The MENA "Let's discuss religion and our own personal belief" thread

[Aymsgirl 0]

Ok, I started this thread because I love talking about this topic. It was also suggested by a moderator that we do this instead of bumping into the Muslim thread.

I guess we should begin by setting a few rules/statements:

1. Please try to be mindful of others feelings. This is not a thread for bashing other religions. If you have your opinion, state it, but try not to go too far.

2. Also, . This thread has the potential to be very interesting and to promote interfaith dialogue. Do not violate the terms of use for the forums.

3. We all need to remember too that some people may state their opinions and it may not jive with our own beliefs. We need to understand that and accept that not all people believe the same way we do.

If I forgot any major rules, let me know...

With that said, bring on your questions! I'm sure there are a lot of them. This forum is filled with people of different faiths. I think we'll be surprised at how similar the faiths really are.

This thread topic seems interesting, but I have one concern. All of us should remember that there are also people who don't believe in God. This may be different from my personal belief and yours, but a growing percentage of the world's population are atheists. I tried to make this point on the Muslim thread, but was told that I hate God and questioned on whether I was trying to prove God was dead.

If we want tolerance for our own beliefs, then we have to recognise that the world is full of people who think ours are crazy. The important thing is to respect other people's right to belief what they want to and ensure that our societies recognise the rights of all human beings. Isn't that more respectful to God? (for those that believe there is one). Ultimately, God will be the judge.

It astounds me to see Christians and Muslims arguing over the detail of religion and denying the 'truth' in the other's. It doesn't seem any more perplexing to me that some people believe Jesus to be the son of God than it is to get that some people believe that an angel appeared in a cave to speak to a man about God.

People should be free to believe what they want to. Sadly, in many countries, they are not.

Should I start another thread, as my views don't quite fit in here?

No, I don't feel it is necessary to start another thread as long as everybody is civil and there is no debate. This is for educating about religion and if you have something to talk about then so be it. Yes, it is sad that in some countries people can not freely believe in what they want to without fearing for their life. Sadly, at times this has been an issue with certain religions in our country at times with prejudice and people grouping religions such as Islam with Terrorists. The terrorists aren't true to their religion and are sick in their head.

[Ahmeds Girl 0]

"The terrorists aren't true to their religion and are sick in their head"

The problem is that the terrorists often think that they are being absolutely true to their religion. It should also be remembered that the world's terrorists have come from a range of religious backgrounds (and none!).

[Aymsgirl 0]

"The terrorists aren't true to their religion and are sick in their head"

The problem is that the terrorists often think that they are being absolutely true to their religion. It should also be remembered that the world's terrorists have come from a range of religious backgrounds (and none!).

Oh I know they think they are being true to their religion and their God.

[New Beginnings 32]

"The terrorists aren't true to their religion and are sick in their head"

The problem is that the terrorists often think that they are being absolutely true to their religion. It should also be remembered that the world's terrorists have come from a range of religious backgrounds (and none!).

I also would like to point out that terrorists, and I'm speaking about those coming from Muslim countries now, are not **generally** and I want to emphasize generally, educated, financially stable people. They are, from my understanding, often recruited from small, poor villages where people feel hopeless about their situation. And now I know that this is not true in all cases and that a large number probably come from educated places but for my point I'm going to speak about those who do not.

They are in bad situations and often times are illiterate and feel as if they have no hope left. These people come in to recruite them and mis-interpret the Qu'ran and promise to take care of their families. A lot of times it's the last hope for people. It's not right and shouldn't be condoned.

But lets also keep in mind the IRA and all the other groups who justify their killing based on whatever religion they believe.

[Nagishkaw 510]

So let us get back to beliefs and topic at hand.

[Aymsgirl 0]

I'll ask another question. In the church I was in we were only to bring the King James Version of the Bible there and nothing else was acceptable. Why do you think there are so many interpretations of the Bible? You can pick up several different ones and interpret the meanings differently by their explanations.

