Christianity and Islam: The Difference Between the Cross and the Sword
Michael Brown
The key difference between Christianity and Islam is the difference between Jesus and Muhammad. Jesus was a spiritual leader who laid down His life to save the world. Muhammad was a spiritual leader, who became a political leader, then a violent military leader. Jesus accomplished His mission by dying on the cross. Muhammad accomplished his mission (at least largely) by ruling by the sword.
There are, of course, great similarities between the world’s two largest religions. Both point to a holy book, allegedly inspired by God, for faith and practice. Both call for high moral standards and serious personal commitment. Both share common traditions, since Muhammad learned from Jews as well as Christians. And both have a vision to spread their faith around the world.
But this is where the two faiths diverge. One follows the example of a crucified and risen Savior. The other follows the example of a prophet and military leader.
Cross vs. Sword
The biblical verses of violence (as in “Kill the Canaanites”) were limited to a specific place and time. No such commands are found on Jesus’ lips. The Quranic verses of violence (as in “Kill the unbelievers wherever you find them”) do not have such obvious limitations. Many Quranic interpreters and Islamic jurists claim that those verses cannot be applied indiscriminately today. But others differ. And they proudly cite them in their jihadi manuals.
Again, the difference is that of the cross versus the sword. That’s why Jesus and His followers never established the death penalty for leaving the faith. Muhammad established it once he assumed military dominance. And the death penalty for apostasy from Islam remains in force in a number of Islamic countries today.
Muhammad beheaded some of his enemies. Jesus forbade His followers from taking up the sword in His defense.
Muhammad beheaded some of his enemies. Jesus forbade His followers from taking up the sword in His defense. The differences are glaring and clear.
Just compare the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels with those of Muhammad in the Hadith. Jesus never calls for violent acts against enemies of the faith. Muhammad often does. That’s why there’s no gospel (or apostolic) equivalent to the lengthy collection of Muhammad’s military raids.
Exception vs. Expression
The most tolerant expressions of Islam are found when: 1) Muslims are the minority in a country, as in America; or 2) the Muslim-dominated country is quite secular, as in Indonesia. In strictly observant Muslim countries, there is limited tolerance for non-Muslims.
If you don’t believe me, try setting up a public Christian mission to Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iran. Tell me how long it lasts.
I do commend those Muslims who call for a more tolerant expression of their faith. They abhor the terrorism carried out in the name of their religion. But if they’re honest, they will have to admit that violent Islam has a long and rich history.
To quote the noted Catholic scholar of Islam Samir Kahlil Samir,
I speak about the violence expressed in the Qur’ān and practiced in Muhammad’s life in order to address the idea, widespread in the West, that the violence we see today is a deformation of Islam. We must honestly admit that there are two readings of the Qur’ān and the sunna (Islamic traditions connected to Muhammad): one that opts for the verses that encourage tolerance toward other believers, and one that prefers the verses that encourage conflict. Both readings are legitimate.
Acts of violence carried out to advance the Christian faith are the extreme exception to the rule. Acts of violence carried out to advance the Islamic faith are all too common.
Liberation vs. Subjugation
When it comes to freedom of religion, a country like America, drawing on Judeo-Christian principles, has allowed this liberty from its founding. And in a country like England, which also has a rich Christian history (despite its current backslidden state), Muslims can practice their religion freely. They can even proselytize non-Muslims.If Muslims became the majority religion in England, it would be a different story. Non-Muslims would become second-class citizens. They would have limited freedoms (like Christians in Pakistan), unless they converted to Islam.
It is the difference between the cross and the sword.
It is true that both faiths seek to spread their message by disseminating information. Both faiths point to the sublime message of their founders. But the message of Jesus leads to liberation while the message of Muhammad leads to subjugation.
Again, I know there are honorable Muslims who seek to reform their faith. Some of them believe they are being true to the real spirit of their faith.
