10 Things I Like About Islam

[exoflare]

Brian Crane:

Despite what the Catechism says, Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity while Muslims do not. I believe it says in the Quran (and please correct me if I’m wrong):

5:73 They disbelieved who say: Allah is one of three (in a Trinity):for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from theirword (of blasphemy), verily a grievous chastisement will befall thedisbelievers among them.

I’m not saying the Catechism is wrong, I just don’t know how to reconcile what it says with the difference in belief of the Holy Trinity. Someone can enlighten me. I agree with most of the other points Ryan L made.

The Quran was obviously referring to Christians there, but what they don’t seem to understand is that we don’t believe in three Gods. We only have a different understanding of the nature of the one God. God is not one of three… there are three persons in the one God.

If you want to add any more about this though, I would just start a new thread so you don’t de-rail this one.

 

[Ric]

Hi Eetaq,

Sorry if you misread my reply, there is no “bitterness” on my part, I was just stating facts.

Eetaq:

They should have a blushing face b/c I’d use it here.

you know as a muslim on this board it does sometimes seem like there is a bitter taste for you all when you think about islam (Rics post below comes to mind ) but after reading this I am sitting here smiling thinking wow these are nice people I shouldn’t be so bitter myself.

Here are some things I like about Christians:

I admire that you all stand up for what you believe in despite how anti-pop-culture it becomes, that you do not have shame for your religion.

I admire your devotion to missions. Many teenagers in my school are leaving this summer to go to places like Kenya and such for their ‘mission trip’. I wish muslims were willing to give up their social lives for the same opportunity.

I admire your love of God. If I am not mistaken than in the Christian idea of heaven there aren’t as many material payoffs and the main payoff is a closeness with God, and you all are willing to live lives of devotion for just this.

I admire your charity. If it weren’t for churches and christians than many many people would never have gotten the chance to get back on their feet. Sometimes a warm meal and a clean shower is life changing.

I admire your respect. I like that when you all go to church you dress well, I like that a devout christian is a friendly neighbor, I like that you all respect each other as well as non-christians.

As for my response to Ric (sorry to spoil the moment but I have to )

A) the majority of converts to Islam in the US are women. I dont mean people that are muslim for a day and then dont like it, I mean people that stick to it.

B) Our God is your God, holy trinity or not. We believe in the God that gave Moses his message, same with Abraham, same with Jesus.

C) All we know about God is what he has told us. However, what RyanL said is 100% correct about a life of devotion and such.

D) how do we pray in a legalistic state? Our salat is supposed to be an other-wordly state where we are to picture ourselves standing in front of God himself and project the due respect, but I dont know how its really that different from a deep heart felt christian prayer.

E) Muslims rarely had to kill anyone at all. This is how it is done ‘by the sword’.

Line up along the countries borders. Tell them they can either get attacked, convert to Islam, or if they want to live in the Islamic state then they have to agree to pay their taxes to the Islamic gov’t and they will be allowed to live exactly as they had before, often with their previous religious courts and juries all still in tact, daily life hardly affected. Almost all accepted the third condition, and after seeing what a fair and just gov’t the Islamic one was ended up converting on their own.

F) Ask a muslim women if she is treated fairly. Ask a convert if youre going to say a girl who is brought up muslim is brainwashed. Islam actually gives a lot of lenience to women that is not given to men, however the media likes to say things with a little twist.

Peace upon all of you! I love you! (as long as you keep making threads like this )

 

[Ric]

Dear RyanL,

My post was not negative nor positive - just factual.

I myself love all Muslims!

But one thing for sure is that God is “three persons, one being”. God the Father, our Father the first person in the Trinity (The Islamic religion believes one can not know God personally nor even call Him Father. In Islam one can only know Allah’s laws and his will). Jesus, the second person in the Trinity is considered only a minor prophet and only a man. The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity is believed to be by many Islamic scholars to be the angel Micheal.

So if Allah is the same god as the God told to us from the Holy Scriptures, how come Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not part of the sum of God?

Once again let me stress that I am not trying to be negative, I’m only stating facts.

RyanL:

Ric (and anyone else who read this),

Just so you know, your position is not the position of the Catholic Church. If you would call yourself Catholic, you need to be faithful to the teachings of the Church. You cannot pick and choose what you like or don’t like, as Truth never has nor never will be decided by consensus.

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

Again, please limit responses to positive comments only.

Peace be with you,
RyanL

 

[RyanL]

Ric,

I just went to your site (good looking family, by the way), and you have described yourself as an “Evangelical Christian”. Sorry I didn’t look at your profile earlier, or I wouldn’t have responded with what I did about the Catechism. Instead, I would have said that Abraham worshipped a God he didn’t understand as Triune, and as a Christian you by necessity believe that he worshipped the same God as you do. Muslims worship the God of Abraham. No difference - same God. They just don’t understand Him with the fullness revealed to us by Jesus the Christ.

