Religious studies
Abstract
The main three western monotheisms are Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Each religion consists of its own goals, where most of them are different. There are also common similarities associated with the western monotheisms. The notion of the existence of God in Islam, Christianity and Judaism is monotheism, where they all believe that there is only one invisible God. Concerning the future, Christianity, Islam and Judaism believes that there is hope about the coming days despite the difficulties experienced in present and past days. Christianity, Islam and Judaism uphold the concept of redemption as the main aim to ascertain their faith. The essay describes all aspects associated with the three western monotheisms and how they worship God.
The main three western monotheisms are Christianity, Islam and Judaism. In these three religions, each has its own goal and their own means and believes to attain their objectives. Although there are some differences in their goals, there are also some common similarities. The followers of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam view things in different perspectives, but they all essentially hold the codes and values. For Christianity, they believe that Jesus is the true son of God that will grant people access to the heaven after the earthly life is over. On the other hand, Islam believes that Prophet Mohammed’s philosophy is absolute and final revelation. Judaism base their faith on the Abraham, of whom Christianity and Islam establishes their religion. However, the three religions may vary in different aspects and areas but they all believe on the monotheistic, that is, there is only one true God. However, the three religions have significant differences and similarities in their goals and believe in God, salvation and prayers.
The idea of the existence of God in Islam, Christianity and Judaism is monotheism, where they all believe that there is only one invisible God. The three religions believe that God is active, and He never sleeps or turn back to the concerns about the universe. In addition, the three religions are also considered as patriarchal and male-dominated. As a result, they all prefer to God as “He”. On their conceptualization of God in their theology, Christian, Islam and Judaism are actually different. Christian believes that God is Trinity implying that there is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They also believe that God is omnipotent, divine judge and sustainer of all life. On the Islam, they believe that there is only one God (Allah), who does not have the three aspects. According to their Holy Book (Quran 112:1), their view of God is referred to as Strict Monotheism. Similarly to the Islam, Judaism believes that there is only one God whom they call “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”. According to Deuteronomy, (6:4) it states that. “Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.”
Concerning the future, Christianity, Islam and Judaism believes that there is hope about the coming days despite the difficulties experienced in present and past. They believe that through faith and prayers suffering and evil have no chance to prevail. For those who have kept their faith firm, God has a place for them; though the three religions have different names for the promising land, we can call it a Paradise. Therefore, the future is shining bright for those people who believe in God.
Indeed, Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all together referred to as Abrahamic religions because they share the same origin. Their origin can be traced back to the traditional Hebrew patriarch Abraham, whom they believe is the father and founder of the three religions. They believe that we are all the children of Abraham.
The difference in the three religions does not solely rely on from different historical experience or perceived aesthetics, but their fundamental beliefs and the directions these religions take to achieve their goals. Christianity, Islam and Judaism uphold the concept of redemption as the main purpose to ascertain their faith. However, the idea between these religions is understood and implemented differently. Jews believes that the redemption is revival form evil, oppression and slavery in this world. However, both Islam and Christianity redemption is associated with the post-apocalyptic and next worldly believes. Upheaval and punishment destruction characterizes the end of times in the Islam and Christianity religions. Therefore, in both religions, they believe that the redemption will save them from such destructions after the worldly life. They also believe in award for their faithfulness in the after world life or heaven.
Another distinction among Christianity, Judaism and Christianity is their concerns on the attitudes toward the sacred places. For Christianity, especially Roman Catholics, they are taught to take the church a holy and sacred place even during the time it is empty. Worship services and other events such as marriage ceremonies are commonly conducted in the church by the Christian clergy. For Judaism, synagogue building is considered as reservation where services are conducted but not a sacred place. The building is also used in other community events such as business meetings, settling disputes, and studying areas among other functions. Similarly to Jews, Muslim does not solely consider mosque as a sacred place to offer only worship services. In the mosque, eating, sleeping, community business meeting and any other activities offered in the public are common. The bricks and mortar are occasionally used as sacred components. Muslim usually considers any place that they are gathered as a “for the time being mosque,” as long as they are gathered to worship God. Jewish is also involved in “constructing” a temporary synagogue whenever they gather with an aim of worship - even in the constrained areas such as in an airplane.
Both Christians and Jews hold up to the sacred Scripture, though Judaism does not revere the New Testament in the Christian bible, Christian recognizes and believes on the Hebrew Bible, which they call it the Old Testament, and it is also in the Bible. In Islam, they considered the Christian bible as obsolete and believe that Quran has superseded Scripture.
The three western monotheisms worship the same God though in different ways. Each religion has its own way of believing in God, and that’s what distinguishes them. Christians believes in a three trinity God: Father, son and the Holy Spirit (Mathew 28:19). The God of Islam is known as Allah, and he is not linked to the holy trinity (Quran 112:1). Judaism believes in a God called Yahweh or Jehovah, mostly associated with the Israelites. It is written that, “Hear Israel, the Lord, is our God, the Lord is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4). Christians believes that the mission of Jesus Christ was to die for the sins of humankind. The Islam believes that Jesus came to spread the injil to the human races. Judaism rejects the notion of Jesus, and they do not recognize him in any way.
Contrast to Islam and Judaism, Christian maintain a particular characteristic religious belief about Jesus Christ. Consequently, their claim produces a shared common similarity between Islam and Judaism. They both reject the Christian’s notion about Jesus Christ. While Christian refers to Jesus as the literal Son of God, Jews and Muslims believes that it is not only obviously incorrect, but also downright blasphemous. Christians believes that Christ was crucified and suffered to save a man’s sin. However, Judaism believes that Christ was crucified because he claimed to be divine but not to save the human from their sins. On the other hand, Muslim completely denies that Jesus was crucified, but he was raised to heaven by God; similarly to Christians.
In a nutshell, it’s clear that the three western monotheisms differ in many dimensions though they worship the same God. Every religion is made up of unique goals and targets to fulfill the objectives. The followers of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam view things in different perspectives, but they all essentially hold the codes and values. . The Islam considers the Christian bible as obsolete and believes that Quran has a superseded Scripture. In each religion, the house of worship is different, and the doctrines that govern the religions are also very distinct from each other.
Bibliography
Reeve, John, Karen Armstrong, F. E. Peters, Everett Fox, and Colin F. Baker. Sacred: Books of the Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. London: British Library, 2007
