Are Muslims more religious than Catholics?

[MartinJordan]

It’s already been explained to you that the actual mandates of the religion are different. Islam MANDATES that its devotees pray five times a day. Catholicism doesn’t mandate such, though surely such isn’t forbidden either as we are told to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). In fact, if you’re so caught up on the number of prayers per day, might I suggest taking up praying the hours?

I pray 7 times a day at least by making sure I pray the hours, and that doesn’t include other private devotions such as the Rosary or praying before and after meals. By praying the hours, I also pray at specific intervals, much like Muslims do. 5AM Matinus & Lauds, 6AM Prime, 9AM Terce, 12PM Sext, 3PM None, 6PM Vespers, and 9PM Compline. Not only are lay people encouraged to take up this practice, all clergy including deacons are required to do so.

Give it a try!

Very good points! I’d like to add we must ask ourselves how did Jesus pray. He prayed in the Morning, in moments of fear, in moments when making decisions, he prayed for others, even on the Cross near death he did, at Night etc. (that’ll be much more than 5 times a day).

Jesus himself commanded “Love one another as I have loved you”. I believe this would include saying prayers as well (and persevering in prayer) and we are supposed to do the same. Again this would mean MORE than 5 times a day. Muslims on the other hand is more stipulations/Rules based.

MJ

 

[swariffin]

Recently at the airport, while waiting for a flight, I noticed several Muslim women get out a carpet and bowing down and praying while waiting for their flight. Are Muslims more religious than Catholics?

1. Muslims pray at least five times every day. There are certain times set aside regularly for these five prayers, pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening and each time has a certain special prayer for that particular time. Do Catholics pray five times a day? Yes, some do, it is true. But the Church does not set aside five times per day and special prayers to be said for these times. And how many Catholics actually say their morning and evening prayers?
2. Muslims love children and family life which is seen from the fact that in our area, the Muslim families are quite large, five or six children per family. But at the local Catholic Church here, although there are some notable exceptions of course, still most families I know about have two children. And it is a growing problem in Europe which has been noted by the Catholic clergy there, that Muslims are outbreeding Christians. So Muslims take their religion more seriously than do Catholics at least in this aspect of avoiding birth control?

The answer depends on who do you address the question to. If you ask the muslims, surely they will say they are the most religious people in the world.

 

[sidbrown]

It’s already been explained to you that the actual mandates of the religion are different. Islam MANDATES that its devotees pray five times a day. Catholicism doesn’t mandate such, though surely such isn’t forbidden either as we are told to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). In fact, if you’re so caught up on the number of prayers per day, might I suggest taking up praying the hours?

I pray 7 times a day at least by making sure I pray the hours, and that doesn’t include other private devotions such as the Rosary or praying before and after meals. By praying the hours, I also pray at specific intervals, much like Muslims do. 5AM Matinus & Lauds, 6AM Prime, 9AM Terce, 12PM Sext, 3PM None, 6PM Vespers, and 9PM Compline. Not only are lay people encouraged to take up this practice, all clergy including deacons are required to do so.

Give it a try!

What percentage of Catholics would you say pray five times a day? As contrasted with the percentage of Muslims who pray five times a day?

 

[xixxvmcm85]

What percentage of Catholics would you say pray five times a day? As contrasted with the percentage of Muslims who pray five times a day?

I don’t know, given that I live in the secular United States and am mostly exposed to secularized people of all faiths. As I stated earlier, it is my experience that as immigrants come to the US or other Western nations, religious ferver diminishes due to assimilation into the culture, religion notwithstanding.

You were at the airport, and chances are the family you saw wasn’t from the west. I would wager that Catholics in developing places like Peru and Nigeria take their faith far more seriously than their American Catholic counterparts and quite possibly equally as serious as their Muslim countrymen.

As I said earlier, to get a fair comparison, try comparing your average 3rd or 4th generation American Muslim to your average 3rd or 4th generation American Catholic, or a Lebanese Melkite Catholic to a Lebanese Muslim.

 

[KathleenGee]

In the end, it will be Christ Who judges us worthy of eternal life. The answer is in Christ, not mortals.

 

[jakasaki]

In the end, it will be Christ Who judges us worthy of eternal life. The answer is in Christ, not mortals.

A very interesting post indeed Kathleen - muslims also believe that Isa/Essa will do this as well, but their view is completely different from us Christians.

They, islam/muslims believe that Isa, the muslim Jesus, will return from the heavens

• Break all of the crosses
• Destroy Christianity
• Kills the pigs
• Elinimates the jizyah tax that is placed on non-believers
• kills the anti-Christ
• make islam the global religion
• the muslim Jesus will live on earth for 40 years, marry & then die within these 40 years.

 

[seraphime2008]

A very interesting post indeed Kathleen - muslims also believe that Isa/Essa will do this as well, but their view is completely different from us Christians.

