SIMILARITIES/DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM

Salvation for Christians can be gained

through faith in Jesus and his resurrection and love for one another

Christianity and Islam both traditionally teach about the virgin birth

Jews do not.

Jews see the Holy Spirit , not as God

Jews see The Holy Spirit as a Holy power given to the prophets

Islam recognises the Books of the Torah, Psalms and the Gospels (in their original forms) as divine revelation

Judaism does not recognise the New Testament or Quaran

All three faiths believe that they can atone for sins

Atone means to ask and work for forgiveness of sins

Prayer and Ritual- Islam

Five important rituals (known as the pillars of Islam): 1. Shahadah - A profession of faith. 2. Salat - Prayer five times daily. 3. Zakat - alms giving. 4. Sawm - Fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan. 5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca

Islam has two sacred texts

In Islam, there are two main sacred texts: the Quran (also spelled "Koran") and the Hadith (or Hadeeth). These books teach and illustrate Islamic beliefs, values, and practices. They are also important historical documents (especially the Quran), which tell the story of the origins of the Islamic faith.

Christians are the only Abrahamic faith that depicts images of Jesus and God in art.

Jews and Muslims do not believe that anyone can or should attempt to paint or depict God/ Allah

Islam recognises The Holy Spirit as The Angel Gabriel not God

Muslims believe the Angel Gabriel gave Prophet Mohammed the Holy Book of the Quran

Prayer and Ritual Judaism

Rituals include the Circumcision of newly born Jewish males, Barmitzvah - a ceremony marking the 'coming of age' of Jewish Boys and observation of the Sabbath (Shabat). As in the other faiths, prayer is important. The Jewish prayer book is called the siddur.

The Quran is

The Quran is the most sacred text, as it is believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad. The Hadith is a secondary text that records sayings of Muhammad and his followers. These two texts form the basis for all Islamic theology, practice and Sharia (Islamic law).

Prayer and Ritual - Christianity

The Sacraments, including Baptism and Holy Communion(Eucharist). In Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, five more are added, viz: Confirmation, Marriage, Penance, Holy Orders and Anointing of the sick. Prayer is also an important part of the faith.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THREE?

The major difference is that Christians believe that Jesus was divine, the son of God and that God is The Trinity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit Islam says Jesus was only a prophet. The Jews do not believe that Jesus was a Prophet, or in any way holy. They do not believe he was the Messiah. Muslims think of the Christian Bible as a holy document, as it describes the life and times of one of their Prophets, though they do not agree with some of the details, particularly the resurrection.

What the major difference between Christianity and the other two religions?

The major difference is that most Christians believe that Jesus was divine, the son of God. Islam reveres Jesus as a prophet only and that he was not crucified but raised to Heaven by Allah. Judaism does not think Jesus is the Son of God.

Christians believe The Holy Spirit to be divine and part of the Triniity. God

The third person of the Trinity, truly divine: "....with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified." (Nicene Creed)

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR SIMILARITIES BETWEEN JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM?

They all come from Abraham and his sons Ishmael (prophet and ancestor of Mohammed - Islam) and Isaac (the ancestor of the Jews and Jesus). They all recognise the Old Testament as a significant text although Islam considers it corrupted to a degree.The Judeo-Christian Bible is respected as revelations from the true God, but Muslims believe the Bible to have been corrupted in transmission and translation. They all recognise Moses as a prophet They all believe in one God. They each believe in an afterlife. They all have a Holy Book. They all have rituals and festivals

Salvation for Muslims and Jews

can be attained through good works