Differences between the christian and Muslim faith

Some years back, I went to church on Xmas day with my family and the priest made an interesting statement in his sermon that I have never forgotten.

He had a friend who was a Muslim cleric, and he quoted the cleric:

"You know what the difference is between Christianity and the Muslim faith?

Christians are optimists. Muslims are realists."

Your thoughts?

It's all the same. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Muslims suicide bomb and christians send the bombs without the person attached.

Christians and Muslims are both idealists.

There isn't that much difference really. Oh and suicide is against Islam.

Biggest difference is perhaps the belief in the Trinity. In fact, take that away, and they could almost be regarded as different sects of the same religion.

Don't judge something on the basis of people taking quotes out of context.

Course, if you don't like religion, there's always plenty not to like whichever religion you look at

I'm not sure if this referred to me. I'm assuming it did, because I mentioned a quote in my OP from a Muslim cleric?

No, not aimed at anyone, honest. It's more a general comment, on how any religion seems to have it's words - which might have originally been written for good - twisted for people's own agenda. Of course, we then come to the question "is religion good or bad". That one I'm not touching with the proverbial bargepole

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Word.

Mohammed was a false prophet. A trader, merchant, politician, warrior.

Oh interesting post Amelie..

Im dating a Muslim at the moment and agree whole heartedly with the priests summation.

I am not Catholic, but being raised in Australia my moral backbone is from a Christian stand point.

Its Ramadan atm (or however you spell it,lol) and i asked my friend what it is all about, why they feel the need to starve themselves and abstain from all pleasure for a month.

He explained that Ramadan is about seeing how it feels to suffer for a change.
Many people have no food or pleasure in life and Ramadan is a reminder to those who do have what they need, that there are those who suffer from this every single day.

At the end of Ramadan, they have a few days where family and friends get together and give gifts to one another to say thankyou for the blessings they have in life.

I think this is beautiful.
It is a great message and ill bet it teaches them a hell of alot more than Christmas teaches us!!

Well, thinking on that point of view... Jesus was a false prophet as well. A trader, a merchant and a side show attraction. According to Ancient Roman history, Jesus was nothing more than a criminal...

You can't actually give a good debate with biblical crap.

The explanation of Ramadan sounds a lot like what I thought the original intention of what lent was supposed to be, for the catholic to give up stuff and understand what it feels like to do without and "suffer" a little.

Ahh, kk..

I had heard of lent, however its not an active part of Christianity now is it?

Or do faithful Christians still practice it?

Sorry, guess im not as knowledgable about Christianity as i thought i might be, i didnt even know what lent was!!!

Lent is not for suffering. Lent is for preparation.

Fasting should be done to welcome the Holy Spirit into the body.

Luke 6:25

Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.

When the flesh is well fed, the spirit is wanting.

Warrior?

It's a Catholic thing, Im not sure all the other Christians practice it. Episcopalians, do practice it also, as they are very close to Catholics in the rituals, but I have no clue about the other Protestant denominations.
Lent is not nearly as restrictive nowadays as Ramadan is. It used to be, but the "rules" have been relaxed a lot, mostly its just giving up one thing that you enjoy and not eating meat on Friday, and a couple fasting days.

But it used to be not eating meat during the entire 40day period and more fasting, along with giving up something. Other things were given up too, like drinking and celebrations, the "pleasures in life" To make it a more somber time. That giving up everything is one of the things that made Mardi Gras and other similar celebrations so large, it really was the last big hoorah.

I think current practice has made it "too easy". But its still practiced by Catholics, even if its a symbolic attempt of eating fish on Friday.

Im not a "good catholic" myself, but I just think that the meaning behind lent is getting lost a little.