They, islam/muslims believe that Isa, the muslim Jesus, will return from the heavens

• Break all of the crosses
• Destroy Christianity
• Kills the pigs
• Elinimates the jizyah tax that is placed on non-believers
• kills the anti-Christ
• make islam the global religion
• the muslim Jesus will live on earth for 40 years, marry & then die within these 40 years.

so Issa of islam gotta wait until the end of time just to live for another 40 years to marry and die, does he have to be born again via islamic versus of Mary or…? if he comes from the sky like angels, why does he have to marry another human being to die after 40 years…

 

[vera_dicere]

• Kills the pigs

OH NO! Not the Bacon!!!

Anyway, RE: OP’s point, I think its the whole “religiousness” vs “spirituality”. I have to wonder to myself, from meeting a few Muslims in real life, whether it’s a habit more than something they do out of true devoution. I mean, the Muslims pray 5 times a day but do they really have a relationship with God? Or is Allah seen more as a scary guy in the sky wanting to dole out punishment to those who peep him off.

I think the concept that within a few generations the Muslims will be less religious and more “Americanised” is an interesting concept, on one hand I kind of agree as I worked with a Muslim person who’s grandparents came over after WWII, and while they are still devote - the grandfather is a teacher at their mosque, my collegue is Muslim in name only.

The other side of the coin, is given their larger families and their more devoute nature currently, perhaps in three generations America will be a Muslim country. More Muslims means more Muslims voting and more Muslims voting might not be voting for more conservative, white, Christian, republicans.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Another thing about Muslims is the decent and modest way that women dress anywhere outside of the house. Compare that with how some (not all) Catholic young women dress in Church: tight pants, short shorts, short skirts, low cut blouses, are seen in many Catholic Churches. Which manner of dress is more pleasing to the Mother of God?

I submit that dressing in tight pants, short shorts, short skirts and low cut blouses is not good. I would not recommend it. My son, in raising his daughter, is already restricting her dress and she is only 2. These are individual decisions, but, in the end, have no bearing on faith or piety.

AND please be so kind as to give us your list for men’s dress.

On the other hand, the modesty extreme often presented for Islam is the Burka (variety of spellings, I’m choosing an easy one.) The Burka is a barbaric restriction on women. Any male who requires it of a female family member should be required to wear one also. I submit that, if that rule was in effect, the Burka would disappear from the face of the Earth. Yet Muslim men DO require it of their women and go about freely themselves. I submit it is EVIL.

What’s your deal SidBrown? You seem to have an agenda here. Why don’t you just tell us what it is?

 

[sidbrown]

I submit that dressing in tight pants, short shorts, short skirts and low cut blouses is not good. I would not recommend it. My son, in raising his daughter, is already restricting her dress and she is only 2. These are individual decisions, but, in the end, have no bearing on faith or piety.

AND please be so kind as to give us your list for men’s dress.

On the other hand, the modesty extreme often presented for Islam is the Burka (variety of spellings, I’m choosing an easy one.) The Burka is a barbaric restriction on women. Any male who requires it of a female family member should be required to wear one also. I submit that, if that rule was in effect, the Burka would disappear from the face of the Earth. Yet Muslim men DO require it of their women and go about freely themselves. I submit it is EVIL.

What’s your deal SidBrown? You seem to have an agenda here. Why don’t you just tell us what it is?

For one thing, I would like to see Catholic women dress more modestly in Church during Mass. Most Muslim women do not cover their faces completely, but wear a kerchief type headcovering, with their faces completely visible. Why do you object to modest dress of Muslim women? Isn’t modest dress more pleasing to the Mother of God?

 

[MelanieAnne]

For one thing, I would like to see Catholic women dress more modestly in Church during Mass. Most Muslim women do not cover their faces completely, but wear a kerchief type headcovering, with their faces completely visible. Why do you object to modest dress of Muslim women? Isn’t modest dress more pleasing to the Mother of God?

I don’t object to modesty no matter who is modest. This is not an issue. It wasn’t an issue before. So that has already been given. But you keep pressing the point, why?

I will note that you have still not revealed your list for modest dress for MEN. Why is that? Is this just an attack on women? If so, why are you attacking women? I find it odd that you appear to believe that only WOMEN should be modest. Why shouldn’t MEN also be modest? Isn’t that blatantly SEXIST?

You have skipped things. Obviously you’re still hiding something and I find it odd that you will not tell us what it is. Either disclose your agenda, or give this up. This is your last chance. After this, if you do not explain yourself, it will be clear that you refuse to disclose your point. And I will NOTE IT.

 

[John_Paul_Jones]

The Muslims that I know are quite serious in praying the required 5 times a day.

And what’s not serious about what the nuns :nun1: taught us about prayer in grade school?

I don’t know, what are you saying that Catholics in genereal are no longer serious about prayer? That might be true for the vast majority of cafeteria Catholics, but prayer is still very much an important part in the life of a devote Catholic. The closest thing that comes to a requirement is The Divine Office which is a obligation for priest and religious, but lay Catholics have so many options that it’s like they say you can’t see the forest for the trees.
If you want to commit to one prayer/devotions the best one is the Rosary and also to wear the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - and if you do you it’s good to be enrolled.

