“I love to pray at the sunrise before the world becomes polluted within vanity and hatred.” – The Kroster Rabbi (18th century). Can religious dialogue between the adherents of Christianity and Islam, or call them the West and the East, be fruitful? I believe that the answer is yes as long as we understand each other and understand the similarities between our religions. Such similarities can be utilized to make the dialogue successful, which may guarantee us a life of peace. Similarities between Islam and Christianity can be seen on many fronts like basic concepts, moral codes, and practices. In basic concepts, for example, both religions believe in only one God, the Creator, who has a unique relationship with humans (master and servant). He severely punishes the worship of any deity other than God Himself as well as disrespect toward Him. In their moral codes, both religions do not accept faith in words without deeds. That is to say, faith without deeds is useless (it is not enough to simply say “I believe” but one needs to prove this). In addition, humans have rights that must be respected. Therefore, murder, theft, lying, violence are all prohibited. Parents have special rights within religions and they should be respected and honored. Since spouses have their rights, adultery, fornication and lewd behavior are forbidden. Also, society's laws must be obeyed in both religions. Because both religions respect life, suicide is forbidden. Not only relatives have their right, but the fellow people too. Charity and relieving the suffering of others carries spiritual rewards. Both religions have similar eschatology (pertaining to the last days or the end of the world). That is to say they hold the belief that this world will come to an end someday and no-one knows when. After the world has ended, God will judge humans, based on their actions in compliance with a moral code, specified in the Covenant which God made with us. This judgement will determine one's eternal abode, heaven or hell (bliss or punishment). As for the concepts of free will, both religions believe that humans have the ability (free will) to choose between good and evil (obeying or disobeying God). In addition, both religions believe in the existence of angels and Satan. In both religions, angels are the servants and sometimes messengers of God while Satan is the enemy of humanity. Furthermore, both Christianity and Islam have their revealed scriptures which are the primary source of religious knowledge. The Qur'an which is the final scripture given to man was revealed to Muhammad and the Gospel was reveled to Jesus. Both Prophets brought spiritual instruction. Both religions have the concept of repentance. If a person errs or transgresses, God may forgive him/her if he/she sincerely repents. In addition, there are much similarities between the Qur'anic and Biblical version of many stories. For example, the stories of Adam and Eve, or the story of Moses and the children of Israel have many similarities. What is more fascinating is that both religions believe that near the end of the world, Jesus Christ will come again. The question is: Why in spite of all these similarities between Christianity and Islam, majority of wars in our world have been and are still being fought between adherents of these two religions? Why some people who claim to be adherents of one of these religions use religion to wage these wars while both religions as we see respect life and forbid the killing of innocents? – SG The writer can be reached at [email protected] __
