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Joeiss 01-18-2003 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angrist
The Quran is written by one person (correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure I'm not), it's not that hard to write a convincing book as when you have 40+ writers.

Edit: The bible is also a lot older.


Well technically, the Qu'ran might have been written by several people... But Muhammod memorized it, and passed it down to his people.

And yes, the bible is about 600 years older I think. But, if you are a Muslim, this is the way that it was meant to be. This is because Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, and he was just spreading Allah's word. Jesus' best teaching was "Treat others as you would like to be treated" (at least that is what I think that Muslims believe his best teaching was).

Shadow_Link 01-18-2003 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
Well technically, the Qu'ran might have been written by several people... But Muhammod memorized it, and passed it down to his people.

And yes, the bible is about 600 years older I think. But, if you are a Muslim, this is the way that it was meant to be. This is because Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, and he was just spreading Allah's word. Jesus' best teaching was "Treat others as you would like to be treated" (at least that is what I think that Muslims believe his best teaching was).

I'm not totally sure about the last part of your post, but everything you said was right.

Angrist, the Qur'aan wasn't written by one person... It was firstly memorised by that one person, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, over a period of time. He was memorising what the angel Gabriel revealed to him, the words of God. He couldn't have written it, as he couldn't read nor write. One person came up with the idea to copy down the memorisation. So the Qur'aan wasn't written by people, but copied.

Joeiss 01-18-2003 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadow_Link
I'm not totally sure about the last part of your post, but everything you said was right.

Angrist, the Qur'aan wasn't written by one person... It was firstly memorised by that one person, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, over a period of time. He was memorising what the angel Gabriel revealed to him, the words of God. He couldn't have written it, as he couldn't read nor write. One person came up with the idea to copy down the memorisation. So the Qur'aan wasn't written by people, but copied.


Well, at the Mosque that I went to in November, the guy said that, I think. Well, at least I remember him saying that about Jesus... could be wrong though.

Shadow_Link 01-18-2003 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
Well, at the Mosque that I went to in November, the guy said that, I think. Well, at least I remember him saying that about Jesus... could be wrong though.
Oh, I don't know whether you're right or wrong, I wasn't sure myself :D.

You are probably right though... I'll try and find out.

Jewels 01-19-2003 12:27 AM

i am christian, even though i quit going to church like when i was little and ever since we got a new minister and our church i just dont like him and how he runs things, the last one was the bomb, well anywho.. all i had to say

Joeiss 01-19-2003 12:58 AM

I think the only thing stopping me from converting to Islam is by weed and alcohol adiction... well, not weed anymore.. i have been off that since septemeber... but alcohol... ye

Bond 01-19-2003 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadow_Link
Oh, I don't know whether you're right or wrong, I wasn't sure myself :D.

You are probably right though... I'll try and find out.

Shadow Link, how does Islam address democracy, women's rights, and people's freedom to choose their own destiny?

And I have an odd feeling Shadow Link invited Almansurah to debate...

Joeiss 01-19-2003 01:20 PM

Women's rights are great in the Islam religion. I do not know the major details, but Allah created men and women as equals.

Also, if you were wondering about the veils that the women wear. This is not because they are under harsh laws where they are forced to wear veils. They wear them because it says in the Qu'raan that men should only look at women from behind a curtain or something... To prevent impure thoughts and such before marriage.

Yep... I think that is correct... Or else I just totally gave you guys the wrong information on a religion that I only know some stuff about, lol

quiet mike 01-19-2003 02:41 PM

I am a christian. Being a christian was first an insult the roman empire gave to the followers of Christ. It became the name of the believers. The christian faith has devided in time in many cults:
- Orthodox
- Catholic
- Lutheran
- Protestant
- Calvinistic
- Methodist
- Bapthist
- Penticostal
- Covenant
- Neoprotestant
- Jehova's Whitnesses

I personally am a penticostal, and believ that only by receiving the sacrifice of Jesus as the remedy of our sinfull lives you can go to Heaven, which I believe it exists. Hell also exists, but it is not necesarely a place with fire. Satan is not a two horned red beast with a triton in his hands. He was the mightiest of all angels and now he comes as an angel of light in order to decieve people and make them follow in his suffering since Hell was made for him and his angels that followed him and not for humans. But all those that follow Satan are to go where he is going.



From the discussion I see here I want to clear something for my faith and you go search if I'm telling the truth or not.

