how do you reconcile self-esteem and assertiveness with Islam (submission) and Christian humility?

Answer 1

You don't. Self esteem and assertiveness don't mix with religion.

Answer 2

There is a big difference between being humble and being used as a door mat! Self esteem comes from knowing that God loves you. Humility comes from the fact that you don't deserve it. I am not sure that assertiveness is reconciled with humility, I personally don't believe that assertiveness is at all necessary, whether you are religious or not.

Answer 3

A very good question and one I've had some trouble with as a Christian.

The truth is, we only know the difference between true humility and false humility (being a doormat) by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can give us a true humility which is powerful and full of life, and encourages us to submit to God; this makes us feel stronger and more able to face and overcome problems with joy, completely unlike the downtroddenness or timidity I think you are confusing it with.
I think David S's answer is a good example of the kind of confusion I've had to deal with in the Church. The Bible talks of love "building up" people and the Holy Spirit "edifying" (i.e. strengthening) people. This gives you self-esteem which is not the same as pride. Too many Christians unintentionally spreading false and confusing doctrine, like David S.

Answer 4

I can't really speak for either of those religions since I don't subsribe to either theology, but as far as self-esteem goes, you can have self-esteem and still be humble. Self-esteem is just a belief in your own worth and shouldn't preclude your being humble before God. As far as assertiveness goes, I would assume that you're talking about being assertive with other human beings and I would think that most religions ask for submission to a higher power, not necessarily other human beings.

Answer 5

Actually in Genesis 1:26 where it says let him have dominion over the animals and dominion over eve and some newer translations say subjection. They say that word actually means responsible for. How can an animal know that man has dominion or subjection over him? God was saying that a man was responsible for the garden the animals to protect and take care of and the same with the women. A pregnant women is pretty helpless. God made provision for her to be taken care of.
A new mother carrying an infant is pretty helpless. So is some animals. Man was to be a caretaker of this paradise.
As the loving care taker he saw about his wife and children and animals. No one was to be humiliated or treated badly.

Answer 6

Without PC's @sshatery, I agree. It's easy. One needs to have confidence in their ability to be a functioning member of society and be assertive about defending themselves and their family and advancing their goals and dreams. However, all humans naturally take that to the next level of arrogance and aggressiveness, so its good to be reminding oneself that no, we're not the best thing that has ever graced this planet and in relation to the rest of the universe, we're really downright pathetic. With a belief in God comes a belief in a being so much more wonderful and magnificent of us, that proper faith require that one submits and humbles themself to God's power.

Answer 7

Being able to recognize one's self worth and speak openly about one's beliefs and defending then are how they are reconciled. Jesus did not say we were think of ourselves as subhuman or to keep our mouths closed at all times. In fact, his teachings were quite different. I can not speak for the Muslim as I am not fully versed in their beliefs but I imagine that submission is simply another way to say being a servant of Allah/God by choice. To submit one's heart and dedicate one's life to another is not to be taken for a submission of self worth or free thought.

Answer 8

Speaking as a Christian, I can say that the Bible does not advocate self-esteem. As Christians, we are to get our minds off ourselves and focus on God and others. I believe that when we get our minds off ourselves, we develop a healthy self image--neither too proud and self obsessed nor feeling inferior.

Answer 9

I view humility as the ability to celebrate others achievements at with the same fervor as your own. God gave you your gifts and it is OK to be confident in them. However, you must understand that they are given to you by God so none may brag.

Answer 10

You humble yourself before the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac because He is a personal God. Islam has no such personal God, because the Quran says to OBEY. It would seem that to obey a non-personal God would led one into agnosticism.