Islam Author David Shasha Writes, Term Paper

Initially, there was no separation between religious and civil law within Islamic countries, however Turkey became a secular state during the twentieth century (Introduction).

Both Christians and Muslims believe that Jesus' birth was miraculous, that he was the Messiah, that he performed miraculous healings, and resurrected the dead (Introduction). However Muslims do not believe in original sin, that Jesus was killed during a crucifixion (but rather escaped and reappeared to his disciples without having first died), that Jesus was resurrected; or that salvation is dependent upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus (Introduction). The majority of Christians believe in the Trinity (three persons in one Godhead), the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, however Muslims believe that God (Allah) is one and indivisible (Comparing). Christians believe in the identity of a comforter in the Holy Spirit, while Muslims believe in Muhammad as the comforter (Comparing).

Christians believe that Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden; Muslims believe he is free of all sin and many regard him as a prophet. Most Christians believe that an infant is born with sin and is separated from God who grants him grace so that he may be saved, while Muslims believe humans are born in a pure state of submission to Islam (Comparing).

Both Muslims and Christians believe in the concept of Heaven or Hell in life after death, while Catholics also believe in a third state, Purgatory (Comparing).

Because there is such a vast range of beliefs and practice among the various sects of Christianity, it is somewhat difficult to compare it to another religion (Comparing). However, author Ralph Grillo writes in the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies that "there is not one Islam, but many. Islam is a highly diverse religion, like Christianity, with many varieties (Grillo).

Christianity, Islam and Judaism are closely related religions. All three revere Abraham and other Biblical patriarchs as their spiritual ancestors, thus they are referred to as Abrahamic religions (Comparing). Despite the similarities, most of the conflicts, mass crimes against humanity and genocides of the twentieth century have been between Muslims and Christians (Comparing).

The genocides in Bosnia Herzegovina, East Timor, and the Sudan, as well as conflicts in Cyprus, Kosovo, Macedonia, and the Philippines are recent examples (Comparing). The relationship between Christianity and Islam became of great national and international importance following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, and the War on Terror that the U.S. declared thereafter (Gartenstein-Ross).

Works Cited

Comparing Christianity and Islam." Religious Tolerance. Retrieved November 30, 2006 at http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm

Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed. "No other Gods before me: spheres of influence in the relationship between Christianity and Islam." Denver Journal of International Law and Policy. March 22, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Grillo, Ralph. "Islam and transnationalism." Journal of Ethnic and Migration

Studies. September 1, 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Introduction to Islam." Religious Tolerance. Retrieved November 30, 2006 at http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_intr.htm

Shasha, David. "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam.

International Journal of Kurdish Studies. January 1, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2006…