{"id":72191,"date":"2016-03-08T05:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T10:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2016\/03\/08\/muslim-and-christian-beliefs-and-practices\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T23:58:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T03:58:20","slug":"muslim-and-christian-beliefs-and-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2016\/03\/08\/muslim-and-christian-beliefs-and-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"6. Muslim and Christian beliefs and practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overall, most Muslims in Israel say they adhere to core tenets of their faith. For example, more than three-quarters of Muslims (83%) say they fast during the holy month of Ramadan, and roughly two-thirds say they give zakat (an annual donation of a percentage of one\u2019s wealth to the needy or to a mosque).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians in Israel also are generally observant of their faith. For example, a large majority say they have received the annual sacrament of holy oil \u2013 a ritual closely associated with Orthodox Christianity but also practiced by most Catholics in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey did not ask Druze respondents specific questions about their religion beyond their affiliation and overall observance. In general, Druze are known to be reluctant to talk about their religious beliefs and practices. There are several reasons for this: In order to learn more about their community\u2019s spiritual beliefs, Druze have to undergo a formal initiation process that involves several different stages of study. Many Druze may not have undergone initiation and may therefore lack detailed knowledge about their faith. And because of a history of religious persecution, Druze may be reluctant to speak about religion generally. For more background on Druze, see the sidebar<\/a> later in this chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Israeli Muslims fast during Ramadan, give zakat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Majorities<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Younger<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The survey asked Israeli Muslims whether they give zakat \u2013 i.e., donate a percentage of their income to a mosque or to charity \u2013 and whether they fast during the holy month of Ramadan. These are two of the Five Pillars of Islam and, hence, are useful indicators of religious observance.[19. numoffset=”19″ Other pillars of Islam are declaration of faith (shahada), praying five times a day and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. See Chapter 4 for a discussion of prayer and declaration of faith among Muslims. The survey did not ask whether respondents have made a pilgrimage to Mecca.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Majorities of younger and older Muslims, men and women and those with different levels of education say they engage in these practices. But Muslim women in Israel are somewhat more likely than Muslim men to say they fast during Ramadan (89% vs. 78%). And younger Muslim adults (ages 18 to 49) are less likely than their elders to fast (81% vs. 91%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Orthodox, Catholic Christians in Israel have been anointed with holy oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Most<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like Muslims, the vast majority of Christians in Israel observe at least a few key aspects of their faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The overwhelming majority of Christians in Israel (94%) say they have been baptized. Majorities also say they have icons of saints or other holy figures in their home (81%) and that they have been anointed with holy oil (83%) \u2013 a ritual performed annually or in case of illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tithing \u2013 that is, giving a set percentage of one\u2019s income to their church \u2013 is less common among Christians. Overall, 39% of Christians in Israel say they tithe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Christians<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Orthodox Christians and Catholics \u2013 the two most prominent Christian subgroups in Israel \u2013 are about equally likely to engage in these rituals. For example, 37% of Orthodox Christians and 34% of Catholics say they tithe. And even though receiving the sacrament of holy oil is most closely associated with Orthodox Christianity, most Catholics in Israel (86%) also say they have participated in this practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A majority of Israeli Christians (89%), including most Orthodox Christians and Catholics, say the Bible is the word of God. This includes 65% who say the Bible should be taken literally, word for word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Most<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Catholics also were asked how often they go to confession. Roughly three-in-ten Israeli Catholics say they go to confession at least once or twice a year. But a majority (68%) say they seldom or never go to confession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar shares of Muslims, Christians anticipating Jesus\u2019 return<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Many<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The survey asked Muslims and Christians if they believe Jesus will return to Earth during their lifetimes. Although Muhammad is regarded as the final prophet in Islam, Muslims also consider Jesus a prophet, and 32% of Muslims in Israel say they believe Jesus will return to Earth during their lifetimes. A bigger share (49%) say they do not believe this will happen, while 18% say they don\u2019t know or do not have an opinion on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians are divided among those who say Jesus will return during their lifetimes (32%), those who disagree with this view (37%) and those who do not have a clear opinion either way (31%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Muslims say Islam is the one true faith leading to eternal life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"More<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The survey asked Muslim and Christian respondents which of the following statements is closer to their view: \u201cMy religion is the one true faith leading to eternal life,\u201d or \u201cMany religions can lead to eternal life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, Muslims in Israel are more likely than Christians to say theirs is the one true faith leading to eternal life in heaven. A majority of Muslims say this (57%), while one-third (33%) say many religions can lead to eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By comparison, Israeli Christians are about evenly divided between those who see their faith as the one true religion (43%) and those who believe many faiths can lead to eternal life (48%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orthodox Christians are about as likely as Catholics to say theirs is the one true faith leading to eternal life in heaven; roughly four-in-ten adults in both denominations take this view.\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

Who are the Druze?<\/div>