Although Christians and Muslims who speak Arabic use the same name for God and may desire to worship the same deity, the character of who they worship is different. Unless God's character is irrelevant, then the Muslim God and the Judeo-Christian God must be different.
The prevailing myth that all Gods and religions are essentially the same prevents people from recognizing behavioral differences arising from different belief systems. That thinking error helps explain why popular culture overlooks mistreatment of women and religious minorities in Muslim majority countries. Also, fundamentalist Christians in America become more stigmatized and less free as violence in fundamentalist Islam becomes more exposed, because Christianity and Islam must be the same.
Here are two examples of differences between the Judeo-Christian and Muslim Gods:
The Judeo-Christian God is three persons in one essence, while the Muslim God is a single autonomous entity. The Judeo-Christian God follows standards for interpersonal love and accountability as part of his essence in eternity. However, morality in relationships is not an essential trait of the Muslim God because relationships do not exist within a singularity. The Judeo-Christian God is law-abiding in eternal essence, but the Muslim God has no one to offend before creation. Consequently, according to the Qur'an, Allah is "the best deceiver" (wikiislam). But according to the Bible, God may not lie (wikianswers).
The Judeo-Christian God created men *and women* in his own image and incarnates himself in flesh and blood to restore relationship between God and man. The Muslim God may not be likened to anything in creation and most certainly did not become flesh and blood. If both men and women are in God's image, then God has both a male and female nature, all people are sacred, and all people are equal before God; including non-Jews and non-Christians. In Judaism and Christianity, sanctity and equality flow from partaking in God's nature. However, in Islam, human worth flows from the way that God created and fated men and women and not from any part of God's nature. Consequently, men and women are not equal before the law in Islam. Neither are Muslims and non-Muslims.
Differences between God in the Bible and God in the Qur'an result in behavioral differences among people. People become like what they worship. Character differences between Gods matter. Denying that they do insults all for whom God's character is important.
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• I find this to be a very provocative and candid article. Recently, a priest friend of mine and I were discussing that single GREAT difference of God and the Blessed Trinity vs. Allah who is one. This is an excellent way to inform/educate people about our differences. We must acknowledge these in a respectful manner--rather than intentionally "diluting" the God and Allah issue or dissolving all theology to "We all have the same God" when, in fact, we don't.
Lucy1944 on Aug. 06, 2012 2:18 a.m.• I find this article vague and misleading. Your claims are shallow with no evidence. And FYI - even the Bible says God is one. So... idk. This site is all weird. I've seen way better arguments and way better Christians than this.
Rachel on Aug. 07, 2012 5:37 a.m.• That God is one, does not negate the doctrine of the trinity, but merely speaks to the unity in the trinity. You also talk about proof. One could quote scripture, but why use the book the reader may not value to reference quotes. Hav'n said that, at its foundation the arguments laid out here is based on biblical doctrine, the Islamic contrast I assume comes from research of the Quran. Regarding this site, I find it fascinating, jarring is the idea, very challenging to my faith, but based on praying for ones enemy, so it's difficult to ignore outright.
Sojbee on Nov. 25, 2012 1:54 p.m.• I don't understand how the 'judeo-christian' god is a trinity. The Jews certainly don't believe that. So why don't you simply say the 'christian' god?
Schlomo on Dec. 18, 2012 8:34 p.m.• Hi Schlomo, The Hebrew Scriptures are also Christian Scriptures. So, they are Judeo-Christian and what they say about God's character and essence is Judeo-Christian. The Muslims do not accept the Hebrew Scriptures, so Muslim belief about God is not Judeo-Christian.
Thomas on Dec. 24, 2012 4:50 p.m.• To Rachel who commented on 6 Aug 2012: This article doesn't aim to provide references to all it states like an encyclopedia. It's clearly meant to be brief and you're welcome to check the facts yourself. Ad FYI, the Bible is pretty clear that God is THREE in one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and not just plain one entity. I'm not surprised that you've seen "way better arguments" because this article just plainly states the facts and is not trying to argue anything. Check your facts because it's one thing saying something to your friends and looking like a fool, but here on the net you're advertising your lack of knowledge to the world. Just a thought.
Reg on April 27, 2013 11:27 p.m.• Hi all - just to clarify some fact on this from a Muslim perspective. Much of this article is true, in the sense that we believe in one God and do not associate Him in coming to Earth in human form. Although, this is incorrect: "Consequently, men and women are not equal before the law in Islam. Neither are Muslims and non-Muslims". That differs depending on who you ask, but for me personally for follows Qur'an, that is not at all true. Does the Bible not state that women should submit to their husbands? Also, Muslims *do* believe in the Torah, the Bible and the Qur'an as all were divinely inspired by the one true God, so that is a false claim to say we don't believe in the Hebrew text. God be with you all and blessing to all!
Persia on June 05, 2013 1:06 a.m.• Thank you, Persia, for your kind and illuminating remarks. Just to clarify: Islam teaches that the Torah has been corrupted, so the Torah that Muslims are taught to believe in no longer exists. Also, men and women are physically and emotionally very different, so they have different roles in marriage and family life. But the "image of God" in mankind creates a theological foundation for legal equality in spite of biology. Islam lacks that foundation, and it inspires laws that forbid women to expose their hair in public or even to drive in some places like in Saudi Arabia.
Thomas on June 05, 2013 3:19 p.m.• Great discussions! From what I understand (and correct me where I'm off base), the God of Christianity is "Father God; or Our Father," as Jesus instructed His followers to pray in the Lord's Prayer. Muslims do not worship a god who has a son. Allah is never addressed as "our father god." The Bible records that Father God spoke when Jesus was baptized and said, "this is my son, in whom I am well pleased." Also, a defining characteristic of the God of the Bible is His Holiness. Does Allah claim to be Holy? As a Holy God, Father God cannot co-exist with sin, in any form. Through history, God of the Bible consistently claimed that only the blood of a perfect sacrifice could cover sins; and Christians believe that God gave His own Son to be the perfect lamb for all mankind, and as the final sacrifice to atone for sin. Does Allah have a plan for mankind to overcome sin? If, on Judgment Day, Allah weighs every Muslim's works on a scale; is it possible that Muslims who commit 49% evil and 51% good in their total lifetime are admitted into Paradise? Is this a plan for salvation? What about the sin in Muslims' lives? Finally, since Allah and God are not the same (based on character documented in the Bible vs. the Qur'an; and because they do not both claim to have a son; and even their "plan" for humanity's salvation is different), why do most Mosques in the world have a crescent moon atop their buildings? Could it be that Islam is the religion of "moon god" of Arabia--al-ilah? If not, why is the crescent moon featured as the sacred symbol of Islam (based on national flags and atop mosques)? Thank you.
Mike on Feb. 04, 2016 1:12 a.m.