Why Is It That Most Jews and Muslims Appear To Be Well-Rounded In Christianity?

Question

In my experience I know a lot of Jewish and Muslim people and they all know a lot about Christianity. Many of the Catholics I know haven't a clue of Jewish or Islam beliefs or traditions. Is this only where I'm from or is the case for the majortiy?

Why is it that the Jews and Muslims appear to know so much about Christianity; even knowing more than most Christians?

Answer 1

Well, I won't speak for Muslims except to say that Islam incorporates various aspects of Judaism and Christianity into itself, and reveres Jesus (Isa in Arabic) as a prophet (Judaism does not). So Muslims have a version of Christianity's story, albeit a slightly different one (the Qur'an also cites differing accounts of various events in Jewish history, for example, replacing Isaac with Ishmael in the story of the binding of Isaac).

As far as Jews being knowledgable about Christianity, well, if someone tells you you're going to burn in Hell for all eternity unless you believe what he believes, odds are that at some point, perhaps when nobody's looking, you're going to brush up on his beliefs, and see if they hold water. Fortunately for us, they don't. Humanity isn't *quite* as damned as Christianity would have you believe.

In all seriousness though, if anything, Jews are knowledgable about Christianity because they are better versed in the religion he practiced. Jesus wasn't a Christian - Christian literally means "one who follows the teachings of Christ," and he wasn't his own follower! Jesus was a Jew, and if he WERE to come back today, he'd probably feel more at home in an orthodox synagogue than a church.

All those prophecies (as well as non-prophetic passages that have been reinterpreted by Christianity as prophecies) used to verify Jesus' claim to the title of Messiah come from our scriptures. He couldn't well have claimed to be the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy on the basis of what it says in Hindu religious texts! Anyway, those scriptures Christianity draws on, we Jews have been poring over day and night, non-stop, for the last few thousand years. Those scriptures were addressed to our people, in our language, and are an integral part of our history and our culture. Perhaps now you can begin to understand why a Jew might be better-versed in the foundations of Christianity than your average Christian. Anything Jesus said that was worth saying is found in the Oral Torah as well, and written in the Talmud (the golden rule, for example... only Hillel said "what is hateful to yourself, do not do to your neighbor;" Jesus said "do unto others," and Christians have been "doing unto others" for the last two thousand years, generally leading to untold horror, death, and destruction, but I digress). Anything that he said that is not in consonance with Torah, well some of it was just mistaken, but most was pure apostasy.

Your average Christian isn't clued in on Islam, because Christianity pre-dates Islam, and they're not focused on what came later. And they're not too knowledgable on Judaism, because their only use for Judaism is that its Bible, they believe, substantiates the role that Jesus plays in their own faith. But to really believe this, you have to rely on biblical verses taken out of context, mistranslated, and twisted around beyond recognition. I've met former Christians who studied the Hebrew Bible a little too carefully. They call themselves "Noachides":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noachide

I hope you find this information helpful.

For more on the Jewish position on Christianity, check out the following:

http://www.jewsforjudaism.org
http://www.messiahtruth.com
http://www.simpletoremember.com

Answer 2

I find it surprising when you say "most".
In my area, most of the Jews don't know much about Judaism, and even less about other religions. Most of them here are atheists.

I have, however, met 'some' Jews that seem to know a lot more about the history and claims of Christianity than many Christians do.

It is probably hard to avoid learning about it in most places, and many Jewish families make sure their children are well educated. So, I guess it's natural that many will know a lot about it.

On the other hand, if you look at the Jews who post answers on YA, it seems like there are some who studied Christianity for the specific purpose of finding ways to attack it, and they have become pretty good at it, even better than the ex-Catholics.

To be fair, though...I can see why some Jews feel animosity toward Christians when bone-head, ignorant evangelicals keep acting like Jews aren't converting in droves simply because they don't know any better.

I guess I'm rambling...better go get my morning coffee.
Hope I haven't offended anyone.

