Christianity represents 31% of the world's population, of which Catholics are approx. 18% and Protestants 37%, other Christian religions making up the balance.

Islam represents 25% of the world’s population

of which Sunni are approx. 90% and Shiite 10%

 

PROTESTANTISM

ISLAM

Founded

Founded by various reformers who denied the universal authority of the Catholic Pope, Papal Magisterial Authority, Papal Infallibility, and objected to Roman Catholic Orthodoxy, some portions of doctrine, and a number of specific practices.

Martin Luther specifically objected to the selling of indulgencies for the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The money raised from selling indulgencies was being used for the building of St. Peter's Basilica. Martin Luther was excommunicated, sentenced to death for heresy and had to go in to hiding for 3 years to save his life.

The main reformers were: 12th century - Peter Waldo. 14th century - John Wycliffe. 15th century Jan Hus. 16th century*  - Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Jacobus Arminius, Heinrich Bullinger, Balthasar Hubmaier, Menno Simons, John Smyth, Huldrych Zwingili, amongst many others.

Today there are estimated to be some 33,000 denominations under the "Protestant Umbrella" however there are only a few denominations that have major or secondary theological differences, with the others only having minor subtle theological differences.

Protestantism, in line with most other religions, suffers from divisions based mainly on arguments over interpretation and semantics.

There is also argument over whether "Anglican" churches are in fact "Protestant" or "Reformed Catholic"

 

* The 16th century is considered to be the Reformation Proper.

Muhammad

 

 

 

God(s)

One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

The doctrine of the Trinity developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies including threatened schisms.

It was not until the 4th century that the distinctness of the three and their unity were brought together in a single orthodox doctrine of one essence and three persons (1+1+1=1). God, Jesus the incarnation of God, and the Holy Spirit as the bond between them.

This generally placated the factions, although the controversies re-emerged during the enlightenment period and continue until today.

Belief in a single God

Prophet(s)

Jesus of Nazareth

Various including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and finally Muhammad who received the final revelation from God through the archangel Gabriel.

 

Leader(s)

Deacons, Bishops, Vicars, Clergy amongst others.

After Muhammad's death, a schism occurred based on who should succeed him. Basically a political dispute, although over time theological differences also appeared. The various problems relating to succession over the years lead to assassinations and civil war. Today the two factions (Sunni and Shia) are led by people who follow a hierarchy based on achievements in religious study such as jurists, mufti etc., down to the lower levels of mullahs, imams etc. There are no overall leaders, although different Islamic countries have their own levels of seniority.

 

Afterlife

Eternal heaven or hell (or temporary purgatory before heaven).

Following bodily resurrection, paradise in Heaven or eternal fire in Hell

 

Practices

Prayer, Bible study, baptism, Eucharist (Communion), church on Sundays, numerous holidays. The belief in the Bible as the supreme source of authority for the church. The early churches of the Reformation believed in a critical, yet serious, reading of Scripture and holding the Bible as a source of authority higher than that of previous Church Tradition. The right and duty of the Christian laity not only to read the Bible in the vernacular, but also to take part in the government and all the public affairs of the Church. It is opposed to the hierarchical system which puts the essence and authority of the Church in an exclusive priesthood, and makes ordained priests the necessary mediators between God and the people.

 

 

 

The five pillars of wisdom:

1.       To recite the creed during prayer "I testify that there is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God."

2.       Daily prayers.

3.       Almsgiving.

4.       Fasting during Ramadan.

5.       Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texts

The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

The Quran

 

Human situation/

Life's purpose

All have sinned* and are thereby separated from God. Salvation comes by grace through faith alone in Jesus as the Christ, rather than through good works as in the Catholic faith.

 

*St. Augustine (354-430AD) imported an idea foreign to the Bible: the notion that the taint of sin is transmitted from generation to generation by the act of procreation following the fall of Adam. He took this idea from the 2nd-century theologian Tertullian, who actually coined the phrase original sin.

That the purpose of life is to worship God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punishment for heresy

Historically: Death.

 

Currently: Nothing.

Historically: Death.

 

Currently: Death in almost all Islamic countries that adhere to Islamic Sharia law rather than secular laws.

 

Attitude to Women

Historically: Various, but generally unequal

 

Currently: Various, but generally Liberal.*

 

*Many churches now allow female clergy, and the first female bishop has been appointed.

Historically: Extremely unequal, androcentric (male oriented), even misogynistic (fear or hatred of women).

 

Currently: Extremely unequal, androcentric (male oriented), even misogynistic (fear or hatred of women).

 

“The fourth chapter of the Quran is called "Women". The 34th verse is a key verse in feminist criticism of Islam. The verse reads: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great”.

