No, it doesn’t. I think it’s too close to Marcionism, and I think the problematic assumption behind your argument is that if people have an imperfect understanding of God they are not worshiping the true God. That is the main problem with the “Muslims don’t worship our God” claim, as I see it.
No. But do English speaking Muslims use the English word “God?”So in every other language in the world all people must use the English word “God” to satisfy your belief system?
Non sequitur. This is practiced out of reverence.
No.
I would pray that you too would go so far in criticizing the “bishop in question.” His suggestion should outrage you.
Edwin, the archeological facts are there:Why would Muhammad say that Allah is the “greatest” except in a polytheistic context? The Arabic word is used to contrast the greater from the lesser. That this is true is seen from the fact that the pagan Arabs never accused Muhammad of preaching a different Allah than the one they already worshipped. This “Allah” was the Moon-god according to the archeological evidence.To the Muslim mindset, “Allah” doesn’t just mean “God” as presented say in Isaiah 45:5:"I am the Lord there is no other; besides Me there is no God."But the name of the god Muhammad presented to his people, and literally forced to worship by the edge of the sword, was in reality the Moon god with whom they were already familiar and he extolled as the “greatest” of all their gods. A corrupt form of monotheism.
That’s the problem, it’s not simply a political issue as the Bishop tries to frame it.
I don’t like the bishop’s call here anymore than you do.
Absolutely. I’ve been around many muslims who were born in Morocco and immigrated to the US. When speaking in English to me they always use the word God and have never used the word allah.
What archeological evidence? You haven’t presented any. I mentioned the evidence that the fundamentalist site describes, and I pointed out that this evidence does not, on their own admission, point to “Allah” meaning “the moon god,” but rather “God” in general, which allegedly was sometimes applied by worshippers of the moon god to their favorite deity.
You do not make the “moon god” argument valid by repeating it over and over.
I’m doing nothing of the sort. You are the one who seems to believe in a “linguistic innocence” which the word “Allah” lacks, while presumably words such as “Elohim,” “Yahweh,” or “theos” possess such an innocence. All language has prehistory. This is simply a non-issue. All the evidence points to “Allah” being the best word in Arabic to describe the one true God, since it seems to have described some sort of supreme “high God” who was less associated with idolatry than other deities. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians made this decision. Who are you to disagree with it?
In my experience, English-speaking Muslims use “God” on a regular basis, although obviously in worship and study of the Qur’an they use “Allah.” I’m sure that the more fundamentalist Muslims are less likely to use the English word.
Indeed they do and quite often.
This reminds me a great deal of the system that the Jews live under to this day in that they won’t even write anything but “G-d” or say it for fear of blasphemy.
The practice is Pharisaical and not at all in line with Christian belief and practice for 2,000 years. My point is that this contention of yours is very similar.
Frankly, I’d appreciate it a lot if you and people like you would have the courtesy of not telling me what I should think and what should outrage me.
Why don’t you start a thread how you “dialog” with a religion that is a replacement theology of both biblical Christianity and Judasim.
When they, like so many n-Cs and a-Cs, can produce verifiable facts instead of rhetorical propaganda, then I might get involved.
And you are correct, IMV.
The 'ol “Is this your idea of witnessing” line.When they, like so many n-Cs and a-Cs, can produce verifiable facts instead of rhetorical propaganda, then I might get involved.
Frankly, I see the same sort of “replacement theology” from a great many n-Cs/a-Cs all the time with respect to my Catholic faith. Either way… fiction is still fiction.
I have no problems with the fact that peace is found in Christ and peace is His domain…my responsibility is to follow him, not create fictional rhetoric to combat a non-Christian religion.
I have a suggestion for you.
Why don’t you go to Moslem forums and tell them the kind of stuff you have told us here? Especially if you perceive them as such a great threat to the faith? Or is it easier to come here and take cheap pot shots at the Catholic faith because some Dutch bishop says something that all of us find weird.
Is this your idea of Christian witnessing?
Thanks for the link.
Obviously! And why do you think that is? Could it be that “Allah” is the NAME of their God?
You’ve got that right!!! But “fundamentalist” Christians should be required to use the word “Allah” when referring to their God, right?"Our Allah who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name: (Allah)."I know two true believing converts from Islam and they do not call the God who saved them through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ “Allah.” They clearly know the difference and express it. How tragic it is that you and the Bishop do not.