Preface: This is a letter to my friend's mother. She was concerned about some things I said about Christianity and Islam. She wrote me a letter to respond to what I had said. This is my response to her concerns.
You make many good points about Christianity, many good foundational
ideas that come straight from the Bible, all of which I agree with. But
I didn't make my claims against Christianity. It's true that
Christians, by the book, are to love everyone as themselves. But the
truth is that Christians are human too, and many of them fall very
short. There are many Christians who view Islam and Muslims as a sort
of enemy, a very real and physical threat. It's just a sort of
over-generalization, a fear stemming from radical Muslim terrorism. While
Christians don't want to Islam destroyed in any physical or negative
sense, the ultimate goal of Christianity is for the entire world to
become Christian, for there to be no other religions (because they are
all false). So in a very real, sense, Christianity demands a sort of
destruction of other religions (the same way a lot of American-driven
commerce demands the death of indigenous languages around the world in
favor of English). Whether or not that is a bad thing is up for debate.
I find it sad and terrible. I don't like the idea of everyone
practicing the same religion. And Christians, Jews and Muslims are
brothers more than just being fellow men. Christians would not exist if
not for the Jews. The Jews are sort of their parents. Christians got
rebellious and ran away from home. Muslims come from the same stock as
the Jews and began the same way the Jews did, worshiping the same God
(El). The Muslims call the Jews and Christians "people of the book" and
used to have great respect for them. It was said that the people of the
book had a place in heaven. There are still a lot of Muslims who feel
this way, but not enough. John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". This
is one of the most famous Christian passages, but what does it mean?
For Catholics, it means two very real and physical things: being
baptized and eating Christ's actual flesh (not symbolic flesh, the
actual corpus christi). For Protestants, it's much less clear. I have
never really understood what it means. No one comes to the father but
through me. I used to think it meant "live as I live, embody my
teachings". But nobody really does. It seems to mean something else,
but I don't know what. And is this to say that the best rabbis of
all time didn't know God? That Moses and Abraham didn't? They
definitely didn't know Jesus. What about natives living in Papua New
Guinea in the Medieval Ages?
I am searching. I am always
searching. That is my life. It always was. I'm not floundering, I'm not
lost, and I don't like people feeling sorry for me. The purpose of my
life is to know everything I can. It took me a long time to realize
this, but I'm so happy now that I know. That's why I exist. I have to
discover the true nature of things. I'm not looking for an ideology
that answers all of life's questions. That's ridiculous. I really
resent when people accuse me of that. I'm only interested in asking the
most basic questions. Because it's not the answers that are so
important - it's the questions. That's my purpose - to ask these
questions. Questions like: what is God? Why is there something
instead of nothing? Can God be the Nothing? What's the difference
between nothing and everything?
The only reason I'm not an
Atheist (but I am in the Atheist club here and it's a lot of fun) is
because I don't ask the question: Is there a God? Instead I ask: What
is God? The best answer I have found so far is that He is Nothing. But
also Everything. And that the best way to define things we don't
understand is with paradox and dichotomy. But that's another story.
When I first learned that Muslims felt that Jews and Christians were "people of the book," I thought it was a beautiful idea. Imagine how the world would be if everyone felt the same. This is how I feel the religions see themselves: Judaism is the first edition. Christianity began because God didn't feel the first edition was adequate and that it had become corrupt so He revised it and it became a second edition. Islam began because God didn't feel that either the first or second editions were adequate and that both had become corrupt so He revised it and it became a third edition. I'm sure this was more rhetorical on your part, but I'll clarify for protestants: I was raised primarily Pentecostal (which is protestant) under the Assembly of God church. It seems to me that, according to most protestants I've talked to, that John 14:6 is clear: we're taught to let Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, ask forgiveness for our sins, and try to live our lives by Jesus's example. Because Jesus was a sacrifice to forgive all mankind's sins, accepting Jesus, essentially, is accepting that sacrifice and washing away sin so that we can one day be accepted into Heaven. I'll clarify, though, that protestants don't need to go to confessional to confess our sins. We can just pray for forgiveness. Although I've never heard this discussed, I'd venture to guess that the general consensus is that Moses and Abraham, as prophets, did know God and went to Heaven. I honestly don't know the reference, but I was taught that any prophet after Jesus is a false prophet and that there will be many false prophets before the Second Coming. I'm not saying anything against your Prophet, though, because I know he is greatly loved and respected and I respect that. It is simply what I have been taught by my family and the church. Does that make sense? I know it has to be so confusing. Religion is a confusing thing. It's vague on purpose!
