“An expression of interreligious solidarity at a time of religious tension, spoke of a shared Christian-Muslim commitment to love of God and love of neighbor (Heck).” Christianity and Islam are ranked as the top two largest religions by following. They, along with Judaism make up the bulk of monotheistic Abrahamic religions, meaning their religious beliefs are based on the practices of ancient Israelites belief in one God. Christians (those who practice Christianity) and Muslims (those who practice Islam) have been involved in interactions over matters of faith and morality since the founding of Islam. Attitudes between the faiths today are profoundly colored by the heritage of past encounters, and often preserve centuries-old negative views though the two religions have substantial common ground.
According to Christian-Muslim Relations: 1500 – 1900, “Christians and Muslims have lived together from the beginnings of Islam in the 7th century. For the first eight or nine hundred years they interacted together, and frequently opposed one another, in the relatively concentrated area…” Muslims have commented on the control of the Church and the corruption of the Bible (Christian primary religious scripture). Meanwhile, Christians have commented on Mohammad as a biblical figure and the Qur’an (Islamic primary religious scripture). As centuries passed, both religions had internal issues with each developing various branches of their specific religion. Islam became divided into several main sects, as did Christianity. According to our textbook most Muslims are Sunni and the largest branch of Christianity is Roman Catholic.
Over time, both religions have spread their message worldwide. Their beliefs say that they must spread their message. Historically, Christianity was spread throughout the western world through crusades and various wars by force. While in eastern countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia Islam reigns supreme. As the world developed and change over the years the western world began to dominate on multiple fronts and because of this their choice of religion became seen as the only way to be. Religious wars have been fought since the beginning but with the industrial revolution the method of war became more deadly in the modern era. One of the most tragic was the Holocaust during World War II that caused a domino effect that still continues today. Though the Holocaust was about Christians killing those of Jewish faith by the thousands this act of horror has inspired other extremists in the Islamic faith in the modern day.
It is these extremists belief that have colored most contemporary Christians while Muslims have not forgotten the history of the Crusades fought in the name of Christianity. One of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the United States 9/11 has significantly put negative light on the Islamic religion. In fact according to “Muslims in America: Public Perceptions in the Trump Era” report published by Fiza Pirani, researchers found that on average, Americans believe that only 51 percent of Muslim Americans respect American ideals and laws. The most prevalent Muslim stereotypes that crossed partisan and ideological lines included their rigidity, outdated views of women and views of gays and lesbians. In essence it can be deduced that currently Christians are stereotyping Muslims as evil and wanting to kill everyone. From a Muslim’s view it can be said that Christians have the same problems and maybe additional ones do to the fact that Christianity is so large with such a multitude of various dominations under its one umbrella term.
On the other side Muslims see that responses of elevated violence from Christian dominated countries to Muslim dominated countries as overkill. Bombing entire villages in order to eliminate a small terror cell or in some cases one individual who has caused significant hardship to a particular country show people in the Muslim dominate countries that Christian dominated counties are willing to kill because they feel threatened. “Seventy-six percent of Muslim Americans also said the targeting and killing of civilians can never be justified (Pirani).”
It is the actions of a few that affected thousands that color the opinions of millions in both religions over the years. It will take significant efforts in both religions with some assistance through their top figures to work through the stereotypes and bad behavior from both sides. Both Islam and Christianity teach love thy neighbor but as individuals we must all take the words to heart and follow through with the spirit.
Works Cited
“Christian-Muslim Relations: 1500 – 1900 (CMR1900).” Tunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' and Its Aftermath: Defining New Expectations for the Arab World?, University of Birmingham, 2017, www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/ptr/departments/theologyandreligion/research/projects/cmr1900/CMR1900.aspx.
Heck, Paul L. “Common Ground: Islam, Christianity, and Religious Pluralism.” Canadian Social Science, Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures; Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture, 2018, www.questia.com/library/117587544/common-ground-islam-christianity-and-religious.
Pirani, Fiza. “Nearly 1-in-5 Americans Would Deny Muslim American Citizens the Right to Vote, New Report Finds.” Ajc, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 13 June 2018, www.ajc.com/news/national/nearly-americans-would-deny-muslim-american-citizens-the-right-vote-new-report-finds/3JaLmKciEigUGNSjG27QWN/.