Religion & Spirituality - 10 September 2006

I do, God created you as male or female, changing your gender is defying God, you should consequently be stoned.
Transexuals are almost as evil as the homosexuals.

2006-09-10 05:43:07 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous

are terrorists? And what % of Muslims read the Koran & other Islamic teachings with a grain of salt & go by their conscience & family love first?

Please answer all questions.

2006-09-10 05:42:10 · 9 answers · asked by t_a_m_i_l 6

2006-09-10 05:42:06 · 10 answers · asked by gasp 4

I know he was welsh, was a pupil of caradog and he was 6th century but I really need to know if he was male or female

2006-09-10 05:41:20 · 9 answers · asked by monty 2

2006-09-10 05:39:37 · 5 answers · asked by coco 2

We all have issues in our lives ~ and in one in particular (UNMENTIONED) I would like to see some RESOLUTION to.. however, it seems like it is taking soooooo long. Sometimes the heartache is unbearable and I presevere because GOD SAID TO.... this does not make me happy, though and I'm just being honest!

2006-09-10 05:38:26 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

?

2006-09-10 05:37:39 · 14 answers · asked by Nerdly Stud 5

(Do not confuse MUSLIMS with the RELIGION of ISLAM.) My question is not why they hate Muslims, because of course, muslims are people and not perfect.

My question is why they hate ISLAM (the religion, which is Quran and Sunnah).

And I'm talking about the haters, not those who just don't embrace it.

2006-09-10 05:37:36 · 38 answers · asked by Niqabi 4

Do you think a person can believe in and love Jesus Christ but question the existence of God or vice versa? I notice that I am questioning the existence of God because there is so much suffering in my life and in the world. How could an all loving god let people suffer the way they do? That doesn't sound like an all loving god to me, it sounds like someone who gets sick pleasure from the suffering of millions around the world. I know people say that he has some kind of master plan for everybody and that everything happens for a reason. How can you believe that when it seems like your life is spiraling upward and downward at the same time? But then on the other hand, I find myself wanting to learn more about the bible. I feel very lost and don't know what to do.

2006-09-10 05:35:14 · 7 answers · asked by cwilson_192002 2

DEREK: I'm well thanks.
ABDULLAH: Where were you born in
DEREK: California. where you from
ABDULLAH: Saudia arabia
DEREK: . Have you ever been to California
ABDULLAH: No, never. Why are you calling yourself the Black Magic?
DEREK: It's just a nickname, man!
ABDULLAH: I see.
DEREK: Where are you from? Are you from abain i forgot already
ABDULLAH: I am from Mecca but I'm in Qatar now. What is your name?
DEREK: My name is Derek. What's your name?
ABDULLAH: My name is Abdullah it means : Abdullah means the servant of God and it is the function of each induviual on the face of the World to serve god as said by what God wants from us. By the way, Allah is the proper name of God. .
DEREK: How do we know what God o wants from us?
ABDULLAH: All of this is outlined in the Qur'an and the Sunnah (Ways of Prophet Muhammad; his sayings, actions and aprovals). These are the two sources of leadership in lslam. Could you please tell me more about yourself? How old are you?
DEREK: I am 19 years old, black and very uch interested in knowing more about lslam. First of all, what should a person do or believe in to become a Muslim also is The isalm God and the cristan god the same god
ABDULLAH: Very easy, you just say that there is no God worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, and you become Muslim,also The prophet muhammad said do not argue with christans and jews for you all worship the same god
DEREK: You mean Muhammad is his apostle? But a a Christian or non-Muslim, this sentence is not enough to make it clear to me.
ABDULLAH: Ok god sent Muhammad a His last Prophet and Messenger and revealed the Qur'an to him as the final revelation to mankind. God said that He perected His religion and called it lslam (see Qur'an 5:3). Islam means peaceful submission to the Will of Allah.