Too much religion for me. I will comment on another post.
@honeybises - "...we're taught to let Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior..."
What does that really mean? In Christianity there seems to be an absence of really concrete marks of faith. Islam has five pillars, one of which is a profession of faith (that God is one and Mohamed is his prophet) and the others are rules to follow, things to do, like charity, pilgrimage and prayer. Judaism is really just a set of proscriptions, a big list of stuff to do, that makes you a Jew. It's very straightforward.
But Christianity is very ambiguous. There's an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus. How does that work? What does that mean? I've always found it kind of strange because I never felt it. It does seem oriented to having some kind of special feeling. What about people who don't?
A pastor once told me that I denied grace by following Jewish law. I still cannot see how that makes any damn sense. What the hell am I supposed to do to get saved??
Maybe I don't need to be saved. Maybe God didn't screw up the first time. Maybe everything's ok, and He didn't need to cover his ass with the whole crucifixion thing. Maybe Jesus was a radical who really believed in something good and died for it. Maybe everything is the way God wanted it to be.
@Asok_Yeesrim - Well, I don't know. But that's my faith. I think that that is the point for us-- you aren't really sure. Nothing is concrete. But the point is to interpret things for yourself and just have love for God. To me, that's faith. Even if we have no idea if we're truly right, we trust God to help us follow the right path. Like I said, I was just trying to help give some protestant perspective because it seemed like you didn't really have much at your disposal. That's all. Not trying to make a statement because I respect your faith and that that is yours. As for what I said about letting Jesus into your heart...it basically is a profession of faith but it's between the believer and Jesus. It means you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and your Savior. It think it does seem ambiguous and that it doesn't have much meaning to those who haven't been raised that way. A lot of religions have technical ways of doing things and I think being protestant is unique in that it really doesn't always have that. You don't have to be baptized. You can be. For instance, I was baptized with water from the Jordan river. My siblings were all dedicated, which is basically a ceremony before the church where the parents hold their baby and make a promise to God to raise the baby as a Christian. Some Christians may disagree, but to my family it didn't really matter. Both are just ways of showing faith, but what makes someone as Christian is, as I said, accepting Jesus as the Son of God and believing that he died for our sins on the cross and rose again. I don't personally believe there's any one way to have a personal relationship with Jesus. That's why it's personal. :) To me, that's the great thing because no matter what, I know God is always there and always has love for me in a way that no one else can. Again, I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes or evangelize...I'm just sharing my perspective and how I interpret things.
@honeybises - 1. Prophet Muhammad said, "No babe is born but upon Fitra (as a Muslim). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." (Sahih Muslim, Book 033, Number 6426)
2. Islam is the religion of all Prophets, Adam to Muhammad. Children are not born out of any sin, original, inherited or derived. They are born on the religion of their nature, i.e., Islam.
3. A Muslim is a person (regardless of any races) who surrenders himself/herself to one God, alone. All mankind generated from Adam and Eve. If both of them surrender themselves to one God, alone, what does that make us of, being their generations to come. But it is the parent that color the child's religious belief whether to become a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist.
4. The Jews accepted Moses (pbuh) with his Torah and David with his Psalm but they rejected Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil and Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an;
5. The Christians accepted Moses (pbuh) and his Torah, David with his Psalm and Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil but they rejected Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an;
6. The Muslims however accepted Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an, Moses (pbuh) and his Torah, David with his Psalm and Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil.
7.Many people do not know that a Muslim believes in the divine origin of all great religions of the world. The Qur'an declares that God has raised Prophets in every nation to guide the people to the path of truth and righteousness. A Muslim must believe in the founders of all the great religions. He may feel sorry to see how the Jews and the Christians have in part forsaken and altered the true teachings of Moses and Jesus, but he can never speak against the holy Prophets of those religions. For, he has been directed by the Holy Qur'an to believe in them as true and righteous Prophets of God. He has the same respect and love for them as he has for Prophet Muhammad.
@ThePraisedOne - Like I said...I'm not preaching to anybody. I'm not trying to get anybody to convert. I was just sharing my experience as a protestant because Asok_Yeesrim stated he was uncertain about what it means for a protestant to become saved. I respect that the both of you are Muslim and I think that faith is a beautiful thing, regardless of what your faith is. I am a Christian and I will always be a Christian. Nothing will ever change that and I'm sure you both feel similarly, so please respect that as I respect you. My intentions were not a religious debate but just to share perspective. And for the record, I'm not ignorant in all ideals of Islam. I've taken a class about the religion because I do believe that everybody should have some knowledge and all respect for others and their beliefs because religion is very important to a lot of people. I'm by no means an expert and there is a lot that I don't know.
