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Political dimension of Islam sets it apart to a greater extent from the other great religions of Christianity and Judaism. consistently through Muslim history, there has been a concern both for the shaping of the community through the law and for the sucess of the community as an institution in the world.
Christianity and Judaism have affirmed certain independence belonging to the people through the operation of their free will. But Islam, with the exception of the Mutazila school and some Suffis has been powerfully committed to a sense of humans' utter dependence on Allah (God). Whereas Judaism was confined, by and large, to people of a particular nation, or those who claimed descent from that nation (Israel), Islam and Christianity broke the bounds of nationhood in creating an international religious community.
Unlike Islam and Christianity, Judaism is concerned with the religious survival of the "chosen people". It is life in this world, rather than in the next that formed the focus of Hebrew concerns. To the Hebrews, Messiah is a kind of divine being, a mortal who will bring about the establishment of the kingdom of God, a kingdom on earth and not in heaven. While Islam doesn't ascribe to Messiahship, it believes that Mohammed was the last of all the prophets of God and has come and gone.
Christians on their own, belief that the Messiah is Jesus Christ and that he had come, gone and would be back on the last day, the day of judgement. These three religions are also distinct in their sacred books. While the sacred book of Islam is the Holy Qur'an, that of Judaism is the Holy Tora and the Christian Holy book is the Holy
Bible.
Inspite of all the differences, there are fundamental similarities which Islam, Judaism and Christianity share. For instance, the three religions share the concept of hell and heaven and each forewarns that a last judgement will come when each person will be judged for his or her deeds on earth. The three religions trace the origin of man to Adam and recognize the fatherhood of Abraham. Muslims share with the Jews and Christians a view that each of the religions has its origin from the monotheism of Abraham.
The three religions, no doubt, preach the supremacy of God, justice, moral holiness, resurrection and final judgement among others. Islam, Judaism and Christianity share mystical traditions. Mysticism is concerned with the nature of reality, the individual's struggle to attain a clear vision of reality, and the transformation of consciousness that accompanies such vision. This reality is indeed God. The three religions believe in angelic existence, life after death, miraculous creation of Adam and Eve and that God is all knowing. Undoubtedly, Islam, Christianity and Judaism have the same historical root. This explains their similarities in many beliefs and values.
No matter the religion that one embraces, ethical ideals and fundamental moral principles should not be relegated to the background. Despite the emergence of terrorism, it is imperative to note that man has throughout history used culture to shape religion and used religion to give content to culture. Religious tolerance, understanding and appreciation can no doubt help bring about world
peace.
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Writer Profile
Pedus
I was born in Nigeria and was educated in Nigeria, USA and Australia. I am the founder and president of Christina-Mae Recruitment Consortium Australia and the author of the book "When Things Go Wrong: Concepts of Change". I am also the co-founder of Child Aid Survival and Development International (CASDI). As a freelance journalist, I have contributed to a number of professional journals and newspapers, as well as worked in a number of e-journalism projects. I have traveled extensively and currently call Australia and the USA home with extensive involvement in African Human Rights issues.
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Comments
I AGREE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION, EWEAMA OLOLADE ADEBIMPE | Aug 20th, 2003
FRANKLY SPEAKING, THE ISSUE OF RELIGION IS A SENSITIVE AND VOLATILE ONE. WE STILL NEED TO TEACH THE WHOLE WORLD TO EMBRACE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE. AS LONG AS SOME RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO CLAIM SUPERIRITY OVER OTHERS, THERE IS BOUND TO BE CONFLICTS.GOD DID NOT CREATE US FOR DESTRUCTION. BUT SOME FEEL BY DESTROYING OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS,THEY ARE SERVING GOD TRULLY.BUT THEN,GOD IS THE JUDGE.
Religion Jayaspery Padayache | Sep 5th, 2003
How we see ourslves as spirituall beings is usually driven by the dogmatic science of religion.Man has shaped and reshaped religion to serve his own self serving purposes without looking at the collective soul structure
we as human beings are connected to.
Like the human anotomy,with different parts of the body connected to One Skeletal System ,so is the purpose of us having different religions, that connects us to one Powerful Force.We need to learn from one another,there will be conflicting opinions but...it all comes down in retrospect to Spirituality and the sense of connecting to what one would term as The Higher Being.
No matter the text and sciptures and comparision as such,this is based on geographic,language and tolerance of the times it was written.We are here and now,in a new Century.
If we hold ourselves hostage to what was written centuries ago, we also deprive ourselves in evolving into and onwards to what's new and progressive for our soul development and understanding ourselves better as persons and human beings.
So why the bickering and badgering ? let's for once admit it's about power and wealth,it's about taking control and having the egoistic pride of saying 'WE ARE THE MOST POWERFUL".
In the end,like in the beginning,We are all born alone,We die alone...so lets use this one and only chance we have on Earth to SHARE with Goodness and Love in our hearts.
On Religion Damilare T.A Onajole | Nov 20th, 2003
My words are: Religion in practice; for the ordinarymind. Religion in appreciation; for the great minds.
Religion is good for mankind. because of its ability to enforce morals. On the other side, it limits the thoughts of man. the things eweama has said can be counted as sin in the aforesaid religions. they tend to hold on to things of the hold. People should develope as the days roll by. they should learn from one another. they should appreciate religion and not necessary practising all!
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