‘Why does Islam oppose Christianity?’ (short 300-word response)

‘Why do intangible gods and God have genders?’ (short 300-word response)
‘Science does not include God, therefore God does not exist’ (short 300-word response)
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Traditionally, all three monotheistic faiths have been intolerant to lesser or greater degrees and at times.

Monotheism asserts exclusivist claims regarding deity. In the ancient world, including the early 7th century Arabian context of Muhammad, polytheistic religions generally allowed new gods into their pantheons, making them less dogmatic and likely to persecute others. For the Abrahamic religions, doing this is unacceptable because there is only one True deity.

In terms of Islam, there is condemnation of unbelievers beginning with Muhammad. Generally, non-Muslims are “Evil” because they “falsify the Signs of God” (Q62:5), are the “vilest beasts” (Q8:22), and the “worst of creatures” (Q98:6). Muhammad was facing opposition from Christians and Jews who did not accept his prophethood, which explains his condemnation of them. Muslims must “Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers” (Q4:144) because “they love what distresses you” (Q3:118). There are many other similar Qur’anic statements.

The Q contains some positive sentiments about Christians (3:113-115; 2:62). But they are condemned elsewhere. Doctrinally, the Q condemns Christians for their false doctrines. It views them as affirming three gods (the Father, Mary, and Jesus) instead of one (Tawhid, the doctrine of God’s Oneness essential to Islam) and perpetuating grave offenses, such shirk (associating lesser things with Allah; in this case Jesus being considered by Christians to be the Son of God) .

Because of these, the Q presents Christians (People of the Book) as blasphemers (5:73) who will have a grievous penalty befall them. The People of the Book were to be oppressed: they must pay Muslims “the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued” (9:29). According to trusted Hadith, Allah will destroy all religions except Islam on the final day (Sunan Abu Dawud 37:4310). Allah will “kill the pigs” (Christians) on that day (Sahih Bukhari 4:55:657).

One could say more but the general idea is that the Q considers non-believers “evil-doers” because they reject the major tenets of Islam: the Prophethood of Muhammad, revelation of the Q, and the Oneness of Allah.

4 comments

  1. In its condemnation of unbelievers, Islam carries on the tradition of Christianity, one of its primary religious forebears, which also speaks very disparagingly of the outgroup in its scriptures. Just a sample of the inflammatory descriptors used in the New Testament for outsiders:
    – liars
    – of the devil
    – children of the devil
    – abide in death
    – make God a liar
    – under the power of the evil one
    – following the ruler of the power of the air
    – suppress the truth
    – have senseless darkened hearts
    – fools
    – wicked
    – children of wrath
    – without hope
    – have hard and impenitent hearts
    – are storing up wrath
    – worthless
    – ungodly
    – enemies of God
    – of the darkness
    – unrighteous
    – dead

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