?DEREK: I see.
ABDULLAH: Yes, and unfortunately most Christians don't know or they refuse,to say that of approaching of Prophet Muhammad is prophesied in their scriptures (See Deuternomy 18:18; 21: 21; Psalms 1 18:22-23; Isiah 42:1-13; Habakuk 3:3-4; Matthew 21:42-43; John 14:12-17,15:26,27; 1:5-16). Muslim theologians have stated that the person who is described by Jesus to come after him (in the above verses) is Muhammad (peace be upon him).
DEREK: OK Fine, but why was there a need for another prophet after Jesus and another revelation after the Bible?
ABDULLAH: All of the Prophets came to teach their peoples the agreement, of God. In the case of Jesus, he was only sent as a Messenger to the help of Israel (see Matt. 15:24). What happened was that all of these prophets were not well received by the majority of the people. For instance, they started tampering with the teachings of Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them (see Qur'an 2:79). That is why Allah sent Muhammad with the last Message, (i.e., the Qur'an ), to bring all of mankind back to the belief in and worship of One God, without partners or intermediaries.
DEREK: Is the Qur'an similar to the Bible? I mean, what is it composed of?
ABDULLAH: The Qur'an came as the last code emphasizing the same pure monotheistic teachings of Jesus peace be upon him, defending all the previous pure teachings of monotheistic beliefs and clarifying who Jesus was and who his mother was, showing that they were no more than great people.
DEREK: OK then, how-can we be sure that the Qur'an has remained the same since the time of Prophet Muhammad?
ABDULLAH: G,od Himself has guaranteed that He would guard the Qur'an from corruption (see Qur'an 15:9). Hence, the real and pure words of Allah are found in the Qur'an, which was revealed in Arabic, the language of Mohammed's people. Since then, not an iota has changed. This is unlike what has happened in the other religions. For example, if you look at the Bible, you find a lot of versions; the name Bible itself is indicative of those changes because Bible means a collection of books from different writers.
DEREK: But didn't God call it the Bible?
ABDULLAH: God calls the Scripture revealed to Jesus "Injeel" in the Qur'an for which the closest name in the Bible would be the word Gospel. The Bible was written may years after the time of Jesus in a language that was alien to Jesus; it was Latin Vulgate, a language that he never spoke. Isn't this strange? Interestingly, most of what was written in the New Testament was authored by Paul, who, according to James, the brother of Jesus in the Bible, had a polluted mind because he changed and contradicted most of the teachings of Jesus.
DEREK: I think you know more about Christianity than the Pope does.
ABDULLAH: You are wrong by saying that I know more than the Pope. I have simply investigated the Bible with an inquiring mind, which is something that all Christians should do.
DEREK: Is there any English version of the Holy Qur'an?
ABDULLAH: There are many translations of the meanings of the Qur'an.
The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic which means that the words of ALLAH are in Arabic. The translations are the words of human beings relating to the meanings of the Qur'an to the non-Arabic speaking masses.
DEREK: How does the Qur'an define God to mankind or how does the Muslim perceive God?
ABDULLAH: GOD is the One and Only True GOD, and the Creator of all. He does not beget nor is He begotten. He is unlike His creation in every respect. He is the All-knowing, The Powerful, The Merciful, The Irresistible, and The King of kings.
DEREK: But it is somehow difficult for me to perceive God as being the same as His creatures.
ABDULLAH: You are absolutely right to have difficulty perceiving this because human beings have a limited capacity. This is why ALLAH sent revelations to His Prophets and Messengers to tell us who He is. So if you want to know who God is, just read the Qur'an.
DEREK: Christians believe that Jesus was sent for the salvation of all mankind. If this is not true, then the foundation of Christianity is faulty. Right? What do you think?
ABDULLAH: That's correct. The Christians of today are following what Paul taught and also tend to follow what the priests tell them to do instead of following what Jesus said.
DEREK: Kindly explain the concept of salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus.
ABDULLAH: In Christianity, the Doctrine of Original Sin is the reason that there is a need for salvation through Jesus' crucifixion. However, this doctrine was invented by Paul and it is strongly negated in the Old Testament (see Ezekial 18:20, Jeremiah 31:30, Deut. 24:16). This doctrine is an attempt to escape the responsibility of righteousness with the belief that punishment is given to someone else to release us from our burden of sins (see Ephesians 1:7, Romans 4:25, 10:9, Corinthians 15:21) In the Qur'an, every soul is responsible for its own deeds, good or bad (see 74:38,41:46, 3:25, 6:154).
