Ask a Muslim

[Montalban]

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

I actually agree, but not with what it is a list for!

 

[mgupta]

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 dont believe in the ancient Hindu act of suttee and to my knowledge, I dont think it is practiced anymore. Definitley not among mainstream Hindus. No I dont respect ppl who condone this act.
-Of course I dont condone or respect ppl who molest children. This is common sense.

All religions have had people or groups of ppl that have done things that were wrong. Christians and Catholics are certainly not exempt from this. Why didnt you add the things that Christians have done wrong in your question? I am talking about respecting mainstream people who practice the great world religions like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, etc…

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

rightwingwatch.org/2006/11/robertson_says.html

 

[Spirithound]

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

The “check it out” was actually in reference to apostolic succession, papal infallibility, and the indefectibility of the Church. These things guarantee the veracity of the faith.

As for the hierarchy, it’s a list that i either saw some point before, or something i constructed based on my readings. Either way, feel free to comment/critique it. Like Valke.

 

[Valke2]

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

coincidence.

 

[Valke2]

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.

Is that the guy who set up a system of very small loans to impoverished people to help them do things from buying Oxen to getting childcare, etc.?

 

[pro_universal]

Is that the guy who set up a system of very small loans to impoverished people to help them do things from buying Oxen to getting childcare, etc.?

Yep, pioneer of microcredit in developing countries.

 

[Montalban]

-I dont believe in the ancient Hindu act of suttee and to my knowledge, I dont think it is practiced anymore. Definitley not among mainstream Hindus.

The reason it’s no longer practiced is the British imposed their belief system upon the Hindus.

No I dont respect ppl who condone this act.

Why not? What right have you to judge another’s faith?

-Of course I dont condone or respect ppl who molest children. This is common sense.

Why is it ‘common sense’ for this? You’re saying we shouldn’t judge other faiths, now you seem to be arguing against yourself.

All religions have had people or groups of ppl that have done things that were wrong. Christians and Catholics are certainly not exempt from this. Why didnt you add the things that Christians have done wrong in your question? I am talking about respecting mainstream people who practice the great world religions like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, etc…
"Montalban:

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

rightwingwatch.org/2006/11/robertson_says.html

That’s not an answer to my question. You’ve got to show these being connected.

 

[Montalban]

Yep, pioneer of microcredit in developing countries.

Hi pro, where’d ya go?

 

[mgupta]

Montalban,

Child molestation is not part of any major mainstream religion that I know of. I am aware that it has been practiced in the past by Hindus, but I am not sure by which groups of Hindus. It is not a **mainstream **practice and it is not a part of the religion.

Child molestation is probably the worst act a person can commit other than murder. I have to say I am very offended by your statements. I believe in respecting mainstream religions that have mainstream beliefs. I dont condone any of these clearly terrible acts that you mention.

I believe that religions and cultures can learn from each other. Of course if a religon or a culture is doing something that is blatantly wrong I feel that others have a responsiblity to stop it no matter what religion or culture they come from. This has nothing to do with respecting their religion. Imposing your beliefs on someone is very different from protecting women and children from the terrible acts you mention.

 

[Montalban]

Montalban,

Child molestation is not part of any major mainstream religion that I know of. I am aware that it has been practiced in the past by Hindus, but I am not sure by which groups of Hindus. It is not a **mainstream **practice and it is not a part of the religion.

Child molestation is probably the worst act a person can commit other than murder. I have to say I am very offended by your statements. I believe in respecting mainstream religions that have mainstream beliefs. I dont condone any of these clearly terrible acts that you mention.

So you’re now going to decide what is ‘mainstream’?

Islam allows a man to have sex with a nine year old girl. Is this a ‘mainstream’ religion?

I believe that religions and cultures can learn from each other. Of course if a religon or a culture is doing something that is blatantly wrong I feel that others have a responsiblity to stop it no matter what religion or culture they come from. This has nothing to do with respecting their religion. Imposing your beliefs on someone is very different from protecting women and children from the terrible acts you mention.

You’ve still not answerd my question about what we can learn from Islam.

And you seem happy to condemn others for judging, but are happy to do so yourself, determining what’s ‘mainstream’, etc.

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

First of all even though I believe he is to killed for treason not all scholars agree on this for ur information.

We deny the incarnation because we dont believe in the original sin my friend thats why we deny he died for your sins.

Therein lies the main problem i have with Islam…Islam itself is very divided even within the main groupings [2] of this religion. Clearly as a christian i cannot presume that i will be able to live in peace in an Islamic [muslim controlled] country. The irony of ironies is that some muslims refer to the west as the ‘great evil’ , yet many spend their lives trying to escape the oppressive regimes that rule over them !!! I am just so pleased that i live in a country where it is against the law to discriminate against anyone whatsoever…AND…the courts are independant of the state thereby ensuring fairness and equality. Would i as a christian receive fairness in an Islamic country under sharia law…!!!

