Compare and Contrast Islam and Christianity

Two of the world’s major religions are Islam and Christianity, which have historical and traditional connections. The two faiths share a common origin in the Middle East. Despite the common belief that these two religions are different and represent two different cultures, they share many similarities. Similarities between the two religions include their common origin from Abraham, their monotheistic view, and afterlife beliefs, but there are often overshadowed by the differences such as their religious text, prophets, and holidays.

Christianity and Islam are known as Abrahamic religions because they have a common origin through Abraham. In Christianity it is believed that God made a covenant with Abraham that led to the coming of Jesus Christ. According to Christian belief, God’s love for his creation was so infinite that he was determined to bridge the gap that man made when he sinned. In this God made the first covenant with Abraham. The covenant included the promise of a future savior, Jesus, who would come through Abraham’s descendants. However, Christians don’t trace their linage back to Abraham, but rather view themselves as adopted sons because they consider themselves sons of Jesus, who was the future promise for Abraham’s descendants. In Islam, Muslims trace their linkage back to Abraham through Ishmael. Muslims consider Ishmael to be the first-born son of Abraham and to be the “Father of the Arabs.” In addition, Abraham’s second son, Isaac, is called “Father of the Hebrews.” Muslims see Ishmael as the one through which God’s covenant would be fulfilled. As in Christianity Abraham is not so much the founder of the religion, but rather viewed as someone who sought God’s will.

Both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic religions. Monotheism is the belief of the existence of one and only one god. In Christianity, Christians believe that there is only one true God. However, in addition to believing in one God they also believe that God can be divided into three separate people. This is known as the Holy Trinity, a doctrine of the Christian faith that states God exists as three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but still exists as one God. The Islamic view of God is often called strict monotheism. Muslims believe I only one god called Allah who is a unique indivisible being who is independent of creation.

Christianity and Islam also share similar views of the afterlife. They both believe that the fate a person meets in the afterlife depends upon their actions when they were alive. In both Christianity and Islam if a person does lives a good, moral life in earth they will be rewarded with eternal life and happiness. The same is believed if a person lives a corrupt live. According to both Christianity they and Islam they will spend eternality in hell.

Although Christianity and Islam have these three similarities, there are also many defining differences that clearly set these religions apart from each other. One significant different is each religion’s path towards salvation and the afterlife. Even though both Islam and Christianity believe in similar afterlives, the road taken to get to each is unlike. Followers of Christianity believe that proper sacraments must be done in order to reach salvation. Depending on the branch of Christianity, these sacraments differ from branch to branch. For instance, Christians strongly believe that a baptism, or christening, is necessary for someone of this faith to undergo in order to reach salvation. Similarly, a confirmation, a religious initiation into the Christian church, is strongly advocated in this religion. However, Islam does not require these types of sacraments in order to achieve salvation. Although both religions push for good deeds from their followers, Muslims are pushed to follow the “Five Pillars”. These are five basic principles that should be followed in order for a believer to obtain salvation in Islam. These two routes to salvation are two prominent differences that set Christianity apart from Islam.

Another contrast between these two faiths is the primary holiday that is celebrated by each, Christmas and Eid. Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus; however, Eid is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, a month long fast by Muslims. Although every religion has holidays, the way each celebrates in the United States significantly differs. Even though Christmas still has a religious aspect to some, it has been greatly commercialized by those who celebrate it. However, Muslims have been able to keep Eid strictly religious and emphasizes the importance of prayer. Christianity is emphasizes bringing families and friends closer to one another during Christmas, while Islam focuses on bringing people closer to God on Eid.

The last contrast between these two religions is the sacred text used by each. Christianity uses the bible, which is a combination of the Old Testament and the New Testament. However, Islam focuses on the Qur’an. Though the Qur’an is claimed to be the literal word of God, the bible is a combination of the word of God, human accounts and interpretations. Due to the different religious texts used by the two religions there are different teachings and rules followed by each. These texts are the back bone to what followers set for their set of morals and beliefs.

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in today’s world, and although they may have had similar origins, they both have several similarities and differences now. Their origin, belief on the afterlife and monotheistic belief may all be the same; however, their path towards salvation, holidays and sacred texts are different. Both religions still have millions of followers, and both are highly respected.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

On October 16, 2011, the American Cancer Society held the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is an opportunity to help fight breast cancer by raising funds and awareness. The walk is not a race, but rather a gathering honoring those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, while celebrating those who are survivors as we work together to end this disease. The slogan for this year’s event was “More pink for green,” meaning that with the generosity and donations from this year’s participants the American Cancer Society hopes to find a cure to this terrible disease. The goal for this year is $ 900,000 and will hopefully be reached by the 10,000 walkers who signed up for the event.

