"It was a sign of respect for the people of the Book, and demonstrating to Muslims that Christianity was a sister religion and that the truths of both religions were the same."
Far from being sister religions..
They are at opposites of the spectrum.
Judaism is much closer to Christianity with respect to the Torah and the scriptures throughout the old testament.
The difference is the Jews have the Law but many have not received the revelation of who Jesus Christ is apart from Messianic Jews. There are a growing number of both Jews and Muslims who have received Jesus as their saviour.
For a Muslim convert they renounce their Islamic beliefs. It's often a very difficult path for them to take especially in the face of life and death. For a Jewish convert, it's far more the spiritual revelation they receive as they already have the word of God. They too often suffer persecution from local community and families who have renounced them..
If a Christian said that Jesus was the son of God to a Muslim, that would be regarded as blasphemy.
Reason being, it contradicts the Koran about Jesus just being a prophet. Same goes for Judaism. They don't accept that Jesus is the son of God. Nore do they believe in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The difference is we are all infidels according to Islam. That puts us in opposition to their beliefs.
http://answer-islam.org/Son.html
According to the New Testament, Jesus was and is the Son of God.
That he was the sacrificial lamb for the atonement for all man's sins, that he died on the cross and raised again.
That he will sit on the right hand of God the Father. That we cannot earn salvation as that was a free gift from God, that it is by grace we are saved, not by works.
This is just my opinion.
I also believe Muḥammad was a false prophet in which the Koran was used as a vehicle to enslave.
If people take offense, so be it.
As a Christian, sure we are to love our neighbour as ourselves.
That means inclusion to others who hold different belief systems than ourselves.
To be peacemakers. In other words, respect the person, but not abide by their rules and regulations if it contradicts your own set of values and beliefs. That applies to all people.
People have become overly sensitive in following the politically correctness of this world in fear of offending someone else because of various belief systems wanting to make their mark within political and economic circles.
Well Jesus wasn't afraid to offend the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees of the day. In fact, he offended many people with his honesty and boldness.
Maybe I come from a different generation whereby you call a spade a spade and don't beat around the bush.
If people don't like it, so what.
Ex: If I go into someone's home whereby I am expected to partake in drug use or something else, yet I don't feel right about it, I won't go. It doesn't mean I feel anything less of the person. That is where the line needs to be drawn.
As well, I wouldn't go to a Mosque just to appease people.
Nore would I go to a Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, JW or even a Catholic Church.
Primarily I don't accept their rituals or beliefs.
Therefore I have no reason to want to go or partake in it..
RM, I will go back to my original response and say "They are very different".
