I recently picked up an English translation of the Quran. I’ve heard lots of mixed messages on how Christianity and Islam relate. I’ve heard that Allah is a monster who calls his followers to sacrificial jihad against infidels (including Christians). I’ve heard that Mohammed was a prophet after the pattern of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus and simply extends the tradition of the People of the Book. I’ve heard that Islam is peaceful, that it’s extreme, that Mohammed was a pedophile, that he was a hero, that the Quran teaches compassion, and that the Quran teaches hatred.

I recently picked up The Ways of Religion, edited by Roger Eastman, at the library. In it, essays by religious experts and leaders are mixed with actual excerpts from sacred texts to do the explaining of each major world religion.

Interestingly, the introduction to the first chapter, Hinduism, mentioned that many Hindus believe Christianity to be a type of one of their own particular paths to enlightenment, bhakti yoga. I started reading through the sacred texts of Hinduism and came to very different conclusions. See for yourself.