Christians and Muslims; for all we know the greater part of our history was rather hostile. I know there are a few christians here who most of them are proud to be a christians like I’m proud to be muslim.
We should share our common interests and discus our differences. For as I know Christianity has some key beliefs which totally is against the Islamic belief:
3-in-1 belief
Jesus is the son of god (or god himself)
Original sin
I hope someone who is knowledgeable of the Christian faith can sum up the key believes of muslims which christians really opose.
Troughout the years I’ve talked to many christians; from JW to catholics. Some of them are now considering to become muslim. I’ve noticed that many interpret the Bible very freely. For example Jehova Witnesses say there is no such thing in the Bible as trinity and the mainstream christians say there is no reason to forbid bloodtransfusion. However, I’m interested in the mainstream thought of christians and I would like to understand why do you have adapted these thought and in what way do they make sense to you. Of course you may ask the same questions to me.
Notice: any comments on verses from the Bible will be tested according to it’s literal message, like you may test my comments on Quranic verses. This is because the Quran and the Bible can be read without any explanation to understand the key essence of belief. Of course for other subjects noted in the Holy Books are commented so will can understand them.
Hadj,
I don’t think there are any, “key believes of muslims which christians really opose.” Christians believe in their religion and many try to propagate their belief because they feel it is superior (not that that is justified) but they don’t oppose any, “key belief of muslims.” In fact it’s some muslims who oppose most other religions and their beliefs. And they even forget that Hinduism is older than Islam, Christianity is older than Islam and they still try to force on others their view that there is only one God and that is Allah. What do you think, that we did not have a God before their Allah came? Well my dears you are wrong, your (some muslims) God is not the only God because our God is much older, but your God you can choose to call Allah otherwise I’ll shriek, “BLASPHEMY!”
I don’t think that Christians will accept the fact that Jesus wasn’t the son of god but “only” a Prophet and Messenger of God. That’s an Islamic key believe which christians undoubtly would refuse to accept. So there are some believes which Christians will not accept another example is that the Islamic doctrine is believe in pure monotheism as to the 3-in-1 believe of many christians. And christians don’t accept that and I"m only trying to build a bridge, a dialogue, an understanding and nothing more.
I can’t believe that christians also believe in Muhammed (as a Prophet). So there are some differences. I’ve mistyped that the statement which says “key belief of muslims” it should be “key believes of Islam”.
So you say that Judaism and Christianity don’t oppose other religions? So according both of them I will enter Heaven? And does age matters? Is Judaism superior than Christianity just because it’s “older”?
Let me say something about Islam which explains it’s message and time relevance:
– believe in all Holy Books (Bible, Torah etc. but only in their original form)
– believe in all Prophets (Adam, Jesus, Mozes etc.)
– Muslims, Christians and Jews worship the same God although their view of Him differs.
Did you know that Arab Christians use the word Allah for God? Allah translated to English is God. So don’t feel astranged to the term Allah because it means exactly the same as the word God. So it’s quite stupid to say that Allah is different from God; compare it with saying that logos is not the same as reason.
If you still don’t understand our perception of God here is an excerpt from wikipedia.org:
Allah الله (pronounced: al-law), is traditionally used by Muslims as the Arabic name for God (from the Arabic root al-ilah meaning ‘The God’). The word Allah is not specific to Islam; Arab Christians and Jews, and the catholic Maltese, also use it to refer to the monotheist deity; for example in Arabic translations of the Bible.
