The New Guy
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Hi everyone my name is Brian. I'm not a muslim but I am learning about Islam. I've been a christian my whole life and in the last 5 years I've really started to "wake up". Things aren't really as they seem in the church. Hoping to get some help with my studies on Islam and maybe make a few friends along the way.
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Peace Brian,
Former Christian here, now I'm happy with being a Monotheist. Welcome!
-Joel
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Shalom Aleikhem,
Welcome to Free-Minds welcome
I hope you can learn and teach us somethings or two You can start by sharing your religious background, there are many religions and everyone has many divisions. What type or sect of Christianity do you belong to ?
May God guide you.
Peace
---------------- Student of Allah -
I hope you can learn and teach us somethings or two ) You can start by sharing your religious background, there are many religions and everyone has many divisions. What type or sect of Christianity do you belong to ?
I currently attend the church I grew up in with my family. It is of the Free Will Baptist denomination. They believe that one can fall away from grace. They don't not follow the once saved always saved doctrine of the Southern Baptist Convention. They also forbid alcohol which is different from most other denominations. However, they do follow the trinity which is where things are starting to get confusing for me. I used to believe fully in the trinity but as I began to actually read and study my bible Jesus himself said there is only one God. So, hopefully, as I continue to study and pray for guidance from God the truth will get revealed to me.
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So, hopefully, as I continue to study and pray for guidance from God the truth will get revealed to me.
Been there. The Bible itself does not espouse the trinity. After one semester of greek in seminary that was clear to me. Translating John ch 1 was our final exam. Hang in there. Sometimes when the things you are used to believing are shaken, it can be a bumpy ride.
Peace,
Joel -
Sometimes when the things you are used to believing are shaken, it can be a bumpy ride.
Even thinking that in the beginning was very unsettling. It is very hard to start thinking what you have been taught your whole life might not be right. Then when you finally swallow that pill and are okay with it you have to think about your family. You can't talk to them about your new found views because they'll just tell you you're reading it wrong or you need to repent. My wife actually told me we are not to question the Bible. That if you question the Bible then you are questioning God. To a certain point she is right, but my response back to her was God wouldn't have created us with this curiosity if he did not want us to ask questions. He doesn't want us to just accept things blindly and mull along.
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Even thinking that in the beginning was very unsettling. It is very hard to start thinking what you have been taught your whole life might not be right. Then when you finally swallow that pill and are okay with it you have to think about your family. You can't talk to them about your new found views because they'll just tell you you're reading it wrong or you need to repent. My wife actually told me we are not to question the Bible. That if you question the Bible then you are questioning God. To a certain point she is right, but my response back to her was God wouldn't have created us with this curiosity if he did not want us to ask questions. He doesn't want us to just accept things blindly and mull along.
It is a tough spot to be in, for certain. My dad is a pastor, so I have to be careful and I have to choose my words and my conversations. But sometimes, you just have to stand your ground when you are pushed. He cornered me one time and said, "Nothing matters more than this question where do you stand with Jesus?" My response was that my ACTIONS, my submission and obedience to God, is what answers that question, not reciting some theological formula about the nature of Jesus and vicarious atonement. As the Bible says, he who does what is righteous, is righteous.
You are right on the money by pointing out that God would not give you the ability to reason and question if God did not intend for us to use it. The Quran says only to believe and follow what you can verify. If your wife does not mind being challenged a little bit, you might ask her if she thinks challenging what you have been taught the Bible says is the same thing as challenging the Bible. You can remind her that one of the three "sola"s of the Reformation is Sola Scriptura. Protestants, typically Baptists, will outright reject the Catholic/Orthodox formula of scripture + tradition/magisterium. If it is an error to put traditions of fallible men onto the Bible, then not only must Catholic traditions be removed, but all other traditions as well. Even the Baptist ones.
I don't want to clog up a thread here with discussion about misinterpretations of the Bible, so PM me if you have any questions. May God guide you, and all of us, on the straight path.
-Joel
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If it is an error to put traditions of fallible men onto the Bible, then not only must Catholic traditions be removed, but all other traditions as well. Even the Baptist ones.
Oh man this statement right here sums up everything I've been thinking about hahaha. Thank you for your comments and input.
-Brian
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I used to believe fully in the trinity but as I began to actually read and study my bible Jesus himself said there is only one God.
As I was also struggling to find the truth (or lack thereof) in my Free Will Baptist upbringing, this was the thing that really convinced me on Islam. The part of the Bible where Jesus affirms there is only one God is the Shema, which is is the traditional Jewish prayer affirming the unity of God that Jews pray on a daily basis. You might notice that it is similar to the shahadah, which Muslims profess to declare the unity of God. This told me that whatever else the Church might say, Jesus believed in the Jewish and possibly the Muslim conception of God, but absolutely not the trinity.
A natural consequence of this realization is that, similar to both Jewish and Muslim beliefs, Jesus could not have said the Shema while being God himself.
Having said that, I applaud your efforts to seek Truth. I know it is difficult to let go of your beliefs, and having been a devout Baptist from a family with a grandfather who is a minister, I certainly have empathy. Just take your time, test your heart, and follow what you know to be right.
