Ask a Muslim

[Jayda]

hola,

yes, but scriptures do allow interfaith marriages… in fact it is the only instance in which divorce can be permitted (petrine privilege). i think what i am asking is, because of this issue of demanding children be raised in an infidel faith, has the Church authoritatively ruled that this is an example of an uneven yolk and has the Church expressly forbidden marriage to muslims for this reason?

muchas gracias

 

[Montalban]

If he was a real prophet, he wouldn’t be deciding what God’s message should be. He would’ve taken it down as it was given to him.

Think of it like this: If a man was dictating a letter to his secretary, he wouldn’t like it if the secretary left things out of the letter or otherwise tried to alter the intended message to reflect what they wanted to put into it. The prophets are like God’s secretaries in the way that they took down God’s words.

I agree. Also his own words are clearly seen in the Koran, which is supposed to only contain the words of his god.

This is seen when the person speaking in the text shifts to that of Muhammed, himself saying “I say this…” etc

 

[Chris_LaRock]

The Koran is a bit redundant. Like the Book of Mormon.

 

[mgupta]

“I agree. Also his own words are clearly seen in the Koran, which is supposed to only contain the words of his god.”

If we all believe there is only one God, than how can we say that they worship a different God? And how can we say that we Catholics have the truth? Maybe every religion has truths and also faslehoods. Muslims and Christians and all religions could learn so much from each other. It could bring us closer to God and truth.

 

[Montalban]

If we all believe there is only one God, than how can we say that they worship a different God?

If I said “This ant is the only god and I worship him”, and you said “This elephant is the only god, and I worship him” we are both saying we believe in only one god, but it’s a different god that we believe in.

And how can we say that we Catholics have the truth?

Dunno. I’m not Catholic and so would never make that claim.

Maybe every religion has truths and also faslehoods.

Then this is a self-defeating belief.

If I believe my own faith is the only truth, and your faith is to you the only truth we both can’t be right. Islam makes a claim that it is the truth and no other. Same with Christianity. They are, by virtue of them both claiming to be exclusive rule out your theory.

Even if they both *did *contain part of the truth then the very fact that we believe that they’re exclusive (when apparantly they’re not means that they’re both false too).

Muslims and Christians and all religions could learn so much from each other. It could bring us closer to God and truth.

What can Christianity learn from Islam?

 

[mgupta]

“If I said “This ant is the only god and I worship him”, and you said “This elephant is the only god, and I worship him” we are both saying we believe in only one god, but it’s a different god that we believe in.”

Our intepretation is different, but our God is still the same if we believe that there is only one God.

What can Christians learn from Muslims?

I dont know as much about Islam as I do Hinduism. But I have had Muslim friends in the past. Muslims are very dedicated to God. Everything they do is about worshipping and serving Him. They pray several times a day and fast at times etc. Christians also believe in praying and serving God, but Muslims seem to make serving God part of their every day life instead of just on Sunday.

 

[Montalban]

“If I said “This ant is the only god and I worship him”, and you said “This elephant is the only god, and I worship him” we are both saying we believe in only one god, but it’s a different god that we believe in.”

Our intepretation is different, but our God is still the same if we believe that there is only one God.

That’s not true at all! We’d be claiming different things are that one and only god! An ant is not an elephant, despite the later having a-n-t in the name.

What can Christians learn from Muslims?

I dont know as much about Islam as I do Hinduism. But I have had Muslim friends in the past. Muslims are very dedicated to God. Everything they do is about worshipping and serving Him. They pray several times a day and fast at times etc. Christians also believe in praying and serving God, but Muslims seem to make serving God part of their every day life instead of just on Sunday.

I know of some people who were dedicated nazis. Dedication is not to be admired if it’s directed towards the wrong reasons.

 

[Spirithound]

And how can we say that we Catholics have the truth? Maybe every religion has truths and also faslehoods. Muslims and Christians and all religions could learn so much from each other. It could bring us closer to God and truth.

