Comparative Analysis of Christianity and Islam in Ghana

Abstract

Two prominent religions that have seen substantial growth in followers worldwide
are Christianity and Islam. The two predominant religions with the biggest
percentages of believers in Ghana are Christianity and Islam. Although both
Christianity and Islam both purport to be monotheistic and to believe in a single
supernatural being who possesses all power and all knowledge, their ethical
standards and values nevertheless show both parallels and differences. With the hope
that the commonalities will encourage peaceful coexistence and the distinctions will
challenge us to identify and develop cooperative strategies that can ensure mutual
understanding and strengthen religious tolerance for the benefit of both religions and
their numerous adherents, this essay attempts to critically compare Christian and
Islamic ethics in the Ghanaian context.

Introduction

Islam and Christianity have more commonalities than most people realize.These
religions are undoubtedly doubt among the greatest that the world has ever known; in
fact, they are the only two "prophetic" religions that supersede all racial and national
boundaries and have today actually attained universal acclaim. These two religions
are different in nature but despite these differences, they all claim to have a
fundamental theological belief that gives rise to a shared perspective on God, the
universe, and humanity. The main aim of this essay is to identify the differences
between these two religions and elaborate on their similarities. With both religions
being dominant in Ghana, this study tends to make a comparative analysis of both
religions.

Methods/Approaches

This essay explores the subject of the research in relation to the study of religion
using the History of Religion Approach. In order to comprehend the two main
religions this essay seeks to analyse, the History of Religion is the approach used in
order compare both Christianity and Islam, look at their similarities and difference in
a comparative way. Data used is gathered from secondary sources which are articles,
journals and books written by philosophers and others who showed interest in the
topic.

Islam

The first Abrahamic monotheistic religion to reach Ghana was Islam. It is currently
the second most popular religion in the nation, after Christianity. It first appeared in
Ghana around the tenth century. The population of Muslims in Ghana is roughly 40%,
according to the Population and Housing Census conducted by the Ghana Statistical
Service in 2021. The majority of Muslims are non-denominational Sunni Muslims,
with Ahmadiyya Muslims making up about 16% of the Muslim population and Shia
Muslims making up about 8%. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of
fasting, and customary holidays are observed. Ghana has enjoyed good ties with
Muslims and Christians. Muslim-related religious, social, and economic issues have
frequently been resolved through discussion, aided by the power of the Muslim
Representative Council. For believers who can afford it, the National Hajj Council is
responsible for organizing their trips to Mecca. The foremost figure in matters
pertaining to Muslims in Ghana is the National Chief Imam. Islam has contributed
immensely to the educational system of Ghana. There are certain major cities and
metropolitan areas with Islamic or Arabic schools that provide primary, junior
secondary, senior secondary, and tertiary education, particularly in locations with a
sizable Muslim population. Notable among them are T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High
schools, Sakafia Islamic SHS, Al-Basar SHS, Anbariya SHS and others. In healthcare,
some notable Islamic centres are Accra Newtown Islamic Hospital, Ahmadiyya
Muslim Hospital Kokofu, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission and others.

Christianity

The arrival of the Portuguese in the fifteenth century is when Christian missionaries
first appeared on the coast. The Basel/Presbyterian and Wesleyan/Methodist
missionaries set the groundwork for the Christian church in Ghana in the nineteenth
century. Currently, Christian denominations in Ghana include Catholics, Methodists,
Anglicans, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, Pentecostals, Baptists,
Evangelical Charismatics, Latter-day Saints, etc. According to the 2021 census,
71.3% of Ghana's population identified as members of one or more Christian faiths,
making Christianity the largest religion in the country. Christmas and Easter are
designated as national holidays since they are Christian holidays. In the past, vacation
times were scheduled around these events, allowing Christians and other people who
lived away from home to visit friends and family in the countryside. The end-of-year
predictions made by religious leaders are a common occurrence among Christians.
Followers are eager to learn what the new year has in store. Some of these predictions
deal with a person's demise or the outcome of hotly contested national elections.
Christianity has contributed greatly to the educational system of Ghana by
establishing missionary schools that instruct pupils using the government-approved
curricula for Ghana and instill moral discipline in them. Notable among them are
Aburi Girls SHS, Adisadel College, Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary, Wesley
Girls SHS, Mawuli school and many more. Currently, 42% of the country's healthcare
requirements are met by medical facilities affiliated with various Christian
organizations. The Christian Health Association of Ghana is the umbrella group that
includes the numerous mission hospitals, clinics, and institutions (CHAG).
Christianity in Ghana, therefore, goes beyond faith to include social services.

Similarities

At first, it seems that the two religions are very different, but there are many
similarities between Christianity and Islam.

To begin with, both religions have a similar place of origin. Both religions originated
from the Middle East. Christians believe in Jesus Christ, who is the son of God and
was born in the Middle East in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Muslims believe
Islam was founded over 1400 years ago in Mekkah, which is known today as Saudi
Arabia also in the Middle East. The fact that both Christianity and Islam are
Abrahamic religions, descended from Judaism and the worship of the God of
Abraham, is another resemblance between them. The fact that both religions can trace
their roots back to Abraham's two sons is another commonality. It is his second son
Isaac for Jews and Christians, but it is his oldest son Ishmael for Muslims.

Secondly, Muslims and Christians both concur that there is only one God (unlike
religions such as Hinduism). All people, including Muslims and Christians, consider
themselves to be children of God. This implies that both religions are monotheistic ,
or centered on one God. Both Muslims and Christians consider Jesus to be a prophet
who worked miracles, and both believe that the message of their God was given to
them through prophets.