The Bible has no contradictions!
What Almansurah posted is very hard to follow if you don't know the Bible. But if you read all 4 gospels, you will see that they don't argue of who was at the tomb, how the stone was moved, but they look from different perspectives. One only follows Maria Magdalene, the others follow two or more of the women that went that Sunday morning. And even though it was told 4 different ways, it was dawn. And I can go on about all the things that were posted and show you how it's just a different perspective on the same thing.

The Qu'raan was written by more than one person but since it was something memorized word by word, they all knew the same exact thing.
The Bible was also written by more persons, but they each wrote the way they saw or heared (Luke) the things (in the Gospels). But there is no contradiction anywhere in the bible, where it is said something about an event and being contradicted in another place. It is the same thing happening the same way, viewed from a different perspective.

Almansurah 01-19-2003 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
Women's rights are great in the Islam religion. I do not know the major details, but Allah created men and women as equals.

Also, if you were wondering about the veils that the women wear. This is not because they are under harsh laws where they are forced to wear veils. They wear them because it says in the Qu'raan that men should only look at women from behind a curtain or something... To prevent impure thoughts and such before marriage.

Yep... I think that is correct... Or else I just totally gave you guys the wrong information on a religion that I only know some stuff about, lol

Wow, you know a lot. Infact, some Muslims wouldn't have even said it better than you have stated there. And yes you're deffinitely correct on what you've said.

*Agrees with above.

Joeiss 01-19-2003 03:47 PM

The bible I guess has no contradictions... But there are alot of things that could be metaphorical, not real in it... I don't remember any examples, but I watched a cool program on it on A&E!

Almansurah 01-19-2003 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by quiet mike


The Bible has no contradictions!
What Almansurah posted is very hard to follow if you don't know the Bible. But if you read all 4 gospels, you will see that they don't argue of who was at the tomb, how the stone was moved, but they look from different perspectives. One only follows Maria Magdalene, the others follow two or more of the women that went that Sunday morning. And even though it was told 4 different ways, it was dawn. And I can go on about all the things that were posted and show you how it's just a different perspective on the same thing.

The Qu'raan was written by more than one person but since it was something memorized word by word, they all knew the same exact thing.
The Bible was also written by more persons, but they each wrote the way they saw or heared (Luke) the things (in the Gospels). But there is no contradiction anywhere in the bible, where it is said something about an event and being contradicted in another place. It is the same thing happening the same way, viewed from a different perspective.

The bible has no contradictions? Puh-Lease, the bible is full of contradictions, I state again, if you want me to post more, I will. And i've challenged you to post contradictions in the Qur'an, and InshAllah by the will of Allah, they will be refuted with ease, and with explanation, and not by stating that's not a contradiction since it's misinterpreted.

God doesn't need 4 books to look from different perspectives, God only needs to set one book with 1 perspective. What a hard religion, if I have to search through so much books, and then get confused in the middle. Doesn't that prove something?

The Qur'an is just one book, available anywhere in the world.

How can the Bible be the word of God, when it's been tampered with, and set from different perspectives? Cant you see how your books have been tampered with, and set rise to all these contradictions?

Joeiss 01-19-2003 06:17 PM

The Christian bible was inspired by God... I do not think that anybody said that he wrote it or something.

Lord Germano 01-19-2003 07:00 PM

I, like quiet mike, am I penticostal christian. Yes, I believe that my religion is right.

My church's website

I may be back latter

Smuggletrain 01-20-2003 07:18 AM

I'm a satanist. Before any of you jump on a bandwagon just let me explain
something. Satanist do not worship the devil, those
are devil worshippers and something entirely different from
satanism. Basically the whole concept is the view of "Do what
thou will and let that be the extent of the law." Every time I see
a person claiming to be a satanist on TV and spouting on about
Anton LeVey I start laughing. True satanism isn't something
you pick up a book to learn. It all boils down to let your conscience
be your guide. I have never and don't foresee myself dancing
around with a goat skull on my head praising the devil.Satanism
is kind of between agnostics and atheists, we just don't file
a lawsuit every time we see the word God.

The Christian church really pisses me off. How can they be
against Halloween and yet support Christmas and Easter? All of
them are pagan holidays. Halloween = Samhain,
Christmas = Yule, Easter = Beltane. Christmas was actually
denounced by the church and banned in England for years. It
wasn't celebrated in America until the late 1800's.

