Ancient and Modern Religion

Everyone has heard comparisons between Christianity and Islam. The discussion seems unavoidable in the modern political and religious climate. However, the discussion is rarely insightful or honest because it is so constrained by politically correct nonsense.

One argument that gets my goat is when someone tries to make the point that Christianity is no better than Islam when it comes to promoting and creating violence. This is totally obsurd. They say that Christians have been guilty of great atrocities in centuries past. I will admit that people have done some horrible things in the name of Christ, but has this been a recent phenomenon?

You see, if you compare what Christians did hundreds of years ago with what Islam is doing today, are you really making any legitimate point? Is there any logic to it at all? You might as well compare 21st century American politics with 16 century European politics. It makes no sense. I will admit that in some context these comparisons can have value, but not when you try to equate ancient crusades with modern terrorism.

A better discussion is what are Christianity and Islam doing now. What are the fruits of these religions that we see in our own society and in the world at large? The world is very different now than in the days of the crusades or the inquisition.

One thing that needs to be considered is that centuries ago, the average person could not read their own religious book, whether the Bible or the Koran. The masses were either illiterate or just had no access to the writings. The laity had to trust the exposition of religious leaders who did have access and knowledge of the writings. Sometimes these men were faithful to the text and sometimes they were willfully and maliciously misleading the masses. A lot of money has been made from the ignorant public.

So today we have a completely different environment. Both the Bible and the Koran are commonplace and available in every major language. The common person can read for themselves what the books say. It is in that modern context that we must examine the fruits of religion. Does the well-read and informed Christian do the same things that the well-read and informed Muslim does? I think the answer is obvious.

While the terrorists strap bombs on themselves, Christians are building orphanages and creating water purification programs in poor nations. Christians are building and staffing hospitals in the poorest and most needy socieities. I don't have time to enumerate all the amazing charitable things done by Christians today, but the list of good deeds by Muslims would be a much shorter list. And their acts of violence and mayhem would fill large volumes.

So let's be intellectually honest. Let us stop making idiotic comparisons that only reveal our ignorance and bias. Show me the good fruits of modern day religious folks. I think you will conclude that Christianity has no equal in producing good and Islam has no equal in producing evil.