[New Beginnings 32]

Sometimes they can ask that the versions be the same simply because it's easier during bible study hour if everyone is using the same version. I have never been told that it is the only acceptable version but now that I think about it, it's the only one I've ever used

[SaadBell 0]

I grew up catholic, but after years of life and education I have come to rely on science. I have serious doubts about the whole God thing, I envy the one's that have faith, I just can't seem to understand why a God who loves his creation would let the world get out of control. Freewill, why, if I knew everything that would happen in the future and knew that one of my children will drown when he is three in a pool, and I was the one that could save him, why would I let this child suffer a drowning? God created the world, knows the future, past, everything, and knew that there would be wars and death and plagues, why would he create the world knowing that humans will suffer and billions of horrific deaths, why would you continue creating a world of pain. Just reading about the holocaust I start to question where is this God, and why would he turn his back on millions and millions of innocent people suffer and die a horrific death? As I said before, I do envy people who can rely on their own beliefs, in time of hardship, maybe I think too much and that might be my problem, but I am always asking WHY why Why??????????? I think there are a lot of us who have problems believing in any religion, but to be honest I love the Rasta religion but that is because they are smoking some good weed, and just looks like good time fun. lol But I really do hope there is reasons for the world as it is, and not just some a random freak of nature. In the meantime I wait for proof of aliens and waiting for them to beam me up. So to sum up my beliefs I want to believe, but the rational side of my mind is the one that always has doubts.

[Aymsgirl 0]

I grew up catholic, but after years of life and education I have come to rely on science. I have serious doubts about the whole God thing, I envy the one's that have faith, I just can't seem to understand why a God who loves his creation would let the world get out of control. Freewill, why, if I knew everything that would happen in the future and knew that one of my children will drown when he is three in a pool, and I was the one that could save him, why would I let this child suffer a drowning? God created the world, knows the future, past, everything, and knew that there would be wars and death and plagues, why would he create the world knowing that humans will suffer and billions of horrific deaths, why would you continue creating a world of pain. Just reading about the holocaust I start to question where is this God, and why would he turn his back on millions and millions of innocent people suffer and die a horrific death? As I said before, I do envy people who can rely on their own beliefs, in time of hardship, maybe I think too much and that might be my problem, but I am always asking WHY why Why??????????? I think there are a lot of us who have problems believing in any religion, but to be honest I love the Rasta religion but that is because they are smoking some good weed, and just looks like good time fun. lol But I really do hope there is reasons for the world as it is, and not just some a random freak of nature. In the meantime I wait for proof of aliens and waiting for them to beam me up. So to sum up my beliefs I want to believe, but the rational side of my mind is the one that always has doubts.

Somehow I knew you would come and bring up those weed smokin' Rastas!!!! I know so off topic but GG I've missed you!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

As luck would have it, a new comparative religions website just launched:

http://www.patheos.com/

And another good religion website, well at least it was a few years back, can't speak for it these days:

beliefnet.com

[Leyla 0]

First, there is the Trinity....Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Example: the egg. You have the shell, the yoke and the egg white. Is it not an egg? We call an egg an egg, yet we know an egg has 3 parts to it. So does the Trinity. They are one, but have 3 parts.

The Word begins with " In the beginning". Then..."The SPIRIT of God was hovering over the waters." Then later God said. LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE. Why didn't he say LET ME make man in MY own image?? Because He was referring to the trinity.

The 0ld Testament is all about the foretelling of Christ. The New Testament is about Christ

( Y'shua ) coming to earth, leaving the thrown of heaven to ultimately pay the price for the remission of our sins. No longer is the spilling of animals blood required. No longer do we have to go to a priest who enters the holiest of Holy's in the temple to get to God. We now have direct contact to Him whenever, where ever we choose.

I had a question about this use of plural in the Qur'an. The Qur'an uses "We" and "Us" to talk about God too. This confused me profusely because Islam has such an emphasis on the oneness of God.