Also, how in the hell can homosexuals be allowed into a church
when their lifestyle is specifically denounced in the Bible? The
Bible also states that the man is the head of the household. Not
many of todays women would be so supportive of the church if
that rule was enforced. I see so many people in the church
drinking, smoking, and fornicating Saturday night and praising
God Sunday morning. Asking Jesus for salvation is only part of
being saved. You must make an active attempt to refrain from sin.
I don't think God likes people playing pick and choose with his
rules.

As for Angrist, as a church I believe the Jehovah's Witness is
closer to having Christianity right than the other churches. The
only spots I'm unclear on are:

1) The belief that the antichrist came to Earth in 1914 or somewhere there-abouts and

2) Knowing which people are going to Heaven.

Feel free to explain these two to me because I am actually
interested to know.

As for the Muslim belief, I really don't know enough about it to
make an informed decision. However if you believe flying jets into
skyscrapers assures a place in the afterworld then you are wrong.
I know there are extremists in every religion and I'm hoping that
they are the exception rather than the rule.

I know this was a long post but I could talk about this for hours.
None of my comments were meant as personal digs at anyone
and I hope they are not mistaken as such. Everyone is entitled to
their own personal beliefs.

Professor S 01-20-2003 09:10 AM

1) Anton LaVey didn't worship Satan (not sure if that was what you were implying, but if it was you are quite wrong)

2) Everything you are saying basically repeats LaVeyan Satanism, so whether you read his book or not you are influenced by his ideaology.

3) A true Satanist wouldn't give a crap about Christianity or go to all the trouble to scream holy hell about it and point out its Pagan roots. They are common knowledge as the Catholic Church has made a long time practice of encorporating pagan ritual into Christianity. Why do you think Catholicism has all the ritual to begin with?

I am not a Satanist, but I am a student of the occult, and of all the cults out there, Satanism is the one I find the most laughable. Its basically a religion based on being a complete and utter ***hole.

As foir the whole Bible vs. Q'uran argument, if you think that EITHER of those texts haven't been changed numerous times of the course of several millenia you're BOTH kidding yourselves. They are cololections of parables for one to live one's life by, and NOT meant to be taken completely literally. It has been shown that those who do take them literally tend to act in ways that are completely against their own text's teachings.

Rndm_Perfection 01-20-2003 05:07 PM

I was born a Christian, but I have my doubts. As well, I think it naive to think that all believe in the same God, so long as they believe in one. As well, believing in God is one thing, but practicing the correct forms of worship and maintaining spiritual/moral values is what is important if someone truly believes that it is what is necessary to go to heaven.

I have my doubts, and they are reasonable. I'm just thinking how a buch of guys collaborated and decided to write up a bunch of stories which they thought God had called out to them.

There was always a "leader of the pack". And, there were always people thinking up reasons for why they are living. Thus, a creation, whether by God or many gods would have been thought up. What makes you believe that your one god, having come from one spot in "Middle-Eastish area", is more correct than the numerous gods of other histories?

Everyone has their own beliefs, and it is completely impossible to tell which is correct... or even if all of them are incorrect.

Ultimately, I greatly believe that the Bible's secondary, if not primary, purpose was to maintain order in a civilization. If everyone believed in a higher being and thought that they had to do good in their life to have a wonderful afterlife, then fewer people would be unhappy. Take, for instance, the fact that it is a sin to steal from your neighbor. Personally, I believe that a human would have higher value of their items, than a god's value of someone working for themselves.

*shrugs* If there is one thing that makes me believe in a higher power, it's "The Bible Code".

Almansurah 01-20-2003 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Strangler

As foir the whole Bible vs. Q'uran argument, if you think that EITHER of those texts haven't been changed numerous times of the course of several millenia you're BOTH kidding yourselves. They are cololections of parables for one to live one's life by, and NOT meant to be taken completely literally. It has been shown that those who do take them literally tend to act in ways that are completely against their own text's teachings.

Yeh Yeh, and i'm the president of Mars and the sky aint Blue.

Bring forth a mistake in the Qur'an, bring anything to show me it isn't the word of God? Supply the firepower along with the words, supply the proof of your statements, show me some claims so I can believe you.

The Qur'an has not been changed. Check any Qur'an copy in the world, and you will notice this, compare this to any Qur'an copy in a library [Check the oldest one too], and you will notice they are all the same.

