Christianity and Islam have much more in common that I previously realized. The most surprising of these similarities are the identical historical origin and the important of Jesus of Nazareth. Whereas Christianity’s foundational figure was the second son of Abraham, Isaac, Islam’s figure was his first son, Ishmael. It is interesting to think the history of two religions, generally believed to be very different, began in the same spot. This cannot be said about many other religions in history. The Greek Gods certainly did not incorporate Abraham into their theology. Neither did Hinduism. This historical pairing makes it all the more interesting how the two religions grew so far apart.
Not only does their common history and common God tie these two religions together, but they also both assert that Jesus of Nazareth was an important religious figure. In Islam, Jesus is a prophet treated with equal reverence as other important prophets of Islam: “ We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them . . . (Quran)” On the other hand, Christians believe Jesus to be not only a prophet, but the literal son of God, the Messiah. Although they interpret Jesus’ role in religious history differently, it is clear Islam and Christianity share many important religious figures.
Due to these similarities, the two ideologies are clearly NOT mutually exclusive. Although many aspects of the religions are different, several fundamental principles are the same. This fact makes it hard for me to believe so much fighting took place between the two religions during the Crusades. At first it seems counter intuitive to attack a people who share so many religious principles with you. That is until I recall some of the calls to Crusade we have read. For example, Pope Urban did not preach about the similarities between Islam and Christianity. Instead, he called the Muslims devils and dangers to Christianity. The general populace during the Crusades were not well educated on any religion other than their own. And so, if a charismatic, influential religious leader like Pope Urban were to call Christians to arms, they probably wouldn’t have considered the possibility that the similarities I discussed above existed.
It is understandable that peasants during the Crusades might not understand the similarities between the two religions, but it is very disappointing that even today there are huge tensions between Muslims and Christians. Even in today’s society, which is certainly much more educated than society during the Crusades, there is fighting between the two religions. Muslim extremists view Christianity as blasphemy, and many Christians see Islam as a religion of violence and evil. This fighting reminds me of the old elementary school saying “stop hitting yourself.” For two religions which share so many fundamental principles to be fighting for so long seems totally counter intuitive.
Words: 495
The West in the Pre-Modern World 
I agree that there are many similarities between these two religions, which is very uncommon and quite interesting, but while the number of differences may be small, they are very important differences. Christians believe that anyone who doesn’t believe in the Trinity (that Jesus is God, God’s son, and the Holy Spirit, all in one) and that Jesus died for their sins, will perish in Hell for eternity. Muslims are adamant that Christians are wrong for believing that Jesus is God because they only believe in Allah. The severity of this disagreement is the difference between spending and eternity in Heaven or in Hell. So, the problem here is that both religions believe that the other is converting people to a religion that will send them to Hell. And yes, there are other differences, but as far as eternal salvation and damnation go, this is the main point that Christians and Muslims disagree on.
Work Count: 154
LikeLike
I couldn’t have agreed with you more when you said how it is difficult to believe that so much fighting took place between Christianity and Islam during the Crusades. These two religions were very similar to each other compared to all the other religions in the world at the time, as they shared many beliefs too. In both religions, believers were taught to only follow one religion, and disregard all other religions to be false teachings and blasphemy. However, Islam and Christianity were worshiping the same God, just with slightly different names for certain figures. Pope Urban never considered the possibility of Christianity being similar to Islam. He called the Muslims devils and detrimental to Christian relationships with God. But putting myself in his shoes at this time period, it doesn’t seem very outlandish. Everyone was dedicated to their religion and did not want to be distracted from the “true path.”
Word Count: 151
LikeLike