The Old and New Testaments which form the basis for the religions of Judaism and the various forms of Christianity marked the beginning of a new mono-deistic form of religion in the world.
Although these two religions seem to be diametrically opposed and there has been a history of discrimination, exile, slaying and holocaust based on the difference between these religions, in fact one is merely a forerunner to the other. They worship the same God and have in common the Old Testament as their scripture, with Christianity adding the prophet Christ and his teachings in the New Testament.
Both are based around the 10 commandments handed down by God to Moses at Mount Sinai some 2000 years ago. They were:
1. You shall have no other Gods but me.
2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Respect your father and mother.
6. You must not kill.
7. You must not commit adultery.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbour.
10. You must not be envious of your neighbour's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Why, then, do these religions which both teach messages of peace and harmony result in such warfare? The answer would seem to lie in the interpretation given by their followers to the words of the holy scriptures.
Fundamentalism and a failure to respect the beliefs of others seem to be a fatal flaw in most organised religion.
Although these two religions seem to be diametrically opposed and there has been a history of discrimination, exile, slaying and holocaust based on the difference between these religions, in fact one is merely a forerunner to the other. They worship the same God and have in common the Old Testament as their scripture, with Christianity adding the prophet Christ and his teachings in the New Testament.
Both are based around the 10 commandments handed down by God to Moses at Mount Sinai some 2000 years ago. They were:
1. You shall have no other Gods but me.
2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Respect your father and mother.
6. You must not kill.
7. You must not commit adultery.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbour.
10. You must not be envious of your neighbour's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Why, then, do these religions which both teach messages of peace and harmony result in such warfare? The answer would seem to lie in the interpretation given by their followers to the words of the holy scriptures.
Fundamentalism and a failure to respect the beliefs of others seem to be a fatal flaw in most organised religion.