Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three religions, which appeared separately, but developed in the same world. The very appearance of these religions may be discussed from different perspectives, such as from the fact that they have the same roots and have formed the same system, but then, in the result of some considerations, have been changed in a way that differs them now, or that these three religions have usually been three different branches and have never collaborated in any way.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam formed single religious system in Middle Ages
There is an opinion that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam formed single religious system in Middle Ages, and this opinion may be proved by a raw of facts, which are going to be introduced in the current paper. Considering medieval Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,” it is not enough to study meanings; we also need to consider values” (Brague and Cochrane 41). Moreover, these religions should be considered as the system, in order to evaluate them in a whole way. Starting with the main feature, which is the base for all three religions, which are discussed and that adds to the idea that they are a system, is that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, the center of which is the only God (Paterson 118). Moreover, the following feature as the Judgment Day, the fight with sins and other features are distinctive and allow us to create a system out of these religions, which show that these religions have the common ideas, the main features. The existence of prophets, the Bible and other facts, even if the names are different, sign that there was the common start for these religions, that the common roots directed these religions to be main people’s consideration.
Confirming the systemic nature of three religions, the following words may be introduced, that “during the medieval period there existed a continuous and mutually profitable conversation amongst some of the intellectual giants of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” (Neusner 209), that confirmed the collaboration of these three religions. The possibility to exist together, to be able to interact and provide some common decision, is a great step, and if there was nothing in common for these three religions, if there was no similar issues to identify, these religions could never be able to cope and exist side by side with each other.
Furthermore, there are some scholars, who consider these three religions as one system, and the reason why they are different now is explained that they just went different ways one moment. The causes for these religions ways division is explained by three strong facts. First, the fluidity of religious identity is highlighted, second, the prolonged interaction between these religions to the contrary of the elites considerations, and third, the exegetical influence between the religions was confirmed by the raw of facts. It was also confirmed that the representatives of these religions continued “to mix and mingle” (Becker and Reed 61), even after the different ways choice, that could be supportive argument to the fact that these religions have come from the same roots and were the system before they have chosen their different ways and became to be considered different religions with various considerations, beliefs and systems.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam formed three very different religions in Middle Ages
Disregarding the facts, introduced above, most scholars still consider Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as three different religions, which have never been identified as one system and have through their development separately. There are a great many of facts and confirmations, which support this idea, and are going to be discussed further. The first fact, which should be discussed, is that when Islam has entered the world, Christianity has been on its firm foots and continued its development. Having appeared in different times and during different circumstances is the main feature which rejects the systemic development of these religions and adds to their different functioning. Moreover, the collaboration of these three theories occurred so rare, that there are no any reasons to enforce of the commonness of these religions (Bragu, and Cochrane 199).
The development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as three different religions may be supported by the following facts, unlike in Christianity and Islam, in Judaism the marriages had to be arranged by the third party, the divorce was possible in Judaism, but because of some sufficient reasons, in Christianity was forbidden at all, and in Judaism was always possible. The mix of religions in the marriage was allowed in Islam and Christianity, but was firmly forbidden in Judaism. In Judaism, children came through maternal line, while in other two religions through paternal (Mitchell 86).
The philosophical views of these religions are absolutely different. Taking Old Testament, people are considered to be sinful and the Book teaches how to avoid sins and live happy life under the God’s supervision, in addition, God is mentioned in the Book, Jesus and other saints. Taking Koran, Muslims are introduced as people without sins, and Muhammad, the most significant prophet, is not mentioned at all (Catherwood 58). What does it mean? The priorities of these religions are different, the philosophy is not similar, and so, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three absolutely different religions, which can never be considered as coming out of the same roots or being the same system. These three religions, even if pursue the same aims (to be closer to their Gods), still have different methods to reach them, different visions of this closeness and various opinions about whether the person has reached God or not. These are the very distinctive features, which make these religions not alike (Koslowski 54). Furthermore, “the wide range of cultural diversity within Christianity is perhaps one of the most striking differences between Christianity” (McGrath 317), Islam and Judaism. The meaning of the said, that there are a lot of branches of Christianity, such as Protestantism, the Orthodoxy, the Catholicism and others, which do not exist in any other religion, that tells about the ancientry of Christianity, its separate development from others religions.
In conclusion, the two points of view were introduced, whether consider Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the result of development from the same roots and the introduction as the same system before, or to consider Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as three absolutely different religions, which never coincided. The strict answer was not given, as there are supportive arguments for both sides, and the scientists can not decide for sure which part of the discussion to support. He similarity in the religious canons may be considered as their differences. The same aim is reached by different methods and the time of development is different, as well as different the circumstances, when these religions developed.
Works Cited
Becker, Adam H. and Annette Yoshiko Reed. The ways that never parted: Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007. Print.
Brague, Rémi and Lydia G. Cochrane. The Legend of the middle ages: philosophical explorations of medieval Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009. Print.
Catherwood, Christopher. A God Divided: Understanding the Differences Between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. New Jersey: David C. Cook, 2007.
Koslowski, Peter. Philosophy Bridging the World Religions. New York: Springer Science & Business, 2003. Print.
McGrath, Alister E. Christianity: an introduction. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006. Print.
Mitchell, Linda Elizabeth. Family life in the Middle Ages. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Print.
Neusner, Jacob. Religious foundations of Western Civilization: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Nashville: Abigdon Press, 2006. Print.
Paterson, Andrea C. An analysis and brief history of the three great monotheistic faiths Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Xulon Press, 2004. Print.