Society & Culture - 20 October 2007

I have bought a bible as a christening present and i just wondered if there is a different bible for christians and a different one for catholics?

2007-10-20 12:03:11 · 6 answers · asked by law 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Is predestination still taught as a viable precept in your denomination? Is it still taught that only a very few people -- 144,000? I forget the exact number -- will be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven?

If this is a stupid question, please excuse my ignorance. This is information I got from a presbyterian teacher 11 yrs ago, and can't find anything to discount his claim on the internet.

2007-10-20 12:02:34 · 9 answers · asked by Acorn 7 in Religion & Spirituality

http://www.islamawareness.net/Hijab/

Jewels Are Precious – So Protect Them

When someone has a jewel or any precious item one always treats it with great respect and protects it against any loss. One may even build a special place to keep it or place it in a vault for security. Perhaps one may even hire a guard to insure that it will not be stolen. These things are most obvious to all of us and nothing here seems strange at all.

By the way, someone may say, 'Why do we compare women to jewels and pearls? Doesn't this sound as describing women as objects or mere possessions in this world?'

In reply to that, I say: Comparing women to jewels and pearls doesn't mean that women are mere objects or worldly possessions. The intended item or object here is what the woman possesses, as mentioned by Allah in His Book. Allah is ordering us to tell the believing woman to lower her gaze and to protect her, guard her private parts and protect her chastity. She is being well advised by her father, brother, husband, son and all of us, to cover herself.

Somehow we have been deluded into thinking that women exhibiting their beauty in front of others and men encouraging this is warranted. Many large corporations protect their shareholders from losses while at the same time producing cosmetics, jewelry and clothing that do exactly the opposite for our ladies. Money and vain desires are the primary reasons for this type of exploitation in the world today.

It should be that we would be asking the question: 'Why are women exposed in public in a way that men do not even see them in the privacy of your home?' The problem today is that society is so far away from the basic concepts of moral and correct behavior that was originally ordained by the Almighty Lord of the Universe (Allah). As each year passes, we see more and more deviation away from the proper attire and behavior in public. Fashion designers, cosmetic companies and women’s magazines make huge fortunes selling the poor beguiled women on the idea of presenting themselves as if on display in a market for others to stare at them and then decide how they 'rate.'

So actually, Islam has been preserving the correct and proper dress code, not only for ladies, but for men as well. In addition to defining the proper attire for the sexes, Islam also carefully instructs both men and women on how to behave toward each other. For instance the Qur’an tells us in surat An-Nur in verses 30 and 31 exactly how to act in the presence of the opposite sex: (Tell the believing men to LOWER THEIR GAZE…) And then (Tell the believing women to LOWER THEIR GAZE…)

So, immediately we understand that it is more than just the clothing that is desired. It is the proper respect and behavior of the two sexes toward each other at all times. Keep in mind that Islam is not just another religion. Islam (Total Surrender, Submission, Obedience, Sincerity and Peace with Allah) is for all people, in all places and in all times.

2007-10-20 12:02:28 · 8 answers · asked by muslim-doctor 3 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-10-20 12:00:08 · 4 answers · asked by Tina T 2 in Religion & Spirituality

i want to get a really cool Christmas gift for my mom i am thinking of getting her a gold tipped rose. i want it to be something that will last along time and she will remember it. not to expensive

2007-10-20 11:58:55 · 20 answers · asked by Baman & Piderman 3 in Christmas

[48:18] Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto thee beneath the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down peace of reassurance on them, and hath rewarded them with a near victory

[48:29] Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.

2007-10-20 11:58:22 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Ramadan

I need to know the most common fractions in spanish like 1/2, 2/3, 1/3 etc....

2007-10-20 11:56:18 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

2007-10-20 11:54:57 · 20 answers · asked by ? 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Many Christians claim all I need to do to be accepted is invite God into my life and heart. How exactly do I do this? Can someone provide a step-by-step manual. Also, how long will he stay, and will he bring gifts when he comes?

2007-10-20 11:54:53 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Religion in general.

