Jesus Vs Muhammad

In comparing the two religions of Christianity, and Islam it is necessary to compare the historical paths of the primary figures in each religion. In the Christian faith the most prominent figure would be Jesus Christ. In the faith of Islam, the most prominent figure of course is the prophet Muhammad.

Let us first take a look at Christianity. It is believed by most historians that Jesus Christ was probably born a few years before what is commonly called the "common Era". It is believed that he was born in Bethlehem; however more recent research has shown that Jesus Christ was born near Nazareth, in or near the small town of Galilee. This region's name loosely translates to "ring of the Gentiles" and as its name indicates it was not fully Jewish. This region, as all regions were, were ruled by the Romans.

The background of Jesus is pretty much unknown prior to his 12 birthday. According to the Gospel of Luke, he went with his parents on their yearly trip to Jerusalem for Passover. Somehow he was left behind in the Temple discussing the Torah with the rabbis. They were very much amazed at his knowledge, and that he had such a great understanding of the answers. It is written that when questioned by the rabbis as to how this was, he replied "did you not know that I must be in my father's house?" It is noted at this point even at this young age; he had a great sense of mission and knew or seemed to know his destiny.

Nothing is written about Jesus' adolescence, the next series of events take place with his being 30 years of age. This is the approximate age when he was baptized by John, and as the Gospel writer reports, "when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven."Thou art my beloved son; with the I am well pleased." Here it is believed that John made the announcement that the Messiah had arrived, and at this point started his ministry.

This is only one of three different versions, the other two being that by requesting baptism, Jesus identified himself as belonging to humanity, and that afterward Jesus undertook a 40 day retreat in the desert wilderness. While in the wilderness, he fasted for 40 days. It was during this retreat it is written that he was tempted by Satan to use his spiritual power for secular ends, but he refused.

Throughout his life Jesus performed many miracles, the most famous being turning water to wine, making few loaves of bread and fish feed thousands of people, and of course healing the sick and exorcising the possessed.

Sometime later Jesus was crucified by the Roman, Pilate, at the behest of the Jewish leadership of the region. He was crucified near the city of Golgotha which loosely translates "place of the skull". After hanging on the crucifixion cross for hours, Jesus finally died.

After three days, it is written that Jesus was resurrected. At this point it was realized that he was indeed a Messiah, and from that day forward was regarded as such. The entire faith of Christianity is based upon these beliefs. The impact upon Christianity of Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection was profound. This was the basis of the belief that Jesus Christ was the son of God. Should the resurrection never have taken place it would be possible that Christianity would have been much different as a religion... if it were a religion at all.

The religion of Islam is not based upon the son of God but upon the teachings of a prophet, the prophet Mohammed. The sacred book of the Islamic religion, the Koran, was received by Mohammed is a series of revelations. Mohammed was born in a very poor region of Arabia. His father had died before he was born and after his mother and his grandfather passed away he became a ward of his uncle who put him out to be a shepherd.

It is believed that Allah not Muhammad, and is the sole authority of the faith of Islam. But the teachings of Muhammad