The emphasis in Islamic culture on reciting the Qur’an in Arabic has resulted in Allah being used by Muslims world-wide, regardless of their native language (unlike the word “God”, which is only used in the English-speaking world, and various Jewish divine appellations such as Adonai which are only used by Hebrew speakers). Out of 114 Suras in Quran, 113 begin with “Bism’ Allah Al-rahman Al-rahim” (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) which means “In the name of Allah, the most kind, the most merciful”. Also the cognate Aramaic term appears in the Aramaic version of the New Testament, called the Pshitta (or Peshitta) as one of the words Jesus used to refer to God, e.g., in the sixth Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see Alaha.” And in the Arabic Bible the same words (Mt 5,8): “طُوبَى لأَنْقِيَاءِ الْقَلْبِ، فَإِنَّهُمْ سَيَرَوْنَ الله” The Qur’an also uses the related name Allahumma, which may be an Arabic rendering of Elohim, a word for ‘God’ or ‘deity’ used in the Hebrew Bible. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah
Hadj,
Doesn’t this chant of yours, “La Illaha Illa Allah” mean that “there is no other God but Allah?” Now, your Islam started about only 1500yrs back, ok? Before that there was Hinduism, Christianity and others, right? And they all had their own God that they believed in. So you can’t say that, “there is no other God but Allah.” We can say that there is an all powerful God. Don’t say that is Allah or you’ll be saying that Christianity and Hinduism didn’t exist before Islam because you’ll be lying. Also, before Islam or Quran were there, the ancestors of Muslims had no religion or they did not believe in God before Muhammed appeared. Don’t you think that’s the reason why ancestors of Muslims fought so many wars because of no spiritual guidance at all? And don’t you think that that’s why perhaps Muhammed was chosen by OUR God to preach humanity to your masses and so to identify with the general public He first was given to having an army and fighting rather than resolving issues with the “pen” initially? Isn’t it because technically or effectually, Islam only came up after Muhammed? Then how in heavens name can Muslims all over the world even think that Islam is superior? You think that our God sent Muhammed to write the Quran, start Islam, and in the process nullify all the other religions? Why? You think God is stupid? My dear, God sent you your Muhammed because you muslims were the only unruly and violent people at the time on earth and it was imperative that you start believing in God and stop fighting! Leave the formalities behind they are not important, the only important thing is that you muslims should not sully the name of God anymore by saying or doing things in the name of Allah or let me warn you that God, the all powerful, all knowing and all seeing will not forgive YOU muslims all over the world who sully his name like that. Ok? You want to say Allah is your God, fine! Don’t ever say that, “there is no other God but Allah.” There is only one supreme God for all and He is called God not Allah! If you believe in God fine! If you don’t believe in Him, fine! He cherishes all humanity whether you believe or are a non-believer. And if some muslims believe that non-believers don’t belong then He will make sure that these muslims who call themselves believers don’t belong on earth anymore. Ok? Violence is not good and enough is ENOUGH!!!
how does Islam prevent its Absolute Monotheism from flipping over into its opposite, pantheism? At the level of abstraction required to maintain the idea that God is pure undivided unity and serves as the Prime Force over all things, (please correct me on the actual islamic view of the characteristics of God. Please.), how are those who have submitted to the will of God to prevent themselves from seeing God present in all things and then not seeing all those things as God. This is only an undeveloped hunch Of mine.
What role does sacrifice play in Islam? What differentiates Christianity from its Abrahamic brothers is its wholly Hellenistic nature and the central focus of an event that originates the whole thing. - a mob sacrifices an innocent man and his death cleanses the community (of the world) whereas I see Judaism and Islam as decentralized religious methods or collections of Law that have theological backing and narrative to them. So, to reiterate does sacrifice play a central role in Islam?
Can’t you understand? Allah = God! It’s correct to use the word Allah instead of God because it’s more used in the Islamic word but there is no actual difference between God and Allah except that the word god can be feminine (godess) the word “allah” can’t be feminine You should understand:
“Islam is a religion based upon the surrender to God who is One. The very name of the religion, al-islam in Arabic, means at once submission and peace, for it is in submitting to God’s Will that human beings gain peace in their lives in this world and in the hereafter. The message of Islam concerns God, who in Arabic is called Allah, and it addresses itself to humanity’s most profound nature. It concerns men and women as they were created by God–not as fallen beings. Islam therefore considers itself to be not an innovation but a reassertion of the universal truth of all revelation which is God’s Oneness.”
Obviously not. It’s only that the religion of God came in Arabic trough Muhammed.
And if We had sent this as a Qur’an in a foreign language (other than arabic), they would have said: Why are not its verses explained in detail (in our language)? What! (A Book) not in arabic and (the Messenger) an Arab? Say: it is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand).
Jesus and all other Prophets who are known to the christians and jews came with the true message and were all a follower of true monotheism.
Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and 'Iesa (jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).”
First of all, to who do you refer when you “muslims ancestors”? I think you mean the time when everyone lived between Jesus and Muhammed. Well it’s evident to say the people had to follow the message of Jesus during that time. So technically Islam has always existed.
