Christianity and Islam:

A Side by Side Comparison*

* It is not the purpose of this site to promote any particular religion, including Christianity.
However, we do enjoy refuting nonsense, such as the claim that Muhammad
and Jesus preached a morally equivalent message or that all religion is the same.

"I will cast terror into the hearts of those who

disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads
and strike off every fingertip of them."
"Allah" (Qur'an 8:12)

"Fight everyone in the way of Allah and

kill those who disbelieve in Allah."
Muhammad (Ibn Ishaq 992)

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Jesus (Matthew 5:14)

Even though many Muslims regard terrorists who kill in the name of Allah as criminals, they cannot
deny that Muhammad also killed in the name of Allah. What example of Jesus do Christians
emulate which has them confused them with terrorists and criminals?

Each year, thousands of Christian homes and churches are torched or bombed by Muslim mobs,
and hundreds of Christians, including dozens of priests, pastors, nuns and other church workers
are murdered at the hands of Islamic extremists. The so-called justification varies, from charges of
apostasy or evangelism, to purported "blasphemy" or "insulting" Islam. Innocent people have even
been hacked to death by devout Muslims over cartoons.

Yet, there is little if any violent retaliation from religious Christians to the discrimination, kidnapping,
rape, torture, mutilation and murder that is routinely reported from nations with Muslim majorities.
Neither is there any significant deadly terrorism in the name of Jesus, as there is in the stated
cause of Allah each and every day. Muslim clerics in the West do not fear for their safety as do
their Christian counterparts.

The "Christian world" and the Islamic world contrast sharply in other ways as well, from the
disparate condition of human rights and civil liberties to economic status. An astonishing 70% of
the world's refugees are Muslims - usually seeking to live in Christian-based countries.

While Western societies take seriously "scandals" such as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo (where no
one has actually been killed), Muslims routinely turn a blind eye to their own horrible atrocities,
even those committed explicitly in the name of Allah. The Muslim world has yet to offer a single
apology for the tens of millions of lives consumed by centuries of relentless Jihad and slavery.

These sharp differences are almost certainly rooted in the underlying religions, which begin with
the disparate teachings and examples set by Jesus and Muhammad...
 Differences Between Muhammad and Jesus

Muhammad... Jesus...

Said Allah does not love those who reject Islam. Said God loves everyone.
(Qur'an 30:45, 3:32, 22:38) (John 3:16)

"I have been commanded to fight

against people till they testify that there "He who lives by the sword
is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad will die by the sword."
is the messenger of Allah" (Matthew 26:52)
(Muslim 1:33)

Stoned women for adultery. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
(Muslim 4206) (John 8:7)

Permitted stealing from unbelievers. "Thou shalt not steal."

(Bukhari 44:668, Ibn Ishaq 764) (Matthew 19:18)

Permitted lying. "Thou shalt not bear false witness."

(Sahih Muslim 6303, Bukhari 49:857) (Matthew 19:18)

Owned and traded slaves.

Neither owned nor traded slaves.
(Sahih Muslim 3901)

Beheaded 800 Jewish men and boys.

Beheaded no one.
(Sahih Muslim 4390)

Murdered those who insulted him. Preached forgiveness.

(Bukhari 56:369, 4:241) (Matthew 18:21-22, 5:38)

"If then anyone transgresses

"If someone strikes you on the right
the prohibition against you,
cheek, turn to him the other also."
Transgress ye likewise against him"
(Matthew 5:39)
(Qur'an 2:194)

Jihad in the way of Allah elevates one's position in Paradise "Blessed are the peacemakers, for
by a hundred fold. they will be called Sons of God"
(Muslim 4645) (Matthew 5:9)

Married 13 wives and kept sex slaves.

Was celibate.
(Bukhari 5:268, Qur'an 33:50)

Slept with a 9-year-old child.

Did not have sex with children.
(Sahih Muslim 3309, Bukhari 58:236)

Ordered the murder of women.

Never harmed a woman.
(Ibn Ishaq 819, 995)
 "O you who believe! Fight those of the
"Blessed are the meek, for
unbelievers who are near to you
they shall inherit the earth."
and let them find in you hardness."
(Matthew 5:5)
(Qur'an 9:123)

Ordered 65 military campaigns Ordered no military campaigns, nor

and raids in his last 10 years. offered any approval of war or violence.
(Ibn Ishaq )

Killed captives taken in battle. Never took captives.

