Interfaith Relationships: Similarities
Before I start this last entry on Interfaith Relationships. I want to apologize for the very long break since my last true entry. I've gone through soo much in such little time that I thought it would be best to take a breather and meditate on a few things before writing this entry.
Here we go...
For the most part the similarities between the two religions are more culture/ ritualistic practices because they both began in the same general region and both (Orthodox Christianity and Islam) have maintain the same practices since the beginning. So this becomes an argument of what binds many people to a religion; cultural customs and practices or true faith.
SIMILARITIES
God:
Both Religions believe in one god. And I will not discuss any further if its the same God. This is too much of a headache to discuss. Both sides have arguments that sway one way or the other. Personally, I believe its the same God but I'm, also, kinda a hippie with all the black and white lines which doesn't really make any sense that I become Orthodox, right???
Prayer Life:
Both religions pray with the heart and thanksgivings towards our God. I believe pray in its purity moves us all to understand the HIM and his purpose in our lives. God gives meaning.
Importance of Prayer:
Here are a few passages from both scriptures and the importance of prayer. Cause, honestly, we should know that both religion places a lot of importance on prayer; therefore, there would be a ton of passages about prayer.
Islamic:
"And when you are
among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with
you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be
[in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not
[yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their
arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your
baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is
no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down
your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers
a humiliating punishment."
4: 102 (An-Nisā' - The Women)
"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient."
2: 153 (Surat Al-Baqarah - The Cow)
"Indeed, I am Allah . There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance."
20:14 (Surat Ţāhā - Ta-Ha)
“So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”
1 Corinthians 14: 15
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:9-15
1 Timothy 2: 1-4
Facing a direction: BOTH face East.
Islamic: Face the East towards Mecca, Qibla in Islamic term. This act is considered a means of unifying all muslims during Salaat.
Christianity: Orthodox Christians along with the Priest face East during Liturgy to symbolized that Jesus Christ is coming, again. The reasoning is that the sun rises in the East, therefore; we as Christians are in anticipation of his arrival.
No shoes:
Islamic: The requirement for prayer is to be pure and cleanse when approaching God. So naturally, it is necessary to take of your shoes because they are naturally unclean. However, if the shoes are pure/ clean; then one may wear them during prayer.
Christianity: Shoes are not allowed at the altar due to the divine commandment from Moses to:
"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground"
Exodus 3:5
This concept is based on the premise that we are unworthy to place our (dirty) shoes on such Holy grounds.
Women Head covering:
Islamic: There are many reasons why Muslim Women choose to wear a hijab. Some believe it is to abide to God's commandments of modesty. While others believes its a way of showing their devotion to Allah. However, there are many women who choose not to cover their hair. This passage from the Qu'ran is as follows:
"And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed."
24: 31 (Surat An-Nūr - The Light)
Christianity: In church it is encouraged that Orthodox women cover their hair in the presence of God because it a means of taking away from ourselves and focusing on the glory of God. Not all women practice this but I believe its very beautiful. The reference comes from Corinthians:
"Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head."
1 Corinthians 4-6
Afterlife:
Islamic: Jannah or Paradise for those of Muslim faith is greatly described throughout the Qu'ran. It was very difficult to just choose one passage.
"Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home."
13: 23-24 (Surat Ar-Ra`d - The Thunder)
Christianity: Heaven is described as a place where we as Christians are with our father God once, again.
" No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. "
Revelations 22: 3-5
So now all is said and done. What is my conclusion? Can love truly surpass religious differences? And can love be a strong enough argument to engage on such a path?
Yes, love is strong enough for a couple to fight all odds to be together. God is Love; therefore Love above all else. I know many would not entertain a possible spouse from a different faith, but I am not like everyone else. It might be wrong in the eyes of the church but it was my love and my heart that lead me to Orthodoxy so my heart can't be completely erroneous.
The problem I faced with my last relationship was not entirely based on religious differences. It was the fact that I already gave my heart away to another long before meeting the guy of Islamic faith. I gave my heart on November 1, 2013 when we went on our first date to Disneyland and I did not get it back until recently when I made the hard decision to walk away because one can not live on unrequited love forever. (I miss him more than you can ever know. But it is probably best this way.)
I'm not sure what lies ahead for me in my journey with God or romantic relationship. All I know is that LOVE is the reason for all things and I will continue to follow my heart because of the pain not in spite of it. We only grow stronger and closer to God if we are vigilant in HIS great works.
Next Entry: My Baptism/ conversion as a whole.
Many Blessings.
Linda
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