Description
Read Chapter 8 written by Peter N. Stearns that I have attached below and answer this question in ESSAY FORMAT
Question: What were the differences in the ways Christian and Muslim thinkers defined the state in its relationship to religion? What state functions would both religions agree on? How does the existence of a separate church differentiate the Christian from the Muslim approach?
The purpose of the essay: provide a close reading of the documents. Avoid summarizing information found in Stearns’ introductions to the chapter and/or documents. In other words, CONSTRUCT AN ARGUMENT BY DEMONSTRATING OW THE DOCUMENTS RELATE TO THE QUESTIONS FROM STEARNS. You can not use any outside sources, only the reading make sure to cite using (Stearns, page #). ESSAY NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 800 WORDS.
Evaluation: Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Argument
Organization and Development
Evidence (use of sources and citation)
Mechanics (grammar, spelling, sentence structure)
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Explanation & Answer
Attached.
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ESSAY
Religion and State in Islam and Christianity
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ESSAY
RELIGION AND STATE IN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
The co-existence of State governments and religion is quite often faced with a number of
challenges. The main reason for this is the secular nature of most governments. State
governments are majorly concerned with protection of the country, exercising earthly justice
upon its citizens and controlling other economic issues. Religion on the other hand tends to have
the ultimate laws and the purpose of life. Secularity is something that is unsupported with most
religions, meaning that at some point the decisions made by the government can be strongly
opposed by religious leaders. On the other hand, the government can decide to be hostile on
religion in case the religious leaders tend to be interfering with certain social concerns that are
considered obvious-an example of this scenario is when in the ninth century, the government of
China was up against Buddhism. Christians and Muslims have different definition of the state
based on its relationship to religion. They however agree on certain issues. The existence of
separate churches greatly differentiates the Christian approach from that of Muslims towards the
state (p. 82).
Christian leaders are in a state of dilemma on what to do with the government. Some bible
teachings, like the teachings of Paul, require Christians to be fully submissive to authorities. This
however brings confusion because Christian interests are majorly concerned total submission to
God. As civility started se...
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