What brought me here?
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I started wondering about space when i was about 8 years old and I got introduced to astrophysics when I was 12,...I am 14 this year! angel
peace
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Peace
Firsty, welcome to the forum
I am glad that you decided to introduce yourself and let us learn more about you.
That is quite a story. I'm glad that it lead you here.This site is quite a hidden gem. If you know anyone who would be interested in joing this online community, then please spread the word.
God bless
I'm glad it lead me here too. I have learned that all Muslims are not like the ones we see on TV. I have also come to the conclution that Muslims like you, Christians like me and reformed Jews should be together fighting (well not physically) the bigots and liers in all religions.
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I started wondering about space when i was about 8 years old and I got introduced to astrophysics when I was 12,...I am 14 this year! angel
peace
Well I wish you luck with your sudies, it is hard but very rewarding. I think you will enjoy it once you learn to look past the maths
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Well I wish you luck with your sudies, it is hard but very rewarding. I think you will enjoy it once you learn to look past the maths
I thank you for your kind advice, May god reward you! pr
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A bit late to welcome you, as you are quite established on the forum, but, nevertheless, welcome knowing you and thanks for the introduction about yourself, which is almost axactly what I, and many, relate to. I say "almost" because I may differ on one point. But leave the discussion now and let's just welcome you... handshake
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A bit late to welcome you, as you are quite established on the forum, but, nevertheless, welcome knowing you and thanks for the introduction about yourself, which is almost axactly what I, and many, relate to. I say "almost" because I may differ on one point. But leave the discussion now and let's just welcome you... handshake
I am interested, on what point do you differ? You may be right.
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I am interested, on what point do you differ? You may be right.
I did not want to derail the thread; but it's this point
- I do not believe in hell. If God is our father, then what father would condemn his children to hell Eternal damnation, etc.?
If one believes in paradise, hell is the balance for justice. If all students get an A, isn't this unfair on the hard workers? Don't parents punish their children? Some people turn the lives of others into hell for no reason, why would hell be too much for them? How would it be fair that all go to paradise?
This is also my argument against believing that hell and paradise/punishment and reward do not exist (non belief in the hereafter). -
I don't belive in hell as a concept. I think that for a believer in God, the separation from God would be hell in itself. If you think of a parent telling a small child to "go to your room, I don't want to see you or hear from you until you realise what you have done wrong", that would be hell for that small child. Then, when the child comes out and says, "yes I'm sorry, I realise what I did was wrong", the parent will forgive the child. This how I think of hell.
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I don't belive in hell as a concept. I think that for a believer in God, the separation from God would be hell in itself. If you think of a parent telling a small child to "go to your room, I don't want to see you or hear from you until you realise what you have done wrong", that would be hell for that small child. Then, when the child comes out and says, "yes I'm sorry, I realise what I did was wrong", the parent will forgive the child. This how I think of hell.
Ok. Now I understand what you mean. So, it's not the concept of punishment and reward that you do not believe in. Thanks for the explanation.
Rephrasing"....which is almost axactly what I and many relate to
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Peace and welcome.
Reminds me a bit of the views of Jefferson et al founders of the US...
http//nobeliefs.com/jefferson.htm
"Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong."
-Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782)
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Peace and welcome.
Reminds me a bit of the views of Jefferson et al founders of the US...
http//nobeliefs.com/jefferson.htm
"Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong."
-Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782)
If you look at the Jefferson bible, he seemed to be on to something.
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Thank you (I think), What does Salaamun Alaykum mean?
It means "Peace unto you"
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Peace be upon my brothers and sisters. I have been a seeker since an early age. I was raised a Roman Catholic, but I have rejected the idolotry within that church. I also reject that a man can be an intermediary between God and me. I truly believe that God is as close to me as each breath that I take. It is God that sustains me. I am currently a Presbyterian. It is my strong belief that there is One God. As a Christian, without God, Jesus would not have been able to perform his mighty deeds. Jesus even refers to God as 'our God,' on many occasions. He is also called 'the Son of Man' on multiple occasions in the Gospels. I can understand Islam's view that Jesus was a great prophet, but not God the Son, within the trinity.
Islam has been a religion that I have been drawn towards for many years. However, the rituals and prostrations have been confusing and a barrier to me. It is my sincere belief that only God can cleanse me. I do not believe that following rituals bring us any closer to God. The one aspect of al Quran that vexes me is the fact that when the Archangel Jibreel provides the recitation to the Prophet, he refers to 'us' and 'we' and 'our' when referring to God, or the message given to Muhammed. I never understood this plural tense, given that Islam is the strictest of monotheistic religions. Islam condemns setting up partners with God. But how is it that Jibreel makes reference to a plurality? Is he referring to the angels?
