The differences in religions

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Clint
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Post by Clint »

A little boy was walking down a dirt road after church one Sunday afternoon

when he came to a crossroads where he met a little girl coming from the

other direction.

"Hello," said the little boy.

"Hi," replied the little girl.

"Where are you going?" asked the little boy.

"I've been to church this morning and I'm on my way home," answered the

little girl.

"Me too," replied the little boy. "I'm also on my way home from church."

"Which church do you go to?" asked the little boy.

"I go to the Baptist church back down the road," replied the little girl.

"What about you?"

"I go to the Catholic church back at the top of the hill," replied the

little boy.

They discover that they are both going the same way so they decided that

they'd walk together.

They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains had partially flooded

the road so there was no way that they could get across to the other side

without getting wet.

"If I get my new Sunday dress wet my Mom's going to skin me alive," said the

little girl.

"My Mom'll tan my hide too if I get my new Sunday suit wet," replied the

little boy.

"I tell you what I think I'll do," said the little girl. "I'm gonna pull off

all my clothes and hold them over my head and wade across."

"That's a good idea," replied the little boy. "I'm going to do the same

thing with my suit."

So they both undressed and waded across to the other side without getting

their clothes wet.

They were standing there in the sun waiting to drip dry before putting their

clothes back on when the little boy finally remarked, "You know, I never did

realize before just how much difference there really is between a Baptist

and a Catholic
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Ted
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

I love the story. IT is great. Thanks.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by LottomagicZ4941 »

On a serious note I was once told the difference between Christianity and all other religions is.

Christianity is God reaching out towards man through Christ

All other religions are man trying to reach out towards God.

We all think we are right ofcourse.

I know I had my knee healed in the name of Christ.

Some may dismiss it as mind over matter.

We all have to make our own choice.

My Bible states "Seek and ye shall find"

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telaquapacky
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Post by telaquapacky »

A Catholic priest, a Baptist pastor and a Jewish rabbi were in a small boat fishing. The sun was getting quite hot, and they had not caught anything, so they decided to skinny dip to cool off. They started getting hungry, and seeing a large berry bush not far from the lakeshore, they came out of the water and started picking and eating the berries. They enjoyed the berries so much that they did not notice themselves straying farther and farther from the lake (and from their clothes). Out from a grove of trees came a group of elderly ladies with a picnic basket. When the ladies saw these three clergymen, they shreiked. The priest, pastor and rabbi ran away to their boat- the priest and pastor covering their privates with their hands, but the rabbi covering only his face.

When they were safe and dressed in their boat and had made their getaway, the pastor and the priest asked the rabbi why he only covered his face. The rabbi said, "I don't know about your congregation, but my people would recognize me by my face!"
Look what the cat dragged in.
gimli3
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Post by gimli3 »

Differences in religions?

No difference (except in story-myths). All are ideologies of social control.

:-5
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chonsigirl
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The differences in religions

Post by chonsigirl »

I thought social control were all the immigration law threads...............
Ted
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Post by Ted »

gimli3:-6

If that is what you want to believe go for it. I can't agree in the least.

Shalom

Ted
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Adam Zapple
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Post by Adam Zapple »

Differences in religions?

No difference (except in story-myths). All are ideologies of social control.




I thought they were all terrorists.
Ted
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Post by Ted »

Adam:-6

That is a serious error and the kind of thing that does nothing to promote world peace and an end to terrorism.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Adam Zapple
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Post by Adam Zapple »

:-6 Ted,

I was being facetious. I know Christians aren't terrorists. I was responding to your characterization of them that way here:http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showt ... post103870

I'm just a bit confused, I guess. You defend, support, and attempt to lend crediblity to someone who calls Christians terrorists in the above thread yet you say in this thread that such rhetoric does nothing to promote world peace and is a serious error. Which of your positions am I misunderstanding?
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Post by Ted »

Adam:-6

My position is this: in every faith around the world there are extremists, and that includes Christianity. It is the extremists who create the problems.