As for rejecting teachings, I believe that is because *historically and chronologically* Christianity as a religion was formed before Islam-- although I know both religions believe that the religious texts have, essentially, always existed. It's the same as how Jews don't observe either Jesus' or Muhammad's teachings.
keep searching friend! I think God's goodness is everywhere. :) I must say even though I was raised Christian I appreciate the faith of those who are morally good. Why My son has Muslim friends. I am glad he can see a lot of different ways to live and judge for himself what he feels God is. Even God lets us do that.
Only one comment from me and that is: in regards to God being everything and nothing. Not to contradict your point but everything is completely and utterly inclusive... which not limited to nothingness. Just because there is everything does not mean that nothingness actually exists. Because it doesnt. It is a theory and idea, a concept that one greatly pessimistic person thought of to fulfill a desire to answer every question that they had and had the audacity to actually answer it as if he could. Pardon me while i step off my soap box, but we cannot nor ever expect to know all... that includes you my dearest ex husband Ryan.
If you can remember anything from our time spent together, please remember this one thing.. or rather second thing... If you are here to learn everything, I am here for the purpose of teaching you that we cannot.
I do think your search is a wonderful endeavor and I am thrilled that you have chosen (quite some time ago) to embark on this journey, but one last thing and I promise to get off my soap box again, have you ever thought that maybe He didnt want us to truly understand the meaning of His words, He wishes for us to learn from the journey in which we are searching for the answers.
I am done now.
@Littlelovelything - Everything you just said is actually exactly what I meant to say. You've come to my rescue again, just like the old days, and saved me by showing me my own thoughts. No sarcasm. Thanks.
@Asok_Yeesrim - you are very welcome. No sarcasm here either
You make a very good argument. How was her response?
@honeybises - @grinner08 - @Ikwa - @AlterEgo909 - My main purpose in Xanga is to remind everyone including my own-self the purpose of life that is to worship God and eventually become one with the One.
God is the greatest spirit of all and our soul is a part of God. Our soul has been separated from God and it’s dignity remains in merging back with God. The purpose of this life is to become one with God, to merge in the One whom we originated from. In addition, “The blind (those who do not recognize the importance of God) have forgotten the Name of God. The self-willed people are in utter darkness."
Islam is a universal religion, meant for all mankind. Allah (swt) is the Lord of the entire Universe, and we Muslims have been entrusted with the duty of conveying His message to all mankind. Thus, I'm pleased to share this knowledge with you as one of those to whom the message has not yet been conveyed. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!”[Al-Qur’an 2:140]
The Glorious Qur’an says: “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious!”[Al-Qur’an 16:125]
I pledge you all not to get easily offended with my comments, post, weblogs and videos should they oppose your belief in your religion. You may or may not accept my opinion fully to your understanding but at least, give a ponder about what I presented. Let us have an open mind and be rational in responding to each other views and opinions.
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing.
16:82 But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you).
Peace be with you all and take care.
And that the best way to define things we don't understand is with paradox and dichotomy. But that's another story. I like the idea of hummingbirds in the B'hai faith...however, I believe there is such an amazing amount of unknown that we have so arrogantly went and claimed we could "pocket" as some consummable with mastery is just the ego of mankind trying to assert our own importance in a very, very large universe of which we are smaller than one grain of sand on the beach in comparison...
Comments (14)
When I first learned that Muslims felt that Jews and Christians were "people of the book," I thought it was a beautiful idea. Imagine how the world would be if everyone felt the same. This is how I feel the religions see themselves: Judaism is the first edition. Christianity began because God didn't feel the first edition was adequate and that it had become corrupt so He revised it and it became a second edition. Islam began because God didn't feel that either the first or second editions were adequate and that both had become corrupt so He revised it and it became a third edition.
I'm sure this was more rhetorical on your part, but I'll clarify for protestants:
I was raised primarily Pentecostal (which is protestant) under the Assembly of God church. It seems to me that, according to most protestants I've talked to, that John 14:6 is clear: we're taught to let Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, ask forgiveness for our sins, and try to live our lives by Jesus's example. Because Jesus was a sacrifice to forgive all mankind's sins, accepting Jesus, essentially, is accepting that sacrifice and washing away sin so that we can one day be accepted into Heaven.
