Please, for the love of God, reason, or just plain common sense, do not post a response to this topic until you've read TehSeraphim's Premier Guide to Debate. Please.
I want to open up a serious discussion about the core differences between Christianity and Islam. I will start by saying I'm a nearly-atheist-agnostic, so you all know where I'm coming from religiously.
I intend no offense to anyone except flamers.
I think many of the major differences can be boiled down to this:
Islam was designed as a winner's religion (politically). It was formed at a time and place when there was no clear single ruling power (warring Arab tribes in Saudi Arabia ca. 600 AD). The political field was wide open and Islam designed a way to create law and order from a position of rulership. It's holy books and traditions provide a framework for what laws there should be, how wars should be fought, etc. Governance is natural to Islam.
Christianity was designed as a loser's religion (politically). It was formed at a time and place when there was a clear ruler (Roman Empire ca. 0 AD). The political field was closed, and Christianity designed a way to live a good, faithful life without unduly challenging the secular power. It accepted a great deal of submission to Caesar. Christianity's holy books provide a framework for how live in poverty and humility. The New Testament does not provide a framework for laws and wars. Governance is unnatural to Christianity.
Therefore Christianity is about humility and forgiveness, and Islam is about authority and justice.
Therefore Christian civilizations get @#!$ing stupid when they are top dog and Muslim civilizations get ^$!*ing stupid when they are not top dog.
Behold my grand simplification (I know, I know, both religions were still changing and adapting long after their "formative periods").
Who agrees, who disagrees, and who has something to add?
*EDIT*: typos
I want to open up a serious discussion about the core differences between Christianity and Islam. I will start by saying I'm a nearly-atheist-agnostic, so you all know where I'm coming from religiously.
I intend no offense to anyone except flamers.
I think many of the major differences can be boiled down to this:
Islam was designed as a winner's religion (politically). It was formed at a time and place when there was no clear single ruling power (warring Arab tribes in Saudi Arabia ca. 600 AD). The political field was wide open and Islam designed a way to create law and order from a position of rulership. It's holy books and traditions provide a framework for what laws there should be, how wars should be fought, etc. Governance is natural to Islam.
Christianity was designed as a loser's religion (politically). It was formed at a time and place when there was a clear ruler (Roman Empire ca. 0 AD). The political field was closed, and Christianity designed a way to live a good, faithful life without unduly challenging the secular power. It accepted a great deal of submission to Caesar. Christianity's holy books provide a framework for how live in poverty and humility. The New Testament does not provide a framework for laws and wars. Governance is unnatural to Christianity.
Therefore Christianity is about humility and forgiveness, and Islam is about authority and justice.
Therefore Christian civilizations get @#!$ing stupid when they are top dog and Muslim civilizations get ^$!*ing stupid when they are not top dog.
Behold my grand simplification (I know, I know, both religions were still changing and adapting long after their "formative periods").
Who agrees, who disagrees, and who has something to add?
*EDIT*: typos
Last edited by bruisehound (2006-07-02 08:27:42)