Why Do Billions Believe in Christianity and Islam? A Jewish Perspective

Uriya asks:"I understand that Judaism is based on Divine revelation witnessed by an entire nation, such as the revelation at Mount Sinai and the splitting of the Red Sea. Other religions, however, rely on faith in the personal accounts of individuals rather than a national revelation. How, then, is it possible that billions of Christians and Muslims have come to believe in prophets whom Judaism considers false?"

Dear Uriya,

According to Jewish tradition, idolatry was widespread throughout the world before Avraham Avinu began teaching belief in the one God. In other words, accepting religious claims without the foundation of national revelation was not something introduced by Christianity or Islam. It was already a familiar feature of human history.

The explanation, from a Jewish spiritual perspective, lies in the powerful religious longing within the human soul. Hashem created people with a deep desire for purpose, meaning, and connection to the Divine. Human beings naturally seek spiritual guidance and answers to life's most profound questions. Yet wherever such a powerful need exists, there is also the possibility of deception, as individuals may exploit people's spiritual aspirations by presenting false claims. This helps explain how so many different religious traditions emerged and attracted large numbers of followers.

A Revealing Conversation With a Catholic Priest

My rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Segal, once told me about an unusual encounter during a flight abroad. To his surprise, he found himself seated beside a Catholic priest. The two began a lengthy conversation, during which my rabbi, who was well versed in religious proofs and logical reasoning, challenged the foundations of Christian belief from a Jewish theological perspective.

After several hours of discussion, the priest responded emotionally: "What do you expect us to do? If God revealed Himself to your people at Mount Sinai and gave you the Torah, why shouldn't He give us something as well? Why does it bother you if we believe He sent us a prophet too? Even if not everything is true, my faith still gives me a connection to God!"

This conversation taught me an important lesson about why educated and thoughtful Christians and Muslims may remain deeply committed to their religious traditions, even when confronted with arguments that challenge their beliefs. Most people long for a meaningful connection with God, and they may recognize valuable spiritual truths within their traditions that they are unwilling to abandon. For them, rejecting their religion could mean losing not only beliefs they have held throughout their lives, but also a source of purpose, moral guidance, and spiritual connection.

In this sense, abandoning their faith may feel like throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Even if certain teachings are challenged, they may fear losing the genuine values and insights they associate with their religion. Nor are they necessarily willing to turn to Judaism for the spiritual guidance they seek.

Christianity, Islam, and the Divine Plan

From the perspective of Jewish faith, nothing in the world happens by chance. Although Judaism rejects central theological claims of Christianity and Islam, these religions have nevertheless introduced many nations to fundamental concepts rooted in the Torah. Among them are belief in the creation of the world, familiarity with the prophets of Israel, Divine Providence, reward and punishment, acts of kindness, and the expectation of a Messiah and ultimate redemption.

For societies that historically practiced idolatry, becoming familiar with these ideas represented a significant spiritual development. According to this understanding, the presence of these teachings also helps explain why Christianity and Islam spread so widely and became influential throughout the world.

The Rambam addresses this phenomenon in Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and Their Wars (Chapter 11), explaining that the spread of Christianity and Islam forms part of humanity's gradual preparation for the Messianic era. He writes that through these religions, "the entire world has already become filled with discussion of the Messiah, the Torah, and the commandments."

The Rambam continues to explain that when the true King Messiah arises and fulfills his mission, the nations will ultimately recognize the errors in the beliefs they inherited: "They will all immediately return and realize that their ancestors inherited falsehood and that their prophets and ancestors misled them."

According to this interpretation, even religious movements whose theological teachings Judaism considers mistaken can play a role in the unfolding of Divine Providence. By familiarizing humanity with concepts originating in the Torah, they contribute, in ways not always immediately apparent, to the world's eventual recognition of Hashem.

Ultimately, the widespread appeal of Christianity and Islam reflects the profound human desire for spiritual meaning and connection. People are drawn to faith because they seek something greater than themselves, and religious traditions often provide them with a sense of belonging, moral direction, and purpose. From the Jewish theological perspective presented here, this universal longing points toward a deeper truth: Humanity's spiritual search is part of a larger Divine process, one that the Rambam teaches will ultimately culminate in the recognition of Hashem and the final redemption.