As I said, your views are not the views of the Catholic Church. If you’re going to insist on posting negative things, please dissassociate yourself from the Catholic Church so our Muslim visitors know who they’re speaking with. However, I ask that you not try to de-rail my thread with negative comments (“spread by the sword”…“not the same God”…“disrespecting women”…etc.). Rather, please, keep it positive.

To add another thing I like about Islam:

Muslims understand modesty. They find the lustful objectification of women offensive and stand against it.

Peace,
RyanL

 

[Ric]

Thanks for your comments on my family.

But once again I am not being negative - only truthful.

And about Abraham (or any Old Testament saint), they did understand the unity of God. The Trinity is clearly in the Old Testament: God speaks of self in the plural (Ge 1:26; 3:22; Isa 6:3, 8). LORD, Servant, and Spirit (Isa 11:2-3; 42:1 w Mt 12:48; Isa 48:16). Tri-holiness of God suggests (Isa 6:3; cf Rev 4:8). Just to name a few examples.

And yes, there are quite a few things I do admire about Islam (if you look back on my first reply there were quite a few agreements).

I’m not going to say this as to boast, but I am active with some Muslims. This very Sunday night I will be at a Mosque, and we converse quite openly so that we may learn from one-another.

This time may I ask how is this negative?

RyanL:

Ric,

I just went to your site (good looking family, by the way), and you have described yourself as an “Evangelical Christian”. Sorry I didn’t look at your profile earlier, or I wouldn’t have responded with what I did about the Catechism. Instead, I would have said that Abraham worshipped a God he didn’t understand as Triune, and as a Christian you by necessity believe that he worshipped the same God as you do. Muslims worship the God of Abraham. No difference - same God. They just don’t understand Him with the fullness revealed to us by Jesus the Christ.

As I said, your views are not the views of the Catholic Church. If you’re going to insist on posting negative things, please dissassociate yourself from the Catholic Church so our Muslim visitors know who they’re speaking with. However, I ask that you not try to de-rail my thread with negative comments (“spread by the sword”…“not the same God”…“disrespecting women”…etc.). Rather, please, keep it positive.

To add another thing I like about Islam:

Muslims understand modesty. They find the lustful objectification of women offensive and stand against it.

Peace,
RyanL

 

[fatuma]

I like the fact that Catholics stick to their big guns in faith and not bow down to society’s pressures. In issues like gay marriage, abortion, and the importance of prayer.

wa salam

 

[RyanL]

Ric:

Thanks for your comments on my family.

I am expecting my firstborn son any minute now, and if I am lucky he will be as happy as your son appears. May God bless you and your family richly.

Ric:

But once again I am not being negative - only truthful.

1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
My Christian brother, though you may be speaking truth, if you have not love, you gain nothing. Many souls have been lost due to a harshly spoken truth. I have to remind myself of that fact frequently; in my love for truth I sometimes forget the truth about love.

A man who looses his hair may be called “Baldy” in truth by a passing stranger , but it is not a statement of love. Please make sure when you comment on this thread that you are emphasizing the things which draw us together, as that is what I mean by “positive”.

Ric:

This time may I ask how is this negative?

I believe you have shown your heart and it is full of kindness. E-communication is a poor method of relaying what you mean, as inflection and mannerisms speak far more than simple words. I believe that you are sincere, and that you sincerely loves Christ. May the whole world see your good deeds, and give glory to God.

If any Muslim believes that Ric is still overly harsh, please step forward. Unless that happens, I consider the matter closed.

Peace be with you all,
RyanL

 

[Urooj]

In the Name of Allah,

Well I havent met a lot of Christians, but what I do like about the ones that I have met (most of them) is that they are really in pursuit of the truth, and dont shy away from speaking out.

I also like the “community” spirit and the soup kitchens and the like that the Catholic Churches organise to help the homeless and destitute.

Peace,

Urooj.

 

[Catholicious]

Brian Crane:

Despite what the Catechism says, Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity while Muslims do not. I believe it says in the Quran (and please correct me if I’m wrong):

5:73 They disbelieved who say: Allah is one of three (in a Trinity):for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from theirword (of blasphemy), verily a grievous chastisement will befall thedisbelievers among them.

I’m not saying the Catechism is wrong, I just don’t know how to reconcile what it says with the difference in belief of the Holy Trinity. Someone can enlighten me. I agree with most of the other points Ryan L made.

Brian,

This is easy to reconcile, the Catechism and JPII are expressing what Catholics and Muslims have in common, not what divides us. And sure, Catholics understand God to be a Triune God (composed of three persons but still one God), whereas Muslims believe in one God. These are different ways of expressing the same God. I however can explain how these differences arose, but we must remember that there is another faith that believes in the one true God, the same God as ours, and that is Judiasm. We as Catholics believe our faith to be the fulfillment of Judiasm completed in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May God Bless You All,
Catholicious

 

[Eetaq]

You know I think that there should be more dialogue between muslims and Christians. We have pretty much the EXACT same moral beliefs (except a few differences) and thank God for all of you because…this is a low blow against my own people…but we’re all afraid to use our first amendment rights and if someone else wasn’t speaking up we’d be living in Gamorrah by now.

