A Fundamentalist View

Interestingly, the fundamentalist Christian may find some of the characteristics of conservative Islam not as foreign as many would think.

For instance, the fundamentalist Christian often tithes. Sunnis may give 2 ½ % to 10% as well. Shiites may give up to 20% .

Fundamentalist Christians believe in prayer. So do the adherents of Islam.

Fundamentalist Christians generally do not drink or use drugs. The same is true of the faithful of Islam.

Fundamentalist Christians oppose pornography, dancing, homosexuality and abortion. The same is true of adherents of Islam.

Fundamentalist Christians believe in a literal creation. So do the adherents of Islam.

Fundamentalist Christians believe in the literalness of the Bible and the fact that its admonitions are to be obeyed. Muslims believe the same regarding the Quran.

Fundamentalist Christians believe in life after death . So do the Muslims.

Fundamentalist Christians believe that some day there will be a millennium of peace on earth when the Promised One returns. So do the Shiites. (For Christians it is the return of Jesus Christ; for Shiites it is the return of the Mahdi).

Both Fundamentalist Christians and Muslims believe that martyrdom in furtherance of their respective faiths is good and is to be honored.

Both Fundamentalist Christians and Muslims believe that we live in a world that is corrupt, that Satan is active in the world, and that we are not to be snared into a materialistic way of thinking.

Both Fundamentalist Christians and Muslims believe in God.

In conclusion, although there are many, many differences between Islam and Christianity, there are some points of agreement on a practical basis.

I have traveled on business with many different kinds of people. As a Christian sometimes I have traveled easier with a devout Muslim than with a Western hedonist who is not Christian.

We search for points of commonality. As a Christian and a believer, it seems that I can understand “true believers” and the devout of other faiths and identify with them easier than with my fellowman who is more self-centered.

It is important to remember man is created in the Image of God, and that includes the Muslim.