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Peace be upon my brothers and sisters. I have been a seeker since an early age. I was raised a Roman Catholic, but I have rejected the idolotry within that church. I also reject that a man can be an intermediary between God and me. I truly believe that God is as close to me as each breath that I take. It is God that sustains me. I am currently a Presbyterian. It is my strong belief that there is One God. As a Christian, without God, Jesus would not have been able to perform his mighty deeds. Jesus even refers to God as 'our God,' on many occasions. He is also called 'the Son of Man' on multiple occasions in the Gospels. I can understand Islam's view that Jesus was a great prophet, but not God the Son, within the trinity.
Islam has been a religion that I have been drawn towards for many years. However, the rituals and prostrations have been confusing and a barrier to me. It is my sincere belief that only God can cleanse me. I do not believe that following rituals bring us any closer to God. The one aspect of al Quran that vexes me is the fact that when the Archangel Jibreel provides the recitation to the Prophet, he refers to 'us' and 'we' and 'our' when referring to God, or the message given to Muhammed. I never understood this plural tense, given that Islam is the strictest of monotheistic religions. Islam condemns setting up partners with God. But how is it that Jibreel makes reference to a plurality? Is he referring to the angels?
Peace be upon you,
From Rashad Khalifa's appendix "God's Usage of the Plural Tense"
In the English speaking world, where the trinity doctrine is prevalent, some people are intrigued by God's usage of the plural tense in the Quran. The overwhelming message of the Quran, where there is absolutely no compromise is that "GOD IS ONE" (2133, 2163; 4171 573; 619; 931; 1239; 1316; 1448, 1452; 1622, 1651; 18110; 21108; 2234; 374; 3865; 394; 4016; 416; 1121).
Whenever the first person plural form is used by the Almighty, it invariably indicates participation of other entities, such as the angels. For example, the revelation of this Quran involved participation of the angel Gabriel and the prophet Muhammad. Hence the use of the plural form in 159
"We revealed this scripture, and we will preserve it."
The plural form here simply reflects the fact that the angel Gabriel and the prophet Muhammad participated in the processof delivering the Quran.
Another example has to do with blowing the breath of life into Adam and Jesus. The creation of Adam took place in heaven and God directly blew into him the breath of life. Thus, the first person singular form is consistently used
"I blew into Adam from My spirit" (1529, 3872).
The creation of Jesus, on the other hand, took place on earth,and Gabriel carried God's "word" to Mary. The plural form is consistently used when referring to the creation of Jesus (2191, 6612).
When God spoke to Moses directly, without the mediation of angels, we see that God is speaking exclusively in the singular tense
"I am God. There is no other god besides Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the regular contact prayers (Salat) to commemorate Me." (2012-14).
Whenever the worship of God is mentioned, the singular tense is used (5156).
Another thing I heard was that the "we" is used because it is the royal "we".
Just as a side note your pic is putting Muhammad at the same level as God/next to God.
peace
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Thank you my friend! I took note about my picture too!
I will review these verses that you showed me.
My ideas about Jesus' divinity are beginning to be challenged. I am reading the Gospels with a more discerning mind. I must agree with what a Rev. John had stated here on the forum. In the gospels Jesus would retire and pray to God. The question that has been poignant for me is that if Jesus was divine, would he need to pray to himself, or to ask God to take the cup of suffering away if it was God's will? Could the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ be a sign for what is to come in the future for beleivers? Certainly such a scenario was not out of the realm of what God could accomplish through Jesus Christ, because God can do all things. The signs that Jesus Christ accomplished were through God's intervention. The concretely showed a stubborn people that God loves them, and yet they demanded more signs from Jesus!
In the Islamic perspective, I know that Jesus is a very important prophet. Never once in the Gospels did Jesus refer to himself as God. When he was called the King of the Jews he did not ascent to that title. he would just retort, "So you say." While he is called 'son of God,' this might just refer to God's expression of pleasure with him. In fact Jesus reinforced that God is 'One.' The Lord's Prayer made no reference to Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Furthermore Jesus' relationship with God shows us that God considers us His children. The Nicene Creed was not created until 325 C.E. Constantine, a Roman Emperor, was integral in its creation. His faith in 'the Way' was not existent by some accounts. He oversaw the setup of the Christian religion as a state religion of Rome. This consolidated power by decreasing religious unrest. Paganism was influenced through the integration of Christianity into Rome. The setup of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one God-head was established here. Contextually, there is a pagan influence here in the Christian faith. The pantheon of Roman Gods and Goddesses were changed into a pantheon of saints to whom one could pray for intercession. In this sense, the Christian faith had strayed far from the message of Jesus. My eyes are opening to this more and more. It makes total sense, within this context, why God revealed His final message to Muhammed through Jibreel. I am having an 'Ah-ha!' moment.