Just returned from a whirlwind trip to the Middle East and Europe. I’m amazed every time by how true Mark Twain’s words are when he said that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” I sat in a hotel in Egypt a few days after our ambassador was killed and discussed religion with two Muslims. Whatever your slant, my opinion remains that there is a large amount of ignorance all over the World to culture and religious convictions. It’s been my experience that most Christians don’t really know what they believe or why, and most Muslims all the same. We (the whole World) typically believe what we are taught to believe by those who have influence over us as children and young adults. It’s very rare for a Jew to convert to Islam, or a Mormon to convert to Hinduism, etc. Nevertheless, Christianity has approximately 2 billion followers, and Islam, 1.5 billion respectively, but what I find most interesting is that both Christianity and Islam were born of Judaism, which has only 14 million followers. I don’t know if there is any significance to that fact, but it certainly has my attention.
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Dan Henderson 
This is an intriguing observation. I find that most Christians, Muslims and Jews don’t know the differences or commonalities between the their faiths. The number one reason for bigotry, racism and prejudice is a lack of education and apathy.
Most people are afraid to find out about the “OTHERS they don’t understand” or question their own traditions and or social norms ingrained in them as a youth.
Here are some interesting Facts to consider: Christianity was founded between (c. 4 B.C. – 30 A.D) Islam was formed some 600 years later but both are very similar to each other E.G:
Both Christians and Muslims believe that:
– There is only one God. He is the Creator of the universe.
– God sent prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John the Baptist, Jesus, etc.
– People should follow the Ten Commandments and the moral teachings of the prophets.
– Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin; therefore Jesus was born miraculously.
– Jesus Christ is the Messiah and he performed miracles.
– The Old testament/Torah and the new testament/Gospel) are holy scriptures.
– Satan is evil; therefore, people should not follow Satan.
– An Anti-Christ will appear on Earth before the Day of Judgment.
– Jesus Christ will return by descending from Heaven and will kill the Anti-Christ.
– The Day of Judgment will occur and people will be judged.
– There is hell and paradise.
What I have found is that most people no matter their race, religion and yes political party, think they know it all but that attitude alone tells me they don’t. They know why they don’t like the OTHERS but cant tell you why they stand for their own side… if you will. There is one truth that no one can deny, LOVE is LOVE and HATE is HATE. If we could all know when we are hating or loving in our own lives we wouldn’t care so much which side we’re on.
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