Extended invitiation...

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BrJimC

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Peace everyone… I wonder if some of you remember me as its been a while since I’ve been online 🙂

I would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in the threads on our forum as well.

We have a diverse member based from many faiths (and non-faith ppl). The forum hopes to explore and promote diversity on our forum. It has Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, etc. We have dedicated forums for each. 😃

Our site is dedicated to freedom of expression and diversity with a focus on confronting Islamic extremism. We hope to promote a mutual understanding of cooperation and working together on the forum.

We have a dedicated member base who value intelligent discourse.

If you are interested, please feel free to join and participate. I look forward to seeing you there. 🙂

The link is: www.islamfactor.org

Please also read our Purpose of Forum post to find out more.

islamfactor.org/index.php?showtopic=14

Have a great day!
 
BrJimC said:
I think Im old and Im in pain, you said

And its all running out like its the end of the
world, you said

And its so cold, its like the cold if you were dead

And then you smiled for
a second.
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When I was little, that was my favorite record.

😃
 
BrJimC said:
No kidding? haha. I love it. 😃
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There’s a southpark episode where the kids have a big fistfight over whether Wish or Disintegration was the best album ever.

😛

Getting back on topic for a moment, how did a nice Christian boy ever convert to Islam? Have you written about your journey? I’d love to read it if it’s published someplace…

Best,

LaMar
 
BrJimC said:
Peace everyone… I wonder if some of you remember me as its been a while since I’ve been online 🙂

I would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in the threads on our forum as well.

We have a diverse member based from many faiths (and non-faith ppl). The forum hopes to explore and promote diversity on our forum. It has Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, etc. We have dedicated forums for each. 😃

Our site is dedicated to freedom of expression and diversity with a focus on confronting Islamic extremism. We hope to promote a mutual understanding of cooperation and working together on the forum.

We have a dedicated member base who value intelligent discourse.

If you are interested, please feel free to join and participate. I look forward to seeing you there. 🙂

The link is: www.islamfactor.org

Please also read our Purpose of Forum post to find out more.

islamfactor.org/index.php?showtopic=14

Have a great day!
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I clicked on one tread. Sure enough, we’re called Idolators there, too, by people who obviously know nothing about our religion.

Thanks for the invite, but until the people there to post the truth of my religion only, and not their prejudiced perceptions or outright lies, depending on how kindly you choose to view their posts, I’ll stay away. 😦
 
kalt said:
I clicked on one tread. Sure enough, we’re called Idolators there, too, by people who obviously know nothing about our religion.

Thanks for the invite, but until the people there to post the truth of my religion only, and not their prejudiced perceptions or outright lies, depending on how kindly you choose to view their posts, I’ll stay away. 😦
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Muslims answer accusations of idolatry also by Christians. I guess you missed that part 😉 But that is not the purpose of the forum. This is:

islamfactor.org/index.php?showtopic=14&st=0&p=15&#entry15

This is a free speech forum. One of our moderators is a religious Catholic. We have a number of religious Christians as well.

Why dont you join and help them out.
 
LaMar said:
There’s a southpark episode where the kids have a big fistfight over whether Wish or Disintegration was the best album ever.

😛

Getting back on topic for a moment, how did a nice Christian boy ever convert to Islam? Have you written about your journey? I’d love to read it if it’s published someplace…

Best,

LaMar
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Yes, I did write about it. 🙂

You can read it here:

islamfactor.org/index.php?showforum=22
 
That’s an interesting testimony, and I do respect your authentic search for God.

I am interested, though, why your judgment of the pure accuracy of the religious texts as compared between monotheistic religions was what compelled your conversion, rather than the underlying message or spirit?

By accuracy, I must assume you mean historical accuracy? And in that case, I must assume that you believe the Koran was accurate to testify that Jesus did not die on the cross (because that would have meant his humiliation) and therefore did not rise from the dead?
 
Bismi Allahi al-rahamani al-rahiim,

(hope I transliterated that correctly, or at least made you chuckle with my amateur Arabic abilities)
BrJimC said:
Yes, I did write about it. 🙂

You can read it here:

islamfactor.org/index.php?showforum=22
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Thank you very much for posting that. Like Honeysuckle, I certainly admire your authenticity.

It’s a little bit surprising that I’ve learned so much about Islam on a bulletin board which is supposed to promote the Roman Catholic church. I knew almost nothing about it before last month.

Giving credit where it’s due, Muslims (and most of the Jews too) are far more civil and courteous here than Protestants, Catholics and (yeah, that’s right) my fellow Mormons. Of course I don’t really agree with Muslims and Jews on doctrinal matters, but those who are in residence here seem to be able to exchange views in a much more pleasant and productive fashion than my fellow Mormons seem to. It’s a compliment, and after being fed the usual propaganda diet from U.S. television it’s also somewhat surprising.

Salaam,

LaMar
 
LaMar said:
Bismi Allahi al-rahamani al-rahiim,

(hope I transliterated that correctly, or at least made you chuckle with my amateur Arabic abilities)

Thank you very much for posting that. Like Honeysuckle, I certainly admire your authenticity.

It’s a little bit surprising that I’ve learned so much about Islam on a bulletin board which is supposed to promote the Roman Catholic church. I knew almost nothing about it before last month.

Giving credit where it’s due, Muslims (and most of the Jews too) are far more civil and courteous here than Protestants, Catholics and (yeah, that’s right) my fellow Mormons. Of course I don’t really agree with Muslims and Jews on doctrinal matters, but those who are in residence here seem to be able to exchange views in a much more pleasant and productive fashion than my fellow Mormons seem to. It’s a compliment, and after being fed the usual propaganda diet from U.S. television it’s also somewhat surprising.

Salaam,

LaMar
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Well, thank you LaMar. I hope that we can increase tolerance between faiths. Our forum recognizes that there is some issues to work on (even among the admins). lol

I hope to see you around 😃

salaams 🙂
 
honeysuckle said:
That’s an interesting testimony, and I do respect your authentic search for God.

I am interested, though, why your judgment of the pure accuracy of the religious texts as compared between monotheistic religions was what compelled your conversion, rather than the underlying message or spirit?

By accuracy, I must assume you mean historical accuracy? And in that case, I must assume that you believe the Koran was accurate to testify that Jesus did not die on the cross (because that would have meant his humiliation) and therefore did not rise from the dead?
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By accuracy, I mean authentic. Meaning that the Prophet actually knew what was going to be contained in the Book itself. He saw and authorized it, even put it in the order that it is in.

Correct, I do not believe Jesus (peacebe upon him) was crucified nor did he die. But like Prophets aforetime, such as Elijah or Enoch, he was taken up alive into heaven and will return again one day.

What compelled my conversion was simply my search for what God has given man as a Way of Life. I also was open to there being no religion (if in my research I found that there was no religion that had authenticity to my requirements), but I would still believe in God. 👍

I have always believed in God. However, I became increasingly more strict in my monotheist (Abrahamic monotheist) beliefs as I studied my Christian faith (before I left Christianity). I think it was natural to be compelled to convert to Islam when one studies and overcomes their prejudices, as I had to.
 
I know very little about the Muslim faith, and what I do know is colored by negative portrayals in the media, I must admit, because I see such negatives in the extremist versions of your faith. But, I do not believe that everyone who is Muslim epitomizes the negativity that I have seen portrayed. (Or that even most do. My understanding is that the majority of Muslims practice their faith in peace and without imposing it upon others).

My confirmation saint, Mother Teresa, believed in conversion by example, and in showing the love of God in one’s life, but not in proselytizing those who have been reared in a different faith. She could not have done her work in India if she had attempted to convert the Hindus in the ghetto to whom she was offering mercy. So, while I do strongly believe in the tenets of my faith, I do feel an obligation to respect others and not to imagine that God’s mercy can be placed into a box. Only He will judge at the end of time, not me.

I say this to explain that I am asking these questions out of sincere curiosity about the beliefs of Muslims. I really do not know the answers to the questions.

The question I would have, then, is what is your explanation for the testimony of Paul? From your statements about authenticity, my guess is that you believe the New Testament is propaganda, and not true testimony? Because if the testimonies of the apostles are true, then Paul went from killing those who proclaimed Christ had risen to joining them and authoring a great portion of the New Testament, and Peter went from denying Christ to proclaiming Him.

And if you believe that the New Testament is not “true” in the sense that Christians understand the term, where is the true testimony of Jesus, and why did it not stay with the House of Israel?
 
honeysuckle said:
The question I would have, then, is what is your explanation for the testimony of Paul? From your statements about authenticity, my guess is that you believe the New Testament is propaganda, and not true testimony? Because if the testimonies of the apostles are true, then Paul went from killing those who proclaimed Christ had risen to joining them and authoring a great portion of the New Testament, and Peter went from denying Christ to proclaiming Him.

And if you believe that the New Testament is not “true” in the sense that Christians understand the term, where is the true testimony of Jesus, and why did it not stay with the House of Israel?
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Peace Honeysuckle. The Islamic stance on Paul is that he was bent on leading the original Church astray or destroying it. His conversion was manufactured for this purpose and he succeeded in his mission. Christianity was led astray by him from the true teachings of Jesus.

Muslims believe that there is a resemblance of truth in the Gospels but they are interpreted through centuries of Pauline doctrine and tainted by not containing the original teachings of Jesus. We believe the Quran was sent to correct that which is incorrect and confirm that which is true about the Gospels

Muslims believe that Jesus never recorded his teachings himself because he taught the Children of Israel to obey the Law of Moses in a better way than they came to practice, i.e. through hypocrisy and ritual. The purpose of Messengers (particularly the Christ) is to modify previous Messages given to a much older culture that operated by a different set of rules (i.e. shariah of moses). The Jewish Prophets and Messengers came to Israel, and as promised God sent his Messiah (Jesus) to the house of Israel. Also, in accordance with Gods promises he sent prophets and messengers to every nation and every people. All have gone astray. These Prophets and messengers (including the ones sent to Israel) were to specific people, not humanity. Muslims believe that Jesus spoke of a final Prophet that would com after him, Muhammad. Muhammad wasnt sent to the Arabs or any one group of people. He was sent to humanity.

Thats Islamic belief in a nutsell 🙂
 
Booklover said:
I read your so-called conversion story and the fact that you brought up Paul, makes me think it’s completely bogus since Muslims are always claiming that Paul is actually the inventor of Christianity or whatever, blah, blah, blah! :rolleyes:

Vickie
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I don’t really understand this statement. BrJimC said that Muslims believe that Jesus was sent to the Jews to correct their manner of keeping the law. Muslims believe the Pharisees in particular were keeping the law in a spirit of hypocrisy, and Jesus criticized this. Muslims believe that the Resurrection and the theology of grace that is central to Christianity was a distortion perpetuated by the apostles, particularly Paul, that was corrected by Muhammad. This position could certainly be reduced to the presumption that Paul invented Christianity.

Now, I do not believe this, I believe the testimony of Paul, so he and I have a fundamental disagreement regarding theology, but I don’t know how his statement makes his story bogus. This is what he believes. He trusts keeping the law. Even though I trust the grace and the atonement of Christ, I must respect his carefully chosen beliefs.
 
honeysuckle said:
I don’t really understand this statement. BrJimC said that Muslims believe that Jesus was sent to the Jews to correct their manner of keeping the law. Muslims believe the Pharisees in particular were keeping the law in a spirit of hypocrisy, and Jesus criticized this. Muslims believe that the Resurrection and the theology of grace that is central to Christianity was a distortion perpetuated by the apostles, particularly Paul, that was corrected by Muhammad. That statement can be reduced to “Paul invented Christianity”, if you assume that Paul invented a theological position on Jesus that Jesus did not preach.

Now, I do not believe this, I believe the testimony of Paul, so he and I have a fundamental disagreement regarding theology, but I don’t know how his statement makes his story bogus. This is what he believes. He trusts keeping the law. Even though I trust the grace and the atonement of Christ, I must respect his carefully chosen beliefs.
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Booklover said:
I read your so-called conversion story and the fact that you brought up Paul, makes me think it’s completely bogus since Muslims are always claiming that Paul is actually the inventor of Christianity or whatever, blah, blah, blah! :rolleyes:

Vickie
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Think what you want. You dont know me, my trails, or my life. Sorry its such a slap in the face to you. But, it is a true story.

Why are you so offended by a true story?

(Rhetorical question of course) :rolleyes:
 
honeysuckle said:
This is what he believes. He trusts keeping the law. Even though I trust the grace and the atonement of Christ, I must respect his carefully chosen beliefs.
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Yes, this is what I have come to believe. It isnt to say that there is something inferior or wrong with Christians. My family are Christians (most Roman Catholic). I love them just the same and they me.

Im not asking anyone to go back on Christianity. Its just my path in life. I cant apologize or deny what I have done or where I have been.

I think that anyone who spends time getting to know me will find consistencies between my story and the knowledge of the various religions I have studied and been a part of. Its a true story. God knows, even if people do not.
 
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