Answer 3

Shouldn't Jewish beliefs be a basis for Christianity? After all, before Christ came, weren't all Christians Jewish? They both (should) follow the Old Testament. Christians just have the New Testament in addition.

You're right but it seems weird doesn't it? If anything, Christians should know more about the Jewish faith.

Answer 4

I doubt whether a Muslim or a Jew know more about Christ than a true Christian but one thing we may know for sure, the Jews were the expositors of the Old Testament Bible and for more than a thousand years they spoke of the Messiah to come and yet when the Messiah came they did not recognize Him and they put Him out of this world. History repeats itself. Not all that is called Christianity is genuine. In fact most of Christendom nowadays falls short of truly understanding what Christianity is really all about so that when Satan performs his lact act in the drama, that of personating the return of Christ, the majority of those who call themselves Christians will be taken in his snare and they will worship what they know not, as did the Jews!

Answer 5

Not meaning to nit pick, but are you talking about Christians in general or are you talking about Catholics. I mean, reality based, Catholics don't have a clue about Protestantism, or those that call themselves just 'Christian.'
A great many Christians take time to learn about the Jewish religions because it is the history of our religion.
As far as Muslim, those I have known look at all Christians as being Catholic, so perhaps they don't understand or or thry to learn as much as you think.

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EDIT: I should add I have met Catholics who really do take the time to know about others.

Answer 6

I guess Christians just know enough about Christ to be Christians. Whether Jews and Muslims are well-rounded in Christianity could be considered a matter of opinion, since obviously we do not have the same interpretations.

Answer 7

The Old Testament is the Torah, I know a lot about Judaism.
I also know a lot about Islam, but only because I don't trust the media''s image on things and I went to find out the truth myself. I suppose they are taught why NOT to believe in Christianity. Catholics, well, I do not believe in what they believe in. They pray to people other than God, and use idols in prayer- but that is just me. I was taught that by my parents and I believe it. Education on other religions makes ones beliefs even stronger.

Answer 8

If you are in the US, your experience is probably fairly representative. Since Christianity is the predominant religion in the US, many Christians will not bother to learn about other religions; but members of other religions will learn a general knowledge of Christianity. This is not the case with everybody, of course. Having gone to Catholic schools, I was taught a general knowledge of Judaism, as the predecessor of Christianity.

Answer 9

I think it's just a matter of most people knowing stuff about the norms of a society, even though they themselves don't belong to the norm. I'm not Christian either, but I know a good bit about it. I don't expect Christians to know much about Buddhism though. It's not the norm here.

I'm sure in countries where there aren't many Christians, the religious majority there don't know much about Christianity. Just like most Goths know a lot about normal people but most normal people don't know much more about Goths than they were black and makeup.

Answer 10

No, Jesus substitute into not a Muslim. The very concept is disingenuous. it rather is predicated a minimum of partly on a prepared misrepresentation of what "Islam" potential, and what it potential to be a Muslim. you spot, Islam potential 'submission.' If that have been the tip of the tale, then it may be argued that Moses, Noah, and Zachariah have been Muslims, as all of them submitted to the will of God. in this mild, Jesus substitute right into a Muslim... _IF_ it may be proved Jesus ever lived interior the 1st place. yet it somewhat is rather not the tip of it. Muslims artwork slightly magic with the language and let us know that each and every physique who somewhat submits to God will persist with Muslim rules and study the Koran. yet Moses, Noah, and Zachariah in no way HAD the Koran, nor did they be responsive to the guidelines of Islam, because of the fact the guidelines of Islam have been made up out of the fevered techniques of the epileptic Mohammad. What Moses, Noah, and Zachariah knew to be the will of God substitute into greater wisely termed "concern of God" and the flaws they did greater heavily resemble cutting-edge Judaism than they do Islam. Islam is a present day invention, and a faux faith, this is why it substitute into so actually co-opted by potential of militant madmen bent on controlling others.