Islam 101

Understanding Christianity and Islam

John Adams, the second president of the United States, famously said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Interestingly, Adams uttered those lines while defending British “Red Coats” falsely accused of massacring colonials in Boston. Like Adams, many people today would like to put aside “wishes, inclinations and passions” when it comes to Islam and Muslims. We’d like to know just “the facts” about this fascinating faith. If you have that spirit of John Adams, then you’ll enjoy an article entitled “What Catholics Should Know about Islam” by Dr. Sandra Keating. You can access that article at www.usccb.org, under the tab “Beliefs and Teachings.”

Here are some of the things you’ll learn if you take the time to read it. (1) Who is Muhammad, and how and why and when did he start Islam? (2) Which is the best term for the followers of Islam: Muslims, Moslems, or Moors? (3) How many wives did Muhammad have, and more importantly, why did he have so many? (4) What’s the difference between Sunnis and Shiites, or is there any difference? (5) Is Sharia Law compatible (or can it even co-exist elsewhere) with the U.S. Constitution? (6) Why is the Qur’an (Koran) not like “the Bible for Muslims”; indeed, why is the Qur’an more like the Person of Jesus Christ is for Christians? (7) How many Muslims are there today, and why is Islam the fastest growing religion in the world? (8) Were the Christian Crusaders crazy to wage war to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims; what were they thinking?? (9) What’s the deal with making Muslim women wear the “burqa” in public, and other social strangeness? (10) What is the best Christian attitude toward our Muslim brothers and sisters, even if they belong to the Muslim Brotherhood?

My friends, you’ve finally found an article without an agenda on Islam! Pope Benedict (quoted at the beginning of the article) said: “The lessons of the past must help us to avoid repeating the same mistakes. We must seek paths of reconciliation and learn to live with respect for each other’s identity. The defense of religious freedom, in this sense, is a permanent imperative, and respect for minorities is a clear sign of civilization.” In other words, can’t we all just get along? So, bring out your bark-o loungers and learn about burqas. Grab a cup of coffee, or better yet, pour a glass of wine.

As-salamu alaykum (peace be with you)!