 

“Thanks to the subjective/biased interpretations of the Quran (almost exclusively by men), the preponderance of the misogynic mullahs and the regressive Shariah law in most "Muslim" countries, Islam is synonymously known as a promoter of misogyny in its worst form.

Although there is no way of defending the so-called "great" traditions of Islam as being libertarian and believing in equality with regard to women, we may draw a line between the Quranic texts and the corpus of declared misogynic writing and spoken words by the mullahs having very little or no relevance to the Quran”.

 

“Misogynistic interpretation has been persistently attached to the 34th verse because commentary on the Quran has been the exclusive domain of Muslim men".

 

Main objectives in theory

To spread the teachings of the Bible and Jesus and encourage believers to live lives in accordance with those teachings.

 

1.       Originally to spread Islamic beliefs by uniting peoples and tribes in to one religious and political society.

(Muhammad as a religious warlord drew Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula to Islam by his forceful personality, the promise of salvation for those who died fighting for Islam, and the lure of fortune for those who succeeded in conquest. The caravan raids of the early years of Islam soon become full-scale wars, and empires and nations bowed to the power of this new religious, military, political, economic, and social phenomenon.)

 

2.       Latterly, following the decline of Islam after the colonial era, to revive Islam throughout the world by re-establishing the straight path of Islam in personal and public life, which will ensure the restoration of Islamic identity, values, and power worldwide.

 

Thus, the renewal and revitalization of Muslim governments and societies require the restoration or reimplementation of Islamic Sharia law, which provides the blueprint for an Islamically guided and socially just state, society and world.

 

(Sharia, a term that refers to the body of laws and rules that regulate Muslim life. These laws are an expression of God’s will, according to Muslim belief, although derivation and application of the laws depend on interpretation by leaders versed in Islamic law.

Over time, the laws that Muslims must follow have been elaborated upon by the schools of law. Today the schools of law, and their work is largely limited to applying laws and judgments generally not legislated by the secular governments, chiefly family law and ritual.

The most important debate among modern Muslims concerns whether the Sharia should be applied in all aspects of life and whether and how to renovate it so that it addresses the most pressing issues facing the Muslim world today.)

Main objectives in practice

As above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       As in 1 above.

 

2.       Muslim societies suffered from a feeling of failure and loss of self-esteem after they achieved independence from colonial rule by the mid-20th century because of failed post-colonial political systems and economies and the negative effects of modernization. Characterizing many of the newly independent Muslim nations were autocratic leaders, repressive governments, overcrowded cities with insufficient social support systems, high unemployment rates, government corruption, and a growing gap between rich and poor, including abject poverty and a total lack of education for the poor.

Many Muslims blamed Western models of political and economic development for these failures. Once enthusiastically pursued as symbols of modernity, these models increasingly came under criticism. Modernization, a process of Westernization and secularization of society, was seen as responsible for an excessive dependence on the West; for a weakening of traditional family, religious, and social values; and for a loss of identity that contributed to the breakdown of Muslim society. Therefor many Muslims wish to re-establish Islamic societies and values throughout the world. The majority of Islamic activists seek to achieve this gradually by working within their respective societies systems and laws.

Known as Islamic Fundamentalists their ranks include members of non-governmental Muslim organizations that provide much-needed services to the poor through Islamic schools, medical clinics, social welfare agencies, and other institutions.

 

3.       There is however at the fringe of Islamic Fundamentalism a significant minority of people who believe that they have a mandate from God to carry out God’s will. This extremist minority further believes that because the rulers in the Muslim world are authoritarian and anti-Islamic, violent change is necessary. They seek to topple governments, seize power, and impose their vision or interpretation of Islam upon society.

 

Radical Islamic movements often operate on the assumption that Islam and the West are locked in an ongoing battle that reaches back to the early days of Islam, a battle that has been heavily influenced by the legacy of the Crusades and European colonialism, and that today is the product of a Judeo-Christian conspiracy. This conspiracy, they believe, is the result of superpower neo-colonialism and the power of Zionism (support for a Jewish nation, now the state of Israel). These radical movements blame the West (Britain, France, and especially the United States) for its support of un-Islamic or unjust regimes and biased support for Israel in the face of the displacement of the Palestinian people. Thus, violence against such governments and their representatives as well as Western multinationals is regarded as legitimate self-defence.

 

Islamic radicals also believe that Islam is not simply an ideological alternative for Muslim societies but a theological and political imperative. Because it is God’s command, implementation must be immediate, not gradual, and the obligation to implement is incumbent on all true Muslims. Therefore, those who hesitate, remain apolitical, or resist—individuals and governments—are no longer to be regarded as Muslims. They are atheists or unbelievers, enemies of God, against whom all true Muslims must wage holy war in the form of the fourth aspect of jihad.

 

(Jihad - the struggle to please God. Jihad is the duty of all mainstream Muslims, who belong to the branch known as Sunni Islam. There are four ways they may fulfil a jihad: 1. by the heart, 2. by the tongue, 3. by the hand, 4. by the sword.

