Analysis of The Cross and the Crescent
Richard Fletcher has written The Cross and the Crescent an entertaining book that illustrates the early relationship between the Christians and Muslims. It helped me to understand the historical differences between the religions and to understand the reason for continued conflict, misunderstanding, and general uneasiness between the two groups. I will highlight some key historical events presented in the book and draw conclusions to almost modern day relations between the two religions. Additionally I will give an overall analysis of the book.
The Muslims have many critiques of the Christians and many of them are good points, while some are a bit of a stretch and even somewhat hypocritical. The main invalidation that Islam points out is the belief in the trinity while Christians still maintain that they are monotheistic. Additionally the dual nature of Christ is brought into light, because the Muslims believe their most important person to be Muhammad, merely an un-divine message receiver to god, they criticize the idea that Christ was both human and divine. The multiplicity of textual accounts, in the eyes of Islam, refutes the legitimacy of the accounts. However when they attempt to criticize the differing sects of Christianity they have no basis for argument as they themselves have had a similar split of beliefs between the Sunnis and Shi’ites. However I do think it prudent that the Muslims integrated societal law to be religious law because in emphasizes the necessity for there to be a non-secular set up to ingrain religious practice. The fact of the matter is that Muslims and Christians were in undesirable contact because of Muslims migrating into the empire or Christians and jews fleeing persecution, setting up churches, and developing a distinct arab Christian culture.
Christians too had discrepance’s with the Muslims because the bible explained that Ishmael would a wild person against the will of everyone, and everyone against him. Simply that passage from Genesis 16 explained their violent bloodthirsty behavior and forever labeled them outsiders as claimed by the word of god. Additionally the ethnicity of the Muslims, who claimed to be both descendent of both Hagar and Sarah, made them apparent unequals and enemies of the human race as a whole. However the Roman empire had use for such a people ...
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... agree on the progress of humanity and stop violence. Although we must note that Muslims in general to this day are tolerant.
Overall I enjoyed the book simply because it improved my overall knowledge of the historical background of Muslim belief and thought as well as interactions between they and Christianity. Like most historical documents its presentation can get a bit repetitive but its has a greater worth because I always find it interesting to complete my picture of the historical world behind me. I think most can agree that Richard Fletcher does well at attempting to keep our attention in keeping the book in the form of little historical stories at times. I do believe he needs to put something about the everyday society of people under some of these conditions, however drawing out his own opinion more could lead to greater overall speculation of his book. Anyone who wants an in depth view of the Muslim relationship with Christians should read this. Finally I believe he does a good job of keeping a non-biased point of view, resulting in my opinion that this book would also have value to Muslims and Christians wanting to know about the same subject or their history.
Christian and Muslim had been fighting over the Holy Land and which is the better. When Jew wasn’t part of the Crusades, they randomly got pulled in and christian started killing them.Document 1 states that “In the Middle East, both Christians and Muslims committed appalling atrocities
Although there are some aberrations in Christianity and Islam, there are many more similarities between the two. Those who practice Christianity consider being Muslim taboo because they are said to have renounced Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Aside from that factor, most practices are equal. Sadly, most Muslims and Christians will never get along because in their eyes, the few differences are colossal enough to keep them divided. Each side is too blinded by the error of the others ways to see how analogous to one another they actually are.
All in all, this short selection of Usama’s writings does much to further the understanding of the effects on the crusades on many Muslims during this period, though since this was written by an affluent elite it does not describe much of the general populous’ experience. It also provides a good overview of the interactions between Muslims themselves. This was a time fraught with danger and division but Usama’s work shows that a common thread kept many together and preserved a civilization that still exists to this very day.