We can say that we Catholics have the truth because we do. Apostolic succession, papal infallibility, indefectibility of the Church…check it out.
Most religions do have an element of truth. For example, most religions worship a higher power.
Hierarchy of truth: Catholicism
Orthodoxy
Anglican
Protestant
JW, Mormons
Judaism
Islam
Hindus, Pagans, Wiccans
Buddhism
Atheism
Agnostics don’t make the list because they don’t know what they believe.
Perhaps we could learn some things from Islam, but it wouldn’t add to the deposit of faith.

 

[Jayda]

“If I said “This ant is the only god and I worship him”, and you said “This elephant is the only god, and I worship him” we are both saying we believe in only one god, but it’s a different god that we believe in.”

Our intepretation is different, but our God is still the same if we believe that there is only one God.

What can Christians learn from Muslims?

I dont know as much about Islam as I do Hinduism. But I have had Muslim friends in the past. Muslims are very dedicated to God. Everything they do is about worshipping and serving Him. They pray several times a day and fast at times etc. Christians also believe in praying and serving God, but Muslims seem to make serving God part of their every day life instead of just on Sunday.

hola mgupta,

arent you comparing the ideal muslim to the less than ideal catholic though? that is not fair…

there is nothing to be learned from islam that cannot be learned from the Church, and there is so much more to be learned from the Church than could ever be learned from islam. we do worship the same God, but they worship God in their way and we worship God in His… it is so important to remember that we are baptised and therefore belong to the Lord, which is what every muslim wants to be, that is why they call their religion submission.

what we need to do is ask ourselves, now that we have accomplished this and become the children of God what must we do to live up to our sanctified lives? of course this will mean continuing to do the things that unbaptised but still devoted people do… but it also means going beyond that.

i think the real question is what can Catholics learn from Catholicism… if everybody asked that we would not have problems with cafeteria catholics, weekend christians or selfish immoralities…

Dominus Vobiscum

 

[mgupta]

It is probably not reasonable to expect all religious people to think that different religions are different paths to the same God. I do think it is necessary for us to show other religions respect even if we disagree with them. We should not degrade them or be ignorant of their beliefs and values. We should try to learn about other religions so that we do not have any misconceptions about them. There is always something to learn from other religions and cultures.

I also think it is also very important to remember that radicalism is not limited to any one religion. There are radical Christians as well like Pat Robertson. He is not directly causing any violence, but what he says is very dangerous to Chrisitanity and to other faiths.

 

[cestusdei]

I know plenty of Christians who go beyond Sunday worship. Where are the muslim Mother Teresa’s? I haven’t seen Pat Robertson blow himself up on school bus have you?

You conflate religious beliefs. They are not all the same. Hinduism and Christianity are very different. If they are the same then why don’t the Hindu’s just all become Catholic? It’s all the same right? So they shouldn’t object and they should all just join us. Relativism is sloppy.

 

[Valke2]

We can say that we Catholics have the truth because we do. Apostolic succession, papal infallibility, indefectibility of the Church…check it out.
Most religions do have an element of truth. For example, most religions worship a higher power.
Hierarchy of truth: Catholicism
Orthodoxy
Anglican
Protestant
JW, Mormons
Judaism
Islam
Hindus, Pagans, Wiccans
Buddhism
Atheism
Agnostics don’t make the list because they don’t know what they believe.
Perhaps we could learn some things from Islam, but it wouldn’t add to the deposit of faith.

I did some research and I found out that Judaism is actually at the top of that list. It goes something like this:

1. Judaism
2. All Others

 

[mgupta]

are there any Muslims who are still reading this thread?

 

[mgupta]

I know plenty of Christians who go beyond Sunday worship. Where are the muslim Mother Teresa’s? I haven’t seen Pat Robertson blow himself up on school bus have you?

You conflate religious beliefs. They are not all the same. Hinduism and Christianity are very different. If they are the same then why don’t the Hindu’s just all become Catholic? It’s all the same right? So they shouldn’t object and they should all just join us. Relativism is sloppy.

I know that there are many very good and dedicated Christians, but I was referring to mainstream Christians and Muslims. It just seems to me that Muslims view their religion as a way of life that affects everything they do and that is something we could learn from them. Also, I dont think that all religions are the same and I dont think that they should be. I do think that all religions teach similiar values. I believe that we are all on a different path to the same God and we should respect each other. I cant imagine that God would condone intolerance and degradation of other religions.

