What is Islam like today?

Answer 1

Well I don't really know if you want a 12 year old American Muslim to answer this question but in case you do here is what I think. I think that Islam is not being viewed in the way it should be. Nobody is really going into the real meaning of Islam. Islam is a beautiful religon and it is the true religon. Here is why. We Muslims do believe in Jesus, we really do but we call him by his Arabic name Isa(A.S). We also do believe in The Bible which is called the injil, but we only believe in the orignal bible, not the one that has been changed. Islam is a really beautiful religon and I can't describe all of its beauty here because It will end up being really long and I don't have much time. But I really suggest that you should research the religon of Islam and maybe you will come to understand it. I highly recommend that. Just keep in mind that you cannot judge Islam by what other people on the tv or the radio or the media say? You have to figure out for yourself. Assalamu alaikum! By the way assalamu alaikum may peace be upon you.

Answer 2

Judaism continues to be divided into divisions such as:

1. Haredi-- Following Torah and the Talmudim(Bavli and Yerushalaymi) zealously, even to the point of seclusion from the rest of society.
2. Orthodox (including Modern Orthodox)-- Following Torahand the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) observantly to very zealously, but with little or no seclusion from the rest of society.
3. Conservative (Masorti)-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) in a traditionalist but not zealous sense. Conservative Jews do not believe in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
4. Reform (Liberal, Progressive)-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) as far as individual sanctity is concerned-- that is, following whatever they feel brings them closer to G-d. Reform Jews do not believe in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
5. Reconstructionist-- Founded by Mordechai Kaplan (a kohein) in 1920. Reconstructionist Jews are even more lax than Reform Jews in their belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
6. Humanistic Judaism-- Self explanatory and more liberal than Reconstructionist Judaism regarding belief in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
7. Karaite-- Following only Torah and believing in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the rest of Tanakh.

In terms of Anti-Missionary activity, for example:

1. Haredi-- Yad L'Achim
2. Orthodox (including Modern Orthodox)-- JewFAQ and Jews For Judaism.
3. Conservative (Masorti)-- From the USCJ website, one could read an article where Messianic Jews were compared to Hitler in trying to wipe out the Jewish people.
4. Reform (Liberal, Progressive)-- The CCAR and their resolutions.
5. Reconstructionist-- No examples at this time.
6. Humanistic Judaism-- Da'at Emet, which is more against religious Judaism and religion than it is specifically Anti-Missionary.
7. Karaite-- No examples at this time.

Answer 3

Of course there are many kinds of Jews and lifestyles and they can't all be described in a short article. But the typical religious Jew - probably the majority of them - tends to be a white-collar worker who, in addition to a regular job, attends synagogue services morning and evening each day. Many also attend a daily "Daf Yomi" class in which one page of the Talmud is taught each day.
Religious Jews tend to get married relatively young (early twenties) and have large families (six to ten children is commonplace); and family life is paramount in importance.

The parents are deeply involved in the education of their children. They foot the bill for private-school for the children because of the importance of a Jewish education.

Daily life in the home is replete with mitzvah-observances. Blessings are said over all foods and drinks; Torah-festivals and Sabbath are observed in the home, and the children are taught portions from the Torah on a daily or weekly basis.

Though conversation is typically in English, it is seasoned with hundreds of Hebrew and Yiddish expressions, many of them expressing religious concepts.

The kosher diet is adhered to. Clothing will be more or less Western (modern) in appearance (depending on the particular Jewish community), but it is always modest in style.

Religious Jewish women have a tightly-knit community of their own; each woman has a close circle of friends who constantly share and help each other. Many women attend weekly classes in various subjects of Torah or outlook.

See also:

What are the benefits of belonging to Judaism

How do Jews celebrate Shabbat?

Jewish community life

Jewish religious culture