DEREK: What about the crucifixion itself?
ABDULLAH: The Bible says Jesus cried out in a loud voice beseeching God for help on the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46) Does that sound like Jesus to you?
DEREK: No, then what about Jesus' appearance to his disciples after the crucifixion?
ABDULLAH: Jesus didn't die on the cross nor was he resurrected. If he were resurrected, then he would have come to his disciples in a spiritual body. As shown in Luke 24:36-43, he met them with his physical body after the event of his alleged crucifixion. In the Qur'an, it says that Jesus was not crucified, but it was someone else who was made to look like him (see 4:157,158).
DEREK: How did the story of the crucifixion of Jesus get into the Bible then?
ABDULLAH: Once again, Paul was responsible (see Timothy 2:8 and Romans 5:10).
DEREK: Well, I, very deep in my heart, believe that God can never look like his creation nor does he do what they do. What I believe is that God is the perfect one who is very much different from everything we see or touch. In other words, I think the writer can never look like his book.
ABDULLAH: You are right. There is nothing comparable to Allah (see Qur'an 112:4). The prophets came with a very clear message to worship God alone, without any partners or intercessors.
However, Paul took pagan beliefs and practices from the Romans and mixed them with the teachings of Jesus. Consequently, Paul was mostly responsible for elevating Jesus to the status of Son of God (see Acts 9:20) and God.
DEREK: Yes. Now I remember. The first Commandment is, " Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord."
ABDULLAH: You're right. That's in Mark 12:29. Moreover, the Qur'an confirms that God is One: "Say He is Allah, the One and Only (God)." (Qur'an 112:1)
DEREK: What you are saying makes perfect sense. This is just incredible! You mean that for almost 2000 years what the Christians have been following is wrong?
ABDULLAH: Yes, especially their misunderstanding of who Jesus was.
DEREK: Oh my God! I've been deceived! Really, I feel religiously raped. I have been fooled simply because I followed blindly the religion that I was born with and didn't take care to investigate it thoroughly. But still inside me there is something holding me back from accepting lslam, even though lslam is clearly the True Religion.
ABDULLAH: Your last comment shows that you are a Muslim not a Christian and if you really love God and His Messenger Jesus, you will follow lslam and Prophet Muhammad. Break this barrier inside you and come back to the way of your ancestors. You are now free because you are looking for the Truth and our great prophet Jesus told us that we should look for the Truth and the Truth will set us free. So, you will be a free man as soon as you accept It. Be strong enough to accept lslam as the Truth, without any hesitation on your part and you will taste real freedom and real happiness that you have never tasted before.
DEREK: Frankly, I am concerned about the negative way lslam and Muslims are shown in the media. In the West, there is a stigma attached to being a Muslim and I'm not sure I'm ready to live with that stigma.
ABDULLAH: This is why I have chosen to tell people about the right picture of lslam.
DEREK: Then, what is the right picture of lslam?
ABDULLAH: The right picture of lslam is conveyed in the Qur’an, which is exemplified by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The reality is that it is not fair to judge a religion by the actions of its followers alone because there are good and bad followers in every religion. The correct thing to do is to judge a religion by its documented revelation from God and the prophet who brought that revelation.
DEREK: I see. I agree with you, but I'm still concerned about the reaction of my family and friends if they know that I am a Muslim.
ABDULLAH: On Judgement Day, no one will be able to help you, not even your father, mother or any of your friends (see Qur'an 31:33). So, if you believe that lslam is the True religion, you should embrace it and live your life to please the One Who created you. Be an illuminating torch for them. Do not delay your coming to lslam. If you die before becoming a Muslim, then it's too late (see Qur'an 2:132, 3:102, 3:85). So grab this opportunity now. You can only remedy this pain inside you by becoming a Muslim and being able in the future, God willing, to come and perform pilgrimage (Hajj).
DEREK: You are very wise man, I want to say that when I sometimes see on the satellite, especially in the season of Hajj, people of different colors and different races sitting side by side and praying to God, I feel pain deep inside my heart and I feel something urging me to talk with someone to know more about that great religion that can gather all the races in the same place. Thanks to you, I have found that person. So please help me become a Muslim!