Ibraaheem (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim hanifa (Islamic Monotheism - to worship none but Allah Alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikoon ().
Army and fighting? Let me clear something up for you:
"As Muhammad preached against this pantheon, he became deeply unpopular with the rulers, and his followers suffered from repeated attacks to person and property. Tradition holds that some Makkans launched vigorous and brutal attempts to persecute the new Muslims: forcing them to lie on burning sand, placing huge boulders on their chests, and pouring red-hot iron over them. Many died, but none renounced their faith. This persecution did not initially target Muhammad himself: his family simply had too much influence. This environment became intolerable, and Muhammad advised some of his followers to go to Abyssinia.
The Makkans tried to tempt Muhammad to give up his mission by offering him political power. As Muhammad’s following grew, opponents made attempts to get him to disband or modify his religion. They offered him a large share in trade, and marriage with some of wealthiest families, but he rejected all such offers. Makkans ultimately demanded that Abu Talib hand over his nephew for execution. When he refused, the opposition brought commercial pressure against Muhammad’s tribe and his supporters. Eventually an assassination attempt took place. After the death of his uncle and of Khadija, Muhammad’s own clan withdrew their protection of him. He suffered abuse, stoning, and pelting with thorns and rubbish. However, no attempt succeeded in taking his life."
He was fighting, yes; fighting for his life and religion.
No, see above.
Now you know.
Actually Muhammed couldn’t write or read. So he hasn’t written anything down. And to the question why Islam should came to replace all other believes and especially to ensure the tradition of Abraham:
And they (Jews, christians and pagans) say: Allah has begotten a son (children or offspring).Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him.
O people of the Scripture (Jews and christians): “Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?”
They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) to worship none but One Ilaah (God - Allah) Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)."
Who are “you”? The non-muslims? Who?
See above (and latest given verse in this post)
And please elaborare on the piece about “violence”. Who are commiting violence?
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to the Jews and christians), “Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him in worship and obedience (i.e. we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders).”
Hadj,
Surely I can understand “Allah=God.” But muslims don’t say that, they say God=Allah. God does not equal Allah because God is MORE! And they don’t seem to understand that their, ‘La Illaha Illa Allah, Muhammed rasool il…’ essentially is supposed to mean that there is one Universal God and Muhammed is one of the messengers. Now why do some believers of Islam want to root out others who follow the sayings of the other messengers or don’t at all. As far as I know, God says that we are all God’s children, no matter who we are, what we are and how we are, ok?
Now you have a habit of writing a thesis Hadj anytime you communicate, I simply cannot respond to it in all it’s entirety, please! But I’ll give some of it a try -
You say, ‘Islam means submission and peace.’ Then why is it the ONE instrument being used to brainwash believers in becoming suicide bombers, in committing crime? Am I not supposed to believe then that Islam is not about ‘submission and peace’ but is a dangerous weapon?
If you believe there is one universal truth and that is, “God’s Oneness” then why do all muslims not consider everyone else as their brother and live in peace?
By muslim ancestors I mean those residents in muslim countries that later started believing in Islam, I do not mean to suggest any Christians or Hindus or others because travel was limited at the time and so religions were more or less local.
You say, “And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds.” Exactly which deeds may I ask are you talking about here? First you say that ‘Islam is a way of life to surrender to God’ and then you say, it, “means at once submission and peace.” Now what I’ve seen happening in this world and particularly taking into consideration the U.S. embassy bombings, the twin towers going down, the Pentagon, the USS Cole too, etc., etc., I have to face the truth and see for what it is, which is that some muslims write the word but speak another, meaning, your spoken word is very different from your actions. And when someone like Bin Laden asserts that, 'SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many children have lost life in the Israel/Palestine issue and the saaaaaaaaaaaaaaanctions on Iraq, that US sullies their land by their unwelcome presence, etc., then they should also consider that for all legal contracts, they had the right to refuse and not let US in their territory first of all. Besides, don’t blame the US for some responsibility that the people and society in their country did not look after. And I must say that when their own brethren come to the West for golden opportunities, we give them all respect, facilities, amenities, what ever their needs, we give them all and never say that they sully our land because our God and religion taught us to cherish all humanity and consider it HOLY not just what someof these muslims consider as holy like their Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, etc. And when your own brethren want to benefit from the West economically then how can some of their own back home try to, “hit [US]where it hurts the most?” I mean I can understand a legal contract that specifies this is the way it is, but where is violence justified?
