Christians Can't Say Allah--Malaysian Court (Catholic Newspaper Focus of Storm of Opposition)

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see www.times.co.sz/features/97698-christians-can%E2%80%99t-say-%E2%80%99-melaysian-court.html
Malaysia, a 60% Moslem country next to Indonesia, has prided itself as a multi-ethnic, and multi-faith, country.
However, though Christians have used the word Allah to speak of God for centuries there in their worship and publications, great opposition in this largely Moslem country has arisen in recent years to Christian use of this word, the focus of hostility being the leading Catholic publication in the country, “The Herald.” The use by Catholics, and other Christians, of this word has aroused a spate of violent attacks on churches, some firebombed, and a Catholic diocese had all the copies of its newspaper confiscated, among other incidents. The Malaysian highest court has just forbidden “The Herald” from using the word allah. Officials say that this ruling applies to the one newspaper, but Christians in this country worry that this court decision could be used as a precedent to further curtail religious freedom.
 
Does the court say why Christians are forbidden to use the word “Allah”?
 
Reepicheep said:
Does the court say why Christians are forbidden to use the word “Allah”?
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Probably not, but I think the reasoning is because there is fear that it could be used to prosletyze Muslims by confusion (which, oddly enough, is how Muslims, JW’s and Mormons prosletyze Christians). But honestly, “Allah” is just the Arabic word for God - Arab Christians used “Allah” as their name for God (especially God the Father) before Islam even existed. It’s the Arabic cognate for “Eli”(Hebrew) or “Eloi”(Aramaic).
 
But if Muslims themselves say that Allah is the name for THEIR god, and only they can use it, who are we to argue? It just confirms the belief of many that, despite all the nice talk of Christians, Jews, and Muslims worshipping the same One True God, in fact, we don’t.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
But if Muslims themselves say that Allah is the name for THEIR god, and only they can use it, who are we to argue? It just confirms the belief of many that, despite all the nice talk of Christians, Jews, and Muslims worshipping the same One True God, in fact, we don’t.
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We do, and the Church teaches us this.
The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,(5) who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
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Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.
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vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
But if Muslims themselves say that Allah is the name for THEIR god, and only they can use it, who are we to argue? It just confirms the belief of many that, despite all the nice talk of Christians, Jews, and Muslims worshipping the same One True God, in fact, we don’t.
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Amen to that. I serve Yahweh, not Allah. Extremeists know we serve two different gods and probably figure Christians only say it in contempt. Or suntin like that.
 
If you can say Deos, Theos, God, Yahweh, El, ec, why is Allah excluded.
 
relstudent said:
If you can say Deos, Theos, God, Yahweh, El, ec, why is Allah excluded.
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Many Muslims believe that a Christian calling God “Allah” is disrespectful to God, because they believe (falsely) that our idea of God being Three in One is blasphemous. As such, they would believe that we have no right to call God the name that they feel that they alone are allowed to call Him (even though “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “El” or “Eloi”).
 
You may say whateveh y’all want. As far as i knew, Allah was either the moon god or just concocted by Muhammed meaning he was around since the 5th(?) century. Is Muhammed in your Bible? Whatever, the god of the Koran is way to controversial to Christians and says nothing of Jesus being our Lord and Saviour, not to mention orders the killing of Jews. Why kill Jews? Cuz their god is not Allah. Why are we as Christians living peacefully (for the most part) yet Bible prophecy is starting to be fulfilled again with our persecution at levels not seen in centuries? My God is not Allah, and we will prayerfully not have to die proclaiming the Lord Jesus over Allah, as thousands are now. You wanna say Allah, go ahead. It’s your choice. And your eternity. Amen?
 
powerofk said:
Many Muslims believe that a Christian calling God “Allah” is disrespectful to God, because they believe (falsely) that our idea of God being Three in One is blasphemous. As such, they would believe that we have no right to call God the name that they feel that they alone are allowed to call Him (even though “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “El” or “Eloi”).
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What about Elohim?
 
I never said Christianity had been entirely peaceful, nor rewritten anything, only said that was my understanding. I have done a little research, and as i said, whatever. There is too much on that subject for me to take the time; too many people try to explain Allah, lah, jah, etc., and it really isn’t relevant seeing as Christianity started with Jesus. I used to say we all pray to the same god too, then i got it. Was it Wycliffe that rewrote the Bible to say “Allah” and “Messiah”? What is the role of messiah in the Islam belief? Muslims do not see Jesus as God, but a great prophet that is even alleged to kill Jews upon His return. We do not worship the same god, I will never pray to Allah, and if we promote interfaith we are watering down the message of Salvation thru Jesus Christ. Do we worship Jesus or not? How bout I say that Muhammed perverted the name Allah? Can we agree on that? We all know too well what “Allahu Akbar” means. I have not heard of many Christians yelling “God is great” and blow themselves up, taking innocent lives with them. So do Muslims pray to the Allah of Muhammed, or the God of Israel? That’s the eternal question. Let’s take this a step further. There is now a “queen James” version of the Bible. Guess who is behind it? I don’t pray to their god, either. Jesus is Lord!
 
The God of the Jews is our God. Jesus is also our God as Lord and Saviour, as God commands us to follow Him. Seeing as the Orthodox do not recognize Jesus, they will not be admitted. Having said that, you could conclude no. Maybe if they follow the Law to the letter? Thoughts on that?
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
But if Muslims themselves say that Allah is the name for THEIR god, and only they can use it, who are we to argue? It just confirms the belief of many that, despite all the nice talk of Christians, Jews, and Muslims worshipping the same One True God, in fact, we don’t.
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So what happens if the Jews decide we can’t use “their” words like Yahweh? Or Hallelujah? or Amen?

“…who are we to argue?” 🤷
 
Ya know, i’m trying to learn here. I am noticing a tone of hostility tho’, prolly due to other Protestants irking your ire. In about 25 posts i have already been labeled selfish and ignorant, along with other adjectives. I get enough of that at home. Unfortunately, we cannot see facial expressions but only words, and i don’t blame you really for being hostile. After all, i am an intruder here, so let’s get suntin strait right off the bat: i have no intentions of converting you, and you me, and i would be treated diferently if i was not id’d as a Protestant. That now aside :), you have dun lernt me on the term Orthodox :o. I will just use non-Messianic Jews and Jews, though i was not totally incorrect. So may i ask of you? Who is “yourselves” referring to? And i feel you are trying to trap me that i waffled on saying the Jews don’t worship God. I never said that, don’t believe that, and never have. Oh yeah, Jesus loves you. So there.
 
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