Philosophy

This is an essay about Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I would say that the one defining point that unites all three religions is that they all worship the God of Abraham. There are many aspects that differ with regard to damnation and salvation and the differences therein.

The irony is that each religion has shed much blood in the worship of the God of Abraham. However we are here to examine the differences. For instance Judaism does not believe there is a devil although Satan is a Hebrew word for opposition. Mohammed originally thought the Jews would recognize him as a prophet and they did not so instead of bowing to Jerusalem Mohamed in his wisdom bowed to Mecca the site of the sacrifice of Abraham. The Christians believe that Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah Once again the word Messiah had a completely different meaning being the chosen one. Islam accepts Jesus as a prophet but denounces him as a Messiah. Interestingly the word kaffa originally meant non believer in Arabic, any who did not worship the God of Abraham.


Philosophy Regarding the Religion of the God of Abraham
The irony is incredible that three religions can be so diverse and yet so similar. That the worship of the God of Abraham is accepted by all three religions it can only make you wonder how it got so convoluted. Judaism follows the Old Testament and the Torah. Judaism is mostly different in the sense that Satan does not exist, other than as opposition to God. The Christians and the Muslims have far more in common than they realize but the fundamental difference is that the Christians Messiah is seen instead as a prophet. Mohammed was wise in his decision to bow to Mecca instead of Jerusalem but the irony is that Jerusalem is the centre for all three religions. Many wars have been fought from the crusades where the Muslims and Christians fought, to the Inquisition where Jews were persecuted by Christianity. In fact there have been many sects like the Cathars who were persecuted and wiped out for their diverse Christian belief. It is a whole other essay describing the inner conflict within each of the three religions. The Muslims differentiate their holy days from the Christians.
Interestingly enough this can be traced back to the Romans changing the day of the Sabbath. Many of the pagan religions have been absorbed and hence traditions incorporate many aspects that are commonly practiced as Christian. The Judaism faith also does not have a hell, ironically there is more in common with the three religions than not. The one aspect that is differentiates between Islam and Christianity is the Trinity. The Muslims do not believe that there is the three in one and believe in God alone, the Christians however believe in the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost. Many of the holidays are not the same where Islam does not Celebrate Christmas but the Christians do and the Jews dont celebrate Christmas but instead Honokaa. Although it is starting to become an issue as social and moral values are being assessed many people are upset that instead of being able to say Merry Christmas and instead have to say Seasons Greetings. It is a fascinating debate and one in which can be gone into in great depth. It is ironic that the God of Abraham has so many children who appose each other.