I dont think you seem to know the Arabic language well, but basically it's easily memorisable, infact the Qur'an is very easy to memorise, just like getting a song stuck in your head. Many people know the Qur'an by heart, and that's how it was transmitted, and then written. Even to this day, there are MANY people who know the whole Qur'an by heart.

God's words are meant to be taken literally, he is our Lord, our sustainer, our providor, the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, there is nothing like them, so WHY wouldn't he want us to obey his words?

The Qur'an is a easy book to understand, and we Muslims do take it as literally, whatever it says we must follow, if we dont have a valid excuse for not following it, then we are gaining ourselves sins.....

Shiz 01-20-2003 05:43 PM

im jewish... thought i'd let everyone know :)

Professor S 01-20-2003 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Almansurah
Yeh Yeh, and i'm the president of Mars and the sky aint Blue.

Bring forth a mistake in the Qur'an, bring anything to show me it isn't the word of God? Supply the firepower along with the words, supply the proof of your statements, show me some claims so I can believe you.

The Qur'an has not been changed. Check any Qur'an copy in the world, and you will notice this, compare this to any Qur'an copy in a library [Check the oldest one too], and you will notice they are all the same.

I dont think you seem to know the Arabic language well, but basically it's easily memorisable, infact the Qur'an is very easy to memorise, just like getting a song stuck in your head. Many people know the Qur'an by heart, and that's how it was transmitted, and then written. Even to this day, there are MANY people who know the whole Qur'an by heart.

God's words are meant to be taken literally, he is our Lord, our sustainer, our providor, the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, there is nothing like them, so WHY wouldn't he want us to obey his words?

The Qur'an is a easy book to understand, and we Muslims do take it as literally, whatever it says we must follow, if we dont have a valid excuse for not following it, then we are gaining ourselves sins.....

You are going about things backward. If you want me to believe that the Qur'an is true, you have to prove it to ME, I don't need to disprove it. To me its just ba collection of words and is as valid as Norse Mythology, the Old Testament or Greek Mythology. It may be absolute truth to you, but its not to a whole lot of people to say the least.

By the way, if you do take the Qur'an literally, then you must agree with the whole "killing of infidels (read: anyone who ain't muslim) will gain you acceptance to nirvana and fifty whores sucking your knob while you eat a steak sandwich". So, I suppose you and great friends with Osama Bin Ladin and are planning a suicide bombing as I write this.

As for memorization, thats hilarious. The stories in the Qur'an were told word of mouth long before they were put to paper. This is when changes are made. Has it been changed as many times as the Bible? Probably not, but its still 99% likely that it has changed over the course of several thousand years.

But keep on spouting about how the Qur'an has never changed and is the literal word of God. Its much easier to simply repeat what you've been told rather than actually think for yourself.

Shadow_Link 01-20-2003 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Strangler
You are going about things backward. If you want me to believe that the Qur'an is true, you have to prove it to ME, I don't need to disprove it. To me its just ba collection of words and is as valid as Norse Mythology, the Old Testament or Greek Mythology. It may be absolute truth to you, but its not to a whole lot of people to say the least.

By the way, if you do take the Qur'an literally, then you must agree with the whole "killing of infidels (read: anyone who ain't muslim) will gain you acceptance to nirvana and fifty whores sucking your knob while you eat a steak sandwich". So, I suppose you and great friends with Osama Bin Ladin and are planning a suicide bombing as I write this.

As for memorization, thats hilarious. The stories in the Qur'an were told word of mouth long before they were put to paper. This is when changes are made. Has it been changed as many times as the Bible? Probably not, but its still 99% likely that it has changed over the course of several thousand years.

But keep on spouting about how the Qur'an has never changed and is the literal word of God. Its much easier to simply repeat what you've been told rather than actually think for yourself.

I'll be back to comment later and answer other questions, but just a brief post first. (I've been very busy lately)...

First off, your post shows how naive you are about Islam, and the contents of the Qur'aan. Even non-muslims aknowledge the beauty of the Qur'aan, and say how it IS a true miracle, and the true religion, yet don't convert due to some reason or another. I suggest you actually read the Qur'aan, or learn about it your own way. I think it is quite patently obvious you haven't really read anything about it, yet to have the gaul to make something up like the 'killing of infidels' will get you into heaven, is in the Qur'aan... That joke about planning a suicide bombing wasn't funny either. If you want to know something, just ask, instead of showing how you don't know anything about Islam. Suicide is TOTALLY forbidden in Islam, and nowhere in the Qur'aan does it say it is allowed. In fact, it is said that the method you use to kill yourself with, will be what will used to kill you repeatedly in Hell.

