Religious Beliefs and Unity in Diversity
Senior 2 · Religion and Ethics
Religious Beliefs and Unity in Diversity
Lesson 4 of 5
20 min
Christians and Muslims live side by side in Rwanda: in the same families, schools, cooperatives and markets. Knowing what the two faiths share builds friendship. Knowing honestly where they differ, and speaking about it with respect, prevents misunderstanding. Both are needed for real unity.
The Qur'an invites Christians and Jews ("the People of the Scripture") to find common ground:
"Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him" (Qur'an 3:64)
The Bible calls believers to peace with everyone: "If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men." (Romans 12:18)
| Topic | Christians believe | Muslims believe |
|---|---|---|
| God | one God in three persons (Trinity) | Allah is absolutely one (Tawhid); the Trinity is not accepted |
| Jesus | the Son of God, fully divine and fully human; he died on the cross and rose again | a great prophet and the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary, but not divine; most Muslims believe he was not killed on the cross but was raised up to God |
| Final revelation | God is fully revealed in Jesus Christ | the Qur'an, revealed to Muhammad, the last prophet |
| Scripture | the Bible (Old and New Testaments) | the Qur'an, with guidance from the hadith (reports of the Prophet's words and actions) |
| Weekly worship | Sunday for most churches; Saturday (the Sabbath) for Seventh-day Adventists | Friday congregational prayer (Jumu'ah), as well as daily prayers |
| Place of worship | church | mosque |
| Main festivals | Christmas, Easter | Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha |
Rwanda shows this respect in public life: both Christian feasts, such as Christmas, and Muslim feasts, such as Eid al-Fitr, are national public holidays.
Question: Compare Christian and Islamic beliefs about Jesus. Give two similarities and one difference. (3 marks)
Model answer: Similarities: both faiths call Jesus the Messiah (Qur'an 3:45) (1 mark); both teach that he was born of the Virgin Mary (1 mark). Difference: Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and fully divine, while Muslims believe he is a great prophet but not divine (1 mark).
Tip
Exam technique. In a "compare" question, write the similarities and differences in pairs, and use linking words: both… ; whereas… ; while…. A table like the one above is an excellent way to revise, and you may use one in your answer if the question allows.
Give three beliefs that Christians and Muslims share.
Answer (any three): one God the Creator; honour for Abraham, Moses and the prophets; Jesus as the Messiah born of the Virgin Mary; belief in angels; revelation; judgement and life after death; prayer, fasting and charity.
What do the Qur'an and the Bible each say about Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Answer: Qur'an 3:42 says Allah chose Mary, made her pure and preferred her above the women of creation. Christians honour Mary as the virgin mother of Jesus.
On which day do most Christians worship, and on which day do Muslims hold congregational prayer?
Answer: most Christians worship on Sunday (Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday); Muslims gather for congregational prayer (Jumu'ah) on Friday.
What does Qur'an 3:64 invite the People of the Scripture to do?
Answer: to come to an agreement with Muslims on worshipping God alone and giving him no partners.
A classmate says: "Christians and Muslims have nothing in common." Give a respectful reply with evidence.
Model answer: that is not correct. Both faiths believe in one God and honour Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mary; both pray, fast and give to the poor. They also have real differences, such as their beliefs about the Trinity and about Jesus, which we can discuss with respect.
Remember
Sources and credits
