Internal differences

Question 1

What are the branches on Christianity?

Answer 1

• Catholics
• Protestants
• Eastern Orthodox

Question 2

Discuss, in detail, the differences in teachings/beliefs, in regards to the branches of Christianity

Answer 2

-INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE:
* Catholics recognise the BIBLE and the oral tradition
* Protestants recognize only the Bible and its scriptures as a source of authority
* The Eastern Orthodox recognises the BIBLE and oral tradition

-VENERATION OF SAINTS:
* Catholics pray to Saints, believe in Purgatory and worship the Virgin Mary
* The Protestants DO NOT believe in praying to Saints, nor believe in Purgatory or worship the Virgin Mary.
* The Eastern Orthodox, pray to Saints, believe in Purgatory and worship the Virgin Mary

THE HOLY SACRAMENTS:
* According to Catholics and Orthodox, faith in God alone is not enough to be “saved” by Jesus Christ.
* The Protestants believe that ONLY faith in God alone is enough to be “saved” by Jesus Christ.

-THE VIRGIN MARY:
* Catholic BELIEVE in the concept of original sin
* The Protestants’ reject Immaculate Conception

Question 3

Discuss, in detail, the differences in governance, in regards to the branches of Christianity

Answer 3

-LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH:
-Catholics:
* The Pope is considered the representation of Jesus Christ on earth, and is the figure of authority
-Protestants:
* For Protestants and the Orthodox, the Pope is an important figure but no human is higher than God
-Eastern Orthodox:
* The Eastern Orthodox Church is organized into self-governing churches

Question 4

Discuss, in detail, the differences in practices, in regards to the branches of Christianity

Answer 4

-CELIBACY:
* Catholics:
* Celibacy is compulsory for priests in the Catholic Church.
* Protestants:
* Protestants reject celibacy.
* Eastern Orthodox:
* Celibacy is optional in Eastern Orthodox Churches.

-FESTIVALS:
* Catholics and Protestants who use the more recent Gregorian calendar
* E.g: Christmas Day, celebrated by Catholics and Protestants on December 25 and by Orthodox Christians around January 7

Question 5

What are the two branches of Islam?

Answer 5

• Sunni
• Shia

Question 6

Discuss, in detail, the differences in governance, in regards to the branches of Islam

Answer 6

-Sunni:
* Sunni Muslims beleive the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job
( * For example, following Prophet Muhammad’s death, his close friend and adviser, Abu Bakr, became the first successor of the Islamic nation.)
* Imams are just prayer leaders without any spiritual or political authority
* The Sunnis also believe that the Madhi will come and bear the name of the Prophet before the Last Judgement
* The Sunnis do not believe it will be a specific person named Muhammad

-Shia:
* Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad’s death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin and son-in-law
* the Shiites believe all imams must be a direct descendant of Muhammad.
* They believe in 12 imams
* The Shiites who follow this are known as Twelvers, they anticipate his return in the form of the Mahdi, or Messiah.
* The Shia believe that the Prophet Muhammad will return and will bring forth a new era of peace and justice, which precedes the Last Judgement.

Question 7

Discuss, in detail, the differences in teachings/beliefs, in regards to the branches of Islam

Answer 7

-Sunni:
* Believes all the teachings in the books of Hadith are equally important.
* Follow the teachings of scholars from the 7th and 8th centuries and the present day.
* Sunnis do not accept that the caliph can come exclusively from the Prophet’s family.
* Sunnis use the term ‘imam’ to refer to a leader of a congregational prayer
* Sunni refers to ‘following’ the Sunnah (example) of the Prophet Muhammad
* Sunnis do not believe in the Mutta (temporary marriage).

-Shia:
* The Shia follow the teachings and opinions of living scholars only.
* They believe that the caliphate (successor to
Prophet Muhammad) should be from among his descendants and are divinely appointed imams.
* They also believe that caliphs have supernatural knowledge and authority to lead the faithful.
* They believe in Mutta (temporary marriage)

Question 8

Discuss, in detail, the differences in practices, in regards to the branches of Islam

Answer 8

-Sunni:
* Religious practices are strictly in accordance with the Hadith.
* In Sunni Islam, an ‘Imam’ is simply a leader of a congregational prayer.
* Imam does not denote formal training in Sunni Islam.
* Muttah (temporary marriage) is forbidden.
* They pray five times a day
* - Sunni Muslims mainly rely on the Sunnah, a record of the teachings and sayings of the prophet Muhammad to guide their actions
- Sunni Muslims are completely opposed to praying at graves. They view it as a sin because it means you are relying on someone else other than Allah for help.
- Sunnis pray with their arms crossed over their chest

-Shai:
* Muttah (temporary marriage) is allowed.
* They practise self-mutilation
* They pray three times a day
* Rely more heavily on their religious leaders
* Have no issues with praying at graves and they even encourage it.
* Shi’ites pray with their arms by their sides