I’m not sure why you asked where are the Muslim Mother Teresas. There are many great Muslims who have made a large impact in society.There are great people in every religion. Muhammad Yunus is an example. He won the 2006 Noble Peace Prize for helping impoverished people. Just because we are not aware of great people does not mean that they do not exist.

 

[exoflare]

I did some research and I found out that Judaism is actually at the top of that list. It goes something like this:

1. Judaism
2. All Others

Who would have guessed this response, coming from a Jewish person? Shocking!

 

[mgupta]

We can say that we Catholics have the truth because we do. Apostolic succession, papal infallibility, indefectibility of the Church…check it out.
Most religions do have an element of truth. For example, most religions worship a higher power.
Hierarchy of truth: Catholicism
Orthodoxy
Anglican
Protestant
JW, Mormons
Judaism
Islam
Hindus, Pagans, Wiccans
Buddhism
Atheism
Agnostics don’t make the list because they don’t know what they believe.
Perhaps we could learn some things from Islam, but it wouldn’t add to the deposit of faith.

I am Catholic and I have “checked it out” Where did you get this list?

 

[cestusdei]

I know that there are many very good and dedicated Christians, but I was referring to mainstream Christians and Muslims. It just seems to me that Muslims view their religion as a way of life that affects everything they do and that is something we could learn from them. Also, I dont think that all religions are the same and I dont think that they should be. I do think that all religions teach similiar values. I believe that we are all on a different path to the same God and we should respect each other. I cant imagine that God would condone intolerance and degradation of other religions.

I’m not sure why you asked where are the Muslim Mother Teresas. There are many great Muslims who have made a large impact in society.There are great people in every religion. Muhammad Yunus is an example. He won the 2006 Noble Peace Prize for helping impoverished people. Just because we are not aware of great people does not mean that they do not exist.

Catholicism is also a way of life. Any religion can be a way of life. Muslims are in no way unique. I think they have a lot to learn from us. For example, don’t become suicide bombers and blow up children. There is a value where we differ with them. There are not many paths to the one God. There is one way, truth, and life. I suggest you read the document Dominus Iesus which explains this very clearly.

I asked about muslim Mother Teresa’s because they have no such example. They can learn from us again. The impact muslims have made thus far is negative. They can change that by changing themselves.

 

[mgupta]

Catholicism is also a way of life. Any religion can be a way of life. Muslims are in no way unique. I think they have a lot to learn from us. For example, don’t become suicide bombers and blow up children. There is a value where we differ with them. There are not many paths to the one God. There is one way, truth, and life. I suggest you read the document Dominus Iesus which explains this very clearly.

I asked about muslim Mother Teresa’s because they have no such example. They can learn from us again. The impact muslims have made thus far is negative. They can change that by changing themselves.

I think it is important to understand that there are radical Muslims and mainstream Muslims, radical Hindus and mainstream, radical Christians and mainstream. I am referring to mainstream. I think it is wrong to say that Muslims have no such example of a great social servant. Have you been reading this thread?

 

[Montalban]

It is probably not reasonable to expect all religious people to think that different religions are different paths to the same God. I do think it is necessary for us to show other religions respect even if we disagree with them. We should not degrade them or be ignorant of their beliefs and values. We should try to learn about other religions so that we do not have any misconceptions about them. There is always something to learn from other religions and cultures.

Do you respect the “Children of God” who believe in ‘love’ with children?
Do you think the British were wrong for attempting to stop the Thuggee from strangling people for Kail, or the ancient Hindu act of suttee (throwing a widow onto the funeral pyre of her late husband so she can accompany him in the after-life)?

Was this a lack of respect?

I also think it is also very important to remember that radicalism is not limited to any one religion. There are radical Christians as well like Pat Robertson. He is not directly causing any violence, but what he says is very dangerous to Chrisitanity and to other faiths.

What is the connection between… ?
a) Pat Robertson
b) radicalism
and
c) the teachings of Chirst

 

[Montalban]

I think it is important to understand that there are radical Muslims and mainstream Muslims, radical Hindus and mainstream, radical Christians and mainstream. I am referring to mainstream. I think it is wrong to say that Muslims have no such example of a great social servant. Have you been reading this thread?

What would, for example, be a radical Buddhist?