(Ibn Ishaq 451) Never killed anyone.

Encouraged his men to rape enslaved women. Never encouraged rape.

(Abu Dawood 2150, Qur'an 4:24) Never enslaved women.

Demanded captured slaves and "The Son of Man came not

a fifth of all other loot taken in war. to be served, but to serve."
(Qur'an 8:41) (Matthew 20:28)

Was never tortured, but tortured others.

Suffered torture, but never tortured anyone.
(Muslim 4131, Ibn Ishaq 436, 595, 734, 764)

"And fight them until there is no more persecution and "Love your enemies and pray
religion is only for Allah" for those who persecute you"
(Qur'an 8:39) (Matthew 5:44)

Blessed the brutal murder of a half-blind man Healed a blind man

(al-Tabari 1440) (Mark 8:28)

Ordered a slave to build the very pulpit

Washed his disciples feet.
from which he preached Islam.
(John 13:5)
(Bukhari 47:743)

What are the Greatest Commandments? What are the Greatest Commandments?
"Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause" "Love God and love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Muslim 1:149) (Matthew 22:34-40)

Demanded the protection of armed bodyguards, even in a Chastised anyone attempting

house of worship to defend him with force.
(Qur'an 4:102) (John 18:10-12)

Died fat and wealthy from what was

Demanded nothing for himself.
taken from others in war or
Died without possessions.
demanded from others in tribute.

Advocated crucifying others.

Was crucified himself.
(Qur'an 5:33, Muslim 16:4131)

According to his followers: According to his followers:

Had others give their lives for him. Gave his life for others.
(Sahih Muslim 4413) (John 18:11 and elsewhere)
 Differences Between
Early Muslims and Early Christians

Muhammad's Companions... Jesus' Disciples...

Lived as warriors. Lived like harmless hippies.

Slew and persecuted religious minorities. Were slain and persecuted

as a religious minority.

Emphasis on Jihad (the way of Muhammad) Emphasis on Evangelism (the way of Jesus)

"He who fights that Allah's word should "Go ye into all the world and preach
be superior fights in Allah's cause" the gospel to every creature"
(Bukhari 53:355) (Matthew 15:16)

Attacked and conquered the populations in

parts of 28 modern countries in just the first Did not resort to violence of any sort,
three decades following Muhammad's death. despite tremendous persecution.

Declared holy war on the people of five

major world religions in just the first Went centuries without declaring 'holy war'.
100 years following Muhammad's death.

Plundered and lived off the wealth of others. Gave away their possessions to those in need.
(Acts 2:44-45)

Captured and enslaved non-Muslim people. Considered themselves to be slaves of others.

Waged war to keep members from leaving

the religion. Put apostates to death. No record of aggression toward apostates.

Muhammad's own family members quickly Jesus' disciples never resorted to violence
fell into armed warfare against each other. against one another (or anyone else).

First 240 Years: First 240 Years:

11 of the first 32 caliphs were 14 of the first 25 popes were martyred by
murdered by fellow Muslims. pagans (none by fellow Christians).

Caliphs were polygamous and maintained harems of

hundreds of captured sex slaves. Popes were expected to be celibate.
Islamic mosques sustained by taxes forced from subjugated Christian churches sustained
non-Muslims (the jizya). by voluntary tithes from Christians.

Differences Between
Islamic Teaching and Christianity

The Qur'an The Bible

External sources (the Hadith and Historical context contained

Sira) necessary for translating the within the text of the Bible
Qur'an

Must know Arabic in order to "fully Universal. Can be translated into other languages without excessive commentary.
understand" the Qur'an (according to
Muslim apologists)

Chronological progression of the Chronological progression of the

Quran is from peace to violence. Bible is from violence to peace.

The words 'torture' and 'punishment' The word 'love' appears five times more often in the New Testament than than in the
appear six Qur'an,
times more often in the Quran than in
the New Testament.

Contains not a single original moral The 'Sermon on the Mount' and others.
value.

