I believed that learning other religions will deter you from your religion and it will create a doubt about your religion. It was my opinion that only those people who know a lot about their religion can learn other religions; however, I was proved wrong during last trimester when I was taught world religions under the intercultural communication course. I honestly enjoyed during that lecture and I learnt that the more I know the other religions, the more I will appreciate my religion. I also observed that most of the divine religions share similarities, but it is the people which change the divine revelations. It was during the week four, when Mr. John discussed with us some of the religions in the world. Unlike last trimester, this time I knew that I have to respect other religions so that other people will respect mine. There is a phrase in the holy Quran ordering Muslims to respect other people Gods, so that they will respect Allah the almighty. It is also one of the Islamic principles that no one has the right to enforce people to choose which ever religion they want. Therefore, I understood that Islamic has encouraged intercultural communication and respect for all, while racism and superiority is not avioded. I would discuss more about Islamic ethics in the next reflection, but here I want to reflect on what I have learnt when I read articles about Christianity. I would also like to take this opportunity to share one of the oldest and dominant religions in the world with my colleagues. I will begin by sharing what is Christianity according to the Christians and then according to me as Muslim.
Christianity is a religion based upon the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ. The word “christ” means anointed one. Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Jesus is the anointed one from God the Father who came to this world, fulfilled the Old Testament laws and prophecies, died on the cross, and rose from the dead physically. He performed many miracles which were recorded in the Gospels by the eyewitnesses. He is divine in nature as well as human. Thus, He has two natures and is worthy of worship and prayer. Christianity teaches that there is only one God in all existence, that God made the universe, the Earth, and created Adam and Eve. God created man in His image. This does not mean that God has a body of flesh and bones. Image means the likeness of God’s character, rationality, etc. Because we are made in the image of God, every person is worthy of respect and honor. Furthermore, this means that we did not evolve through random processes from a single-celled organism into rational, emotional beings. Christianity teaches that God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not three Gods), that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead physically, and that all people are under the righteous judgment of God because all people have sinned against God. It teaches that Jesus is the only way to be saved from the coming judgment of God and that salvation is received by faith in the work of Christ on the cross and not by anything that we can do to please God. In short Christianity is a relationship with the true and living God through the person of Jesus Christ by whom we are forgiven of our sins and escape the righteous judgment of God.
The above paragraph introduces to us how Christians describe their religion; however as a Muslim person I have different opinion which is not necessarily true. Islam and Christianity share many things in common, and Muslim men can marry Christian women while they cannot marry women from other religions. That shows the two religions have many things in common and it is not surprise that our prophet Mohamed (Pbuh) was mentioned in the bible. However due to changes made to the bible, they translated differently and they ignored his teachings. We, as Muslims believe that Jesus was the predecessor of our prophet and we believe in all the prophets that ALLAH has sent to the earth to reveal the truth and the Day of Judgment. Nevertheless, we don’t agree with the idea of considering Jesus as the son of God, and ALLAH is not similar to humans. He never reproduces and he doesn’t have the characteristics of human like desire or having children. It is also forbidden in Islam to ask ALLAH something or worship him through someone else, like Jesus as Christians do. I leave this question for the reader to answer, do you believe that a normal human being can be worshipped, or God can be only reached through someone.
Lastly, I have learnt not only Christianity but many other religions. I appreciated that they are different from mine, however I argue some points because I do not agree with, and I would be more than happy if fellow Christians want to debate and share their points with me. I fully take the responsibility of my words and if you need any clarification or anything please leave a comment.
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