Your argument is pretty weak Strangler, there is absolutely NO proof at all that the Qur'aan has been changed. I think the correct way to go about it is if YOU try to find proof that it has been changed, (like how it is easy to find proof that other holy books have been changed), since you made the original statement that it had been. I think the challenge HAS been set for you... Just try and find anything different in any and evry Qur'aan in existance, it will be utterly hopeless, because many have TRIED, and FAILED, and I find it amusing that you're probably the only person that refutes the statement that the Qur'aan is indeed in the form it was when it was revealed. Even Priests, people who have dedicated so much time and effort, conclude that there is nothing changed within the Qur'aan, and that is why many of them actually convert to Islam...

But don't take my word for it, please read the links provided. Within them, the writer gives a perfectly acceptable reason as to why the Qur'aan is still in an untouched form, you may find this in the Use and Mention of Words section and everything after it in the first link...

I'll just refer you to this site, if you have time, please read the two articles (I'm not saying you should or anything, but I'd like to know that when you do ask a question or something, you'd have read the articles I've presented first)... Warning, the articles are long, but, to me atleast, they are very interesting, and a must read for those unfamilair with the Qur'aan and Islam:

First one... (I recommend you ATLEAST read everything from 'Use and Mention of Words')

Second one...

I'll be back in a few days/one week, and hopefully answer any questions outstanding.

Bond 01-20-2003 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadow_Link

I'll be back in a few days/one week, and hopefully answer any questions outstanding.

Yeah, how about my questions sir. :mad:

;)

Professor S 01-20-2003 10:07 PM

Shadow Link, I never said anything about Islam not being a valid religion. It is. But its not any more valid than any other religion in the world, and that is what I have a problem with in Almansurah's posts. He screams about how Islam is the one true religion while all others are crap.

As for proof of violence against "Infidels" in the Qur'an? Here's a couple of quotes:

"IX. 5-6: Kill those who join other gods with God wherever you may find them."

"IV.76: Those who believe fight in the cause of God."

"IV.89: They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper."

"IV.74: Let those who fight in the cause of God who barter the life of this world for that which is to come; for whoever fights on God's path, whether he is killed or triumphs, We will give him a handsome reward."

"VIII.39-42: Say to the Infidels: if they desist from their unbelief, what is now past shall be forgiven; but if they return to it, they have already before them the doom of the ancients! Fight then against them till strife be at an end, and the religion be all of it God's."


Now I repeat, should the Qur'an be taken literally? Should faithful muslims search out "unbelievers" and kill them wherever they find them because God will reward them in life or death? Do you want to contradict me again after showing the proof you have asked me for?

BTW, I read some of what you posted including the usage of words portion. I'm glad to see that every word was perfected so that we know exactly what the Qur'an means when it repeatedly uses the word "kill".

As for non-violence and anti-oppression against women mentioned ealier in this thread:

[4:34] "The men are made responsible for the women, and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. The righteous women will cheerfully accept this arrangement, since it is GOD's commandment, and honor their husbands during their absence. If you experience rebellion from the women, you shall first talk to them, then (you may use negative incentives like) deserting them in bed, then you may (as a last alternative) beat them. If they obey you, you are not permitted to transgress against them. GOD is Most High, Supreme."

Now I understand that the true meaning of this text is that if a man is "forced" to beat his wife, it shows a failure on his part and therefore is more in symbolic favor of the woman, but that doesn't save the woman from a beating at the hands of an incompetant husband or keep her from being forced into a certain lifestyle.

Now I have nothing against Islam on the whole as a religion, but the rhetoric does lend itself to inspiring zeal so much as to create violence at times, and I believe this has to do very much with the literal interpretation of the Qur'an by some sects. To take the Qur'am literally to to endorse the death of all Christians, Jews and other non-muslim people.

Angrist 01-21-2003 03:18 AM

Smuggletrain, it's true that a lot of believes within christianity have a lot of 'rituals' that have their origin in different religions (Trinity, Christmas, burning hell,...), but is that the reason to abandon the whole christianity? Why don't you find a religion that doesn't have all those false believes??