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I currently attend the church I grew up in with my family. It is of the Free Will Baptist denomination. They believe that one can fall away from grace. They don't not follow the once saved always saved doctrine of the Southern Baptist Convention. They also forbid alcohol which is different from most other denominations. However, they do follow the trinity which is where things are starting to get confusing for me. I used to believe fully in the trinity but as I began to actually read and study my bible Jesus himself said there is only one God. So, hopefully, as I continue to study and pray for guidance from God the truth will get revealed to me.
Shalom Aleikhem,
I pray that God guide you. The trinity thing does not go down my throat. Not because I am a Muslim. It just does not make sense. And to back it up, you have to create one of the most bizzare brutal idea of God killing His own son for my sin. Not saying that it always comes from the trinity fans. In anycase, I have some threads on the Christianity sections of this forum. Don't remember which sections specifically. It should not be hard to find, since very few people discuss that here.
In any case, may God guide you to the truth and make you succeed.
Peace
----------- Student of Allah -
Shalom Aleikhem,
Welcome to Free-Minds welcome
I hope you can learn and teach us somethings or two ) You can start by sharing your religious background, there are many religions and everyone has many divisions. What type or sect of Christianity do you belong to ?
May God guide you.
Peace
---------------- Student of AllahSorry for late reply
handshake
salaam SOA
I am a muslim, actually i have an influence of only AL-Quran since from my childhood its because of my parents they only believe in ONE GOD. they rejected the hadith long back ...I don't have any knowledge about hadith, whatever knowledge i have its only from quran.... i fear "ALLAH" but since past few months i feel that i am going away from my lord ...as my Salat and remembrance towards allah is becoming lite .i am losing interest. and i am from india -
Greetings and Peace, all group
@hoojoe welcome
One doesn't have to be a "Muslim" in order to be a monotheist. If one wishes to follow the teachings of (for example) Jesus (peace upon all Prophets) and be a monotheist--more power to that person! One example from AQ
4125 And who is better in the system than the one who submits himself to GOD, and he is a good doer, and he follows the creed of Abraham in monotheism? And GOD took Abraham as a friend.
Accept monotheism, by whatever name works best for you. Don't worry about popularity and don't worry about the earthly consequences. In embracing truth, you may be put in a position to guide others. A scholarly work demonstrating monotheism in the Bible is available at the following link
http//www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15968
Examples of why followers of Judaism do not believe as Christians do is linked here
http//www.aish.com/jw/s/48892792.html
Do you believe in One GOD? If so, congratulations! You are a monotheist. The label of religion is merely a label--one could be a Christian monotheist, a Muslim monotheist, a Vedanta/Hindu monotheist...etc. To a real monotheist, the difference is little. If you are interested in monotheism as presented by AQ, your first step would be to read AQ from cover to cover. The AQ that I read before embracing Islam is the following
http//www.amazon.com/Meaning-Holy-Quran-Abdullah-Yusuf/dp/0915957760
Opinions vary regarding translations; having multiple translations is best. You can get a free Qur'an delivered from online if you wish (just Google "free quran". After reading the complet Qur'an, the articles on the main page are a great place to start.
262 Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Nazarenes, and the Sabians, whoever of them believes in GOD and the Last Day and does good works; they will have their recompense with their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.
You are always welcome here. Feel free to ask questions on either the forums or via PM. We'll look to see you around.
May ALLAH see fit to Guide all seekers.
peace
~Abdul-Hadi
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That if you question the Bible then you are questioning God.
and why can't you question God? or about God?
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Welcome, hoojoe. Peace!
It's a great thing that has happened to you, God be praised. May He bring us all closer to truth!
I find that it is always a good thing to check one's assumptions. Like justamuslim says, even our current assumptions about God and His books can be questioned. If the assumptions are well-founded, they ought to withstand any scrutiny. It is wonderful that you have found the courage to question what is actually true, social pressures and all. It is sometimes very healthy to have one's old world view collapse, especially if old and bad habits of thoughts, words and deeds can be replaced with something better. The Quran aids tremendously this process. -
Sorry for late reply
handshake
salaam SOA
I am a muslim, actually i have an influence of only AL-Quran since from my childhood its because of my parents they only believe in ONE GOD. they rejected the hadith long back ...I don't have any knowledge about hadith, whatever knowledge i have its only from quran.... i fear "ALLAH" but since past few months i feel that i am going away from my lord ...as my Salat and remembrance towards allah is becoming lite .i am losing interest. and i am from indiaShalom Aleikhem,
I dont really know what to say to that. However, since the time you wake up in the morning till you go to bed at night, you will find many opportunity to practice what you read in the Qur'an. Follow these examples of righteousness and try to be exemplary in your neighborhood. Everyone including God loves such people.
A muslim and a Christian can debate day and night about righteousness in Islam and Christianity. But how does that change anything ? Instead of bragging about how Jesus said to "love your neighbors", if you actually, in real life, go and help out your neighbors in your free time, that is something that has any "real" impact in the world that we live in.
PRACTICING them should bind you more with them, instead of only knowing them. It is easier to lose interest in subjects where you don't practice it properly.
You may have read tonnes and tonnes of books on medical science, but if you never even helped anyone apply first aid when they cut their fingers, it is very reasonable that you don't feel connected with the knowledge that you have.
I pray that God guides you to His straight path.
PEACE
------------- Student of Allah