This book has its origins in a comparative religions course Burns has taught at the University of Arizona for the past thirty years. Those who have enrolled in the class have come from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Whatever the mix, a shared curiosity about Christianity, Judaism, and Islam has always been present. Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, students-as well as the general public-are especially interested in Islam. Like many Americans, they have little or no knowledge of the Islamic religion. This work touches upon the origins and central teachings of the Islamic religion and discusses the commonalties and differences between Islam and Christianity. Throughout the book, Burns poses and answers the kinds of questions most frequently asked by his students. This approach will be helpful to students in comparative religions courses, as well as other individuals interested in the connections between Christianity and Islam. The purpose of this book is to help alleviate the misinformation surrounding Islam and Christianity and to inspire a dialogue between the two religions. Such communication will, the author hopes, help promote justice and peace throughout the world.
Preface
Introduction
Part One: The Islamic Religion
Muhammad and the Qur'an
The Sunnis and the Shi'ites
Sufism
Part Two: Current Areas of Concern
The Role of Women in Islam
The Islamic Jesus
The Muslim Gospel
Christianity and Islam: Coexistence...A Possibility?
Muslims in North America
Radical Islam
Western Muslims
Gregory Baum: Ramadan and Vatican II: A Comparison
A Christian-Islamic Dialogue
Who Speaks for Islam?
A Cosmic War?
Part Three: Epilogue
Bibliography
Further Reading
Glossary
Index
Robert A. Burns, Ph.D., is the director of the religious studies program at the University of Arizona. He is the author of Roman Catholicism, Yesterday and Today (Loyola University Press), Roman Catholicism after Vatican II (Georgetown University Press), and Catholic Spirituality and Prayer in the Secular City (University Press of America). He teaches a course on comparative religions that focuses on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The present book is an introduction to Islam. The background to this guide is a course on 'comparative religion' which the author has taught for some years during which he covers the history and teachings of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). The book deals briefly with the origins and main teachings of Islam before discussing topics which relate to frequently asked questions. * Journal of Contemporary Religion *