The first refers to the inner, spiritual battle of the heart against vice, passion, and ignorance. The second way means speaking the truth and spreading the word of Islam with one's tongue. The third way involves choosing to do what is right and to combat injustice and what is wrong with action, or one's hand. The fourth way refers to defending Islam and waging war against its enemies with the sword.

Islamic legal scholars, during the early centuries of Islam, divided the world into two 1. Abode of Islam and 2. Abode of war—that is, of non-Islamic rule. Islamic law further stated that it was the duty of the first to strive to bring as much of the second as possible under its control, preferably by conversion but by force if necessary.

Although jihad has come to be equated with “holy war” in the West, most Muslims would argue that military action is only a small part of jihad and that this form of jihad should be undertaken only in self-defence or against injustice. They see the internal struggle to attain self-mastery and lead a virtuous life as far more important.

In some countries, however, Muslim activists would like to see Islamic governments installed, and for them jihad encompasses a more revolutionary goal of replacing their country’s political leadership. Still other Muslim militants extend the concept of jihad to acts of terrorism against Western countries whose influence they view as harmful to Islam.

The Quran (Koran), states that those who die in this type of jihad, while fighting for the faith, automatically become martyrs and are awarded a special place in heaven. Most modern branches of Islam, however, stress the inner, spiritual jihad.

In contrast to mainstream Sunni Muslims, Muslim groups such as the Imami and Bohora-Ismaili Shias are forbidden from participating in a hostile jihad. These sects believe the only person legitimately capable of conducting such a jihad is their imam, or spiritual leader.)

 

Major

benefits to the human

condition

The socioeconomic and moral teachings of Jesus are generally good exemplary (irrespective of which church teaches them) and the effects of these teachings on society in general, and individuals in particular, has been generally beneficial. There have been many exemplary achievements by individual Protestants in many areas of life.

The Protestant church for many centuries was the "Power Behind the Throne" in the leadership of many countries upon whose support many kings relied, and therefore kept a certain amount of reign on their behavior.

 

 

 

The bringing together of warring tribes and stopping the resultant slaughter and thereby creating a more peaceful society, although initially by also waging war and committing slaughter.

 

Many early advances in science. Establishment of the first public hospitals. Establishment of some of the first universities.

 

The giving of charitable donations (Zakat) to aid the poor and those in need (currently estimated to be 15 times global humanitarian aid donations).

 

Many beautiful buildings, architecture and works of art depicting abstract designs. (the human, animal or natural world is generally forbidden in Islamic art, although interpretation varies by country)

 

In general most Islamic cities, towns and villages live in relative peace, although "outside" influence is heavily curtailed.

 

Major detriments to the human condition in deaths.

Religious wars Mainly fought defensively against Catholic armies (See Catholicism for details). With the Reformation many kings who had previously been unwilling subjects of the Catholic church and the power of the Popes, took the opportunity to support the new churches to release themselves from papal power, thereby making themselves enemies of the Catholic church and therefore subject to attack by the armies of kings still supporting and beholden to the Popes. Later this developed in to loosely based religious wars between kingdoms where religion was an excuse rather than a reason for the war, with territorial gain and power being the real objectives.

 

Witchcraft the belief in witches* and that they were in league with the devil mainly ran from 1484 to 1750. During this time, many people (80% women) were accused, convicted and either burned or hanged as witches to punish heresy.

 

*Witchcraft was believed by many cultures and religions throughout history.

 

Colonialism  Whilst the Spanish and Portuguese  Catholic Conquistadores were pillaging South America and other areas. The British, Dutch, French and to a lesser extent German countries were exploiting other areas of the world (Africa, India, North America, China etc.) Although these countries benefited from the exploited wealth it was done in the main through companies set up for those purposes. Companies who had shareholders and their own company armies (such as the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company) although their respective governments drew wealth from taxing their trading. These companies also fought de-facto wars on their governments behalf.

On the back of colonialism, and to give colonialism some form of credence other than pure capitalistic greed, rode the Protestant Evangelical cause. Evangelists were at the forefront of the colonialist operations and spent their lives bringing their various churches / beliefs to the native populations with the object of converting them to their particular form of Christianity. Again, untold numbers of native peoples were killed by war, disease, slavery and rape. These deaths and despicable behaviors were not however directed by Protestantism, but by the companies / governments involved, and the wealth went not directly to the churches but to the same companies / governments. Although the link between colonialism and evangelicalism is clear, church involvement in the wars and pillage that resulted is less so.

