Abstract
This paper examines the diverse manifestations of religiosity in Christianity and Islam, two of the world’s largest and most influential Abrahamic religions. Through a comparative analysis, we explore how these faiths express themselves through seven key dimensions: rituals and practices, beliefs and doctrines, moral and ethical behaviors, community involvement, spiritual experiences, religious identity, and artistic and cultural expressions. Despite significant theological and cultural differences, our research reveals striking parallels in how adherents of both religions experience and express their faith. We argue that these similarities often stem from a shared foundational experience: the emotion of awe. This profound feeling of wonder and reverence appears to be a universal aspect of religious experience, shaping both personal spirituality and communal religious expression in both traditions. Our analysis demonstrates how awe influences various manifestations of religiosity. In rituals and practices, it fosters a sense of transcendence during worship. In beliefs and doctrines, it underpins concepts of divine omnipotence and human humility. Awe also informs moral and ethical behaviors by inspiring reverence for divine commandments and fellow humans. Community involvement is often driven by awe-inspired collective experiences, while individual spiritual experiences frequently center on moments of awe-filled revelation or connection with the divine. By highlighting the central role of awe across these manifestations, this presentation offers a novel perspective on the commonalities between Christian and Muslim religious experiences. It suggests that despite doctrinal differences, the shared human capacity for awe creates a universal foundation for religious expression, potentially fostering greater interfaith understanding and dialogue.
Presenters
Brent MooreChair and Professor, Behavioral and Health Sciences, Indiana Wesleyan University, Missouri, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Commonalities and Differences
KEYWORDS
Religiosity, Christianity, Islam, Comparative Religion, Awe, Religious manifestations, Spirituality, Interfaith