As far as using "US" and "WE" in the Bible (and the Qur'an) it was explained to me that since God is not a "He" or "She" the plural is used. It also signifies the magnificence and glory of God.

In the original languages the Qur'an and Bible were written in, the use of plural most likely makes sense (grammar wise). When it gets turned into English the plural confuses the readers.

That is how I've understood it.

I have also had Christians explain it to me the way you just explained it (The trinity).

It's confusing to me how we can all find what we want in other texts and beliefs.

[sara..... 371]

Sometimes they can ask that the versions be the same simply because it's easier during bible study hour if everyone is using the same version. I have never been told that it is the only acceptable version but now that I think about it, it's the only one I've ever used

from what i have seen when reading the bible the Catholic Bible has more books in it than Kings James, maybe thats why?

sara

[sandinista! 1,816]

"What separates Muslims and Christians for the most part is the believe in Jesus in the way that he was conceived" Sara

The way that Jesus was conceived (or the 'Immaculate Conception') also separates Christians, most notably Catholics.

i'm not sure i understand what you mean, or what sara means.

muslims most assuredly believe in the virginal conception of jesus. the utter majority of mainstream christians, whether catholic or protestant also believe in the virginal conception of jesus. there are groups who do not adhere to that belief, but they are not the majority, and do not fall along the lines of catholic vs protestant etc. when it comes to embracing or disavowing that belief.

i don't know what sara meant when she said that what separates muslims and christians is the manner of jesus' conception. the nature of jesus, absolutely. but not his virginal conception.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

"What separates Muslims and Christians for the most part is the believe in Jesus in the way that he was conceived" Sara

The way that Jesus was conceived (or the 'Immaculate Conception') also separates Christians, most notably Catholics.

i'm not sure i understand what you mean, or what sara means.

muslims most assuredly believe in the virginal conception of jesus. the utter majority of mainstream christians, whether catholic or protestant also believe in the virginal conception of jesus. there are groups who do not adhere to that belief, but they are not the majority, and do not fall along the lines of catholic vs protestant etc. when it comes to embracing or disavowing that belief.

i don't know what sara meant when she said that what separates muslims and christians is the manner of jesus' conception. the nature of jesus, absolutely. but not his virginal conception.

Not to mention that the immaculate conception refers to Mary's (ra) conception, and not Jesus' (as).

[sandinista! 1,816]

First, there is the Trinity....Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Example: the egg. You have the shell, the yoke and the egg white. Is it not an egg? We call an egg an egg, yet we know an egg has 3 parts to it. So does the Trinity. They are one, but have 3 parts.

The Word begins with " In the beginning". Then..."The SPIRIT of God was hovering over the waters." Then later God said. LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE. Why didn't he say LET ME make man in MY own image?? Because He was referring to the trinity.

The 0ld Testament is all about the foretelling of Christ. The New Testament is about Christ

( Y'shua ) coming to earth, leaving the thrown of heaven to ultimately pay the price for the remission of our sins. No longer is the spilling of animals blood required. No longer do we have to go to a priest who enters the holiest of Holy's in the temple to get to God. We now have direct contact to Him whenever, where ever we choose.

I had a question about this use of plural in the Qur'an. The Qur'an uses "We" and "Us" to talk about God too. This confused me profusely because Islam has such an emphasis on the oneness of God.

As far as using "US" and "WE" in the Bible (and the Qur'an) it was explained to me that since God is not a "He" or "She" the plural is used. It also signifies the magnificence and glory of God.

In the original languages the Qur'an and Bible were written in, the use of plural most likely makes sense (grammar wise). When it gets turned into English the plural confuses the readers.

That is how I've understood it.

I have also had Christians explain it to me the way you just explained it (The trinity).

It's confusing to me how we can all find what we want in other texts and beliefs.

the first part of that explanation makes no sense-"He" or huwa in reference to God, and "His" in reference to His actions are used throughout the quran, along with "We". the last part of the explanation is accurate though, the use of the "royal we" in the quran is used to signify the utter highest, most exalted position.