Comparison Between Christianity and Islam

652 Words2 Pages

Both Christianity and Islam are believed to be religions of peace. Each religion has an important element of peace within its beliefs. In both the Bible and the Qur’an there are elements of peace, which are regarded as an asset. For both Christianity and Islam, peace is more than simply the absence of violence and conflict, but an overall sense of wellbeing. Ultimately peace can be found in a union with God. Christians and Muslims are taught to live at peace with themselves and others, both within their own communities and in the wider world.

Christianity has a strong emphasis on peace and peacemaking. The quest for inner peace is one of the main messages in the New Testament. The New Testament gives Christian adherents some extremely useful guidelines for individuals who wish to seek peace, both inner and external. Matthew’s Gospel states “blessed are the peace makers” , these words make allow Christians to believe that if they follow the word of God and live peaceful lives they will be blessed. Adherents are advised to pursue peace by not reacting badly to their enemies, by following authorities and by obeying God. Christian’s are taught that they will be able to attain inner peace if they faithfully dedicate themselves to God. Peace is mentioned over 90 times in the New Testament. Many other passages also address the quest for peace without specifically using the word ‘peace’. Christians believe that they can find individual peace through living out their role as followers of Jesus Christ and guiding their lives towards following his teaching. Jesus is regarded as the ultimate peacemaker and living in close connection to him and his teachings will allow the adherent to experience peace. Jesus' life is seen as the ideal way of ...

... middle of paper ...

...ir emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

As well as guiding it’s adherents and contributing to individual peace, Christianity also contributes to world peace. There are various Christian groups and organizations that contribute to world peace. Interfaith dialogue aims to ensure that religious faith is not used to warrant future violence. The Interfaith Encounter Association promotes interfaith study and dialogue between Christians, Jews, Muslims, Druze and Baha’is in Israel and the Middle East. As well as groups and organizations campaigning for world peace, there have also been Christian public statements and declarations for world peace. For example Pope John Paul II’s 1996 message for the World Day of Peace that is titled “that violence may never again be justified by appeals to religious motives”. Pope John Paul had an influential impact on the peace process.

Open Document