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Contrasting Islam And Christianity
Some say there is little difference between Christianity and Islam, and between the Bible and the Koran. Indeed, the Pope implied this very thing in recent statements. Let’s roll that around and pick it apart, with awareness that truth and modernity are alien, allowing some to draw false equivalence.
In the one case, Christians established America, specifically and purposefully drafting the 1st Amendment in order to prevent theocracy. In Europe, the Reformation wrested power away from false prophets in the church, liberating people to have a personal relationship with God; and that relationship, working itself out in faith, brought down monarchies, establishing democracies and republics, laying the ground work for tremendous social and economic reforms. Muslims, directed by the Koran, insist on global theocracy, at the point of a sword if necessary. Most of the Muslim world still lives in the 11th century.
Christian nations in the West have demonstrated tremendous capacity for creating tolerant and open cultures that value liberty and respect individual rights. The Christian West tends to recognize its sins, eventually, and confront them. Case in point, slavery. Case in point, child labor. Cases in point, the human and civil rights movements. Muslim nations, not so much. Slavery has always been a sanctioned institution, continuing to this day. As to human rights, forget about it: the abuse of women and children is a tradition.
Christian nations have produced outstanding prosperity, lifting people out of poverty at rates never before seen. Muslim nations, even those flooded with incredible oil wealth, not so much.
Christian nations export food and charity and medical supplies, and they are the first to respond to natural disasters, even helping enemies rebuild after winning wars. Muslim nations have a habit of waging war, losing, then crying for peace so they can regroup to war again; and if they do win, they utterly destroy their enemy.
Christian nations lead the world in innovation, scientific discovery, new inventions, medical breakthroughs, and ever-increasing productivity. Muslim nations, not so much. Manufacturing in the Islamic world? Near zero.
The rights of women, people of color, homosexuals, and other minorities are protected, even enhanced, in Christian nations. Muslim nations? Well, you know the story.
Christian systems of justice are not perfect, but nevertheless the best in the world, meting appropriate punishment after due process, in the main, with a focus on rehabilitation. Justice in Muslim nations? Brutal. Capital punishment is a spectator sport. Dismemberment is routine. There is no such thing as punishment being deemed cruel or unusual. Cruelty is the usual.
One might go on, but the point is clear. The Koran delivers misery and war and continuous conflict, for it is the doctrine of demons animating sinful man to evil works. The Bible is a love letter to humankind, written and delivered by the God of love, providing wisdom and teaching designed to achieve the highest good for the greatest number. It is also the revealed mystery of God sacrificing Himself to pave the way to heaven, the ultimate act of Love.
The Bible gives life and light and liberty, preaching love and hope and joy and peace. The Koran teaches Muslims to rule the world by dictatorship, that no atrocity is prohibited in the march to domination through a belief in supremacy, and hatred for unbelievers resulting in death is a religious act.
How different the Word of the Everlasting King: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“. . . I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 30: 19, 20
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The Word of Christ found in John 13:34
The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by WesternJournalism.com.
Source: http://www.westernjournalism.com/contrasting-islam-and-christianity/