And Hadj, you still give me more formalities, you still give me more thesis down below when argument is what I’m looking for. Baby! Consider the case closed!
A very interesting question. In Islam anything which may resemble a deity trough materialism is totally forbidden. For example picturing God in a painting is strictly forbidden and the rules of shirk (associating other deities next to the Only God) are very strict. Statues should be destroyed because they can become a statue for worship.
A hadith clearly states that:
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: The people who will be the most severely punished before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image makers. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5606; Muslim, 2109).
So we have to avoid anything which may lead to Shrik (associating partners to God) in short term and long term. Nothing is more important than believing that God is One. And even using a talisman is absolutely forbidden in Islam just because of the fact you trust your talisman for good luck instead of trusting in God for a good life. So anything which may lead to Shirk is totally forbidden in Islam. Even asking a Prophet for help/forgivenes/provision is Shrik and is not a muslim (one who submit him/herself):
Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, in his speech after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had died, “Whoever used to worship Muhammad, Muhammad has died, but whoever used to worship Allaah, Allaah is Alive and will never die.†(Narrated by al-Bukhaari).
An interesting story to know:
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The idols of the people of Nooh were known among the Arabs later on. Wadd belonged to (the tribe of) Kalb in Dawmat al-Jandal. Suwaa’ belonged to Hudhayl. Yaghooth belonged to Muraad, then to Bani Ghutayf in al-Jawf, near Sabaa’. Ya’ooq belonged to Hamadaan. Nasar belonged to Humayr of Aal Dhi’l-Kalaa’. These were names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died, the Shaytaan inspired their people to set up idols in the places where they had used to sit, and to call those idols by their names. They did that but they did not worship them, but after those people died and knowledge had been forgotten, then they started to worship them. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4636).
It’s belief that drives a believer and for his belief he will be rewarded. So it’s not a necesity for a believer to see God or picture Him. So advise anyone who is afraid in falling to Shirk (I must note that it’s the worst sin in Islam) should seek help from God and no one else.
The concept of sacrifice a la Jesus does not exist in Islam.
An excerpt from islam-qa.com:
"If you really examine the Christian teaching on human sin with an open mind, you will see that they say that God sacrificed His only son to atone for the sins of mankind, and that this son was a god. If it was true that he was a god who was beaten, insulted and crucified, and died, then this doctrine contains elements of blasphemy because it accuses God of weakness and helplessness. Is God really incapable of forgiving the sins of all His servants with just one word? If He is Able to do all things (and the Christians do not dispute this fact), then why would He need to sacrifice His son in order to achieve the same thing? (Glorified and exalted be He far above what the wrongdoers say about Him!)
“He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.†[al-An’aam 6:101 – interpretation of the meaning]
An ordinary man would not accept anyone harming his child; he would come to his defence, and would never hand him over to an enemy who would insult him, let alone leave him to face the worst kind of death. If this is the attitude of a mere created being, what then of the Creator?"
Guys this is insane. We don’t even know anything and we’re like discussing things like some professionals here. It’s so funny! Let’s just stop it right here. Ok?
In what way is Allah more than God if we believe they are the same?
Secondly, we don’t root out the messages of previous Messengers because the path to Believe is one and they have all the same message and that is belief in the Oneness of God. However the followers of those messengers have distorted the orignal Message. That’s why God send a Messenger eachtime:
Or lest you (pagan Arabs) should say: “If only the Book had been sent down to us, we would surely have been better guided than they (Jews and Christians).” So now has come unto you a clear proof (the Qur’an) from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy. Who then does more wrong than one who rejects the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and turns away therefrom? We shall requite those who turn away from Our Ayaat with an evil torment, because of their turning away (from them).
You make it difficult for yourself. Just one issue at a time and every thing will be smooth and clear.
A text from Islamonline.net:
"In fact, after September 11 and since, Muslim leaders and scholars have been voicing their condemnation of terrorism loud and clear. But, unfortunately most of the world media were not interested in giving them the kind of publicity they needed.
This was because of two main reasons:
* One, they are controlled by vested interests disposed against Islam and Muslims for religious reasons.
* Two, the media have a tendency to highlight the sensational and the spectacular; so they gave undeserving publicity to the alleged statements of extremists, rather than those of the moderates.
