Unitarianism, The True Islam??
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I'm struck numb by the description of Unitarianism in the wikipedia.. especially the strict-monotheist, non-dogmatic, secular and the complementary of reason and belief.. Is this the "true Islam"? What do you think?
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Unitarianism is the belief in the single personality of God, in contrast to the doctrine of the Trinity (three persons in one God). It is the philosophy upon which the modern Unitarian movement was based, and, according to its proponents, is the original form of Christianity. Unitarian Christians believe in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as found in the New Testament and other early Christian writings, and hold him up as an exemplar. Adhering to strict monotheism, they maintain that Jesus was a great man and a prophet of God, perhaps even a supernatural creature, but not God himself. Unitarians believe in the moral authority, but not necessarily the divinity, of Jesus.
Historically, Unitarians have encouraged non-dogmatic views of God, Jesus, the world and purpose of life as revealed through reason, scholarship, science, philosophy, scripture and other prophets and religions. Unitarians believe that reason and belief are complementary and that religion and science can co-exist and guide them in their understanding of nature and God. They also do not enforce belief in creeds or dogmatic formulas. Although there is flexibility in the nuances of belief or basic truths for the individual Unitarian Christian, general principles of faith have been recognized as a way to bind the group in some commonality. Adherents generally accept religious pluralism and find value in all teachings, but remain committed to their core belief in Christ's teachings. Unitarians value a secular society in which government stays out of religious affairs.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarianism
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Salaams Br,
Is this the "true Islam"?
http//www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRpriestley.htm
Priestley - playing Abrahams game - somewhat.
It is surprising to say the least on how closely it is resembling the contents of the quran.
But i do think the quran has a lot more in it then meets the eye.
God Bless All.
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Peace all,
002111-112 Yusuf Ali
And they say "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Nay, - whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good, - He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. -
Peace,
I am of the understanding that after the Quran was comepleted, it superceded all and every previous teachings and/or scripture. Therefore, the following of other systems, even older ones, is a high risk venture.Superceed previous teachings??
"He decreed for you the same religion (Arabicien) decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Jesus and Moses You shall uphold this religion (Arabicien) do not divide it."
4213And check this out, taken from the "superceded / lesser" scripture
Job 2221
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.James 47
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.James 3
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.Superced? I don't think so...
Confirming previous scriptures?... naturally....
It's the same message repeated over and over cos people seems to have a tendency to forgot/abandon the "real message" and plunge into sectarian arrogancy instead. And this pattern is also repeated over and over up until today.Salam
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Peace all,
002111-112 Yusuf Ali
And they say "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Nay, - whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good, - He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.In the "current context" it could also be
And they say "None shall enter Paradise unless he be an Ahlu Sunnah/Sunni or Shiah". Those are their (vain) desires. Say "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Nay, - whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good (and in disregard of whatever names they call themselves), - He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. -
In the "current context" it could also be
And they say "None shall enter Paradise unless he be an Ahlu Sunnah/Sunni or Shiah". Those are their (vain) desires. Say "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Nay, - whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good (and in disregard of whatever names they call themselves), - He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.agreed ;D
Ali
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Peace Jafar,
Interesting, indeed. I was unaware of what unitarianism implied. I figured it was just another sect of christians. On a side note, and actually coming full circle, my personal understanding is best defined by panentheism...
the theological position that God is immanent within the Universe, but also transcends it. It is distinguished from pantheism, which holds that God is synonymous with the material universe. In panentheism, God is viewed as creator and/or animating force behind the universe, and the source of universal morality. The term is closely associated with the Logos of Greek philosophy in the works of Herakleitos, which pervades the cosmos and whereby all things were made.
if you scroll down the page to "Other Christian panentheists", you'll see mention of "The Unity Church", which is not the same as unitarianism, apparently. I had never even heard of this "Church" but found the description pretty cool...
Unity espouses ?practical Christianity? in which its followers study ways to apply the teachings of Jesus to their daily lives. Through these teachings, Unity followers believe that God is a universal presence and divinity exists in all people. The teachings are based on five basic principles
God is the source and creator of all. There is no other enduring power (omnipotence; omniscience). God is good (omnibenevolence) and present everywhere (omnipresence). (Also see Panentheism).
We are spiritual beings, created in God?s image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.
We create our life experiences through our way of thinking.
There is power in affirmative prayer, which we believe increases our connection to God.
Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.and then this
Unity students believe that the teachings of the Bible are allegorical lessons from which spirituality is attained. For example, the twelve disciples each symbolize one of twelve spiritual powers that man possesses.
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Unity is unique as a Christian church because of its approach to prayer. Meditation plays a significant role in Unity thought. Followers of Unity rely on both prayer and meditation as vehicles for communicating with God and becoming spiritually centered.
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As thinking is believed to affect our reality, positive thinking is another important tenet in Unity. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 1122-24) is interpreted to mean that what one believes is what one receives, and that if one holds a belief that is not what one wants, one is, in effect, praying for what one does not want.Anyway, thanks for the stimulus. You learn something new everyday handshake
Peace,
Tay -
We are spiritual beings, created in God?s image
I've heard a joke about this
In the beginning, God created men in His own image.
Then came along the Christians, they created God in a man's image.Anyway, thanks for the stimulus. You learn something new everyday handshake
You're welcome, yes we do learn something new every day handshake
Salam
