Comparison of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

“Protection of religious freedom means considering the faiths and beliefs of everyone involved,” said American Politician, Mike Quigley. The three main religions that account for more than half of the world’s religions falls under the category of being the Abrahamic religions. A simple comparison between these three religions will help most people understand each other’s faith, thus accepting each other as colleagues rather than enemies. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the three Abrahamic religions because the Prophet Abraham is declared by each of them as the origin of their faith. With the common forefather of their beliefs being the Prophet Abraham the title was coined for them as the Abrahamic religions.

Let’s Compare the Abrahamic Religions

Adheres are Called

• Christianity: Christians
• Islam: Muslims
• Judaism: Jews

Original Language

• Christianity: Aramaic and Greek
• Islam: Arabic
• Jew: Hebrew

Place Founded

• Christianity: Modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan
• Islam: Arabian Peninsula
• Judaism: Modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan

Primary Locations

• Christianity: North and South America, Africa, and Europe
• Islam: Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia
• Judaism: Israel, Eastern Europe, and the USA

Creeds

• Christianity: Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed
• Islam: Six Articles of Faith
• Judaism: 13 Articles of Faith

Human Nature/ Sin

• Christianity: Humans inherit "original sin" from Adam, making them have a tendency to do evil.
• Islam: Humans were are born good but develops equal ability to do good or evil
• Judaism: Humans has the equal impulse to do good or bad

Salvation

• Christianity: Correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (Protestants: emphasize faith alone)
• Islam: Correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars
• Judaism: Belief in God, good deeds

Afterlife

• Christianity: Eternal heaven or hell (most denominations); temporary purgatory (Catholicism)
• Islam: Eternal Paradise or eternal Hell
• Judaism: Views vary: no afterlife, shadowy existence, The World to Come (similar to heaven), Gehenna (similar to hell), or reincarnation

God

• Christianity: One God, who is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Islam: One God (Allah in Arabic); the same God revealed in the Jewish and Christian Bibles, but they believe there was an imperfection in their final determination of God’s description.
• Judaism: One God (Yahweh (YHVH))

Religious Law

• Christianity: Canon law (Catholicism)/ no direct laws for other branches
• Islam: Sharia
• Judaism: Halakhah

Religious Authority

• Christianity: Bible; some also look to church fathers, church councils, ecumenical creeds; papal decrees and canon law for Catholics
• Islam: The Qur’an and Hadiths
• Judaism: Bible, Talmud, Halakhah

Holidays

• Christianity: Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Christmas, and Saints Day
• Islam: Eid-al-Fitr, Eid-al-Adha, month of Ramadan, Mawlid, and Ashura
• Judaism: Yom Kippur, Days of Awe, Passover, Chanukah, and Purim

Day of Worship

• Christianity: Sunday
• Islam: Friday
• Judaism: Saturday

House of Worship

• Christianity: Church, Chapel, Cathedral, Basilica, Meeting Hall
• Islam: Mosque
• Judaism: Synagogue, Temple, Schul

Practices

• Christianity: Circumcision, Prayer, Bible study, Baptism, Eucharist/ Holy Communion, Sermon on Sundays, the celebration of various holidays.
• Islam: Circumcision, Five Pillars: Faith, Pilgrimage, Prayer, Fasting, and Alms. Mosque services on Fridays. Purification before prayer. No consumption of alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan, the celebration of various holidays
• Judaism: Circumcision, bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood, observing Sabbath, wearing tallit and tefillin, and prayer services, the celebration of various holidays

Clergy

• Christianity: Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Patriarch, Pope, Pastor, Minister, Preacher, Deacon
• Islam: Imam/ Sheikh
• Judaism: Rabbi

Prophets

• Christianity: Biblical prophets were true prophets of God
• Islam: Biblical prophets were true prophets; Muhammad is the final
• Judaism: Biblical prophets were true prophets of God

Jesus

• Christianity: Son of God, God incarnate, Word of God, Messiah, Savior of the World
• Islam: True Prophet of God, whose message has been corrupted
• Judaism: False prophet

Birth of Jesus

• Christianity: Virgin Birth
• Islam: Virgin Birth
• Judaism: Normal Birth

Death of Jesus

• Christianity: Real physical death plus spiritual suffering
• Islam: Jesus did not die, but ascended into heaven (a disciple died in his place)
• Judaism: Normal death

Resurrection of Jesus

• Christianity: Declared a resurrection of Jesus
• Islam: Denied a resurrection of Jesus because of the belief he ascended into heaven during crucifixion
• Judaism: Denied a resurrection of Jesus

Second Coming of Jesus

• Christianity: Proclaimed
• Islam: Proclaimed
• Judaism: Denied

Revelation Came

• Christianity: Through Prophets and Jesus (as God Himself), recorded in Bible
• Islam: Through Muhammad, recorded in Qur'an
• Judaism: From the prophets, recorded in Hebrew Bible

References:

“Abrahamic Religions.” newworldencyclopedia.org 2016. Web. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Abrahamic_religions

“Compare Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.” ReligionFacts.com. 10 Apr. 2017. Web. www.religionfacts.com/charts/christianity-islam-judaism

“Comparison Table between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.” Christianity in View. 3 Jul. 2016. Web. http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html.

Esposito, John. “How is Islam Similar to Christianity and Judaism?” Islamicity.org. 28 Dec. 2016. Web. http://www.islamicity.org/4654/how-is-islam-similar-to-christianity-and-judaism/.