Growing Number of Protestant Pastors Believe Christianity and Islam are Similar

A new study from LifeWay Research suggests the number of Protestant pastors that classify Christianity and Islam as similar is on the rise. Charisma News reports the survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors found that while pastors who believed the religions were similar are in the minority, the small group is growing. 

According to the survey’s findings, 17 percent of Protestant pastors indicated that Christianity and Islam were similar, nearly double the 9 percent who claimed the religions were similar five years previously. 

A much larger group (two-thirds) said Christians and Muslims should co-exist in the United States. 

LifeWay says that Protestant pastors also described Islam more favorably than five years ago. Fifty percent of pastors said Islam promoted charity, 32 percent called the religion “spiritually good,” 24 percent called it “tolerant,” and 22 percent said it was “open.” 

The largest increase LifeWay saw was with pastors who said Islam is “relevant today.” Fifty-three percent agreed with this statement compared to 28 percent five years ago. 

Publication date: Opinion 28, 2015