ABDULLAH: Brother let us take it step by step. First, enter lslam by saying: I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO GOD WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH. AND I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND MESSENGER. I BEAR WITNESS THAT JESUS IS HIS PROPHET AND MESSENGER. Let us say this again, I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO GOD WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH AND I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND MESSENGER. I BEAR WITNESS THAT JESUS IS HIS PROPHET AND MESSENGERS. I BEAR WITNESS THAT JESUS IS HIS PROPHET AND MESSENGER.
DEREK: I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO GOD WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH. I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND LAST MESSENGER. I BEAR WITNESS THAT EISA IS HIS SERVANT AND MESSENGER.
ABDULLAH: By the way, Jesus' name is not Jesus. It is a latinized name. His real name is Eisa. Now you will say the same thing in Arabic, the language of the Qur'an. I will transliterate for you. ASH'HADU AN LA'ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WAASH'HADU ANNA MUHAMMMADAN RASOOLULLAH WA ASH'HADU ANNA EISA ABDULLAHI WA RASOOLUHU.
DEREK: ASHADU AN LA ILAHA ILLALLAH WA ASHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASULULLAH WA ASHADU ANNA EISA ABDULLAH1 WA RASOOLUHU.
ABDULLAH: Brother, say ALLAH is the greatest because you are a Muslim now. You are not a Christian anymore. Your are in the House of lslam. If I were with you, I would hug you as my brother in lslam. How do you feel now? A burden has been removed from you and you feel like you are so light, isn't this right?
DEREK: If you were with me now, you would have seen my tears reaching my neck. You are a great brother. I feel that I have just come to life, This is exactly how I feel from now. I don't have to listen the silly words of the priests in the church, who knowingly or unknowingly lead people astray. I hope to be a good servant of ALLAH.
ABDULLAH: You know what came out of you was disbelief and it was replaced by belief. You are so clean now, because when someone embraces Islam sincerely, Allah forgives all of his past sins. So, go to ----[the Islamic center that has Muslims from all over the world and announce your lslam there, and continue to learn more about lslam from them. In addition, find a book on prayer in lslam and practice it. This is essential. Now after you are through with me, you must take a shower to purify yourself from previous wrong beliefs. Remember to stay away from bad company and be with righteous Muslim people. Also, beware of those so-called Muslims who call to nationalist ideac is or racial thoughts, which are rejected in lslam. I love you as a brother in lslam and I hope one day I will see you and hear your voice.
DEREK: I will for sure do what you have asked. And tomorrow I will go to the Islamic center. Thank you for showing me the Truth. I will do my best to meet people who know about lslam for sure. May God help you guide more and more people to the true word of God. There is no God but ALLAH and Muhammad is his Apostle... Well it is as difficult for me as it is for you to leave you.
ABDULLAH: Well brother, you will not leave me for a long time. I will soon be with you through my supplications. God willing. Pray for me, brother.
DEREK: Well, I thank you, I love you although I do not know you yet. But it is enough for me to remember that one day, a very dear man has picked me up from the mud of life. Please teach me another Islamic word in Arabic so as to make use of it in the Islamic center.
ABDULLAH: Assal
amu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu and Astaghfirullah.
DEREK: What do they mean?
ABDULLAH: May the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you. This is used as a greeting to all Muslims. The last word means, Allah forgive me. Well, I have to leave you now but be sure it will not be for long.
DEREK: Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu and Astaghfirullah for being astray from the Truth all those years. May God bless you. You have occupied a great place in my heart and I will never forget you. Bye and talk to you later. Your brother in lslam, Derek, but I will call myself Eisa from now on.
ABDULLAH: OK Eisa. I will leave you some final words of inspiration. Certainly, the ultimate goal of every individual is to be in Paradise forever. This reward of Paradise is too great to not have a price. That price is true faith, which is proven obedience to Allah and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). THIS IS THE ROAD TO PARADISE. Let's stay in touch! Assalamu Alaikum!
DEREK: O.K. Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu.

