Similarities and Differences in Islam and Christianity
Hello, is it possible for me to get the thesis by the end of the week? (This Saturday at latest? If not, I will just have to tell my teacher I changed it later on, it is ok. I will attach the last essay I did myself so you could see my level of writing easier. This essay needs to use Christianity and Islam as the two religions that are compared. However, your writer may choose whatever two characteristics they choose to. The essay must also include two interviews (fake is ok) from two different people, one from both religions. (The below instructions have more detail. It does not need word for word verbatim, just used for supporting thesis) MLA 7th edition formatting. Thank you so much and here is my number if you have any questions!
*I am not sure how many words, the instructions just say 8 pages so I assume that includes the title and reference pages)
4. Research Paper – An 8-page paper that compares and contrasts two specific characteristics in two modern religious faiths. For example, one could compare/contrast (1) ideas of the afterlife and (2) the nature of morality in Judaism and Hinduism. This is not comparing the two religions in general. It is comparing and contrasting two specific characteristics of two different religions. You will also need to personally interview at least one (1) person from each of the representative religions to be included in your essay. You need not provide a verbatim of the interview, but you do need to provide excerpts in the essay to support or disprove your thesis statement. interview
Examples of religious characteristics: Examples of Modern Religious Faiths
Rituals of atonement/purification Hinduism
Nature of the Divine/Supreme Reality Jainism
Nature of the afterlife/transcendent reality Buddhism
Beliefs in eschatology Daoism
Practice of prayer/spiritual meditation Confucianism
Places of worship Shinto
Nature of morality/life goals Zoroastrianism
Moral instructions Judaism
Uses of scripture in worship Christianity
Dietary or fasting practices/rituals Islam
etc. Sikhism, etc.
At the end of week four you will turn in (1) a clearly articulated thesis statement, and (2) a list of three (at a minimum) or more appropriate research resources (not including course text books).
The following is an example (not to be copied word-for-word) of what is due at week four:
Thesis Statement:
In this paper the moral instructions of Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path and Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” as they relate to the process of the soul’s liberation are compared and contrasted with respect to the two religious faiths of Buddhism and Christianity.
Resources:
1. Prebish, C. and Keown, D. Buddhism – The Ebook, Second Edition. Journal of Buddhist Ethics Online Books, Ltd., 2005. NetLibrary 2005. 1 Mar. 2009.
<http://www(dot)netlibrary(dot)com(dot)ezproxy1(dot)apus(dot)edu/Reader/>
2. Vaught, Carl. The Sermon on the Mount: A Theological Investigation, Revised Edition. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2001. NetLibrary. 2004. 1 Mar. 2009.
<http://www(dot)netlibrary(dot)com(dot)ezproxy1(dot)apus(dot)edu/Reader/>
3. Tsuchiya, Kiyoshi. “Buddhism.” Major World Religions: From Their Origins to the Present. Ed. Lloyd Ridgeon. New York: Routledge, 2003. 59-115. Print.
In the above thesis statement example the two characteristics are (1) the moral instructions of Buddha’ Noble Eightfold Path and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as they relate to (2) the process of the soul’s liberation. The two religious faiths are Buddhism and Christianity.
As shown in the example, you must find and cite at least three (or more) sources appropriate for this assignment which is college research writing. APUS has many electronic resources including databases for articles and eBooks. All resources used for this paper whether web-based or hard-copy must have the author’s names included and they must have expertise. All electronic resources must include URLs.
Grading Rubric for Thesis Statement and Research Resources
Due at the end of Week 4 Points
Clearly articulated thesis statement of appropriate scope 5
List of three or more appropriate research resources 5
At the end of Week Seven the entire Research Paper is due and will be graded according to the following rubric categories.
Grading Rubric for Category for Research Paper
Due at the end of Week 7 Points
Purpose: The writing engages the reader through a clear presentation of complex ideas and interrelated ideas. The writing accurately and clearly identifies the two characteristics according to the two religious faiths.
Support: The writing provides a detailed description of the similarities and differences of each of the two characteristics according to the two religious faiths. The writing identifies the scriptural or theological origins of each characteristics.