I think in our world today that instead of always looking to the bombs and ammo perhaps we ought to find out why other folks are unhappy with us. We might learn something and be able to help solve the problems without the need for weapons.

Sometimes we are told what the problems are but we refuse to listen or attend to them because they may cost us a little.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Clint
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Post by Clint »

The single most obvious difference between Islam and Christianity is that Islam calls for the destruction of Christians and Jews if they won’t convert while neither Christianity nor Judaism calls for the destruction of Islam.
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Post by Ted »

The following is a quote from another forum and responds to what Clint has just said.



http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutisla ... ionID=4429

ello sososo,





Is it true that, every political head in Islam is also the ruler of believers?

No. Not every political leader is a ruler of believers. Today we have many “Muslim” leaders and obviously not every one of them is the leader of all Muslims. I believe you are referring to the caliph in Islam, who is the religious leader of Muslims, commander of the faithful/believers. This caliph today doesn’t exist. After the death of the prophet (peace be upon him) we had 4 rightly guided caliphs, namely, Abu Bakr, Umar son of Al-Khatab, Uthman son of Al-Affan and Ali son of Abu Talib, may God be pleased with them all. These four men were righteous, just, true believers; they were Muslims (submitting to God) in the fullest sense, who ruled Muslims. After their death most of the leaders were unjust with a few exceptions. And as you know today we as Muslims do not have a caliph.



There is no separation between the church and political power?

Well, Islam is best described as a way of life rather than a religion. God guides us in all matters which face human beings, which makes Islam practical. God guides us in issues from how to worship Him to issues of eating, dressing and going to the bathroom, thus it is a way of life. Having said that, war as one can conclude from human behavior and the study of history is a reality, whether it be in form of defense, or offense. Of course, God gave us manners and rules in war, such as the prohibition of cutting down trees, destroying buildings, killing civilians, killing worshippers and their leaders in mosques, churches, synagogues and places of worship. There must be no harming of children, women and the elderly.

Book 19, Number 4320:

It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children.



Politics of course should have no separation with religion; again there are other rules which God gave us to govern people’s affairs and to maintain a productive society. You can look into past Muslim civilizations, which co-existed with other beliefs.

The political head is the religious head?

I believe this was answered in the replies above.



He is a representative of Allah?

A caliph, ruler of Muslims, should act with accordance to God’s laws.

His political and military acts, etc., are inspired?

If you are speaking of revelation (i.e. contact between the leader and Allah) then no, he is not inspired. Revelation has stopped with the death of the last messenger. So, he is not inspired. A ruler should follow what has been already revealed, and try to implement it. Certain rulings in Islam change as issues arise due to time; scholars of Islam are the ones whom after ijtihad or reasoning derive a law based on the quran and prophetic tradition to accommodate contemporary issues. That is how Islam is for all people for all times.



That the importance and glorification of war is a means of spreading the faith?

Islam was not spread by threatening to kill or “by the sword” even though some military expeditions took place. Such a claim I believe is absurd due to the enormous number of Muslims who convert today and at the time of the expeditions. If they were forced by the sword, then those who “forcefully converted” would not remain so for the rest of their lives. Muslims allowed people to practice their faiths.

Such war is a duty for all Muslims?

War is fought for different reasons, not every war Muslims are in is jihad. Today we do not have a caliph therefore all able bodied Muslims cannot have a duty to fight. Of course, an exception would be if someone attacked your home and country, then Islam allows you to defend your self, with the above mentioned guidelines.

Islam has to become universal?

Islam is a religion for all mankind; it is for all people at all times for all societies. "And We have not sent you (Oh Muhammad) except as a mercy to mankind" (Surah Al-Anbiyah 21:107)

That being said there is no compulsion in religion, and we are not to “convert” people or to force them. As Muslims we must spread the message of Islam, then it is up to God to guide people, ultimately He is the One who guides and not us.

“There is no compulsion in religion…” (2:256)



http://www.islamonline.net/askabout...questionID=4429 <<<<< Should answer the rest of your post.
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Clint
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Post by Clint »

Ted wrote: The following is a quote from another forum and responds to what Clint has just said.



http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutisla ... ionID=4429

ello sososo,





Is it true that, every political head in Islam is also the ruler of believers?