Lord Germano 01-21-2003 03:31 AM

Eactly smuggletrain. To say something like that is a big fat generalisation, with all the diferent branches (The bulk of which stated in quiet mikes post)

TheGame 01-21-2003 12:33 PM

Re: Religion
 
I didn't read many of the other posts, just wanted to comment on this:

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
I think that there is one God who created everything here on earth. And I think that Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Christians are people who just take different paths, but believe in the same God. Yep... therefore nobody is wrong... people just take different paths in life... YEP!
There are too many cases in which different beliefs contradict each-other. I mean, Bhudisim and Christianity can't both be right.

I believe that we have no right to judge other religions because they could possibly be other patsh that god set up for people who don't have access to other religions. But... when two things but heads one or the other must be false.

I belive in one heaven, one hell, and one God... and the ten commandments. If a religion directly conflicts with this (like most tend to do) I would say they are following the wrong path, period. Now, if they believe in somthing similar to the ten commandments a God, and believe in heaven and hell, then it's not my place to judge... I'm not God.

To Strangler:

I have read that before, and there is no excuse for it. Osama is muslim and he does directly follow the Koran. Most movie stars and athletes who are islam were trying to say that that isn't what the Qur'an speaks of, and that Osama follows a peverted form of thier religion. Looking at the quotes you just posted it's not hard to believe that he is directly following what the Qur'an says.

Basically what I get from it is... if they follow another religion, and they don't convert, kill them. Directly conflicts with the beliefs of most religions... including my beliefs.

Joeiss 01-21-2003 02:39 PM

Re: Re: Religion
 
Quote:

Originally posted by TheGame
[b]I didn't read many of the other posts, just wanted to comment on this:

There are too many cases in which different beliefs contradict each-other. I mean, Bhudisim and Christianity can't both be right.
That is why I did not say Bhudism. Bhudists do not believe in a supreme being, the just focus on themself, karma, and meditation.

Quote:

I believe that we have no right to judge other religions because they could possibly be other patsh that god set up for people who don't have access to other religions. But... when two things but heads one or the other must be false.
But how do we choose which one is the right one, and which is false? This is why I said that the four religions are just different paths. There is no point in fighting amongst one another when we can all just respect our differences instead of fighting.

Quote:

I believe in one heaven, one hell, and one God... and the ten commandments. If a religion directly conflicts with this (like most tend to do) I would say they are following the wrong path, period. Now, if they believe in somthing similar to the ten commandments a God, and believe in heaven and hell, then it's not my place to judge... I'm not God.
Are you Jewish? Or by God do you mean the Holy Trinity, and you do believe Jesus' teachings, right? I am pretty sure you are a Christian, I just want to confirm it because the 4 things you listed can be found in the Jewish Holy Book (sorry, forget what it is called, lol).

Almansurah 01-21-2003 02:41 PM

Quote:

"IX. 5-6: Kill those who join other gods with God wherever you may find them."
This verse is dealing with not killing anyone who is innocent. Why would God want the innocent to be killed for no reason? It defies reason.

The verse is referring to when war becomes inevitable [Read up any commentary on the Qur’an, particularly for us people who don’t understand Arabic, and also just read the verses before, and check what the chapter is dealing with].

So the verse is saying War must be persecuted with complete vigour if WAR is inevitable i.e all democratic options have been exhausted to the brim. In one particular commentary of this verse it is stated ‘According to the English phrase, you cannot fight with kid gloves. The fighting may take form of killing, capture, or siege, or ambush and other stratagems, but even if there is room for repentance and amendment of the part of the guilty party, and if that takes place, our duty Is forgiveness and the establishment of peace.’

So basically this verse is dealing with WAR.

Quote:

"IV.76: Those who believe fight in the cause of God."
You've missed out the verse before it:

And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allâh, and for those weak, ill_treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help."

Quote:

"IV.89: They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper."
This verse is referring to a person who by false pretences comes into the inner counsels of e.g a government, or Islamic state [Khalifah], merely to betray them, he may be rightly treateas as a traitor, and be punished for his treason, if he escapes, he can be treated as an enemy. He is worse than an enemy,he has claimed to be one of you in order to spy on you, and been all the time helping the enemy.

]
Quote:

[b]"IV.74: Let those who fight in the cause of God who barter the life of this world for that which is to come; for whoever fights on God's path, whether he is killed or triumphs, We will give him a handsome reward."[/B
This is referring to a fighter who has left the life of this world, just to please his lord, and fight to defend people, or defend his land, fighting in the cause of Allah. If he is killed, he is termed as a shaeed [A martyr]. So I dont know what you're trying to prove by all these verses? Because there is no mention of violence against infidels.

