Christianity and Islam Beliefs and Practices

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Preface

The object of this publication is to present the reader not only the tenets, theology, principles, customs and practices of the world's two great religions but also to place before him what these two religions mean, how they originated, causes and purposes of their origin, who was their originator, what were their teachings, their sacred holy scriptures, the author/authors of these scriptures, the sources of these scriptures, their contents, the levels of their acceptance, following, faith, belief and trust in them.

The prime and crucial aim of this book has been to identify, study, examine, verify and clarify the high and formidable claims of both religions as monotheistic asserting divinity, purity, piety, declaring their scriptures authoritative, inerrant "Word of God." Notwithstanding these commonalities, there are distinct contrarieties in many other areas such as composition of God (as believed in Christianity), the person of Jesus Christ, creation, incarnation, crucifixion of Jesus Christ, resurrection, original sin etc.

The purpose of this book is not to establish supremacy of one religion upon the other. Whereas it has placed vast areas and jurisdictions of these two religions in a transparent, faithful and honest manner without any favour or prejudices for the reader to appreciate, apprehend and determine his future course of belief and faith. There is absolutely no inclination or predilection to hurt the feeling of any religious bents, groups, organizations, sects, schools of thought etc. If inadvertently any reader comes across such a feeling I sincerely plead with him that it is unintentional and without any design. It could be a simple matter of emphasis from my point of view on any significant denotation which he takes it or not is not my concern.

I have done my best in translating the natural, universal extensive as well as in depth insight, wisdom, enlightenment and accomplishments lying concealed in the fundamentals, doctrines, scriptures and traditions.

I have written this book analyzing, scrutinizing, at times commenting about the theological and spiritual features of both the religions with the confidence that this study would benefit the believers in all faiths.

In this analytical exploration, I have examined these two religions in their origin, beginnings, early periods, and medieval periods and in the modern ages and brought forward:

How the followers of these two great religions have looked at

their faiths;

How much they understand them;

How much belief they have in them;

How much trust they have in them;

Whether they were fully satisfied to the absolute and unconditional extent.

Whether they considered their scriptures, doctrines, creeds, sacraments, principles, theologies etc., as unquestioned convictions, divine and holy?

Do the clerics, leaders, scholars, believers and followers of these religions believe that there is a need of further clarity on their doctrines, doctrinal understanding, greater consensus, and if a fresh look at their doctrines, creeds and scriptures etc., is required?

I have also brought out how the doctrines in the course of time have been interpreted by various agencies diluting, corrupting or modifying the primordial spiritual values resulting in the division of communities into various sects, groups and denominations. I have also examined why the people in general in the present age are weary of their spiritual excellences and deflecting to secular ways of life. I fully agree that volumes have been written on various issues relating to these two religions but no conclusions have been achieved in many areas. There is a need for continuous research until the followers of these two religions arrive at conclusive, unmistakable conviction of the existence of only one Divine Straight Path. Great care has been taken in dealing with the subtleties of the great religions of the world. However, differences, dissensions, misunderstandings may arise and this will be considered as welcome suggestions to further stretch the field of context for a healthy, and consequential outcome.

To secure defined annotations on my various issues I have entered into correspondence with the office of the Vatican Press, Vatican City State, and ten important Bishops in India to enlighten me with their views on my understanding of the prime doctrines of Christianity. Except one response from the Bishop of Mumbai, I have not received any communication from any other religious leader of the Christianity. The Holy Bishop of Mumbai directed me to seek advice from a Christian priest in Bangalore. This Reverend Priest had with his deep knowledge illustrated the distinct characteristics of each doctrine. His complete narrations would be included in my future commitments (God willing). However, the substance of my views on his renditions on important doctrines has been briefly incorporated in the 'conclusion' part of this book. There is significant and meaningful change in the thinking of the Christians about their fundamentals.

Introduction

The two great religions of the world, influence more than half of the world population, govern and control large number of nations. Both are mighty powers in many aspects. Their internal and external relations affect the international situations and have changed the global history many a times. History has proved that the relations, concerns, connections, constraints between these two religions have left resolute, drastic, destructive imprints on the political, social, economic, geographical and historical features of the entire world. Despite the fact that both the religions have many commonalities and similarities in their traditional and religious beliefs, they have indulged almost throughout the history in wars, hostilities, hatred etc., creating malice, envious spite, distrust and animosity. In view of the development of modern scientific technology, a few nations governed by these two religions have developed hugely destructive nuclear weapons endangering the international progress, peace and development and causing grave threat to the safety and security of entire humanity.

It is an established fact that these two religions can change the world scenario if they work together in the right direction. With this realization, the authorities of these two religions have organized conciliatory efforts. The United Nations has declared 2001 as the international 'Year of Dialogue' among various religions including Christianity and Islam. A few such activities are briefly recorded here.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) engaged in a series of dialogue with the Muslims to seek common ground namely belief in One God, Abrahamic faith and desired to continue the dialogue to understand each other's religion, strengthen the historical roots, heritages and cease criticizing each other.

The Parliament of the World's Religions in its centenary celebrations held in Chicago in 1993, declared Global ethic for a better global order stressing the absolute necessity to work for the human rights, freedom, justice, peace, preservation of earth, development of human nature, ethical conviction etc. It also emphasized Christianity and Islam not to confine to the traditional positions but to turn to the task.

In October 1999, an inter-religious assembly, "On the Eve of the third Millennium: Collaboration among the different religions", was held in Vatican in which thirty six Muslims from twenty one different countries participated. A final message necessitating the education and promotion of understanding, cooperation and mutual respect was issued.

Attention of the reader is invited to an article on pages 606, 607 of the book "2002 Catholic Almanac" by Matthew Bunson, General Editor. In this article the deliberations of the National Council of Catholic Bishops have honestly and beautifully described the virtues of Islam. On the same page a "Conciliar statement" reiterated the second Vatican Council's declaration on the views of the Church on Islam and appealed the two communities to forget the past history of the hostilities and come together for the global liberty, justice and moral values for the benefit of the mankind.