I'll clarify, though, that protestants don't need to go to confessional to confess our sins. We can just pray for forgiveness.
Although I've never heard this discussed, I'd venture to guess that the general consensus is that Moses and Abraham, as prophets, did know God and went to Heaven. I honestly don't know the reference, but I was taught that any prophet after Jesus is a false prophet and that there will be many false prophets before the Second Coming. I'm not saying anything against your Prophet, though, because I know he is greatly loved and respected and I respect that. It is simply what I have been taught by my family and the church.
Does that make sense? I know it has to be so confusing. Religion is a confusing thing. It's vague on purpose!
Too much religion for me. I will comment on another post.
@honeybises - "...we're taught to let Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior..."
What does that really mean? In Christianity there seems to be an absence of really concrete marks of faith. Islam has five pillars, one of which is a profession of faith (that God is one and Mohamed is his prophet) and the others are rules to follow, things to do, like charity, pilgrimage and prayer. Judaism is really just a set of proscriptions, a big list of stuff to do, that makes you a Jew. It's very straightforward.
But Christianity is very ambiguous. There's an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus. How does that work? What does that mean? I've always found it kind of strange because I never felt it. It does seem oriented to having some kind of special feeling. What about people who don't?
A pastor once told me that I denied grace by following Jewish law. I still cannot see how that makes any damn sense. What the hell am I supposed to do to get saved??
Maybe I don't need to be saved. Maybe God didn't screw up the first time. Maybe everything's ok, and He didn't need to cover his ass with the whole crucifixion thing. Maybe Jesus was a radical who really believed in something good and died for it. Maybe everything is the way God wanted it to be.
@Asok_Yeesrim - Well, I don't know. But that's my faith. I think that that is the point for us-- you aren't really sure. Nothing is concrete. But the point is to interpret things for yourself and just have love for God. To me, that's faith. Even if we have no idea if we're truly right, we trust God to help us follow the right path.
Like I said, I was just trying to help give some protestant perspective because it seemed like you didn't really have much at your disposal. That's all. Not trying to make a statement because I respect your faith and that that is yours.
As for what I said about letting Jesus into your heart...it basically is a profession of faith but it's between the believer and Jesus. It means you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and your Savior. It think it does seem ambiguous and that it doesn't have much meaning to those who haven't been raised that way.
A lot of religions have technical ways of doing things and I think being protestant is unique in that it really doesn't always have that. You don't have to be baptized. You can be. For instance, I was baptized with water from the Jordan river. My siblings were all dedicated, which is basically a ceremony before the church where the parents hold their baby and make a promise to God to raise the baby as a Christian. Some Christians may disagree, but to my family it didn't really matter. Both are just ways of showing faith, but what makes someone as Christian is, as I said, accepting Jesus as the Son of God and believing that he died for our sins on the cross and rose again.
I don't personally believe there's any one way to have a personal relationship with Jesus. That's why it's personal. :) To me, that's the great thing because no matter what, I know God is always there and always has love for me in a way that no one else can.
Again, I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes or evangelize...I'm just sharing my perspective and how I interpret things.
@honeybises - 1. Prophet Muhammad said, "No babe is born but upon Fitra (as a Muslim). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." (Sahih Muslim, Book 033, Number 6426)
2. Islam is the religion of all Prophets, Adam to Muhammad. Children are not born out of any sin, original, inherited or derived. They are born on the religion of their nature, i.e., Islam.
3. A Muslim is a person (regardless of any races) who surrenders himself/herself to one God, alone. All mankind generated from Adam and Eve. If both of them surrender themselves to one God, alone, what does that make us of, being their generations to come. But it is the parent that color the child's religious belief whether to become a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist.
4. The Jews accepted Moses (pbuh) with his Torah and David with his Psalm but they rejected Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil and Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an;
5. The Christians accepted Moses (pbuh) and his Torah, David with his Psalm and Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil but they rejected Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an;
6. The Muslims however accepted Muhammad (pbuh) and his Qur'an, Moses (pbuh) and his Torah, David with his Psalm and Jesus (pbuh) with his Injil.
