Something I have noticed. (Copied from an article, because, I'm too tired to type)
Catholicism is headed by the Pope, unlike Protestantism or other forms of Christianity, which are much more de-centralized. Similarly, Shi’ism is led by several religious clerics called Ayatollahs, whereby religious authority is vested in the most learned spiritual leaders akin to the Catholic Pope and Cardinals. There is no such hierarchy of the clergy in Sunni Islam on the other hand. Furthermore, in Catholicism, the Bible is largely interpreted by religious authorities such as priests, whereas Protestantism and non-denominational Christians allow for open interpretation and personal study of the bible. Likewise, Shi’ism holds a high regard for religious authority and their interpretation of Islamic law, while Sunni Muslims’ relationship with God is direct and generally not prescribed by a religious leader.
Moreover, religious doctrine and tradition is much more apparent in both Roman Catholicism and Shi’ism. As someone who was raised Catholic, I can tell you that going to mass every Sunday was quite dogmatic and riddled with customs; the recitations and proceedings are virtually the same at each mass, unlike those in other Christian denominations. Shi’ism is also more grounded in tradition, and its religious practices are more doctrinal than Sunni Muslims. For example, Shi’ism is more devoted to “imams”, whom they believe are direct descendents of the Prophet Muhammad and are seen as infallible and pure, similar to the way in which Catholics revere saints. Furthermore, during prayer, Shi’ites are taught to place a tiny tablet of clay brought from a holy place on the spot where their forehead will touch the ground (unlike in the Sunni tradition) which can be likened to the Catholic act of symbolically eating and drinking the body and blood of Christ, respectively.
So, while theologically different, Catholicism and Shi’ism have many commonalities, which many would not expect. In our increasingly interconnected yet still heavily sectarian world, however, it has become more and more important to establish a mutual understanding of and respect for those of different faiths. Identifying a common ground between two seemingly disparate things, in my opinion, is a great place to start.
Catholicism is headed by the Pope, unlike Protestantism or other forms of Christianity, which are much more de-centralized. Similarly, Shi’ism is led by several religious clerics called Ayatollahs, whereby religious authority is vested in the most learned spiritual leaders akin to the Catholic Pope and Cardinals. There is no such hierarchy of the clergy in Sunni Islam on the other hand. Furthermore, in Catholicism, the Bible is largely interpreted by religious authorities such as priests, whereas Protestantism and non-denominational Christians allow for open interpretation and personal study of the bible. Likewise, Shi’ism holds a high regard for religious authority and their interpretation of Islamic law, while Sunni Muslims’ relationship with God is direct and generally not prescribed by a religious leader.
Moreover, religious doctrine and tradition is much more apparent in both Roman Catholicism and Shi’ism. As someone who was raised Catholic, I can tell you that going to mass every Sunday was quite dogmatic and riddled with customs; the recitations and proceedings are virtually the same at each mass, unlike those in other Christian denominations. Shi’ism is also more grounded in tradition, and its religious practices are more doctrinal than Sunni Muslims. For example, Shi’ism is more devoted to “imams”, whom they believe are direct descendents of the Prophet Muhammad and are seen as infallible and pure, similar to the way in which Catholics revere saints. Furthermore, during prayer, Shi’ites are taught to place a tiny tablet of clay brought from a holy place on the spot where their forehead will touch the ground (unlike in the Sunni tradition) which can be likened to the Catholic act of symbolically eating and drinking the body and blood of Christ, respectively.
So, while theologically different, Catholicism and Shi’ism have many commonalities, which many would not expect. In our increasingly interconnected yet still heavily sectarian world, however, it has become more and more important to establish a mutual understanding of and respect for those of different faiths. Identifying a common ground between two seemingly disparate things, in my opinion, is a great place to start.
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