World Religions: A Glimpse at Islam

Paper Summary:

This paper highlights the differences and similarities between Islam and Christianity. The paper also includes the summary of an interview the writer conducted with a representative of a Dallas-area Imam, Yusuf Kavkci or Kavakci, in which the writer discussed public attitudes towards the Dallas Central Mosque and some of the controversy surrounding Dr. Kavkci and the public perception of Islam in 2007. The writer found the interview somewhat disappointing, but learnt from his research that Christianity and Islam happen to take interesting departures from one another on a wide array of issues even as they are both Abrahamic faiths.

Outline:
Introduction
Interview Summary
Comparing/Contrasting Islam with Another Religion (in this case, Christianity)
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"A comparison and contrast of Islam and Christianity is always an interesting undertaking. For one thing, both are Abrahamic religions insofar as they both revere the biblical Abraham as a spiritual ancestor (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 2007). In theory, all three of the religions preach love and toleration. That being noted, there are certainly passages in Islam which are critical of Christianity and of Judaism - presumably because the early Islamicists wanted to distance themselves from "adulterated" Christianity and from "less-evolved" Judaism; for its part, Christianity has been, historically, more explicitly critical of the Jews (from whom it sought to distance itself) than of Muslims."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alliance for Jewish, Christian, Muslim Understanding. (2004). Some quotations from the books of the Abrahamic religions. Comparing Abrahamic Religions. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from <http://www.allianceforunderstanding.org/compare.html>
• Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. (2003). Comparison grid between Christianity and Islamic doctrine. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from <http://www.carm.org/islam/grid.htm>
• Danneskjold, Ragnar. (2007, April 10). Who is Yusuf Kavakci and Why is He being Embraced by Texas Republicans? The Jawa Report. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from <http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/187351.php>
• Gaudet, James Abdul Rahim, Mills, Rabia, and Ali, Syed Mumtaz. (n.d.). Islam and Christianity: Similarities and differences. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from <http://muslim-canada.org/islam_christianity.html#10commandments>
• Islamic Association of North Texas. (2006). About IANT. Islamic Association of North Texas: About IANT. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from <http://www.iant.com/about.php>

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