7.Many people do not know that a Muslim believes in the divine origin of all great religions of the world. The Qur'an declares that God has raised Prophets in every nation to guide the people to the path of truth and righteousness. A Muslim must believe in the founders of all the great religions. He may feel sorry to see how the Jews and the Christians have in part forsaken and altered the true teachings of Moses and Jesus, but he can never speak against the holy Prophets of those religions. For, he has been directed by the Holy Qur'an to believe in them as true and righteous Prophets of God. He has the same respect and love for them as he has for Prophet Muhammad.
@ThePraisedOne - Like I said...I'm not preaching to anybody. I'm not trying to get anybody to convert. I was just sharing my experience as a protestant because Asok_Yeesrim stated he was uncertain about what it means for a protestant to become saved. I respect that the both of you are Muslim and I think that faith is a beautiful thing, regardless of what your faith is. I am a Christian and I will always be a Christian. Nothing will ever change that and I'm sure you both feel similarly, so please respect that as I respect you.
My intentions were not a religious debate but just to share perspective.
And for the record, I'm not ignorant in all ideals of Islam. I've taken a class about the religion because I do believe that everybody should have some knowledge and all respect for others and their beliefs because religion is very important to a lot of people. I'm by no means an expert and there is a lot that I don't know.
As for rejecting teachings, I believe that is because *historically and chronologically* Christianity as a religion was formed before Islam-- although I know both religions believe that the religious texts have, essentially, always existed. It's the same as how Jews don't observe either Jesus' or Muhammad's teachings.
keep searching friend! I think God's goodness is everywhere. :) I must say even though I was raised Christian I appreciate the faith of those who are morally good. Why My son has Muslim friends. I am glad he can see a lot of different ways to live and judge for himself what he feels God is.
Even God lets us do that.
Only one comment from me and that is: in regards to God being everything and nothing. Not to contradict your point but everything is completely and utterly inclusive... which not limited to nothingness. Just because there is everything does not mean that nothingness actually exists. Because it doesnt. It is a theory and idea, a concept that one greatly pessimistic person thought of to fulfill a desire to answer every question that they had and had the audacity to actually answer it as if he could. Pardon me while i step off my soap box, but we cannot nor ever expect to know all... that includes you my dearest ex husband Ryan.
If you can remember anything from our time spent together, please remember this one thing.. or rather second thing... If you are here to learn everything, I am here for the purpose of teaching you that we cannot.
I do think your search is a wonderful endeavor and I am thrilled that you have chosen (quite some time ago) to embark on this journey, but one last thing and I promise to get off my soap box again, have you ever thought that maybe He didnt want us to truly understand the meaning of His words, He wishes for us to learn from the journey in which we are searching for the answers.
I am done now.
@Littlelovelything - Everything you just said is actually exactly what I meant to say. You've come to my rescue again, just like the old days, and saved me by showing me my own thoughts. No sarcasm. Thanks.
@Asok_Yeesrim - you are very welcome. No sarcasm here either
You make a very good argument. How was her response?
@honeybises - @grinner08 - @Ikwa -
@AlterEgo909 - My main purpose in Xanga is to remind everyone including my own-self the purpose of life that is to worship God and eventually become one with the One.
God is the greatest spirit of all and our soul is a part of God. Our soul has been separated from God and it’s dignity remains in merging back with God. The purpose of this life is to become one with God, to merge in the One whom we originated from. In addition, “The blind (those who do not recognize the importance of God) have forgotten the Name of God. The self-willed people are in utter darkness."
Islam is a universal religion, meant for all mankind. Allah (swt) is the Lord of the entire Universe, and we Muslims have been entrusted with the duty of conveying His message to all mankind. Thus, I'm pleased to share this knowledge with you as one of those to whom the message has not yet been conveyed. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!”[Al-Qur’an 2:140]
The Glorious Qur’an says: “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious!”[Al-Qur’an 16:125]
I pledge you all not to get easily offended with my comments, post, weblogs and videos should they oppose your belief in your religion. You may or may not accept my opinion fully to your understanding but at least, give a ponder about what I presented. Let us have an open mind and be rational in responding to each other views and opinions.
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing.
16:82 But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you).
Peace be with you all and take care.
And that the best way to define things we don't
understand is with paradox and dichotomy. But that's another story. I like the idea of hummingbirds in the B'hai faith...however, I believe there is such an amazing amount of unknown that we have so arrogantly went and claimed we could "pocket" as some consummable with mastery is just the ego of mankind trying to assert our own importance in a very, very large universe of which we are smaller than one grain of sand on the beach in comparison...
a very thought provoking post here.