2006-09-10 05:33:02 · 10 answers · asked by 5445 1

What about a bunch of squirrels?

2006-09-10 05:32:06 · 12 answers · asked by Nerdly Stud 5

Just look through the Bible. No one talks back to God with any logical reasoning or everyday common sense, do they? The voice of God was just the more advanced, logical part of the brain, talking to the ego, in a more primitive brain, before the two fused into the human personality we know today.

2006-09-10 05:31:37 · 14 answers · asked by overseas and broke 2

2006-09-10 05:31:35 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

Do you think you can meet your loved ones again. I only ask because my husband died young and I sure miss him.

2006-09-10 05:30:21 · 22 answers · asked by Sue Chef 6

2006-09-10 05:29:34 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-09-10 05:28:20 · 5 answers · asked by The Yeti 3

2006-09-10 05:22:58 · 12 answers · asked by coco 2

Ok can someone fully explain to me...If im an Agnostic or an Atheist? because I dont believe in God unless there is proof or evidence like i have said on my other question.

2006-09-10 05:21:49 · 13 answers · asked by kristina2393 1

There is only us for now.

2006-09-10 05:21:46 · 9 answers · asked by Xo 1

Or could it conceivably have been here forever?

2006-09-10 05:21:03 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

the catholic church has historically been all about absolute control over the ignorant, superstitious masses, is it wrong for free thinking people to question the pope and attempt to throw off the yoke of oppression and seek answers in other venues such as scientific data?....I believe in God, but I believe in free will also..

2006-09-10 05:18:19 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

Last week I was seeing my physician (who is Islamic)...in talking he said that the best way to get good sleep is a clear and clean conscience. This morning I watched Joel Osteena Christian minister on TV and he preached on the same subject.......I am motivated to work on this in my life.

2006-09-10 05:15:24 · 10 answers · asked by Cassie 5

2006-09-10 05:14:44 · 7 answers · asked by Xo 1

Pind daan - at Gaya, India - is a religious ceremony perfomed to offer peace to departed soul(s).

2006-09-10 05:14:22 · 3 answers · asked by NJ_pind_daan 1

no where is the koran does it say kill americans osoma ben ladden says that just because my last names muhammad dosent mean im muslims i changed my name to get rid of my slave last name i am chirstans and im sick of people coming up to me askin am i a terrorist from iraq or that im the son of a serial killer that all non sense people chirstans please stop judging me i dont jude you that you killed the indians and took over thier land took over the africans brought them to america and concered the aborignals i dont judge you for that so dont judge me

2006-09-10 05:10:34 · 12 answers · asked by Debate 1

I'm not directing this only to the "Christian" God, but about Gods from other religion as well.

2006-09-10 05:09:01 · 22 answers · asked by GodFollower 2

I was thinking about the Satan/God issue when it occured to me...

Given that satan is living in this horrific location, why would he willingly do so? Hasn't god already punished satan by casting him out and forcing this entity to live in such dire circumstances? What would be the motivation for this fallen angel to STAY there? Why not appologise to god for whatever transgresssions god percieves that you have done so you can come back to this lovely place known as heaven? Even a psychopath, albeit a human term, would think only of self and do what's necessary to relieve themselves of this hideous scenario. Which leads me to think...

What if satan has appologised? Would that not make god the psycopath in this mythological drama? For that matter, why has god not tried to engage satan in some kind of round table therapy session so they could deal with their differences and find some common ground?

Your thoughts?

2006-09-10 05:08:49 · 14 answers · asked by gjstoryteller 5

How many people have been killed in the name of religion?

How many people have been killed in the name of atheism or agnostism and not for some other political matter?

Compare the two. Which is more violent? Religions such as Christianity or no religion?

2006-09-10 05:08:44 · 9 answers · asked by acgsk 5

when you go in a church wearing a hat you are told to take it off, why does god hate headwear?

what about if i wore a bobble hat, would i have to take that off ??

2006-09-10 05:08:29 · 31 answers · asked by andylefty 3

I have been so *greatly* upset over the news of Steve Irwin! I've had great difficulty functioning on a daily basis. He reminded me *so* much of a super close family member of mine, who also is gone.

The other night while sleeping, (I was alone in the house) I *heard* him whistle and call me by name! I am NOT making this up, and we have *never* met!! I woke up straight away and with a jump!! I am, and was raised Christian, and have been taught not to believe such things, but if you 'read between the lines' , The Bible has alot of 'mysteries' and there are 'some' things that mankind just can't wrap their brains around.

Could it be that he has been permitted to go around the world to 'comfort' people? How long will his presence be here? Of *course* he would have visited his family first!

Has anyone *ever* had a similiar experience with anyone?

PLEASE *only* thoughtful folks respond. If you have a snide remark, then please take it elsewhere!

2006-09-10 05:03:10 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous