Ask....
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Welcome namnoc and Aly-sam I hope you enjoy being here..
Peace David
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Ali- i think you are right.
many Hindus i have talked to say that the many "gods" are really ways that people illustrate different attributes of the One God.
i think that trying to understand God is something that is sewn into our being. others would say "hardwired", but i prefer the embroidery imagery.
Aly, something i keep thinking about also is the Quran continually urging us to turn to One God, to pray, to be just, and to turn away from what is evil. i think the true message of Islam is more universal than many traditional Muslims might think...
yes, that makes sense! i couldn't explain how very well, but it makes sense to me.
Interesting topic. Here's a couple of blurbs on Monotheistic practices rooted in Hinduism and influenced by Islam, especially Sufism ...
In Punjab ...
Sikhism(IPA (help?info) or (info); Punjabi , sikkh, IPA is a religion that began in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally the counsel of the gurus) or the Sikh Dharma. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root iya meaning "disciple" or "learner", or ika meaning "instruction." Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world, and is generally considered the fifth largest organized religion, depending on how one defines an "organized religion"...
Philosophy and teachings
Sikh religious philosophy has roots in the religious traditions of northern India. The Sant Mat traditions are fundamental to the teachings of Sikhism's founder, Nanak. Especially important to the connection with Sikhism were the teachings of some of the saints such as Ravidas and Kabir. Sikhism is also inspired by the emphasis on devotion to God in the traditions of Vaishnavism, especially through the Bhakti movement, as well as influences of Sufism. However, Nanak's teachings diverge significantly from Vaishnavism in their rejection of idol worship, the doctrine of divine incarnations and a strict emphasis on inward devotion; Sikhism is professed to be a more difficult personal pursuit than Bhakti. The evolution of Nanak's thoughts on the basis of his own experiences and study have also given Sikhism a distinctly unique feature.
Scholars have presented Sikhism as a distinct faith. Some scholars have presented it as a syncretic religion which combines some elements of Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs maintain that their religion was directly inspired by God, and many of them consider the notion that Sikhism is a syncretic religion to be offensive.
Sikhism primary beliefs and principles
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One God - There is only one God who has infinite qualities and names Pantheism. S/He is the same for all religions. God is Creator and Sustainer - all that you see around you is His creation. S/He is everywhere, in everything. S/He is fearless and with no enemies. Only God is without birth or death and S/He has and will exist forever.
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Reincarnation, karma and salvation ? Every creature has a soul. On death, the soul is passed from one body to another until liberation. The journey of the soul is governed by the deeds and actions that we perform during our lives.
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Remember God Love God, but have fear of Him as well. Only by keeping the Creator in your mind at all times will you make progress in your spiritual evolution.
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Humanity (brotherhood) All human beings are equal. We are sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
Uphold moral values Defend, protect and fight for the rights of all creatures, in particular your fellow human beings. -
Personal sacrifice Be prepared to give your life for all supreme principles. See the life of Guru Teg Bahadur.
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Many paths lead to God ? Sikhs are not special; they are not the chosen people of God. Simply calling yourself a Sikh does not bring you salvation. Christian, Hindus, Muslim, Jews, etc. have the same right to liberty as a Sikh.
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Positive attitude toward life "Chardi Kala" ? Always have a positive, optimistic and buoyant view of life. God is there ? He will be your help.
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Disciplined life Upon baptism, a Sikh must wear the 5Ks and perform strict recital of the five prayers Banis, etc.
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No special worship days Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other.
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Conquer the five thieves It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these five thieves Pride (a?Hankar), Anger (Kr?odh), Greed (Lob?H), Attachment (Mo?H), and Lust (K?haam). Known collectively as P.A.G.A.L.
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Attack with Five Weapons Contentment (Santokh), Charity (Dan), Kindness (Daya ), Positive Energy (Chardi Kala), Humility (Nimarta).
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_religious_philosophyAnd also in my neck of the Subcontinental woods, Bengal ...
Brahmo Samaj (Bengali Bramho Sh?maj) is a social movement which culminated in the Brahmo religion. It was conceived as reformation of the prevailing Bengal of the time and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century.
Meaning of name
"Brahmo Samaj" literally means the society of worshippers of the 'One True God'. Brahmo ( bramho) means one who worships Brahman, or the supreme spirit of the universe existing within one's self, and Samaj ( sh?maj) means community of people united.