Thank you all for that, because we’d be lost without all of you.

And Ric I understand your position now, its all good.

 

[hlgomez]

John 10:11-16 Jesus said;

"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd."

I truly believe, that the Lord Jesus will also reveal himself to the Jews and Muslims (children of Abraham by blood) and other people of goodwill, so that, thru an earnest and peaceful dialogue, they will come to understand and know him.

Pio

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Peace be with you!

I haven’t read all the posts in here, so I’m not sure if this has been said yet, but I really respect the fact that Muslims are adamently opposed to abortion. No matter how many other problems they have in Islamic nations (terrorism), abortion isn’t one of them. From what I’ve heard from Muslims, abortion would be something almost inconceivable for anyone to do.

In Christ,
Rand

 

[Urooj]

Rand Al'Thor:

From what I’ve heard from Muslims, abortion would be something almost inconceivable for anyone to do.

In Christ,
Rand

IN the Name of Allah,

Rand, in cases of rape and in cases where the mother’s life is endangered, abortion is allowed in Islam. Otherwise, yes, you’re right, it’s inconceivable.

Peace,

Urooj.

 

[Emad]

RyanL I really like this thread and would like to thank you for posting it.

 

[Ric]

Hi again RyanL,

That’s great news about your soon to be first born son! How I envy you, I remember the days when my son was born - oh how I wish I had one that young again!

As for the passage in 1 Corinthians, I know it well and I try my best to be Jesus’ example, but sad to say I fail often, but I also believe in “tough love”. My comments were not directed to Muslims, but rather to people who think the god of Islam is the same God of the Bible. Only for informative purposes.

I do love all Muslims, and I also pray for them everyday.

So if I do sound like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal, please weigh it in it’s context. I have never said something to the effect that Islam is wrong and all followers are bad or something like that, I just compared the truths about both faiths - and also agreed on quite a few other things.

Also, thank you for your closing, it was most appreciated!

Now back to my cup of white tea.

RyanL:

Ric:

Thanks for your comments on my family.

I am expecting my firstborn son any minute now, and if I am lucky he will be as happy as your son appears. May God bless you and your family richly.

Ric:

But once again I am not being negative - only truthful.

1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
My Christian brother, though you may be speaking truth, if you have not love, you gain nothing. Many souls have been lost due to a harshly spoken truth. I have to remind myself of that fact frequently; in my love for truth I sometimes forget the truth about love.

A man who looses his hair may be called “Baldy” in truth by a passing stranger , but it is not a statement of love. Please make sure when you comment on this thread that you are emphasizing the things which draw us together, as that is what I mean by “positive”.

Ric:

This time may I ask how is this negative?

I believe you have shown your heart and it is full of kindness. E-communication is a poor method of relaying what you mean, as inflection and mannerisms speak far more than simple words. I believe that you are sincere, and that you sincerely loves Christ. May the whole world see your good deeds, and give glory to God.

If any Muslim believes that Ric is still overly harsh, please step forward. Unless that happens, I consider the matter closed.

Peace be with you all,
RyanL

 

[Ric]

Eetaq:

You know I think that there should be more dialogue between muslims and Christians. We have pretty much the EXACT same moral beliefs (except a few differences) and thank God for all of you because…this is a low blow against my own people…but we’re all afraid to use our first amendment rights and if someone else wasn’t speaking up we’d be living in Gamorrah by now.

Thank you all for that, because we’d be lost without all of you.

And Ric I understand your position now, its all good.

Eetaq,

Thank you!

Like RyanL said in a previous post, e-communications are not all that great (something like that - my paraphrase).

Eetaq, I am looking forward to Sunday night where a few brothers of mine and I will be going to a Mosque to have a “get to know one another” time. I know about the Muslim tradition of being a great host, so I bet it’s going to be a well night right off the start.

God bless!

 

[Chazemataz]

Islam is most certainly not like Christianity. Far from it.

carm.org/islam/grid.htm

 

[meedo]

Peace and love and prosperity to all the lovely people in this forum an d thread and world .

I am a muslim . I testify that my catholic brothers are very loving and caring and upright in their moral system

I like the stressing on Peace and forgiveness about catholics

I like Their charity work and care foir the poor

I like that they missionize in a polite respectful way .

I like that they are well mannered .

I like their stressing on family values .

I like The great man John Paul the second so so so much . Because he was very very polite and well mannered and accepting to other peoples opinions and ethical and moral.

I am your brother from another mother

 

[LtTony]

Muslims understand modesty. They find the lustful objectification of women offensive and stand against it.​

Dang it, Ryan!! I thought I was going to get that one. The West’s popular culture could learn a big lesson on this one.

Jim

 

[wisdom_3_5]

LtTony:

Muslims understand modesty. They find the lustful objectification of women offensive and stand against it.​

Dang it, Ryan!! I thought I was going to get that one. The West’s popular culture could learn a big lesson on this one.

Jim

This was my first thought!

On a lighter note, I have so many “bad hair days” that it would be nice to cover my hair sometimes