Suffering is an excuse for violent Suffering builds character

revenge
and establishment of Islam by force "We also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering
"And slay them wherever ye find produces perseverance; perseverance,
them, and drive them out of the character; and character, hope"
places whence they drove you out, (Romans 5:4)
for persecution [of Muslims] is worse
than slaughter [of non-
believers]...and fight them until
persecution is no more, and religion
is for Allah."
(Qur'an 2:191)

Emphasis on this World Emphasis on the Next

"And Allah has made you heirs to "Mine is not a kingdom of this world"
their land (John 18:36, see also Luke 14:33)
and their dwellings and their
property"
(Qur'an 33:27)
Kill, convert or subjugate Christians and
Jews.
(Qur'an 9:29)
Martyrs as Killers
"Allah hath purchased of the believers
their persons and their goods; for theirs
(in return) is the garden (of Paradise):
they fight in His cause, and slay and
are slain"
(Qur'an 9:111)
Killing Apostates
"They but wish that ye should reject
Faith, as they do, and thus be on the
same footing (as they): But take not
friends from their ranks until they flee in
the way of Allah (From what is
forbidden). But if they turn renegades,
seize them and slay them wherever ye
find them"
(Qur'an 4:89, also Bukhari 52:260,
83:37...)
Punishment
"Let not compassion move you
from carrying out God's law..."
(Qur'an 24:2)
Charity and Non-Believers
Mercy toward fellow Muslims -
ruthlessness toward unbelievers.
Muslims are warned not to befriend
those outside the faith. They must
even ensure that their charity tithe
(zakat)
stays within their own identity group.
(Qur'an 48:29, 3:28, Sharia)
The Qur'an explicitly instructs
men to beat disobedient wives.
(Qur'an 4:34, Sahih Muslim 2127)
Explicitly allows Muslim men to rape
their female slaves, even those already
married.
(Qur'an 4:24, 70:29-30, 23:5-6...)
Muhammad is the messenger
Share one's faith with gentleness and respect.
(1 Peter 3:15)
Martyrs as Martyrs
"As it is written, For thy sake we are
killed all the day long; we are
counted as sheep for the slaughter"
(Romans 8:36)
Letting God Judge Apostates
"For we know Him that has said,
'Vengeance belongs unto me, I will
recompense,' says the Lord. And again,
'The Lord shall judge his people'"
(Hebrews 10:25-30)
Mercy
"Love is patient. Love is kind...
It keeps no record of wrongs"
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Charity and Non-Believers
Christians are specifically told that even
those who hate them are entitled to
kindness and charity. They should be loved
and cared for as surely as any fellow believer.
(Mark 10:25-37)
"Husbands, love your wives and
do not be harsh with them."
(No permission to beat women)
(Colossians 3:19)
Tells masters and slaves to serve
each other as if serving God.
(Ephesians 6:7-9)
"Do good to them that hate you"
 of Allah. And those who are with him
are ruthless to the unbelievers"
(Qur'an 48:29)
Allah wills those that stray and are lost
(Qur'an 16:93)
Warns Against Questioning Faith.
(Qur'an 5:101-102)
Violence as Virtue
"Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye
dislike it. But it is possible that ye
dislike a thing which is good for you,
and
that ye love a thing which is bad for
you.
But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."
(Qur'an 2:216)
Hell for unbelief.
Good deeds count for naught
(Qur'an 18:102-107)
Judging
"Strive against the disbelievers and the
hypocrites! Be harsh with them..."
(Qur'an 9:73)
Taking wealth from others
"Allah promiseth you much
booty that ye will capture..."
(Qur'an 48:20)
Calls down Allah's curse on Christians
and those of other religions.
(Qur'an 9:30)
Arrogance & Privilege
"Ye are the best of peoples,
evolved for mankind"
(Qur'an 3:110)
"O you who believe! do not take My
enemy and your enemy for friends:
Would you offer them love while they
deny what has come to you of the
truth?
(Qur'an 60:1)
(Luke 6:27)
God wants all people saved
(1 Timothy 2:4)
Welcomes Intellectual Challenge.
(1 Peter 3:15)
Violence as Sin
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:
'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy
is hungry, feed him... '"
(Romans 12:19-20)
Hell for bad deeds and the
failure to do what is right
(Romans 2:6-8, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:41-45)
Judge Not
"For when you pass judgment on another person, you condemn yourself..."
(Romans 2:1)
Working for and giving wealth to others
"The thief must no longer steal but must
work hard and do what is good with his
own hands, so that he might have
something to give to the needy."
(Ephesians 4:28)
Calls down God's blessing on
those who curse Christians.
(Matthew 5:44)
Humility & Servitude
"If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all."
(Mark 9:35)
"Love your enemies..."
(Luke 6:27)
 Differences Between the Islamic
and Christian-Based Worlds

Muslim Legacy Christian Legacy

Countries that Muslims want to escape from. Countries that Muslims want to escape to.

