Dbq Christianity And Islam Essay
In the early centuries, two major religions emerged that would dominate their respective regions. Islam was founded by Muhammad, an Arab merchant, in the 7th century CE. Jesus, a Jewish carpenter, founded Christianity in the Roman Empire during the 1st century CE. Initially, Muslims promoted trade while Christians had a negative view of merchants and trade. By 1500 CE, however, it became evident that these attitudes had become increasingly similar, with Muslims more skeptical of trade and Christians being more tolerant towards it. Muslims seem to have had a favorable view of merchants. The Qu’ran states that an honest merchant is equivalent to a martyr (Document 2). This is almost completely opposite from the Bible’s view. It shows that Islam
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In the New Testament of the Bible, written around 70-80 CE, it is written that Jesus tells his followers that a rich man cannot enter heaven (Document 1). This idea that a rich man cannot enter into heaven directly condemns merchants and supports the initial Christian views of trade. Furthermore, it comes from the founder of Christianity, therefore it is reliable in analyzing the early views of Christians. However, Jesus himself was not a rich man. Most of his followers were not of high social status and likely resented the rich, which would explain their disapproval of merchants. A 12th-century account of the life of St. Godric tells the story of St. Godric’s merchant life. It ends with St. Godric giving up his material possessions and devoting himself to Christianity (Document 3). This piece highlights the opposition of the Christian faith to material gain. However, this was written by a colleague of St. Godric. Furthermore, it was written right before St. Godric’s death. The piece may not be accurate in describing St. Godric. A leading theologian from the 13th century quotes the Bible and the words of a Roman writer to make an argument against merchant techniques (Document 5). He concludes that the way that merchants profit is deceitful and therefore sinful. Again, this shows that Christians do not approve of merchants. Finally, a letter from a mother to her son, a merchant,
In the New Testament of the Bible, written around 70-80 CE, it is written that Jesus tells his followers that a rich man cannot enter heaven (Document 1). This idea that a rich man cannot enter into heaven directly condemns merchants and supports the initial Christian views of trade. Furthermore, it comes from the founder of Christianity, therefore it is reliable in analyzing the early views of Christians. However, Jesus himself was not a rich man. Most of his followers were not of high social status and likely resented the rich, which would explain their disapproval of merchants. A 12th-century account of the life of St. Godric tells the story of St. Godric’s merchant life. It ends with St. Godric giving up his material possessions and devoting himself to Christianity (Document 3). This piece highlights the opposition of the Christian faith to material gain. However, this was written by a colleague of St. Godric. Furthermore, it was written right before St. Godric’s death. The piece may not be accurate in describing St. Godric. A leading theologian from the 13th century quotes the Bible and the words of a Roman writer to make an argument against merchant techniques (Document 5). He concludes that the way that merchants profit is deceitful and therefore sinful. Again, this shows that Christians do not approve of merchants. Finally, a letter from a mother to her son, a merchant,