Factors & Perspectives of War: Differences Between Islam and Christianity

War represents an arranged disagreement generally incorporating of severe violence and extreme aggression executed by states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups against another. War is generally caused by politics. This directs to countries trying to take control of another country’s land or wealth. War can also be fought for fundamental essentials, like food and water. In contrast, peace is the definition of lack of conflict or destruction, but instead, everyone possesses freedom from fear of violence between groups or individuals. By having peace, everyone is consciously permitted with tranquility and harmony. The intended purpose of the report is to intentionally allow us to recognize the essential factors, perspectives and differences between Islam and Christianity.

The two aspects comprise of Pacifism and Jihad. Both of them contain relatable implications but also are utterly different. Pacifism derives from Christianity, as it aspires Christians to reduce or potentially never interact with conflicts. Even so, if they ever experience disagreement, they are inevitably obliged to resolve it by utilizing non-violent approaches. For Muslims, the way Islam’s Jihad engages with conflicts is discrete. They authentically believe that violence is an option to resolve problems and can grant justice too.

In this report, the critical sources that were used to gain a better understanding of the two aspects of peace encompass tasks set by the teacher, websites, and videos online. The tasks are given by the teacher broadly focused on peace and war, where students were offered the opportunity to proceed further in-depth on the comparison and varied of how Islam perceives peace compare to Christianity. Throughout those tasks, students had to define quotes and words from a variety of characteristics of Christianity and Islam. For this reason, websites were a requirement to answer questions. BBC is specifically employed, as it greatly tackles the two aspects by incorporating countless useful information and statistics. Moreover, videos online assist by creating a visual interpretation that intentionally provides more thorough data of the two aspects.

The meaning of Jihad is the struggle and effort in which the Muslim experiences when trying to follow the paths of Allah. There are three different types of struggles that include: internal struggle (to carry out the Muslim faith), the hardship to develop a wonderful Muslim society, and the Holy war (to defend Islam). Qur’an provides similar contexts; however, they will not have to perform struggles involving violence. (BBC, 2009)

Jihad links to the Qur’an. The Qur’an recognizes as the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. Even though peace concedes as a concept that is crucial for the Muslims, they do not deem themselves as Pacifists. They genuinely believe that if war is a solution for creating justice, they will fight back. However, this is only a last resort to protect the creation of Allah. In the Qur’an in 22:39, it suggested that Allah agrees with the war against people who have created injustice. ‘To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged: - and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid.’ (BBC, 2009)

Another link is the teachings of Allah. Throughout their entire daily lives, Muslims requires to follow Allah’s teachings'. This undoubtedly permits an individual to immediately strive for self-discipline, which for every Muslim is a personal spiritual struggle. Generally speaking, by conquering immorality like selfishness and hatred, it allows them to become a better individual and grants them purification in their heart. (PBS, 2001)

The meaning of Pacifism is to refuse violence and war at all costs. Pacifists truly believe that all conflicts should invariably be deal with peaceful approaches, instead of going into war. Violence should never exploit to conquer conflicts, or Christians are considered as a failure to live up to God’s expectations and standards. Through Jesus’ commandments, it implies that Christians are prohibited from overcoming disagreements or controversies with violence. This is told within the Gospel of Matte in which Jesus speaks of, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” In order to become pacifism, Christians are significantly responsible for their role in the war. This is also indicated from the ten commandments in Exodus 20:13 – “Do not murder”. (BBC, 2014)

Pacifism links to ‘The Sanctity of Life’. The Sanctity of Life is the teaching for Christians, that human life is sacred and is a gift from God and should always be cherished with respect and protection. The Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image of God, and that murder is forbidden. Through moments where justice ceases to exist, the suggested resolution by Jesus is to approach back to injustices by utilizing non-violent methods. Jesus admits to his disciples “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” Matthew 5:39. (BBC, 2013)

Another link is the “Just War Theory”. The Just War Theory represents Christian philosophy with the intended purpose to reconcile three ideas including taking another human life is wrong, every individual possesses the duty to defend justice and important moral values and protecting everyone’s life. Hence, Christians believe that sometimes if your love is hurt, it is rational to oppose violence to protect them. In the Bible in Matthew 22:39, it reveals, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”. (BBC, 2014)

In conclusion, the report discusses the recognition of the vital factors and perspectives of war between the two religions: Islam and Christianity. It shows that Islam’s Jihad broadly focuses on attempting to bypass violence if possible, for conflicts. Whereas Christian’s Pacifism is prohibited at all to employ violence for any disagreement or dispute. Overall, both religions genuinely believe that peace represents nonviolence, but instead God’s true purpose of human life.