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Monotheistic.org compares and contrasts the three
religions of the near east: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Where do these religions converge and intersect, and how are they
divergent?
Judaism
The Bible emphasizes that the promise
was to Isaac, not to Ishmael
"Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will
a
son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age
of ninety?" And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live
under your blessing!"
Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you
a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with
him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And
as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make
him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father
of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my
covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by
this time next year." When he had finished speaking with Abraham,
God went up from him." (Genesis 17:17-22)
"The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned
Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar
the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, "Get
rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will
never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."
The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned
his son. But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed
about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells
you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.
I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also,
because he is your offspring." (Genesis 21:8-13)
Christianity
Jesus Christ declared that He was
the son of God:
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Matthew 26:62-64 - Then the high priest stood up
and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony
that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained
silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by
the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
Jesus was Immanuel - which means "God
with us".
He was not just another prophet, but rather "God with
us":
Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will
give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth
to a son, and will
call him Immanuel."
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Matthew 1:22-23 "All this took place to fulfill what the
Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which
means, "God with us."
Jesus preached love and kindness:
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Matthew 5:38-48 - "You have heard that it
was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you,
Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue
you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If
someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give
to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants
to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun
to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your
brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Islam
Mohammad declared that he was
only a messenger from God:
Mohammad taught that God sent the Torah (Old
Testament) and the Injeel (Gospels, New Testament) were given by God
to Jews and Christians and that they should be read and obeyed:
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Koran 3.3 "He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad)
the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before
it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel "
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Koran 5.44 & 46"We [God] did reveal the
Torah, wherein is guidance and a light [i.e. it is God-given book
and holds the truth], by which the prophets who surrendered
judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests (judged)
by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe." 46 "And
in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the
Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was
guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before
him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah."
Mohammad preached conquest and a war for God,
not love or peace. Followers cannot rest until they conquer and convert
the world to Islam:
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Koran 4:74 - "Let those fight in the way of Allah
who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in
the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall
bestow a vast reward. "
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Koran 9:38 "O you who believe! What (excuse)
have you that when it is said to you: Go forth in Allah's way [fight],
you should incline heavily to earth; are you contented with this
world's life instead of the hereafter? But the provision of this
world's life compared with the hereafter is but little."
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Koran 4:101 "For the unbelievers are open enmies
unto you"... 104 " and do not slacken in following up the enemy"
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Koran 7:4 "for how many towns have we destroyed?
Our punishment took them on a sudden by night or while they slept
for their afternoon rest."
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Koran 9:29 "Fight those who do not believe in Allah
or the last day... nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even
if they are) of the people of the book, until they pay the jizya
[tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
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