Israelites and Jewish people. I'm not going to get into it now, but this can be proven through history. I'll give you one example. The setting: post-Holocaust, Middle East. Six million Jews have just been killed, and thousands have literally walked from Russia to Palestine in hope for peace. Finally, in 1948, the countries of the world took a vote that Israel be admitted as a state. What happened the next day, on May 15, 1948? The surrounding countries of Israel declared war on Israel and the Jewish people living there.
My point is, after 6 million Jewish people have just been exterminated by the Nazis, wouldn't it be the "nice" thing for Arabs to negotiate with the Jews, instead of declaring war the next day?
There is one, brief example.

Israel/Israelites/the Jewish people do not "like to fight so much." Just the occassional Christian radicals along with the Islamic insane radicals.

Answer 3

I am a Muslim and I agree with you.

Unfortunately, Muslims, Christians, and Jews fight because everyone wants to be Almighty God's "favorite." That's the behavior of unruly children, not responsible and intelligent adults. If we would just stop worrying about being His "favorite" and concentrate on sincerely worshipping Almighty God and seeking His Pleasure, we will be at peace with ourselves.

Answer 4

Real Muslims,Christians and Jews will treat each other as family and with respect.

Answer 5

although there are exceptions,,,most muslims, Jews, and christians DO NOT co mingle peacefully.
There are just Too many relgious differences.