What is the difference between Taoism and islam?

Answer 1

There are very great differences. Of course there is plenty of variety within each tradition, but here are a few big ones:

- Islam is monotheistic and believes in a transcendent God who is not of this world. Taoism is not monotheistic and it believes in a variety of deities and spirits which may or may not originate from this world, and particular ones may be more or less important to individuals.

- Islam has a central, authoritative text and law in the Quran. Taoism has a variety of sacred texts but there is no decisive authority among them.

- The teachings of Islam are more likely to be experienced as specific and binding laws for behavior. Taoism is more likely to be experienced as either tradition and as principles to strive for.

- Islam has a more clearly defined body of followers, and they are more likely to practice Islam exclusive of other belief systems. In this way Islam has a more bounded community of believers and specifies how they relate to one another as well as to non-believers. Taoism is more compatible with eclectic or self-chosen beliefs and practices which might be combined with Confucianism, Buddhism, or even elements of Islam.

- Taoism emphasizes reflection and mystical experience more than does orthodox Islam, which is more rationalistic and focused on active structuring of society according to what it understands as correct beliefs and correct practices. However, there are many mystical traditions in Islam too.

- Orthodox Islam frowns on anything resembling magic or excess ritual. Taoism is more associated with sacrificial offerings, propitiating spirits, and similar activities that would be viewed as pagan or superstitious by Islam.

- There are very different political and social histories surrounding each one. Islam quickly became the religion of an empire and has been shaped by that experience. Taoism existed in more direct competition with other traditions and was not established officially to the same degree.

- However, if you consider the level of "folk religion" in each tradition there are some similarities, including the devotion to saints in Islam, forms of Sufism, eclectic Islam, etc.

Answer 2

There are very great differences. Of course there is plenty of variety within each tradition, but here are a few big ones:

- Islam is monotheistic and believes in a transcendent God who is not of this world. Taoism is not monotheistic and it believes in a variety of deities and spirits which may or may not originate from this world, and particular ones may be more or less important to individuals.

- Islam has a central, authoritative text and law in the Quran. Taoism has a variety of sacred texts but there is no decisive authority among them.

- The teachings of Islam are more likely to be experienced as specific and binding laws for behavior. Taoism is more likely to be experienced as either tradition and as principles to strive for.

- Islam has a more clearly defined body of followers, and they are more likely to practice Islam exclusive of other belief systems. In this way Islam has a more bounded community of believers and specifies how they relate to one another as well as to non-believers. Taoism is more compatible with eclectic or self-chosen beliefs and practices which might be combined with Confucianism, Buddhism, or even elements of Islam.

- Taoism emphasizes reflection and mystical experience more than does orthodox Islam, which is more rationalistic and focused on active structuring of society according to what it understands as correct beliefs and correct practices. However, there are many mystical traditions in Islam too.

- Orthodox Islam frowns on anything resembling magic or excess ritual. Taoism is more associated with sacrificial offerings, propitiating spirits, and similar activities that would be viewed as pagan or superstitious by Islam.

- There are very different political and social histories surrounding each one. Islam quickly became the religion of an empire and has been shaped by that experience. Taoism existed in more direct competition with other traditions and was not established officially to the same degree.

- However, if you consider the level of "folk religion" in each tradition there are some similarities, including the devotion to saints in Islam, forms of Sufism, eclectic Islam, etc.