Madrassahs that indoctrinate Muslim Mission schools that teach reading and
children with bigotry and terror. writing to Christians and Muslims alike.

Suicide bombings for Allah No suicide bombings for Jesus

International terror organizations. International charities.

No formal charities for non-Muslims. Leading provider of disaster relief to Muslims.

Murder of aid workers. Supply of aid workers.

Christians in jail for apostasy or blasphemy. Religious freedom.

Modern-day slavery in the name of Islam. Abolition in the name of Christianity.

Muslim clerics who engage Christian clerics murdered each year by

in or condone terrorism. terror groups rife with Muslim clerics.

Daily religious violence against Hindus. None.

Daily religious violence against Jews. None.

Daily religious violence against Buddhists. None.

Daily religious violence against Muslims. None.

Ritual slitting of animals' throats Ending of animal sacrifice

Religion Technology & Medicine

Censorship Freedom of speech

Intolerance for criticism of Islam. Tolerance for religious dissent.

Allowing all religions the

Restricting other religions from preaching faith.
same right to evangelize.

Conversions allowed to Islam only. Freedom of conscience.

 Converts to Christianity beheaded. No dead converts to Islam.

Most famous Muslim: Osama bin Laden. Most famous Christian: The Pope.

Whether true or not, everything that secular critics say they don't like about Christianity, from women's issues to slavery, is not
only a tangible part of Islam, but usually magnified.

While the Catholic church is demonized for not allowing female priests, the fundamentalists of Islam force women into burqas and
blow up schools that educate girls. Even activists known for championing women's rights in the Muslim world still rationalize
keeping captured women as sex slaves, since it is explicitly permitted in the Qur'an. And, while Christians might object to extra-
marital sex, only Islamic purists plant consenting adults in the ground and stone them to death.

Theocracy (in the form of Sharia) really is the the explicit goal of Islamic teaching, whereas Christianity leaves room for the
separation of religion and government (Mark 12:17, John 18:36). Terrorism really is an expression of devotion to Allah (here's an
example) - and not just criminal activity or warfare by disinterested parties with a nominal religious identification (ie. "born a
Catholic").

If threatening people with eternal damnation is considered distasteful, then Christianity has far less to be ashamed of than Islam,
which not only mentions the terrible fate awaiting unbelievers in nearly every other chapter of the Quran, but also includes vivid
descriptions of torture at the hands of a sociopath known as Allah.

The two religions contrast sharply even in their positive aspects. The morality of the Qur'an is amateurish and frustratingly
obscure for those who try to compare it to what is contained in the Bible. Most of Islam's holiest book is devoted toward
distinguishing and heaping abuse on unbelievers. There are no verses that promote universal love and brotherhood. The few
verses that are sometimes held up as examples of tolerance and peace generally require separation from textual and historical
context.

The difference between Christianity and Islam starts at the top:

Muslims are told that their prophet Muhammad - a slave-owner, sexual glutton, thief and killer - is the most "beautiful pattern of
conduct" and "example" for mankind to follow (Qur'an 33:21), as well as the "exalted standard of character" (Qur'an 68:4).

Christians are told to emulate Jesus - a pacifist and servant - and "walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:6). Unlike Muhammad,
who ordered military assaults against Christians, for example, Jesus told his followers not to resort to violence and to pray for
one's enemies.

These two men could hardly have been more different in how they lived or in what they taught others. Why should we not then
expect starkly contrasting legacies - from the conduct of their closest companions to the livability of modern-day countries
influenced by the predominance of one founder's teachings over the other?

As Wafa Sultan (who describes herself as a Muslim who does not adhere to Islam) puts it: "The problem with Christians is they
aren't as good as Jesus. But thank God most Muslims are better than Muhammad."

See also: Islam's Protestant Reformation

* Once again, this is a pluralistic site. We aren't trying to promote any

particular religion, including Christianity. We're just trying be truthful.

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