Among some of the largest conflicts in the world stand the Crusades; a brutal conflict that lasted over 200 years and was debatably one of the largest armed religious conflicts in the history of humankind. Since this is so clearly an event of importance, historians have searched vigorously for the true answer as to why the crusades began. Ultimately, because of accusatory views on both the sides of the Christians and of the Muslims, the two groups grew in such hatred of each other that they began to act in deep discrimination of each other. Moreover, Christian motives seemed to be driven mostly by the capture of Jerusalem, the dark ages of Europe and the common-folks desperation for land, wealth, and a spot in heaven. What seems to be continually
The Raising of the Cross is one in a series of paintings based on the crucifixion of Christ by Peter Paul Rubens. This piece was painted between 1609 and 1610 with oil on canvas in life size with the centerpiece of the triptych measuring 15’2” by 11’2”. It is now displayed in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium (Dunton, 164). Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish artist that painted in Baroque style, his paintings were mostly of religious and mythical origin and his skill in such has been highly regarded in his lifetime and since. (www.peterpaulrubens.com) Born June 28, 1577, Rubens development as a painter, apparently, started early. After his father’s death and his family moving to Antwerp he decided he wished to be a painter and “In 1598, at the age of 21, he was accorded the rank of master painter of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke” (CSU Eastbay article).
But Islam is centered on justice and the destruction of unbelievers. Allah is merciful -- but not to infidels. The early history of Christianity is one of persecution and martyrdom; Jesus himself submitting to crucifixion. In contrast, Islam was not born in submission and earnest entreaty, but in warfare against the enemies of Allah.
Although Christians initially did not support the ways of commercial life on account of how merchants were too fixated on wealth and property, they adjusted to it over time. Muslims, on the other hand, went from approving of merchants to viewing them adversely as trade grew and became more corrupt in their eyes. Still, they both agreed that traders should be honorable and principled in their exchange. The attitudes of Christianity and Islam toward merchants and trade greatly reformed from their origins until 1500.
A Vanished World: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain is survey medieval Spain, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims once lived side by side and the Muslims were in charge. The book tries to lead the reader to the conclusion that there is indeed a historical precedent for the three major religions establishing a beneficially symbiotic relationship which may be an enduring lesson for coexistence. The author, Chris Lowney, is an ex-Jesuit and holds degrees in medieval history and philosophy.
...k that the novel, Children of the New World is very interesting and even though it is fictional, it gives a lot of insight into the Algerian war and even more into the Muslim lifestyle. After learning about the Islamic faith all semester, it is nice to actually see the information learned put together in a different setting. The author does a good job at creating characters that are not real but portray issues that are relevant to the Muslim community. The author also has times where the wording is so descriptive and impacting that I had trouble not making my entire summary of just quotes from the book! Overall, I feel like this is a great book to end the semester with because even though it is a lighter read, it still is very informative.
Throughout history it is evident that many religions have been tried, tested, and, for some, radically changed. Many religions have gone through periods of time in which the way they were run or enforced underwent changes in practice and leadership. In many cases disagreements and differing outlooks among members of certain religions were to blame for these changes. Christianity and Islam are two examples of religions that have experienced changes over the course of their existence. While these religions seem to have little in common at first glance, both have strikingly similar pasts that consist of radical splits due to disagreements among members of the Christian and Islamic churches, resulting in new branches within each religion.
Renard, John. Islam and Christianity: theological themes in comparative perspective. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. Print.
At the first glance, Islam and Christianity appear to have nothing in common, however; as you go beyond the surface, they appear to have many similarities such as their beliefs of God, their beliefs of life after death, their holy scriptures, and their prayers. These religions, although are two entirely different beliefs, share a similar origin. Like many other religions, they both claim to be the one and only true way to God. In order to truly see and understand their similarities, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam. Throughout the course of this essay, I will compare the many facets that show the alikeness between these two growing religions.
There are many similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There are also many differences that separate the three major religions of the world. This paper will delve into all three of them.
I have been somewhat critical of the author at times, but this is only because he opens the door for the reader to think. I would not be able to formulate opinions if he hadn’t questioned whether Muhammad was being a fair and effective leader. After all, he greatly changed the course of history as we know it. Cook’s objective way of looking at Muhammad’s life allows one to attain a clear view of just how deep of an impact he made.
In conclusion, throughout the book "Islam the Straight Path", many understandings come about by looking at the many struggles of any particular community. For the purpose of this book review, I went through the book to grasp an understanding of the title "The Straight Path". For many centuries Muslims around the world have experienced the transformation of their society. The important forces that build Islam and Muslims together are the religious life, faith, beliefs and practices. Today Muslims around the world face many challenges of leaders that build the community whether it is a secular or an