Religious intolerance continues to be a severe and growing problem in the United States and Europe, most notably in the debates surrounding Islam. An August 31, 2010 article in the German weekly Spiegel, for example, focuses on growing German Islamophobia, equating the fear with the past history of anti-Semitism.
In America, the furor over the proposed Ground Zero Cordoba Islamic Center has succeeded in developing passionate emotional responses, often negative, and prompting national political dialogues on Muslims in America. An important aspect to consider, however, is that Islam and Christianity share many of the same values.
Religious Ethics and Morality in Islam and Christianity
Both Islam and Christianity are ethical religions whose writings and practices focus on the promotion of righteous living. Ethics leading to correct living, including the treatment of neighbors and strangers, is a part of every major faith tradition whether it be Buddhism, Hinduism, or Confucianism. Ethics are even identified with the philosophic beliefs of Socrates, often viewed in the western tradition as a “type of Christ.”
The core beliefs of Islam, associated with the five pillars of faith, are very similar to Christian beliefs and ethics. Both religions are monotheist, although Islam views Jesus as a prophet and not as the son of God. Both traditions emphasize the power of regular prayer and admonish believers to practice charity in the form of alms giving.
Fasting and Pilgrimage in both Religious Beliefs
For Muslims, Ramadan is a month of fasting. Beyond the fasting proscriptions of Lent and other traditional “feast days” celebrated by Catholics, fasting is also an integral part of Christian spirituality.
Early Protestants like the Pilgrims and Puritans held fast days at times of poor harvests or other pending calamities. Like the feast at the end of Ramadan, Christians celebrate with days of Thanksgiving.
Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is one of the five faith pillars. Christians, for centuries, have made pilgrimages to important religious sites including the Holy Land in the Middle East. Religious tourism, for example, is still a burgeoning part of the contemporary travel industry.
Serving a Just God who is Merciful and Forgiving
Both Muslims and Christians believe Allah/God to be just and forgiving. It is noteworthy that the Qu’ran contains many of the same “books” found in the Hebrew and the Christian Old Testament.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned more times in the Qu’ran than in the Bible. At the House of Mary outside Ephesus along the Turkish coast, Muslims and Christians visit on a daily basis.
There is even a sect within Islam, Ahmadiyya, considered heretical by mainstream Muslims, that believes in the return of Jesus as the Messiah.
Both Christians and Muslims believe that Allah/God is merciful and forgiving. Both faith traditions stress that God offers salvation to any that turn to him and follow his commandments. This includes ethical and moral living.
Finding Common Ground in Global Religious Belief
Eliminating religious intolerance begins with finding common beliefs, particularly as they affect everyday living. The current debate focuses on fear, which produces irrational effects. In November 2009, for example, Switzerland banned the construction of new minarets. (The New York Times, November 29, 2009)
Other European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have taken legal steps to ban Muslim attire, citing security concerns. (BBC News, April 30, 2010) Historically, however, fear-mongering has always led to intolerance and hate. Celebrating the common elements of core religious teachings can eliminate intolerance and redefine religion in the post-modern world.
Sources:
Carl H. Becker, Christianity and Islam (Forgotten Books, classic reprint, 2010).
James F. Gauss, Islam and Christianity (Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2009).
David Goldman, Islam and the Bible (Moody, 2004).
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