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Religion

2007-02-01 14:25:00

What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

Can you provide a synopsis of your faith's teachings on the different beliefs of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and a statement on who is to say, which is right, if any at all?

Herein I endeavor to respond as would the great majority of Christians: Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Christians, and also most Protestants, at least those in the Anglican (Episcopal), Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian traditions. The basic beliefs of Christianity are summarized in The Apostles’ Creed, which is accepted by most Christians as the statement of belief: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who became a man born of the Virgin Mary, lived and taught in the lands of Israel and Jordan and Egypt and Lebanon, suffered in the time of Pontius Pilate (who was Roman governor of Palestine), was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day thereafter he arose from the dead, then ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right-hand of God the Father, and from thence (at the end of time) he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body (at end of time), and life everlasting. Catholics and Orthodox believe that Jesus founded only one Church, and gave her the charism of infallibility in teaching about matters of faith and morals. By infallibility we understand: the Holy Spirit of God guides the Church in teaching God’s truth, and also He preserves her from teaching error. The Orthodox recognize that infallibility exists in an ecumenical Council composed of all the bishops, with the bishop of Rome as the natural head of the Council. Catholics believe that infallibility belongs to the bishop of Rome, as successor of the chief Apostle Peter, when he (the pope) defines a matter of faith or morals, and this in union with the bishops of the world (as in a General Council, of which he is the head). Anglicans and Protestants do not claim to have this charism of infallibility, and generally each denomination chooses which of the traditional beliefs they accept and which they reject or ignore. Christians (the New Covenant) recognize they are linked with the Jewish people: in their origin and roots, in their original sources of faith and moral teachings, and manner of worship (liturgy). From the Jews (the Old Covenant) Christians have received the Bible (the Old Testament) and with it the patriarchs and prophets, and above all the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God, who assumed human flesh of the Jewish race. The great majority of the Jewish people, remaining faithful to the traditions and religious practices of their ancestors, have not accepted Jesus as their Messiah, and they await the coming of a Messiah, whose features remain hidden until the end of time. Christians recognize that the Jews are God’s original chosen people, and God does not repent of his choice. Through being joined to Jesus by Baptism, Christians believe they enter into that privilege of being also God’s chosen people, sharing the promises God made to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and the Jewish prophets. As Pope Pius XI expressed it: “We Christians are spiritual Jews, the spiritual children of Abraham through Isaac.” Therefore all Christians ought to respect Jewish people as their brothers and sisters. The Catholic bishops at the 2nd Vatican Council stated: “God’s 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, who will judge mankind on the last day.” Moslems and most Arabs consider themselves also descendants of Abraham through Ishmael, who was Abraham’s son by Hagar. Islam (meaning “submission” or “surrender” to the Will of God) was founded by Mohammad in the 6th century in Arabia. His teachings are derived partly from the Bible, partly from what he learned about Jews and Christians, and partly from native arab traditions. After the death of Mohammad in 632, his followers collected those teachings into a book called the Quran (Koran), which Moslems have received as the Word of God. They believe that, since God is One, God speaks through this scripture. The word Quran (Koran) means: “recitation.” They believe it contains all wisdom, and so they recite it daily. Islam is built on five pillars: 1) Profession of faith in Allah (God) and in Mohammad as prophet of Allah; 2) Prayer carried out five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and after the fall of darkness; 3) Almsgiving to the poor and for a just society; 4) Observance of Ramadan, a month of fasting from food and drink and sexual activity during the hours of daylight; and 5) Pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. As regards who is right: ultimately only God knows, and will determine these matters. It is our duty to believe and to live according to the principles of our religion. We should respect the persons and the religions of others, who do not share our religion. We can and should share with one another our ideas, and be open to learn from others, even when we think they are mistaken. Christians and Jews and Moslems can and ought to share friendship and material possessions (especially to those in need), and cooperate in all worthy undertakings, cultural endeavors, and the political community, without attempting to impose by any kind of force our religion on others. We need one another and must work together: for a just civil society, in which each person is able to worship God openly according to his/her conscience.