Western Religions Comparisons

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1. Compare similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Similarities -

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three closely related religions (http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm). Judaism, Islam and Christianity are collectively known as "Abrahamic religions" because they trace their history to the covenant God made with Abraham in the Hebrew Bible. Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. As a monotheistic faith that originated in the Middle East, Islam holds many beliefs and practices in common with Judaism and Christianity.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions. Similarly, they share some common elements, such as ancestors, belief in divinely given written scriptures, and common rituals and practices, such as regular prayer and charity; valuing pilgrimage and sharing many common holy places; promising that behavior will receive its proper rewards and punishments in the future, on earth and in an afterlife; balancing and integrating strands of mysticism, legalism, and pious devotion. Thus, the three religions share common beliefs, such as: a belief in God, shared understanding of human nature e.g., Abraham's children; hope about the future; belief in revelation e.g., God and human beings communicate; belief that God provides us guidance for living; and a belief that religion and morality are closely related (http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/Judaism-Christianity-Islam.html).

The following excerpt expands of the above similarities across the three religions.

EXCERPT

Belief about God

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. Jews and Muslims greatly stress the oneness and unity of God. The affirmation of the oneness of God by Christians is sometimes misunderstood, because Christians believe that the one God is triune (the Holy Trinity). However, this is not a denial of monotheism but an affirmation of the complexity of the Divine Being.

All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. God cares about the entire creation and desires the well-being of all. God is just and has provided basic rules for our guidance so that we may be good and righteous, according to God's intention. God is also merciful; by means of God's grace we are given strength to be more like what we ought to be.

Children of Abraham: Understanding human beings

The three religions believe that human beings are the highest creatures here on earth. We are the children of Abraham. God created us full of mystery, which means potential for ...