 

Slavery The enforced slavery of Africans who were then sent in chains to work in the Caribbean and America was a stain on the countries (mainly Protestant) who were involved in it. Often 30 or 40% of the shipload of slaves would die and be thrown overboard before reaching their destination. The cruelty involved in this despicable trade in human beings is well recorded. Again the Protestant churches were not involved in this trade but were close bystanders who did little to object to, or stop it. Admittedly, the Parliamentarians who did eventually bring the trade in slavery to an end were no doubt devout Protestant Christians, however it was through parliamentary democracy, rather than church intervention, that they were able to do so.

Many deaths resulting from centuries of wars of conquest, plus both defensive and aggressive wars of the crusades.

 

Aggressive wars of Islamic colonialism throughout India and under Aurangzeb’s fanatical Islamic reign brought India close to total economic decline.  

 

Wars of expansion of the Turkish Ottoman empire.

 

Aggressive wars of separation between Islamic Pakistan/India, causing over 250,000 deaths in 1947, followed by civil war between Islamic Pakistan and Islamic West Bengal (Bangladesh).

 

Currently increasing numbers of deaths from Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and civil wars in many countries aimed at the formation of Islamist only states.

 

In the 21st century, heresy is still punishable by death in many Islamic states

 

In the 21st century, adultery is still punishable by death in many Islamic states

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Other Major detriments to the human condition.

Teachings

Some of the teachings in minor Protestant churches have led to beliefs that are peculiar to say the least - such as teachings today that the world is only 6,000 years old and evolutionarily unchanged since the beginning, and a church based on a nine year old child prophet. These peculiar minor churches tend to be mainly in the USA and Africa.

 

Christian Fundamentalists (both Catholic and Protestant) have long battled in the courts, particularly in the USA to either stop the teaching of Darwinism in schools, or to ensure the equal teaching of Creationism under various other names such as intelligent design. The courts successively struck down such cases stating that State and Church must be separated and schools free to teach Darwinism and under no obligation to teach Creationism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muhammad indulged in Polygamy, having many wives, and also kept slaves.

 

Women's rights in Islamic states today vary greatly, however generally women are treated inferiorly, despite the Quran stating that men and women are equal, although may have different responsibilities.

 

Although greatly varied by Islamic country, and that countries level of conservatism / fundamentalism, even today in some Islamic countries:

 

·         Women are not allowed to vote

·         Women undergo arranged marriages

·         Women are not allowed to inherit (land, property, goods or chattels)

·         Women are not allowed to work except in the home*

·         Women are not allowed to attend school or be educated*

·         Men can have up to four wives

·         Men can marry non-Islamic women but not the reverse

·         Men and women are not allowed to mix socially*

·         Women must dress modestly in public - varying from simple hair covering to total bodily cover including a yashmak*

·         Women are not allowed to drive cars or ride bicycles*

·         Women are not allowed to participate in sport*

·         Women must be accompanied by a male relative when in public*

·         Women undergo genital mutation as girls

·         Women are not allowed to dance or listen to music

·         Many more………….

 

*In some countries special religious police enforce these rules/laws in public

 

Education of boys (and girls in countries that allow it) is strictly controlled and follows a narrow Islamic agenda of total Islamic indoctrination.

 

Freedom of thought, expression and freedom of speech are not allowed and generally considered heresy. (only statements concomitant with Islam are allowed)

 

Certain Sharia inspired punishments are generally barbaric - the cutting off of hands for theft, public beheadings, stoning to death for adultery, payment of blood money or undergoing physical mutilation etc. Although these are extreme examples, many radicals wish to revive these types of punishment.

 

(Although an Islamic country like Qatar is supposed to have one of the finest rehabilitation prison systems in the world, resulting from the segregation of secular law - that deals with crime, and sharia law - that deals with family affairs)

 

Notes

 

·         In many instances, most religions have been able to adapt to modernity by accommodating the diversity of contemporary culture, in part by the adaptation of religion to secular values and the repositioning of conservative religion that was previously in direct opposition to secular values (such as the Vatican II council in the Catholic Church). This is not so in Islamic fundamentalism which sees itself as unchanging.

(The retired head of MI5 when discussing the radicalisation of young people to violent fundamentalism – terrorism – said about the Islamic religion "as a whole is not well geared to reviving and modernising itself so that it meets the values and the norms of a 21st Century society").

 

·         Islamic fundamentalist inspired terrorism, which wants to take Islam back to the middle ages, which kills schoolchildren for wanting to be educated, kills women for attending parties and dancing, kills people born in Islamic countries but who believe in a different religion or no religion at all, kills men even for shaving off their beards etc., is abhorred by a horrified world at large and by mainstream Moslems.

 

·         It is surprising that in the west the leaders and hierarchy of Moslem organisations only seem to condemn Islamic terrorism when absolutely pressured to do so. Could this be because of the subconscious and unstated belief, even in supposed moderates, in the 4th way of jihad (by the sword) to bring about world Islamisation?