Doctrine
The fundamental principles of the Brahmo Samaj are that
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There is only one God, the creator and sustainer of the world, who is infinite in power, wisdom, love and holiness.
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The human soul is immortal, capable of eternal progress, and responsible to God for its doings.
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No created object (including Human being) is to be worshipped as God. God manifests himself directly to the human soul, and no prophets or scriptures are mediators between God and the soul.
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There is only one way to salvation and that is by worshipful deeds.
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Neither Vedas, nor any other scriptures are infallible. All religious teachers and books are to be honored but not venerated.
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All human beings are equal before God. Thus there is no division based upon caste, colour, race or sex.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmo_Samaj
Peace ...
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Peace all,
welcome all new forum members !
- I believe in One God
- I do not worship idols
- I do not associate partners with God
- I believe the Quran was sent down with rules and laws for the betterment of humankind. (these laws have always in existence)
- I believe the Prophet Mohamed was sent to convey those rules and laws through the Quran.
I would add the following
- I am a peacemaker
- I do good deeds
May The God guide us all to the truth and the straight path.
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Peace brother Zein,
Thank you for the re-welcome ! Just the usual worldy tribulations, that all of us have to go through, keeps us away sometimes ! I pray to the Almighty to give us the strength to face these experiences that test our endurance, patience, and faith, and to help us learn and grow stronger from them.
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Peace bro DArgento,
Thank you for the welcome !
Hope you and your family are doing well. May The God reward you and all muslims for their positive contributions to this forum. It is good to see an influx of so many new members on this forum. It is a healthy indicator of the true message of islam gaining momentum. May The God help us establish islamic community according to His message.
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Interesting topic. Here's a couple of blurbs on Monotheistic practices rooted in Hinduism and influenced by Islam, especially Sufism ...
In Punjab ...
And also in my neck of the Subcontinental woods, Bengal ...
Peace ...
Thank you Sohel for that information. Its very interesting.
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Peace all,
welcome all new forum members !
I would add the following
- I am a peacemaker
- I do good deeds
May The God guide us all to the truth and the straight path.
Tanveer thank you for adding very valuable points.
Could I ask though...are human beings natural peacemakers or do we have to nurture that quality. What i am trying to say is that what if there was none of the usual things to fight over...in John Lennons immortal words...Imagine there is no country...no religion too etc Would we still find something to fight over?
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.. what if there was none of the usual things to fight over...in John Lennons immortal words...Imagine there is no country...no religion too etc Would we still find something to fight over?
How about what animals in general fight for...mates? food?
Unless we become insects. Do insects fight, BTW? -
How about what animals in general fight for...mates? food?
Unless we become insects. Do insects fight, BTW?Animal world usually fights for survival and humans have turned their fight for survival into greed...or so I believe. Animal world have some level of contentment whereas humans do not seem to.
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Peace all,
Tay and Samia,
Thank you for the welcome !
Aly-sam,
Tanveer thank you for adding very valuable points.
Could I ask though...are human beings natural peacemakers or do we have to nurture that quality. What i am trying to say is that what if there was none of the usual things to fight over...in John Lennons immortal words...Imagine there is no country...no religion too etc Would we still find something to fight over?
7168 And We divided them through the land as nations. From them are the upright, and from them are other than that. And We tested them with good things and bad, perhaps they will return.
4523 Have you seen the one who took his ego as his god, and God led him astray, despite his knowledge, and He sealed his hearing and his heart, and He made a veil on his eyes? Who then can guide him after God? Will you not remember?
I think humans naturally have both good and bad qualities i.e. we are peacemakers as well as disturbancemakers, and we have been given free-choice. The ego tends towards disturbancemaking. Those who use their free-choice to nurture the peacemaking quality and do good works, and inhibit the bad qualities, will be the successful and the winners. This worldly life is a test to distinguish between the two
2452 And whosoever obeys God and His messenger, and he fears God and is aware of Him, then these are the winners.
2867 As for the one who repents, believes, and does good works; perhaps he will be with the winners.
5920 Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of Paradise; the dwellers of Paradise are the winners.
837 This is so that God will distinguish the bad from the good, and so that the bad will be gathered together into one heap then He will cast it all into Hell. These are the losers.
293 While We had tested those before them, so that God would distinguish those who are truthful and so that He would know the liars.