The above factors were responsible for giving the world, especially the western world, the impression that Muslims are silent against terrorism.
It is a fact that the ordinary people of the world - in general - and the Muslims - in particular - are confused about terrorism. They understand that the September 11 attacks were terrorist attacks. They have heard that the stone throwing by the Palestinian teenagers or the “suicide†attacks they launch against the Israelis, as part of their Intifada, are terrorist attacks.
Then, they are told that the cold-blooded massacre of hundreds of Arab men, women and children in Deir Yassin, by Menachem Begin - who won the “Nobel Prize for Peace†- and the calculated genocide perpetrated in Sabra Shatila, under the direction of Ariel Sharon - “the man of peace†- are not terrorist acts… Naturally, they are perplexed!
It is unfortunately true that there are a number of people, who speak of Islam as “evilâ€. This attitude is due to two main reasons:
* One, there is the widespread perception that the September 11 attacks were perpetrated by Muslims.
* Two, there is a growing feeling - particularly among the Christian Right - that Islam, as the fastest growing religion in the US, is going to undermine the America they visualize.
Besides, there is an uneasy awareness in the West, since Samuel Huntingdon’s Clash of Civilizations, that Muslims are going to be the greatest threat to the western hegemony.
The orchestrated propaganda by the Israelis against the Arabs and Muslims also add fuel to this fire. In addition, God has deposited a lot of oil wealth in the region occupied by the Muslim countries, which also aggravate the situation…
I think the Christian Right want to expedite the second coming of the “Prince of Peaceâ€, by letting the Israelis shed Palestinian blood and occupy the Arab lands - around the Sacred Land. It is a pity that this version of Christian love does not include sympathy for the suffering and the death of “Middle Eastern-looking†people, or for any of the starved and dispossessed millions in Asia and Africa.
Any one who speaks for them is branded “a terrorist†or a supporter of terrorism. Even the freedom to publicly voice protests against the negative policies of the government is drastically marginalized in “the land of the freeâ€. Actually, a famous TV host was “crucified†for criticizing the government policy of “lobbing cruise missiles from 2000 miles awayâ€. Please see:
The case of Bill Maher of ABC Television
So, the point I want to make is that the people who control the media are so bigoted and fanatical. This is despite the fact that some of them claim to be the ministers of the Nazarene, who exhorted his followers to “love thy neighbor as thyselfâ€.
The prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh) meant the same thing when he said:
“None of you becomes a believer until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.â€
The Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam, also teaches in Surah 4, verse 134:
*{O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, or whether it be [against] rich or poor, for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts [of your hearts], lest you swerve. And if you distort justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that you do.}*
So, our request to the critics is to learn what Islam really teaches and judge whether it is evil or whether it is the real guidance from the Good God.
May Allah help us all to see the light of truth! "
Hadj,
I never suggested that, “In what way is Allah more than God if we believe they are the same?” I said that God is more than your Allah, as such your Allah is not God because God is way more. Do you have a serious commonsense crisis here?
And why do all of you keep saying this whenever you utter the word Muhammed? You say “Muhammed, May peace be on Him.” Was your Muhammed very violent that you believe that your Allah may not forgive Him or bless Him that all of you have to keep chanting it for effect? Why? Do you think that your Allah is not enough to bless your Muhammed because His deeds were so violent that you doubt that He’ll ever see peace because your Allah even may not forgive Him?
You say, “May Allah help us all to see the light of truth!” Why do you depend on Allah to do that? Did God not give you a separate brain to think for yourself? Then why burden your Allah with your problems? Or do you believe that you can burden someone and that someone should not exact payment from you but do the job for free for you? My dear, if you don’t use your brain, heart and circumstances to make decisions then your Allah perceives you as irresponsible. Don’t think that burdening Allah is ok. Where you are helpless, I understand. He will help you because you cannot help yourselves, but to unnecessarily burden Him is not right even in His eyes. So why rely on Islam to guide you totally? Sure, I can understand turning to it for solace and your own peace of mind, that’s why Islam is there, not for becoming your whole life though or why would OUR God give you a brain if He just wanted you all to make Islam your life and life-style? You don’t need a brain for that. Perhaps that is why you don’t use it.
