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CHRISTIANITY
A monotheistic religion centred on Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Christianity has about 2 billion followers in the world today. Today, it has several divisions based on the diversity of doctrines and practices. However, Roman Catholics are the predominant sect. There are Protestants that include Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Anabaptists, et al.
Christians consider Jesus as their Messiah, which literally means the anointed one. They believe that Jesus was anointed as ruler and savior of both the
Jewish people specifically and of humanity in general.
The Christian believes that salvation is possible through faith in Jesus since his sacrifice on the cross paid for the sins of mankind. Most Christians believe in the existence of the distinct yet indivisible trinity of the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. It is believed that the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures.
Christians regard the Bible as the final authority.
For the Christians, the soul is eternal, and consciousness continues after death. Life after death continues in heaven or hell, as will be judged by Christ on the Day of Judgment.
All Christian traditions affirm that Christian practice should include acts of prayer, Bible reading and leading a Christ-like life. This includes following the Ten Commandments as interpreted by Christ. They are:
- "Do not put anything ahead of God your Creator."
- "Do not make or worship idols."
- "Do not take the name of God in vain."
- "Take one day of complete rest each week, in honor of God."
- "Honor your father and your mother."
- "Do not commit murder."
- "Do not commit adultery."
- "Do not steal."
- "Do not tell lies against anyone."
- "Do not covet other people's possessions."
The Bible lays emphasis on love in both attitude and action for the Christian and the non-Christian.
For more information on the religion, you may want to visit:
www.christianity.com
geneva.rutgers.edu/src/christianity
www.newadvent.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity
ISLAM
Islam literally means peace.
Muslims believe that God revealed his direct word for humanity to Muhammad (c. 570– July 6, 632) through the angel, Gabriel and earlier messengers, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last
prophet. They assert that the main written record of revelation to humanity is the Koran or Quran, which is flawless, immutable. It is considered by the Muslims as the final revelation of God to humanity.
Muslims must perform daily prayers at the specified five times. This is a practice that stands as a form of submission to Allah, or God. It is supposed to be a reminder of abstinence from shameful acts and harmful deeds. Alms-giving to the poor, or zakat, is mandatory and is a Muslim’s personal responsibility for the upliftment of the economically depraved.
Another mandatory practice among the Muslims is that of fasting during the month of Ramazan or Ramadan. From dawn to dusk, every follower is supposed to abstain from sexual intercourse, and intake of water and food.
Islam believes in one God who is absolute. Islamic laws that were covered expressly in the Quran were referred to as hudud laws and include specifically the five crimes of theft, highway robbery, intoxication, adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery, each of which has a prescribed hadd or punishment that cannot be forgone or mitigated.
There are a number of Islamic religious sects or denominations, each of which has significant theological and legal differences from each other, even though they possess similar essential beliefs. The major schools of thought are the Shias and the Sunnis, the latter being the larger group.
There are about 1 billion followers of Islam in the world today.
To know more about Islam, you may visit:
www.islam.com
www.islamworld.net
www.islamicity.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam |
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