But there’s a reason that, in general, true Christians are persecuted by true Muslims rather than true Muslims persecuted by true Christians. It’s the difference between the cross and the sword. https://stream.org/key-difference-between-christianity-and-islam/
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The message of Jesus leads to liberation while the message of Muhammad leads to subjugation.
The Message Of Jesus Leads To Liberation While The Message Of Muhammad Leads To Subjugation.
I never studied Muhammad (sp?). I do know that Jesus' message was one of liberation. It was freedom from the middle man between God and the individual. No need for preachers and churches.
AMEN
There is no reason or rationale to have a man step in in front of Jesus and pretend to forgive sin when only Jesus can. Solo though is not enough. Jesus did say that where two or more are gathered in His name... He did found the Christian Church as His people. It had started strong and then foundered and then suffered the dark ages as a result of straying from its mission. Islam came close to bringing it down and while it was preoccupied with that struggle the reformation began and continues to the present day and the close of probation just before the 2nd coming. I'm not suggesting which church as God has sincere people living by the best light they've been shone in all of them.
and the close of probation just before the 2nd coming.
What does that mean ?
I'm not suggesting which church as God has sincere people living by the best light they've been shone in all of them.
That is brilliant. I mean that sincerely.
Both are better than the God hating religion called atheism.
Both are better than the God hating religion called atheism.
That statement is a lie about atheists. Atheists do not hate god. Atheists do not care about god one way or another. We do not hate Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy or god. To us they are all the same. None of them are worth the effort of hate. Please stop lying about something you are completely mentally unable to grasp the concept of.
Your accompanying picture is PURE BULLSHIT . You never find 2 active believers of their faith engaged in such an agreement ... ever !
I kinda want to give you a hug, Petey. I think we just found some common ground, even though I'm pretty sure you were trying to insult me somehow.
You don't believe in co exist? I'm sure that picture without its words can happen anywhere in this country.
Are you asking Petey? I thought he was pretty clear in his conservative assertions.
It's the words you put in that would never happen. An Islamic and Christian could well study together. There's numerous conferences for better understanding that include people of different faiths coming together to promote greater understanding and religious liberty.
I think we just found some common ground
I doubt it . Your picture with caption is pure BS . Stop pretending its real !
An Extraordinary Line-up of Speakers for 8th World Congress Some 50 presenters—scholars, lawyers, advocates, government officials and religious leaders—from around the world will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the 8thWorld Congress for Religious Freedom, which begins August 22 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Organizers for the 8th World Congress are calling this year’s line-up of speakers the most diverse in the history of the event. Presenters represent more than twenty nationalities, and include representatives of major world religions, along with internationally renowned scholars and authors, public officials, religious freedom advocates, and members of the international Nongovernmental Organization community.
Dr. Ganoune Diop, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association, says that each presenter will contribute a unique perspective to the key issue of the Congress—religious freedom and the hope for peaceful coexistence.
Among religious leaders speaking at the Congress are Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Rev. César García, General Secretary of the Mennonite World Conference. Scholars include renowned academic and author W. Cole Durham, Jr. from Brigham Young University, and David Little, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center, and a leading authority on the history of religious freedom, ethics and human rights. Advocates include Asma T. Uddin, founding editor-in-chief of the Muslim-issues site altmuslimah.com and Director of Strategy for the Center for Islam and Religious Freedom. Also speaking will be Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South/Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State.
For a more detailed, and still growing, list of Congress speaker biographies, go to www.irla.org/plenary-speakers.
There is still time to register to attend the 8thWorld Congress. Find out more information, register online and make hotel reservations at www.irla.org/world-congress. http://www.irla.org/an-extraordinary-line-up-of-speakers-for-8th-world-congress
And the message of both leads you to mythology. In fact the message of both IS mythology.
You chose to believe that after knowing otherwise early in life. Most atheists chose not to believe in God because He said no to something they wanted to do anyway.
I grew up.
Link?