I find you arrogant, stupid, not open to listening to what others say, and so I refuse to argue with you anymore! There is no point!!!
xanderman,
When you don’t have anything substantial to say then you cannot just sit and criticise either. Do you not understand that ONLY those people have the right to criticise who also bring something to the argument? I brought a lot to the argument, and so I don’t come out looking like a big head or something, so I put that note there. But what did you bring to the argument except criticism? If this was my forum, I’d give you 3 warnings after which you’d be HISTORY from this forum! “Empty vessels make a lot of noise” like you do, never saw a more clear example than yours. EEEEEEEEEEKKKsssssssssss!!! My ears hurt!
Pantheism has nothing to do with materialism. It is only the belief that God is everything. It is not the belief that God is one thing or another. When I say everything, I mean everything in the truest sense. We are God. Our Thoughts are God. Even nothing is God. The lack of something is God. God is everything, and everything is one living organism that all fits together, and has no meaning except in realtionship to everything else.
I actually agree with you on the politics part. Western civilizations are way out of line. I think there are a few things wrong with Islam i.e. female circumcision, sexual oppressions, and male/female segregation, but I don’t think anyone has the right to take over Islamic countries, and try to undermine the religion. If you want to undermine the religion, prove it false. If you can’t do that, leave it alone. Simple common sense morality. I don’t need any religious documents to give me morality, I possess that morality within me. I think if anything, religions vastly skew morality.
I disagree that Pantheism has nothing to do with materialism. Contemporary Philosophers of matter, ie Deleuze. De Landa, etc at time valorize the self-organized acheivements of matter so loudly That I wonder if they aren’t making gods out of the rocks.
You’re very confusing and honestly I don’t understand your point on this issue. Arab Christians and Arab Jews refer to God as Allah because there is no other word for God in arabic than Allah. Arab people who lived in the pre-islamic era used the word Allah too even for idolizing. So could you eloborate your stance on this one because I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.
Not only Muhammed, we use it for every Prophet. We give our greetings to our Prophets and they greet us back and their is much blessing from God in that. The Islamic greeting which is used by most muslims is: Asalaam aleikom which means Peace be upon you. Muhammed knew before he died he would enter Heaven and he told the same to some companions of him. So it’s nothing more than a greeting. I know that most people who ignorant about Islam see it as some forgiveness seeking or something similar but it’s not true because the greeting doesn’t contain the word forgive.
How can a muslim say: I believe that God is capable of everything but I need to use my brain to decide which religious duty makes sense and which doesn’t. Faith and trust in God is a requirement for submission. I believe in God and He is my Maker; I will do anything which He orders me within a heartbeat. Don’t you understand who God is? However faith has become somewhat a myth and the whole idea behind Islam should be rationalized because otherwise the rationalists will refute it. The interesting point is: Who is more capable of authenticating the truth God or man? Man, the student, revolt against it’s own Teacher and tells Him to shut up although He created Him. Who has more knowledge about this world; the Creator or the creation? Besides faith we are blessed with an excellent brain which we can use for almost anything. Learning, memorizing, doing et cetera. Key believes of faith should not be forgotten but discussed if people find any problem. But in the end who has more knowledge?
Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.
I apologize if I was arrogant in any way. I’m here to discuss; this is a discussion forum. I try to listen and understand members’ motives.
Materials exist in everything. So if god is everything; he would consist a part of matter.
This believe is ungrounded and is nothing more than philosophizing about God and His form. Some have taken the extreme to say he is everything and/or he exist in my mind. Such believes have no solid ground and it’s nothing more than assigning something to be a deity.
There is one major problem that inhibits followers of Islam and followers of Christianity from having a dialog; they both already think they are completely right. When you are completely right, then there is little reason to entertain other ideas. For Conservatives on both sides, they think that they are right in such a way that it makes everybody else wrong.
If the conservative Christian is correct then there are neither messages from God nor any messengers from God after Jesus. Jesus was at the same time true man and true God. Jesus literally died to save the world from sin. Only a belief in Christ as the world savior, and acceptance of him as your personal savior lead to salvation. All other paths lead to eternal damnation.
All men are tainted with sin because of the sin of Adam. No good deed is good enough to reach forgiveness. Only through the intercession of Jesus is salvation possible. From that perspective it is a complete waste of time to try anything else.
(I should not that I am an agnostic and don’t believe in either side.)
