Similarities between Islam and Christianity

[DeistPaladin]

(See above)

A few corrections. The Muslims consider him the second greatest among the prophets (whatever that means) who was born of a virgin, could perform miracles and rose into the sky to be with Yahweh-Allah. They interpret "son of God" (lower case "s") in the poetic sense of the word, that we're all children of God. They have a "tale of two cities" twist on the crucifixion story but still have Jesus flying into the sky at the end of his life on this earth.

As for the faith vs. works issue, not all Christians believe that salvation is by faith alone. The Bible itself contradicts itself on this issue. Revelation foretells a judgment of people "according to their works". Catholicism certainly stresses works while some Protestant apologists I've debated with believe salvation is by a blend of the two factors.

Regardless, the distinction is a hair-splitting one to someone who doesn't believe in all this supernatural stuff.

From my perspective as a naturalist, the biggest difference is not the distinction of Jesus' divinity but how they apply their scripture. Christians have an "out" from parts of the Bible they don't like, saying with a wave of the hand, "Meh, Jesus died to fulfill that". Consequently, "liberal Christianity" or one that is compatible with the modern and democratic world, is possible. Muslims, AFAIK, have no such "out". They're stuck with their scripture as written.

Attn: Annatar, please correct me on this if I'm wrong.