No. Not every political leader is a ruler of believers. Today we have many “Muslim” leaders and obviously not every one of them is the leader of all Muslims. I believe you are referring to the caliph in Islam, who is the religious leader of Muslims, commander of the faithful/believers. This caliph today doesn’t exist. After the death of the prophet (peace be upon him) we had 4 rightly guided caliphs, namely, Abu Bakr, Umar son of Al-Khatab, Uthman son of Al-Affan and Ali son of Abu Talib, may God be pleased with them all. These four men were righteous, just, true believers; they were Muslims (submitting to God) in the fullest sense, who ruled Muslims. After their death most of the leaders were unjust with a few exceptions. And as you know today we as Muslims do not have a caliph.



There is no separation between the church and political power?

Well, Islam is best described as a way of life rather than a religion. God guides us in all matters which face human beings, which makes Islam practical. God guides us in issues from how to worship Him to issues of eating, dressing and going to the bathroom, thus it is a way of life. Having said that, war as one can conclude from human behavior and the study of history is a reality, whether it be in form of defense, or offense. Of course, God gave us manners and rules in war, such as the prohibition of cutting down trees, destroying buildings, killing civilians, killing worshippers and their leaders in mosques, churches, synagogues and places of worship. There must be no harming of children, women and the elderly.

Book 19, Number 4320:

It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children.



Politics of course should have no separation with religion; again there are other rules which God gave us to govern people’s affairs and to maintain a productive society. You can look into past Muslim civilizations, which co-existed with other beliefs.

The political head is the religious head?

I believe this was answered in the replies above.



He is a representative of Allah?

A caliph, ruler of Muslims, should act with accordance to God’s laws.

His political and military acts, etc., are inspired?

If you are speaking of revelation (i.e. contact between the leader and Allah) then no, he is not inspired. Revelation has stopped with the death of the last messenger. So, he is not inspired. A ruler should follow what has been already revealed, and try to implement it. Certain rulings in Islam change as issues arise due to time; scholars of Islam are the ones whom after ijtihad or reasoning derive a law based on the quran and prophetic tradition to accommodate contemporary issues. That is how Islam is for all people for all times.



That the importance and glorification of war is a means of spreading the faith?

Islam was not spread by threatening to kill or “by the sword” even though some military expeditions took place. Such a claim I believe is absurd due to the enormous number of Muslims who convert today and at the time of the expeditions. If they were forced by the sword, then those who “forcefully converted” would not remain so for the rest of their lives. Muslims allowed people to practice their faiths.

Such war is a duty for all Muslims?

War is fought for different reasons, not every war Muslims are in is jihad. Today we do not have a caliph therefore all able bodied Muslims cannot have a duty to fight. Of course, an exception would be if someone attacked your home and country, then Islam allows you to defend your self, with the above mentioned guidelines.

Islam has to become universal?

Islam is a religion for all mankind; it is for all people at all times for all societies. "And We have not sent you (Oh Muhammad) except as a mercy to mankind" (Surah Al-Anbiyah 21:107)

That being said there is no compulsion in religion, and we are not to “convert” people or to force them. As Muslims we must spread the message of Islam, then it is up to God to guide people, ultimately He is the One who guides and not us.

“There is no compulsion in religion…” (2:256)



http://www.islamonline.net/askabout...questionID=4429


Why is it you will believe anything to be literal and true but the Bible?
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

You are incorrect in that statement. I don't believe everything I read. I do research to find out what the prevailing view and understanding is. I have been listening to people from the Muslim faith for several years on various occasions and what I posted is what the non-extremist average Muslim is saying. Not only that but if you read parts of the Qur'an you would in fact find out the same things.

Come to think of it look at how the Christian Missionaries came into North America and what a mess they created. That is exactly how you described the goals of Islam.

Now, to respond to your point about the Bible. First of all, the thinking that unless something is historically true it is not true at all is an error in thinkings. Truths, profound truths, can be taught through many venues.

To be a short as possible , the historical veracity of the Bible cannot be upheld by science, history or archaeology. However, when we see the Bible as midrashic and metaphorical with kernels of history spread throughout it becomes a profound book that presents very profound truths about God.

I can go into individual details if you like but the idea of historical accuracy and literalism is very unimportant to the message and life of Jesus Christ.

There is no problem with the historical Jesus. However, his birth stories are midrashic and make use of metaphor.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Clint »

Ted wrote: Clint:-6

You are incorrect in that statement. I don't believe everything I read. I do research to find out what the prevailing view and understanding is. I have been listening to people from the Muslim faith for several years on various occasions and what I posted is what the non-extremist average Muslim is saying. Not only that but if you read parts of the Qur'an you would in fact find out the same things.

Come to think of it look at how the Christian Missionaries came into North America and what a mess they created. That is exactly how you described the goals of Islam.

Now, to respond to your point about the Bible. First of all, the thinking that unless something is historically true it is not true at all is an error in thinkings. Truths, profound truths, can be taught through many venues.

To be a short as possible , the historical veracity of the Bible cannot be upheld by science, history or archaeology. However, when we see the Bible as midrashic and metaphorical with kernels of history spread throughout it becomes a profound book that presents very profound truths about God.

I can go into individual details if you like but the idea of historical accuracy and literalism is very unimportant to the message and life of Jesus Christ.

There is no problem with the historical Jesus. However, his birth stories are midrashic and make use of metaphor.

Shalom

Ted:-6
So, is the Koran midrashic too or do you swallow what it says the same way you swallow what its followers say? If the Koran is midrashic where is the intensely compelling message within it that calls for one to love another more than ones self?
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

I did think that in the interest of balance I should make use of the lengthy quote it being the other side of the coin.

One would hope that all thinking people would do their research before they make judgments on a large group of people. It would have been like someone saying that all Christians are ignorant after seeing what a few did to the First Nations. We know that is not true.

It is time to see the Cosmic Christ in all reasonable people and respond to them accordingly. What a difference it would make in the world!

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Clint »

Sorry Ted but I’m not seeing the fruit of Christ’s love coming from the followers of Mohamed. They believe that Christ will return and destroy Christians in favor of them.

Frankly, I don’t give a rip about what happened centuries ago. I care about what is going on today. Today I see a religion of hate masquerading as a religion of love. Their prophet came on the scene with a sword and his army. Christ had no such demeanor. The Muslim people need to put up or shut up. We are on the brink of a terrible disaster like never before seen, and it is because people like you are giving people like them a free pass.
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

I cannot comment on the nature of the literature of the Qua'rn. It may contain midrash but that was traditionally a Jewish style. No doubt it contains metaphor just as the Bible does.

As far as "swallowing" that is a somewhat trite comment. I have read parts of the Qur'an. I have seen the some of the places where it calls for peace among all folks.

Perhaps before you judge all Muslims you should talk to a few or many and perhaps you should read part of the Qur'an itself. There are several good sites on Islam as well.

I just read where one of the well known evangelists of the Right told a congregation to let a wave of hatred wash over them for all non-christians. Would you "swallow" that?

Please don't let your hatred and animosity for me blind you from the need to read and study and seek out answers to problems you encounter rather then just making blanket statements that may be wrong.

I wish you no ill will.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Clint »

Ted, I wish no man ill will including yourself. I would rather see the Muslim people negate the extremists in their midst so no one would be harmed.

You sure assume a lot. You assume I don’t study simply because I don’t agree with you. What arrogance.
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

Is that either BS or bigotry or both? Only you can answer that question.

You are responding from emotions instead of intelligent thought and research. In fact when it comes to the Muslims you really don't know what you are talking about.

Have you read the Qur'an? Have you intereacted with Muslims? Have you read some of the Muslim sites? Have you checked to see how some of the worlds Christian Scholars see Islam? Do you know anything about Islam besides the terrorists.

If you don't give a rip about the history of Islam then you will never understand Islam today or why things happened as they happened.

The crusades weren't actually a party. They slaughtered innocent men, women and children. They resorted to torture.

What messages come from the Christian right? First of all they are a betrayal of Jesus life and teaching. They want us to hate others. There ultimate goal is to make the world Christian in every way.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

When you make statements like you have I can only assume you have not studied. If you had I don't think you would have painted all Muslims with the same brush.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Clint »

Ted,

You open with a question that is the same as asking a man when he quit beating his wife. I will now assume that you did it because you don’t think either of your assumptions are correct.

I have not read the Koran cover to cover but I have read it. I have even quoted it in defense of Muslims.

I have talked to Muslims about their faith. I have read on Muslim sites. I have read what Christian scholars say about Islam. And, yes, I do know more about Islam than that it is harboring terrorists.

I know history of Christianity and Islam.

I’m sure that you have read more of the Koran, more Christian scholars and more history. If you haven’t you will certainly assert that you have just like you do with anyone who posts here.

I am emotional about this issue. I have grandchildren and I want them to be able to grow up in peace. That will never happen as long as there is a religion as large as Islam that has the goal of destroying them because they are not Muslims.

You can cite things like the Catholic Crusades all you want and it doesn’t mean that they were done in concert with Christ’s teachings. You can’t say that about Islam and Mohamed.
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Post by Clint »

Ted wrote: Clint:-6

When you make statements like you have I can only assume you have not studied. If you had I don't think you would have painted all Muslims with the same brush.

Shalom

Ted:-6
There you go again. I came up with a different answer than you did therefore I haven’t studied. That might have worked in your classroom but it doesn’t work in real life.
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Post by Ted »

Clint:-6

If that's what you think go for it.

Shalom

Ted:-6
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Post by Clint »

Ted wrote: Clint:-6

If that's what you think go for it.

Shalom

Ted:-6


That's what I think and I didn't need your permission to "go for it".
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Post by lady cop »

see, this is why i never enter discussions about religion....it seems to be the catalyst for all of history's conflicts. i'd rather fight more mundane and worldly battles :D
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Post by Clint »

lady cop wrote: see, this is why i never enter discussions about religion....it seems to be the catalyst for all of history's conflicts. i'd rather fight more mundane and worldly battles :D
I had almost quit. I actually broke a promise to myself by doing this. It isn't the catalyst for all of history's conflicts but it sure can be.
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Post by Adam Zapple »

Quote 1 from Ted:

What messages come from the Christian right? First of all they are a betrayal of Jesus life and teaching. They want us to hate others. There ultimate goal is to make the world Christian in every way.


Quote 2 from Ted:

When you make statements like you have I can only assume you have not studied. If you had I don't think you would have painted all Muslims with the same brush.


Pot, meet kettle.
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Post by Ted »

Perhaps we should refer to the Qur'an for its comments.



Default

An interesting quote from the Qur'an. 2:189 p29

"Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you but do not atttack them first. God does not love aggressors."

That sounds pretty clear to me that the Muslims are not to start the fight.

Shalom

Ted



We can also find places where the Qur'an are in agreement with the Christian Bible.



"Those that have faith and do good works, attend to their prayers and render the alms levy, will be rewarded by their Lord and will have nothing to fear or to regret." Qur'an 2:276 pg 41

If we turn to the book of James 2:17 we read "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." The book of James is very clear that along with faith we must look after the oppressed, the poor, the needy, those who have no food etc. I see little difference between the two.

Faith in the Qur'an means faith in God. In the Bible faith also means faith in God, the God we see manifest in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

We are talking about the "Way" as the early Christians were called, "The people of the Way" and that is the way shown to us by Jesus of Nazareth. It is a route, a road, a path. That is the way.

The Qur'an also talks about the fight against the infidel. That is no different then the invasion of Canaan when the Hebrews destroyed the "infidel" and let's not forget kept the virgins for themselves. Nice touch!

It is indeed interesting to see the similarities between the Christian Sacred Writings and the Muslim Sacred Writings.

Shalom

Ted :-6
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Post by Ted »

Adam:-6

Are you cooking?

Shalom

Ted:-6
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