Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are three major religious and worldview traditions that divide people in their vision of the world and perception of history. These traditions are monotheistic and have one textual source – the Tanakh. Therefore, the dispute about who interprets the divine message correctly is difficult to resolve, unlike in polytheistic cultures. In addition, the common history of clashes, territorial conflicts, and ideological wars leaves its mark on the relationship of people within these traditions.
Before this course, I had never thought deeply about the tangle of contradictions between these religions. The current state of relations, especially between the Muslim world, on the one hand, and Christianity and Judaism on the other, does not inspire optimism. I think the main problem lies in the smoldering territorial and socio-economic problems, which are only reinforced by religious differences and the burden of the past. For example, in the Roman Empire, Judaism was recognized as a legal religion, while Christians were persecuted, while in medieval times the Jews became outcasts in both Christian and Muslim societies.
This course made me appreciate not the depth of differences and conflicts but suddenly look at the similarities and connections between these three religions. It often seems that no dialog and coexistence is possible, because Jews, Muslims, and Christians built their identities by focusing on often minor differences in ideology, interpretation of sacred texts, or the concept of God. For instance, all these religions recognize and honor Abraham as a prophet, but Christians consider Jesus the son of God; Muslims think he was a prophet; and Jews believe he was sectarian. Meanwhile, that are many similarities that people can concentrate on, such as emphasizing the importance of morality and personal responsibility in the face of God. Another important similarity is monotheism, and the idea of a single divine power in the universe can serve as a philosophical basis for unification.
Furthermore, the history of mankind saw not ideal, but rather peaceful coexistence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in Spain in the 12th-15th centuries. Religious intolerance was condemned; all cultures made a great contribution to the development of the economy and culture. If religions were secularized and did not interfere in state administration, then perhaps the coexistence of representatives of different religions would become more peaceful and fruitful.