On this beautiful fall day families, friends, and even pets were dressed in pink attire as they came out to enjoy the company of others and help find a cure for breast cancer. The activities started at nine o’ clock in the morning with registration at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. In addition, various tents were set up by different organizations in order to inform people about breast cancer and ways they can help make a difference. Also, many of these tents accepted donations for the cause and handed out refreshments, in order to help people keep their energy up. One of the main events that helped get the crowd pumped up and ready to walk was the performance by St. John’s University’s cheerleaders and dance team. Thanks to their enthusiasm and liveliness they were able to lift the spirits of so many people including cancer survivors.

The cancer survivors were the focal point of the event and lead the walk as we celebrated their victory in their battle against cancer. One cancer survivor said that she does this walk because it allows her to help others who are going through what she went through by providing them with emotional support. She also said that participating in the walk reminds her that she is lucky to have survived and that she is grateful to have come this far and to be alive. Many emotional stories were exchanged among the cancer survivors. Another woman, named Myra shared her story about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. Myra had beat breast cancer once before in 2002, when she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She was given chemotherapy and radiation for six weeks. She then remained cancer free for nine years. Last November, she went for a mammogram screening and everything was normal. However, in December she felt a lump in her breast and went to the doctor. When Myra went to the doctor they told her it was nothing and sent her home. Myra, however, continued to feel worse and worse and could feel the lump getting bigger. She soon came down with a fever in January and went back to her doctor. This time the doctor took blood tests and did a sonogram. The sonogram showed there was a change in her breast and that the tumor had gotten bigger. They then did a biopsy, which showed the tumor was cancerous. The doctor then removed the tumor and started chemotherapy. This time Myra has stage four cancer. Myra has currently been undergoing treatment at Elmhurst Hospital. Myra said she is doing the walk because both she and her friend have cancer and that they are grateful they have the energy and strength to complete the walk this year. In addition, Myra said that she believes that it is important to keep positive in order to beat the disease again and that is what the walk enables her to do.

The walk was not only important to cancer survivors and those who are struggling in the ongoing battle against cancer, but also to those who have lost a loved one as a result of breast cancer. Throughout the walk posters could be seen of those who were being remembered and honored by their loved ones as a result of completing this walk. The walk not only provided a good source of exercise and support system, but also allowed for the formation of new friendships and ideas to be shared. The walk started at 111^th Street and made its way to the Unisphere of Flushing Meadows Park (the globe), the National Tennis Center, past the Queens Zoo and Hall of Science, and finally ended where it stared. The completion of the walk was a victory in many ways. It showed that we can work together to make breast cancer a thing of the past allowing people to live longer, happier lives. It also signified our respect and honor for those who were not as fortunate and lost their lives in this battle.

The walk was made possible by the over two hundred volunteers who dedicated their time and efforts in order to make this year’s walk a success. In addition, many organizations supported the event by collecting donations, giving out goods, and walking. These organizations included Jamaica Hospital, Jet Blue, Queens Hospital, Main Street Radiology, Elmhurst Hospital, Local 342, Local 338, UFT, and St. John’s University. Various high schools including Forest Hills High School and Bayside High School also participated in this event, showing that people of all ages can help make a difference. 

The director of the event, John Link, said that this year’s walk was successful and exceeded expectations. John also said, “ We moved our walk site this year, so there was a lot of extra work and stress about planning that, and when all was said and done, we couldn’t have been happier. There is a lot to work on and improve on, but overall, all things considered we had a great walk.” According to John, the event started eighteen years ago in Queens and it is a year round process in terms of planning. In the Queens office there are nineteen people who work internally on the event. However, there is also a centralized staff that works on the collateral, website, customer service, and databases. In addition, they were able to promote the event through word of mouth, posters, brochures, phone calls, emails, radio, television, websites, and sponsors. John also added that, “There is LOTS people can do to help. Form teams, walk, sign up online, fundraise, promote the event, invite survivors, try to secure sponsors, volunteer at the walk, volunteer at the office, send out emails to get donations!” However, despite the success of the event this year John and his crew hope to make next year’s event even better. “Many things have to be ironed out and considered, but we are going to do what we have to do now to make sure this year was successful, and start early and start planning the logistics of it next year, and make it event better!”

This year’s walk was a success due to the support and help of the volunteers and sponsors. To help make difference and next year’s walk even better visit the American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org, to sign up and learn more about what you can do to help.