 

[Homeimprguy]

Don’t forget that Allah is not our God, this whole Muslim rise in “popularity” has the whole religious (Christian) world upset. I suggest that everyone should at least read the Koran to get the info straight. Mohammed was an odd prophet, there is only one way to become a Muslim, start praying to Allah. We as catholics were told to pray in private ( in our prayer closet) not in public like the Pharisees. I have known a few Muslims in my life and have not had any bad experiences with any but have still not been able to convince any to switch to Catholicism. Jesus said that the only way into heaven was through him, what are these people going to do when the rapture happens? There are no last minute options.

 

[John_Paul_Jones]

Jesus said that the only way into heaven was through him, what are these people going to do when the rapture happens? There are no last minute options.

We shouldn’t go to heaven alone, we should aways pray for salvation of those who do not believe in Christ, and hopefully our prayers will be answered.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Don’t forget that Allah is not our God, this whole Muslim rise in “popularity” has the whole religious (Christian) world upset. I suggest that everyone should at least read the Koran to get the info straight. Mohammed was an odd prophet, there is only one way to become a Muslim, start praying to Allah. We as catholics were told to pray in private ( in our prayer closet) not in public like the Pharisees. I have known a few Muslims in my life and have not had any bad experiences with any but have still not been able to convince any to switch to Catholicism. Jesus said that the only way into heaven was through him, what are these people going to do when the rapture happens? There are no last minute options.

One of the aspects of Islam that I have always wondered about is the use of force. There is a lot of force involved in Islam, not just some cultural clothing ritual, but many other things. Persons are forced to behave in various ways, regardless how they may choose to behave otherwise.

Christianity does not depend on force, but on voluntary acceptance.

Islam derives, originally, from a “visitation” from an “angel” to Mohammed. (So does Mormonism, but that’s a different discussion.) The Apostles warned us about this sort of thing, warning that it was false. Here is the cite:

Galatians Chapter 1:

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!
9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!

Clearly, Islam is not of God. We were given this information thousands of years ago. We ignore it at our peril.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

My first cousin who is a cloistured nun in Spokane Washington has devoted her “Entire” life to prayer for the Catholic Church and conversion of unbelievers. Please dont’ compare Catholics to what Muslims do in public.

When you can show me a Muslim who can “Love his enemy” as does the Catholic church then maybe we can have this conversation. Until then? My cousin and I will continue to love and pray for Muslims and unbelievers to come to Jesus Christ.

Practicing Love from the heart and showing your belief’s so that others can see is never to be compared.

Peace be with you

Recently at the airport, while waiting for a flight, I noticed several Muslim women get out a carpet and bowing down and praying while waiting for their flight. Are Muslims more religious than Catholics?

1. Muslims pray at least five times every day. There are certain times set aside regularly for these five prayers, pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening and each time has a certain special prayer for that particular time. Do Catholics pray five times a day? Yes, some do, it is true. But the Church does not set aside five times per day and special prayers to be said for these times. And how many Catholics actually say their morning and evening prayers?
2. Muslims love children and family life which is seen from the fact that in our area, the Muslim families are quite large, five or six children per family. But at the local Catholic Church here, although there are some notable exceptions of course, still most families I know about have two children. And it is a growing problem in Europe which has been noted by the Catholic clergy there, that Muslims are outbreeding Christians. So Muslims take their religion more seriously than do Catholics at least in this aspect of avoiding birth control?

 

[sidbrown]

Christianity does not depend on force, but on voluntary acceptance…

Is that why there were the Crusades and the Inquisitions?

 

[MartinJordan]

Is that why there were the Crusades and the Inquisitions?

Now, we’re getting off the subject. There are other threads which discuss this issue. Suggest you drop this “game” your playing

MJ

 

[sidbrown]

And what’s not serious about what the nuns :nun1: taught us about prayer in grade school?

I don’t know, what are you saying that Catholics in genereal are no longer serious about prayer? That might be true for the vast majority of cafeteria Catholics, but prayer is still very much an important part in the life of a devote Catholic. The closest thing that comes to a requirement is The Divine Office which is a obligation for priest and religious, but lay Catholics have so many options that it’s like they say you can’t see the forest for the trees.
If you want to commit to one prayer/devotions the best one is the Rosary and also to wear the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - and if you do you it’s good to be enrolled.

As you mention here - the vast majority of cafeteria Catholics - may not pray devoutly five times a day. This is basically what I was wondering about with the original question, since the Muslims with whom I am acquainted, do pray five times every day.

 

[Sam_777]

There are two main contradictions regarding prayer between Christians & Muslims:

1) Praying in the streets, Muslims are permitted to pray anywhere as long as it’s facing Makkah.
While Chrisitans are not:
(Matthew 6:5-6):
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

2) Repeating words, Muslims repeat words many times during their prayer.
While Christians do not:
(Matthew 6:7-8):
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

NOW THE MAIN QUESTION IS:
Which way GOD really wants us to pray