Comparing Islam and Christianity on Violence - Literature review Example

Comparing Islam and Christianity on Violence INTRODUCTION Crime and violence are both evident aspects in the modern day society as well as in the olden days. The world today is striving for peace so that people can lead a better and healthy life and ensure a better future for the generations ahead. However, the prevalence of violence in every corner of the society does not seem to pave the way for a safe and secure world. It would not be ambiguous to state that violence is prevalent in various religions that are practiced in the world today in an extensive manner. Among the various religions that exist today, this particular paper aims at analyzing as well as comparing the aspect of violence amid two major religions practiced all over the world i.e. Islam and Christianity. Notably, teachings of both the religions directly oppose violence and terror and both advocate the need for peace and unity all over. THESIS STATEMENT It is apparent from the above discussion that violence is one of the major issues of debate amid experts all over the world. People mostly discuss about the prevalence of violence in various religions practiced in the society including Islam and Christianity among others. In order to present a more definite view, discussion will be made about the worldwide views of violence in both Christianity as well as in Islam. The study will also emphasize towards ascertaining the differences and the similarities between the two religions mentioned in the above stanza with regard to the determinant of violence. This will enable to provide a more comprehensive understanding about the subject matter. WORLDWIDE VIEWS OF VIOLENCE IN CHRISTIANITY It has been observed for decades now that the aspect of violence has gathered attraction in debates and discussions among people. However, the sources of violence in the world can be depicted with little precision. Therefore, it is crucial to depict that violence has different meaning and treated as well as seen differently depending on the religion and behavior along with the thinking of the people. Contextually, the religion of Christianity has its way of treating violence. Observably, the relationship amid violence and Christianity is believed to be quite a contentious topic. This belief among people owes to the aspect that at one end Christianity and the teachings associated with it promote love and peace all over the world while on the other hand they practice violence in an extensive manner. In the teachings of Christianity, extensive discussion has been widely conducted with regard to peace and forgiveness of the wrongdoers further depicting them as the core element of their teachings. However, questions are continuously raised in the approach of people in Christianity towards using force and violence in a justified manner. Throughout the history of Christianity, certain teachings of the Old Testament and the New Testament were referred with regard to justifying the use of force or violence in Christianity (Volf 1-17). According to Weaver, the answer to the question of whether Christianity supports violence is quite simple for many. This is because of the fact that there are various scenarios which can directly present the controversial approach of Christianity towards violence which notably include the Warrior Pope’s in the history, support of the Christians towards the corporal and capital punishment and the extensive practice of slavery among the many that exist. Conversely, Weaver also argued about a few of the aspects including the teachings of Jesus where He taught people about loving the enemies, eliminating non-violence from the society and ensuring peace all over the world extensively oppose the aspect of violence (Harris, ”Letter to a Christian Nation”; Weaver, “Violence In Christian Theology”). Hence, the worldviews of the relationship between Christianity and violence is quite blurred and the debate in this subject matter everlasting. WORLDWIDE VIEWS OF VIOLENCE IN ISLAM Similar to Christianity, violence in Islam is also an important topic of extensive discussion worldwide. Observably, a few of the doctrines and texts associated with Islam provide strong evidences and cases of their association with extensive violence. According to the study of Sutton and Vertigans, western world holds a fixed view towards Islam where they directly depict it as the religion of violence. The study also states that as per the western world, Islam is ”a religion of the sword” where conflict, aggressions and terrorism are deeply prevalent within the activities of the people (1-33). In this regard, Puniyani depicts that owing to the extensive association of the religion with terrorism, people within the Islamic community also hold the view that this religion is associated with activities of violence (1-25). However, the research of Juergensmeyer affirms that like in any other religion, the teaching of Islam also focuses more on ascertaining peace and non-violence throughout the world with occasionally allowing the use of force and violent activities. He further believes that similar to Christianity, Islam also does not disregard violence at one point while on the other hand it teaches that self-defense is a right of human beings (3-20). Hence, as per Hood, Jr, Hill and Spilka, different people might hold dissimilar views regarding the aspect of violence in Islam but there lies a universal truth that considering Islam inherently as a violent religion is entirely not true similar to the aspect that considering it as a religion entirely opposed to violence is not a comprehensively correct perception altogether (76-90). COMPARE AND CONTRAST OF VIOLENCE AMID ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY In accordance with the discussions made, it is apparent that both Islam and Christianity have integral association with violence right from the olden days till the modern day scenario. There are numerous similarities as well as differences between the two religions with regard to their approaches towards violence and terror. Observably, the teachings of Islam as well as Christianity do not promote violence and terror rather the teachings intend to ensure peace and non-violence in the world. One more similarity between the teachings of both the religions is the fact that both allow the use of force in self-defense or in any other scenario (Hood, Jr, Hill, and Spilka 76-90). According to the study of Gillum, in the name of religion, both in Islam and Christianity violence is deemed to be quite common right from the ancient times. People in both the religions worshipped statues and stones in the olden days in the honor of God. Evidence suggests that right from the ancient times to the modern day scenario, killings of animals towards honoring or worshipping God has become quite common. This shows the prevalence of violence in both the scenario. Correspondingly, existence of extensive terror, violence and misunderstanding among the people