2007-10-20 11:53:47 · 23 answers · asked by ? 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Christmas songs are loved in Japan, and I want to practice some of them in my English class. How early do you start singing them? Is it too early for us to do it mid November?

Thank you.

2007-10-20 11:51:19 · 6 answers · asked by Taro K 1 in Christmas

after reading some of the posts by creationists, it appears to me that many of them simply lack any knowledge of the science they refute.
creationists - dont you think that getting all your information from your church is a very biased source?
Im curious - have any of you actually seriously throughly studied things such as evolution, outside of the church???
because im reading posts by alot of creationists who seem to have zero knowledge of what they argue against.
i mean just listening to your church is only one side of the argument.

2007-10-20 11:50:41 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Do you ever feel like you can't win?
Like, we get told conflicting stuff all the time!
God wants you to do what he wants/God wants to bless you
You are forgiven/You are a sinner
Jesus died for you/But you're still not worthy
You're saved/But only of you do it the right way, otherwise he'll tell you he don't know you and never did
God is kind/God is jealous


Doesn't it just make you wanna pull your hair out sometimes?

I'm a christian, by the way.

2007-10-20 11:50:09 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

A second-grader's drawing of a stick figure shooting a gun earned him a one-day school suspension.

Kyle Walker, 7, was suspended last week for violating Dennis Township Primary School's zero-tolerance policy on guns, the boy's mother, Shirley McDevitt, told The Press of Atlantic City.

Kyle gave the picture to another child on the school bus, and that child's parents complained about it to school officials, McDevitt said. Her son told her the drawing was of a water gun, she said

I think the world needs a reality check. I hope the parents sue the hell outta their childs school. and the other childs parents. This is pure insanity IMO

2007-10-20 11:50:00 · 18 answers · asked by isotope2007 6 in Senior Citizens

Theres a lot of stuff out there about them being in control of governements world banking. Blair and Bush are high ranking members.

A former member called Albert Pike is the founder of the Ku Klux Klan.. That its real routes are from the time of King Solomon... that Herod was a freemason... and basically the rituals are really designed to brain wash people into thinking they are doing something good when really the leaders are devil worshippers?

I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on the matter.... are they a dangerously powerful cult running our governments from behind the scenes as they devise a Orwellian "New World Order"?

Or is it just a silly boys club where they do daft rituals and handshakes?

2007-10-20 11:47:30 · 17 answers · asked by Edmund 3 in Other - Cultures & Groups

do any of you guys know any online wiccan schools? plz help. thnx!
p.s. im not joking around.

2007-10-20 11:46:44 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

To have a bible in your room? My friend told me once that her mother said not to keep a bible in her room... so is it a bad thing or not...? If so why and how?

2007-10-20 11:45:49 · 16 answers · asked by =) 4 in Religion & Spirituality

If I create a religion, and make a story behind it that can answer all questions about everything, will people believe in my God?

2007-10-20 11:44:02 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

If so, what was your reason?

When my mom went via ambulance, they were excellent in the ER, but when she was moved to ICU, we had a nurse who I believe may have been on the verge of a breakdown. If the doctor said to give 4 meds, she literally gave them to my mom all at one time! Being a senior, her system could not tolerate the meds so she had all kinds of problems. No one would listen to us. They insisted that she was diabetic when she had never been, given her insulin. It was a nightmare. I told them I wanted her dischared immediately after 3 days there. I told my mom, we're breaking out of this joint. Once at home, the meds were out of her system, she was back to normal. For the second hospital event, we had a better ICU nurse, thus better treatment. She was properly released the second time.

2007-10-20 11:43:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Senior Citizens

What has happened to Catholic Crusader, why would someone want to to delete his account yet again?

All he was doing was standing up for the Church when people here are saying lies about us, what is wrong with that, is freedom of speech not allowed here, so why do people report him and get his account taken away, when he has done nothing wrong?


Where is the Christian love on this site, I have not seen much of it, so why be cruel and report people who have done nothing wrong?

2007-10-20 11:43:00 · 6 answers · asked by TigerLily 4 in Religion & Spirituality

I mean I asked a question here but it was about looks not really anything pertaining to the bible, anyway the people who answer these questions are not theologians and they are definately not angels or messengers, so why ask a religious question on this forum instead of asking the creator himself or looking at the bible for the answers?

