Straight talk
Believers, be mindful of God and speak in a straightforward way, (Q 33:70)
Are there points of differences between Muslims and Christians?
Yes, there are.
These are the points of difference between us. They, however, should not keep us apart for the following reason:
1- We Christians and Muslims believe in one Creator to this Universe.
2- We both believe in Jesus and his teachings. These teachings and especially the two love commandments can serve as the foundation of a peaceful relation between us as neighbors. Here is how this will work. The first commandment is addressing worshipping God:
- Everyone will have the right to worship God the way their faith requires.
- Total freedom for everyone to choose his/her faith without any threats or repercussions.
- The second commandment addresses loving neighbor, this will require that we practice love, help, and cooperation with all our neighbors and a constitution like the one we have in the U.S. to protect the rights of individuals regardless of religion.
3- Most importantly, I accept you and other Christians as you are. I am ordered in the Qur’an by God himself to be kind to you to use wisdom and kindness when I talk to you and to treat you the way I like to be treated.
4- Muhammad through his covenants with the Christians of his time, while they belonged to different sects, gave all of them assurances for their lives and property and ordered Muslims never to threaten them, ever, until the Day of Judgment.
5- If you decide to love your Muslim neighbors as Jesus asked you to do and we, Muslims, do the same as Jesus and the Qur’an ask us to do, we will be an example to the world to follow.
Working to build bridges is not simply a good idea, it is a religious obligation.
Safi Kaskas is a Muslim scholar and peacemaker. He translated and co-authored The Qur'an: with references to the Bible with Dr. David Hungerford.
Facebook profile: Safi Kaskas
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