Claims are supported by reliable and relevant evidence based on appropriate research. Quotes and examples are used appropriately to support and clarify ideas and claims.
Interview Results: The writing includes the results of an interview (in person, phone, or email) of an active member of each of the two religions documenting their personal involvement/understanding of each of the two characteristics and whether their personal beliefs correspond to formal religious doctrine.
Organization and Clarity: The writing flows smoothly and reasonably from a well-defined thesis. Ideas and concepts are fully developed, clear, and organized.
Syntax, Style, Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: The writing contains sentences that are always complete and grammatically correct, and free of confusion and ambiguity. 20
Please note: this assignment is not intended an exercise of a defense of one’s personal religious beliefs, nor should it primarily attempt to establish the superiority of one religion over another. This is a research project where you relate your knowledge of similarities and possible differences between two characteristics of two religions.
APUS has many excellent online resources and tutorials for college research writing, proper citation, and general layout. This course uses MLA style for all written assignments.
Notes on Assignment Labeling, Formatting, and Submitting:
a. APUS has a many student resources in our Online Library including databases, articles and Ebooks, as well as tutorials on how to get started on college research writing. Having a good working understanding of our online library is key factor in student success.
b. Please submit your Research Paper in MS-Word format and label each file with your name and the assignment title. For example, “BevSmithResearchPaper.doc”.
c. Format your Research Paper using MLA guidelines.
d. There are no extra credit assignments in this course.
e. Please submit your Research Essay as an attachment in your Assignment File where it will automatically be reviewed by our Turnitin.com Account and will generate an Originality Report for you and the instructor to review for plagiarism.
Please see the student handbook to reference the University’s grading scale.
Professor:
Course:
Date:
Similarities and Differences in Islam and Christianity With Respect To Beliefs in Afterlife and Nature of God
Introduction
Christianity and Islam are some of the largest religions in the world today. Relative to the massive followers there are quite some intriguing differences and similarities that can be found between the two, from their beliefs, their origin, practices and doctrines (Redditt). The Christians belief in the holy trinity, which comprises of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, while the Islam believe in Allah as their God and Mohamed as the true Prophet. While there are quite a number of differences between the two religions, there are also similarities to match. One of the major similarities is the fact that the two are Abrahamic religions, meaning that they both believe that there is only one God. This paper delves into the aspect of the afterlife and that of deities between the two religions, by trying to establish the main differences and similarities.
Thesis statement: while Christianity and Islam are different religions, they have subtle similarities, inlight of afterlife beliefs and nature of their Gods.
The afterlife beliefs in Christianity
Christianity has two main factions, which are the Catholics and the Protestants. Within the Protestants group, there are quite a number of denominations. The different groups have some slight differences especially on issues regarding what one needs to do to get to the afterlife, but the larger majority relate to morality. However, the aspect of heaven and hell spreads amongst the greater majority of Christians (Pankey). As such Christianity supports the idea of having a chance to live again even after death. This means that Christians believe that they will once again reunite with those that have died, either in heaven or in hell. The central point about the afterlife is pegged on the belief that there will be a judgment day. This is the day that God, will pass judgment upon mankind, for all their acts when they were alive. For those that lived righteous lives that are according to the teachings of the bible, they will live in heaven, while those that were evil will be cast away in hell. One of the most profound verses that refer to life after death is John 3.16, which states that God, gave his only Son and whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (New International Version Jon 3.16). This is a verse that easily summarizes the entire aspect about the afterlife and what is required to go to hell and heaven. Jesus takes the central point as the guide to the scriptures and thus whoever believes in He said would go to heaven. It also shows that people will be judged on their deeds when they are alive, which will impact their chances of an eternal life in heaven or hell. The teachings of Jesus underline the doctrine in Christianity. The book of Mathews 25.46 also emphasizes the aspect of heaven and hell by stating that the righteous people will have eternal life while the evil will have eternal punishment (Mat 25.46). Hell is brought out as a place of anguish and torment, as people will be burned with eternal fire, while heaven is painted as a sacred place of eternal happiness and fulfillment where th...
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