Differences

There are many differences between Christianity and Islam in Ghana, evolving their
respective beliefs, practices and associations.

To commence, the Old and New Testaments are regarded by Christians as the inspired
writings of God. Muslims, on the other hand, consider the Quran to be God's sacred
word. Quran is Arabic for "recitation." Due to the notion that large groups would
repeat the Quran to other large groups without alteration, Muslims assert that the
Quran has been preserved in its exact, original form in Arabic. Muslims accept the
Torah (law) of Moses, the Psalms of David, and the Gospels of Jesus as divinely
inspired writings, but they contend that these texts have become tainted over time as a
result of numerous translations. Muslims assert that there are no variations in any
Arabic versions of the Quran. Christians hold that the Old and New Testaments of the
Bible are the infallible words of God, written in their original languages (Hebrew,
Greek, and Aramaic). Textual criticism has preserved the reliability and sacredness of
the English Bibles of today. Muslims hold that the angel Gabriel revealed the contents
of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad during a 23-year period beginning in 609 AD.
The Quran was revealed to one man over a period of 23 years, in contrast to the 66
books in the Bible, which were authored over a period of about 1,600 years by 40
different authors.

Secondly, Christians consider the Trinity to be one God, manifested in three persons:
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John
10:30). On the other hand, the God of Islam is a single God, not a Trinity (Surah
112:0-4; Surah 25:2). Christians hold that both Jesus' death on the cross and his deity
are true (John 10:30). Muslims just regard Him as a prophet and a performer of
miracles (Surah 3:49; 5:110; 9:30). According to Islam, Jesus was born of a virgin and
was afterwards transported to heaven (Surah 4:158). They reject the notion that Jesus
died on a cross (Surah 4:155-158). Despite their high reverence for Jesus, Muslims do
not consider Him to be God. The monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses,
Jesus, and other prophets were confirmed by Muhammad, according to Islamic faith,
who was instead a prophet who had received divine inspiration.
Thirdly, Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter as religious festivals while
Muslims in Ghana celebrate Ramadan. Christmas is a holiday commemorating the
birth of Jesus, whereas Ramadan is a month of fasting. Ramadan is observed at
various times throughout the year, whereas Christmas has a set date. Christmas is a
time for family, whereas Ramadan is a time for reflection. Muslims observe Ramadan
during the entire lunar month as a time for fasting and prayer in accordance with
Allah's directive in the Quran, which was given to Prophet Muhammad. It's been used
for more than 1400 years. Christians who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and a
gift to humanity celebrate his birth during the Christmas season. There have been
about 2000 years of observations. Christians also observe Easter to commemorate the
death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

In addition, Christian ministries in Ghana are headed by Priests, bishops, ministers,

monks, and nuns in churches/parishes while in Islam, the Imam leads congregational
prayer in a mosque. Sheikh, Maulana, Mullah and Mufti are other notable leaders of
Islam in Ghana. Christians fellowship mostly on Sundays and Saturdays (Seventh-
Day Adventist, Seventh-Day Baptist) while Muslims pray five times daily,
mandatorily. Friday is the day of congregational prayer for Muslims at mosques.

Lastly, Muslims and Christians in Ghana differ in terms of their dressing.

Conservative Christians dress modestly; women are allowed to wear long skirts or
dresses, and males are allowed to wear dress shirts that cover their legs, arms, and
chests. Christians that lean more liberal or moderately reject such dress codes. Islamic
women, on the other hand, must exhibit themselves modestly by covering their hair
and body type. Men must wear modest clothing that covers them from the waist to the
knee. Women wear some variation of the burqa, or full-body covering, in the majority
of Muslim cultures.

Conclusion

As the two major religions in Ghana, Islam and Christianity have both evolved
immensely over the years since their inception in Ghana. It is evident that although
they both have some similarities in terms of origin, certain beliefs and advocacies,
there are some differences peculiar to each religion that cannot be bridged. While
these differences exist, both religions have learnt to coexist in harmony, love and
tolerance.

References
“Christianity Vs Islam - Difference and Comparison | Diffen.” Christianity Vs Islam -
Difference and Comparison | Diffen,
www.diffen.com/difference/Christianity_vs_Islam. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.

Ismail, Zaid ibn. “Ramadan and Christmas: What Are the Similarities and
Differences?” The Quran Recital, 22 Mar. 2021, thequranrecital.com/ramadan-and-
christmas-what-are-the-similarities-and-differences.

PCA, Christ Covenant. “4 Differences Between Christianity and Islam.” Christ

Covenant PCA: Knoxville, TN, 1 Feb. 2022,
www.christcov.org/seths-soundbites/post/4-differences-between-christianity-islam.

“Islam in Ghana - Wikipedia.” Islam in Ghana - Wikipedia, 21 Nov. 2020,

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Ghana.

“Religion in Ghana - Wikipedia.” Religion in Ghana - Wikipedia, 21 Nov. 2020,

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Ghana.

“Christianity in Ghana - Wikipedia.” Christianity in Ghana - Wikipedia, 6 May 2011,

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Ghana.

“A Comparative Study of Christianity and Islam - 1702 Words | Bartleby.” A

Comparative Study of Christianity and Islam - 1702 Words | Bartleby,
www.bartleby.com/essay/A-Comparative-Study-of-Christianity-and-Islam-
F3NGJS8CK8W. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
Information missing

GROUP 5

Owusu perpetual KWATENG 10845065

Bossman Emmanuel Nelson 10813796 .
Ansah Robert _10819660 _
AIDOO Stephen-10835153
Afukaah Solomon 10822501
Opare Emmanuel- 10848577
Richard Odame Lawson -10853800

11mrks