Christianity and Islam: Historical Violence, Why Christianity is no more Modern than Islam
Ascension of Jesus
Those who argue that Islam is basically incompatible with the secular and humanist values of the west, while Christianity is friendly to them, often focus on two major arguments. First, on a historical basis, they cite the supposedly “peaceful” origins of Christianity relative to the violent origins of Islam. Second, on a theological or doctrinal basis, they cite the differences between Jesus’ message and conduct and those of Muhammad. Unfortunately, neither of these two arguments is particularly effective in demonstrating their point. The fact of the matter is that the basic values of secular modernity are inherently incompatible with both of these established religions. Without realizing it, staunchly Christian Islamophobes saw away the tree branch upon which they sit.
The Historical Argument
Christianity arose as a persecuted Jewish sect, while Islam has its origins in imperial conquest. Sounds straightforward enough. Until one realizes this is not the whole story. Muhammad and his earliest followers, like Jesus and his, endured mocking, insulting and persecution from the established power structure of society. Indeed, it is not unreasonable to say that Muhammad could just as easily have been executed by the officials of Mecca as Jesus was by those of Jerusalem. Perhaps if Jesus had been as lucky as his counterpart, he too would have become more violent and fanatical over the years, changing history as we know it.
In any case, we don’t need Jesus to be violent in order for Christianity to be. We need only take a cursory glance at the history of early, middle and late Christian expansion. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire with Constantine, thereby ensuring that it would enjoy the backing of state power and oppression. As the centuries wore on, Christianity became the world’s largest established religion primarily through conquest, warfare and colonization. The modern Islamophobes like to point out the violence that was essential to Islam’s success in Arabia and North Africa, without noticing the much greater violence and oppression purveyed by Christians in Asia, Africa, Australia and the entire western hemisphere. When it comes to religious conquest, Muslims have got nothing on Christians.
Some have even pointed to the schism between Sunnis and Shiites as evidence of some violent tendency particular to Islam. Evidently they have never heard of Martin Luther, the Thirty Years’ War or Northern Ireland. Aside from religious violence and oppression, historical Christian activities and tendencies similarly antithetical to the modern secular world such as sexism, political tyranny or superstitious pseudoscience scarcely need mentioning.
Meanwhile, in the Muslim world, we find significant progress made in astronomy, medicine and commerce while the Christian corner of the world was languishing in superstitious backwardness during the Middle Ages. Rather than being essential to the advances of the modern era, Christianity acted largely as a hinderance to the scientific, philosophical and political achievements of the western world. Accordingly, as the west became less rigidly Christian starting with the Renaissance, and on through the Enlightenment, it became smarter, wealthier and healthier.
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What is Holy Quran
The Quran is the most often-read book in the world. Revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century, and revered by Muslims as being God’s final Scripture and Testament, its words have been lovingly recited, memorized, and implemented by Muslims of every nationality ever since.
“It is He Who sends down manifest Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may bring you out from darkness into light
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Hadeed 57:9 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]
Learn Quran, Read tajweed Quran online, learning Quran online Koran
Allah has told us in the Quran (Quran / Koran) the stories of the earlier and later generations and the creation of the heavens and the earth. He has explained in detail what halaal is and what is haraam, the basics of good manners and morals, the rulings of worship and dealings with others, the lives of the Prophets and the righteous, and the reward and punishment of the believers and disbelievers. He has described Paradise, the abode of the believers, and He has described Hell, the abode of the disbelievers. He has made it (the Quran (Quran / Koran)) an explanation of all things:
“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran (Quran / Koran)) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims)”
The Quran (Quran / Koran) confirms the Books which came before it, the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel), and it is a witness over them, as Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):
“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures)”[Surah (Chapter of) al-Maa'idah 5:48]
The faithful are inspired, consoled often moved to tears by its eloquence and poetic imagery, especially when recited aloud. And yet, the Qur’an is unique in being the only Scripture that is free of scientific inaccuracies, whose historical authenticity can be verified, and whose text has been so carefully preserved that just one authorized version (in Arabic) exists. Approximately the length of the New Testament, the Qur’an is also the only holy book that can be memorized in its entirety by people of all ages and intellectual abilities – including non-Arabic speakers – which Muslims consider to be one of its miracles.
“The Quran is the most often-read book in the world.”
Yeah, sure it is. Never mind the fact that there are millions upon millions more Christians than Muslims in the world. In addition, what is meant by “Quran”—a translation, or the true Arabic Quran?
“And yet, the Qur’an is unique in being the only Scripture that is free of scientific inaccuracies…”
Oh, I have no doubt! The reader will note the depth of the baseless loyalty accorded to traditional sources of authority because they are… traditional sources of authority.
“And yet, the Qur’an is unique in being the only Scripture… whose historical authenticity can be verified”
Hmmm… where have I heard this before—ah yes, from Biblical defenders! Fascinating symmetry, isn’t it?
This comment comes on the heels of a recent post dealing precisely with the issue of the great benefit of the doubt granted to religious texts (titled “When in Doubt, Don’t Trust Religion”). As if on cue.
I hope you would not have reservations if I posted a part of this on my univeristy blog?
Yes, you can post it; just give credit to the 100 Treatises blog
This is well-argued, and beautifully written.
Although I largely disagree with your overall contention (I am a Christian, and my biases lie there), your point about viewing the faith seperately from the messenger (i.e., Muhammed or Jesus) is well-taken. Moreover, I believe that Islam is more consistent with modernity than many Christians believe.
One point that I think you might have missed is how much of our “modern” Western culture is built upon Christian ideals–tolerance, human rights and the value of the individual. Yes, it’s easy to point out many, many instances where representitives of the Christian faith did NOT act in accordance with these values. To some degree these are indictments against Christianity, and as representitives of the faith, must also bear them. But the (I believe) positive impact of Christianity on (particularly Western) society has been huge.
Once again, I thought you made a very well-reasoned arguement; this was a pleasure to read.
Smaktakula:
Thank you very much for the compliment.
On Christian influence on western civilization, I will just say that my view is that it has been, on balance, negative. There have certainly been great contributions by Christian institutions, Christian beliefs and Christian thinkers (Aquinas, Augustine, etc). But I think an objective observer would conclude overall the religion has held progress back.
It definitely has not been uniformly, 100% negative, as many secular or atheist people believe.
That’s an interesting painting of Christ’s ascension at the top of the page, but isn’t it odd that while Christ is flying up into the sky – something you’d have thought would have held the apostles’ attention at least for a few seconds – half of them are more interested in looking at each other, or at some absrobing detail on the ground! There’s just no entertaining some people!
Fletch,
Yes, pretty interesting stuff. I’m no expert on this particular painting, but from what I have studied of medieval art, it was probably a way to indicate the characters that were loyal to Jesus’ message and the ones that were not. The ones that were not were more interested in worldly affairs–a very common dichotomy/ motif in the Christian narrative. So more symbolic/ metaphorical, rather than realistic.
[...] the west, while Christianity is friendly to them, often focus on two major arguments. First, on a historical basis, they cite the supposedly “peaceful” origins of Christianity relative to the violent origins [...]