 

[Chris_LaRock]

Don’t Muslims realise this violence is hurting thier faith?

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

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.

Sorry they cannot change themselves ;only the HOLY SPIRIT can do that.

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

Ishare has a new thread now. He does not seem to want us to Ask a Muslim of him now.

To Arab,
there are many excellent Muslim people in the area I live. Many of our best physicians, teachers, and other professionals are followers of Islam. I work in my state government job with Muslims. I will be under the care of a Muslim physician for a medical procedure next week. I trust him with my life.
My concern is that it is time for these good, intelligent faithful followers of Islam to say that those radical Islamic terrorists are wrong and should be stopped.
I expect the same from myself when I see evil being done by Christians, or whomever.

I have asked in all sincerity, does the Quran state a Muslim is not to defend a non-Muslim against another Muslim, even though that Muslim is doing evil? I have heard this and for me it would explain why righteous Muslims are not decrying the behavior of the radicals.

You are wasting your time…they will always ‘protect’ their own ; it’s all in the name of the brotherhood of islam. I’m just so blessed to live in one of the few democratic countries left in Africa , whereas poor souls to the north of us suffer…some under forced sharia laws. The west must push with all their might [economic power] to ensure that true democracy is implemented in islamic countries , so that christian persecution ends and muslim folk come to understand the true meaning of the word freedom.The islamists dream of a caliphate system of governance will spell disaster for all peace loving democrats the world over.

 

[mgupta]

radicalism exists in every faith. what percentage of muslims are radical??

 

[Montalban]

radicalism exists in every faith. what percentage of muslims are radical??

You’ve yet to show causality between ‘radicals’ who are Christian and Christian teaching

 

[Montalban]

Don’t Muslims realise this violence is hurting thier faith?

a) it’s part of their faith
b) it actually spreads their faith - kill off the opposition

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

radicalism exists in every faith. what percentage of muslims are radical??

Who knows…but that is not our concern. Our concern is that you [muslims] know full well that we christians allow total religious freedom in the west…BUT will an islamic led state , say in Europe , guarantee the same right to christians to follow their religion !!! Think carefully about this…i remember not too long ago there was an interview with former rock star Cat Stevens [Yousuf Islam] on the television , during which he stated that main [and only ?] goal of islam was to convert all humans to the religion. Can we place our trust in people who may one day persecute our faithful , especially as the Quraan/Koran permits acts of violence against ‘infidels’ ? I don’t think so…a certain german corporal also tried to take away the entire worlds freedom not too long ago , and the true democracies stood up and said no ! [praise GOD]. Apparantly this same mass murderer is revered as a great man in some parts of the arab world…is this true ? If so , then we will be wary of the followers of the prophet of islam for a long , long time to come. This however does not mean that we will not seek to always make peace with you first…our LORD wills it from us. PEACE…

 

[famdigy]

There are so many different topics going on in this thread its hard to keep track of them all.

Islam allows a man to have sex with a nine year old girl. Is this a ‘mainstream’ religion?

Montalban, the age of Aisha when married to the prophet at 6 and then consummating the marriage at 9 years old is disputed by many of the early Islamic scholars because there is evidence both for and against this narrative in Islamic literature so on what grounds do you chose to believe this? below is a wikipedia link which talks about both views.

Aisha - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

you [muslims] know full well that we Christians allow total religious freedom in the west

DB AND ALI, Indeed western governments allow total religious freedom in the west but these western governments are secular not Christian because the sate is separate from the church. We all know the history of the church in its treatment of those who did not believe in its teachings back when the church was the source of law. Copernicus was put in house arrest and labeled a heretic because he made a scientific discovery that contradicted the church’s teachings, Imagine what happened to those people who preached a different religion.

No one religion will allow another religion to convert its followers. I don’t know if there is a Muslim majority country that believes in the separation of church/mosque and state. Maybe Lebanon I don’t know but most Muslim countries have Muslim governments that follow Islamic law, comparing them to western governments is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Dale_M]

A news story today made a statement about Islam and I wonder if it is true. The story is about a lesbian couple, both Catholic. They were recently banned from receiving the Eucharist, our most important sacrament, by the bishop.

In the commentary about this ban, a religion professor was quoted:

“It’s no more surprising that the Catholic Church would deny Communion to an openly gay couple than a Muslim mosque would deny access to somebody who ate pork.”

comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2007/04/05/628944.html

Would a mosque turn away a worshipper who ate pork?