is what the world is like today as affirmed by Gillum (1-33). The religion of Islam is entirely concentrated towards the five pillars of their faith which comprises the declaration of faith to God, conducting prayer regularly, conducting charitable activities and the pilgrimage of Mecca among others. In the first pillar of faith i.e. declaration of faith of God, where it is believed that a Muslim will declare himself/herself to God and will further recall the teachings of God in each of his/her daily activities. This further instructs that Islam should need to follow the teachings of Prophet or the God where non-violence and peace are extensively promoted. In similar context, it can be acknowledged that Christians also have the belief that there is only one God and people are answerable to Him for all their activities and conducts. This aspect is similar in both the religions where it is apparent that worshipping and believing in the teachings of God is ultimately the significant part rather than involving in violent activities such as killing animals in the honor of God both in the olden days as well as in the modern day scenario (Gillum 1-33). It is believed in both the religions that God did not send people in this world to condemn it; rather they are sent to save the world. Hence, it is apparent from this teaching of both the religions that people should live in peace to save this world from decease rather than involving in violent activities such as killing people in the name of religion, love and other aspects which not only will affect the integrity and wellbeing of the people but will also destruction of the world altogether. However, in both the religions, there are certain scenarios where the use of force is advocated. A particular phrase in Quran, "Fight for the religion of God against those who fight against you" is deemed to support violence (Sale 34). It has often been argued that this message is interpreted negatively by the people in the religion and violence is often conveyed through terrorism in the name of religion. In this regard, Ali and Gallegos believe that the phrase in Quran only intends to convey the rights of people towards self-defense and not violence. Similar to Islam, the teaching of Christianity also deemed to have a violent side as fierce activities are intensely described in Bible. A particular quote in the Bible depicts that “an eye for an eye” which depicts if a person injures the eye of another he/she must return the complement. This is essentially interpreted as equal punishment for equal crime (Ali and Gallegos 1-31). This phrase of Bible is deemed to directly promote violence. There also exist certain differences between the two religions in terms of their approach towards violence. It is argued that the teachings of Quran order or instruct Islamic people to fight through seeking help from the Allah with people who are against them or who refuse their demands and rights. On the other hand, a few of the episodes of the Old Testament are deemed to promote violence where people are instructed to use force while acquiring their rights or their belongings from others (Adams and Fortune 35-85). Though both the religions directly promote violence but the motive of using force certainly differs. There is also a difference between the teachings of the two religions in terms of killing people. As per the teachings of Jesus, killing of people is not allowed as they are against the preaching of God. However, the phrases in the Hebrew Bible have a different aspect to depict. According to Bible, many of the offences in Christianity are liable for capital punishment which is an approach of killing people. Besides, the phrases from Hebrew Bible also advocated collective punishment as well as indiscriminate war. Furthermore, extracts from the Hebrew Bible also depicted the God demanded strict obedience from His followers and any sort of violation was punishable to death. All these aspects promote violence directly or indirectly in the Christian religion. Conversely, phrases in Quran repeatedly depict God to be compensated and everyone has the right to follow their own religion as per their desire. Furthermore, the statements of Holy Quran also strongly oppose killings of people in the name of religion or any other aspect. Quran advocates the need of Jihad (meaning effort) to acquire once rights. However, this is misinterpreted in most of the Islamic communities as they take it as a justified approach to spread terror and violence (Perry, “Killing in the Name of God: The Problem of Holy War”). CONCLUSION Conclusively, it can be depicted that violence is inherent both in Christianity as well as in Islam. However, the teachings of both the religions extensively promote peace and harmony all over the world. Different people have different opinions about how these two religions differ in terms of their approaches towards violence and an apparent and universal conclusion is yet to be determined. The debate over this particular topic is quite vast and everlasting. Hence, it can be recapitulated that the teachings of both the religions rarely promote violence but a few of the teachings are misinterpreted among the followers which threatens the integrity and wellbeing of the world. Therefore, it can be affirmed there is a requirement to project the values and teachings of both the religions in an affirmative manner which will in turn facilitate to drive the activities of mankind in the right direction. Works Cited Ali, Maulana Muhammad, and Christopher Gallegos. The Religion of Islam. United States: eBookIt.com, 2011. Print. Adams, Carol J, and Marie Fortune. Violence against Women and Children: A Christian Theological Sourcebook. New York: Continuum, 1995. Print. Gillum, Joshua. Is Islam Peaceful or Violent: Comparing Islam and Christianity to Reveal the Propaganda of Terrorism. University of Arkansas (n.d.): 1-33. Print. Harris, Sam. Letter to a Christian Nation. n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. Hood Jr, Ralph W. Peter C. Hill, and Bernard Spilka. The Psychology of Religion, Fourth Edition: An Empirical Approach. New York: Guilford Press, 2009. Print. Juergensmeyer, Mark. Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence. US: University of California Press, 2003. Print. Puniyani, Ram. Religion, Power and Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times. United States: SAGE, 2005. Print. Perry, David L. Killing in the Name of God: The Problem of Holy War. 2001. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. Sutton, Philip W, and Stephen Vertigans. Resurgent Islam: A Sociological Approach. United Kingdom: Polity, 2005. Print. Sale, George. The Koran; Commonly Called the Alcoran of Mohammed: Translated from the Original Arabic, Volume 1. London: T. Maiden, Sherbourne-Lane, 1801. Print. Volf, Miroslav. ‘Christianity and Violence.’ University of Pennsylvania (2002): 1-17. Print. Weaver, J. Denny. Violence In Christian Theology. n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. Read More