2007-10-20 11:42:30 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-10-20 11:41:41 · 17 answers · asked by Molisa (Aspiring Model) 3 in Other - Society & Culture

In order to gain proper concentration in Prayer, it is important to keep one’s mind free of all pre-occupations with worldly affairs. Since our minds tend to dwell on the things which we are currently absorbed with, it is important to break the hold of this world upon our minds by conditioning ourselves to think consistently of Allah and the Last Day. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A true believer is one who has made all of his thoughts subservient to the bigger thought: Allah.”

Another important point to remember is that often because of our indulgence in major sins, we may be deprived of true joy in Prayer as a penalty for these sins. Such sins include displeasing one’s parents, fornication or adultery, indiscriminate mingling and mixing with members of the opposite sex, unethical conduct and behavior in financial dealings, and so on.

Therefore, as a prerequisite step towards improving our concentration in Prayer, we must examine our life and purge it of all the major sins according to the best of our ability. After having done so, we can follow these tips which have been gleaned from the discussions of the salaf as-salih (pious predecessors):

1. Before standing up for Prayer, try to deal with all the minor urgent matters which demand your attention. If you are pressed by hunger, eat first; if you are pressed to attend to the call of nature, relieve yourself; if you are the parent of an infant, feed him or her, or keep him or her busy.

2. Perform your wudu’ (ablution) well, paying due care and attention.

3. Approach the Prayer with zest and passion as if it is the most important task in your life. Actually the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that we could do nothing in this world that could ever surpass Prayer in merit and excellence.

4. Visualize that in your Prayer you are going to have a special audience with Allah, Lord of the worlds, and that you are enjoying a direct communion with Him—which, in fact, is true.

5. Think of the Prayer you are performing as if it were the last Prayer of your life. In fact, it could very well be the last one, since no one is given a guarantee that he would live to perform another Prayer.

6. Picture the scene of the Last Day when people will be lined up into two groups, one destined for Heaven, and another for Hell, and ask yourself where you would be placed.

7. Focus your mind on what you are reading in your Prayer.

8. If, in spite of your best efforts, your mind is still wandering, seek refuge in Allah and bring your mind back to Prayer.

9. Pray to Allah and beg Him to grant you true the joy of concentrating in your Prayer and protection against the wanderings of your mind.http://www.concentrationinprayer.com/index.html

2007-10-20 11:41:29 · 5 answers · asked by muslim-doctor 3 in Religion & Spirituality

1. He was a Jew who didn't love money.
2. He all ways talked about his father.
3. He was a downer at parties.

2007-10-20 11:40:24 · 14 answers · asked by yohanesazezew 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-10-20 11:39:59 · 18 answers · asked by Lost. at. Sea. 7 in Religion & Spirituality

religious people?

2007-10-20 11:39:33 · 10 answers · asked by Lionheart ® 7 in Religion & Spirituality

What are the most representative Christmas traditions in the United states. (Food, ceremonies, family meetings, customs, etc.)

2007-10-20 11:39:17 · 5 answers · asked by jorgehrm78 2 in Christmas

....does that mean that merely thinking about accepting Jesus as one's savior is good enough to get into Heaven, and one doesn't actually need to accept him?

2007-10-20 11:38:41 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

u have this thing u keep talkin about..u think u r making Muslims think again about their religions. but ur not. and guess wut..u know nothing about it
Aisha WAS ENGAGED b4 even prophet Mohammad asked 4 her hand. she was ENGAED b4 converting Islam to NON-MUSLIM..A NON-MUSLIMS which means at that time it was NORMALL to get married and engaged to such age
OMG GROW UP PEOPLE





PROUD MUSLIM GIRLLL

2007-10-20 11:38:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I am 15 years old.I like guys and girl,meaning i am bisexual.I dont know if they will accept me or will they still want me to live with them.I've been thrown out but where would i go now if peopl find out will they still accept me.

2007-10-20 11:38:26 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender