Are there any clear differences of kind or degree between the attitude that Jews, Christians, and Muslims characteristically take towards deity?
To clarify, people sometimes ask if Jews, Christians, and Muslims define deity in precisely the same way. Here, I am asking if Jews, Christians, and Muslims take the same attitude towards deity? That's to say, please be careful not to mistake my question for a question about how the three groups define deity.
For instance, it can perhaps be said that each religion differs at least somewhat in how it uses humor in relating to deity.
Accordingly, Jewish humor loves poking fun at God. Examples of such humor might be Teyve's jokes in Fiddler on the Roof. e.g. “I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?” Or, "“It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death.” For Teyve, God appears to be a best friend, albeit an imperfect best friend.
In comparison, Christian humor seems to more often focus on poking fun at Christians than at God. Here is perhaps the single most famous example of Christian humor (a joke written decades ago by Emo Philips):
As for Islam, Wikipedia tells us that, "For humor to be in accordance with Islam, the joke should not be blasphemous and should be within the limits of adab (manners)."
Perhaps, then, a comparison of humor characteristic to each religion might reveal differences in the attitudes of worshipers to deity. But if so, what other important differences are there?
To clarify, people sometimes ask if Jews, Christians, and Muslims define deity in precisely the same way. Here, I am asking if Jews, Christians, and Muslims take the same attitude towards deity? That's to say, please be careful not to mistake my question for a question about how the three groups define deity.
For instance, it can perhaps be said that each religion differs at least somewhat in how it uses humor in relating to deity.
Accordingly, Jewish humor loves poking fun at God. Examples of such humor might be Teyve's jokes in Fiddler on the Roof. e.g. “I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?” Or, "“It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death.” For Teyve, God appears to be a best friend, albeit an imperfect best friend.
In comparison, Christian humor seems to more often focus on poking fun at Christians than at God. Here is perhaps the single most famous example of Christian humor (a joke written decades ago by Emo Philips):
Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.
As for Islam, Wikipedia tells us that, "For humor to be in accordance with Islam, the joke should not be blasphemous and should be within the limits of adab (manners)."
Perhaps, then, a comparison of humor characteristic to each religion might reveal differences in the attitudes of worshipers to deity. But if so, what other important differences are there?