Quote:

"VIII.39-42: Say to the Infidels: if they desist from their unbelief, what is now past shall be forgiven; but if they return to it, they have already before them the doom of the ancients! Fight then against them till strife be at an end, and the religion be all of it God's."
Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven. But if they return (thereto), then the examples of those (punished) before them have already preceded (as a warning).

If someone stops disbelieving, and starts believing in the correct Lord, with a sincere repentance, and a new change, then he will be forgiven for all his past. And if they continue to disbelieve in Allah, then there have been many nations in the past which have been destroyed......

Professor S 01-21-2003 02:52 PM

Thats all very well and good, but one cannot deny that it is very easy to rationalize violence against non-muslims by using those quotes, and you haven't exactly come out saying that those quotes don't directly inflame violence against "non-believers". There's a thing called tolerance, look into it.

These verses are very easily used to justify any kind of terrorism, and when it is said that all words in the Qur'an are perfected, its hard to argue against that. Literal translation justifies violence. It does not that God/Allah will kill those that are unbelievers, it says that YOU should kill unbelievers. This is not an arguable point.

Many of the calls to violence may seem good intentioned to you, but its all relative. Fanatic Muslim "good intentions" may not coincide with common morality.

Almansurah 01-21-2003 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Strangler
As for non-violence and anti-oppression against women mentioned ealier in this thread:

[4:34] "The men are made responsible for the women, and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. The righteous women will cheerfully accept this arrangement, since it is GOD's commandment, and honor their husbands during their absence. If you experience rebellion from the women, you shall first talk to them, then (you may use negative incentives like) deserting them in bed, then you may (as a last alternative) beat them. If they obey you, you are not permitted to transgress against them. GOD is Most High, Supreme."

Now I understand that the true meaning of this text is that if a man is "forced" to beat his wife, it shows a failure on his part and therefore is more in symbolic favor of the woman, but that doesn't save the woman from a beating at the hands of an incompetant husband or keep her from being forced into a certain lifestyle.

Now I have nothing against Islam on the whole as a religion, but the rhetoric does lend itself to inspiring zeal so much as to create violence at times, and I believe this has to do very much with the literal interpretation of the Qur'an by some sects. To take the Qur'am literally to to endorse the death of all Christians, Jews and other non-muslim people.

Concerning the verse you quoted about 'beating.'

The earliest commentators understood that the hitting was to be light enough, not to leave a mark and should be done with nothing bigger than a miswak (tooth stick). I'm sure you dont know what a miswak is, but it's kind of like a toothbrush, infact it's very soft, it's like a twig, but even thinner than a twig, and very soft, and the 'beating' is not really a 'beating.' It is just like a symbolic gesture. This was also reported in the Sunnah [The way of our prophet peace be upon him]

We also know from the hadiths and sirah (biography) of the prophet (pbuh) that he has always urged men not to abuse or hit their wives. In fact, he is known to have never hit his wives, servants, an animal, or “a thing”.

Allah orders us to live in peace and harmony with our spouses. In Surah 30, verse 21 He says:

*{And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your [hearts]: verily in that are signs for those who reflect.}*

Also, He says in Surah 2, verse 187:
They are your garments and ye are their garments

TheGame 01-21-2003 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
But how do we choose which one is the right one, and which is false? This is why I said that the four religions are just different paths. There is no point in fighting amongst one another when we can all just respect our differences instead of fighting.
Agreed... we shouldn't fight, but that doesn't mean we should respect out differences. I mean, when a person believes that they will go to heaven by running an airplane into a building and killing just because most of the people disagree with thier beliefs, I think that there is a huge problem.

See, I can't get mad at a religion who knows the difference between right and wrong by the bible's standards... A sin is a sin...

Quote:

Are you Jewish? Or by God do you mean the Holy Trinity, and you do believe Jesus' teachings, right? I am pretty sure you are a Christian, I just want to confirm it because the 4 things you listed can be found in the Jewish Holy Book (sorry, forget what it is called, lol).
I'm Christain... and yes, by god I mean the father, the son, and the holy spirit. I think if them as one... and when I refer to "god" I mean the trinity.

Professor S 01-21-2003 03:44 PM

Almansurah, you are doing lot of interpreting of text that is not meant to be interpreted according to your and Shadow Fox's previous posts. I'm sure you don't view this as interpretation, but then again others that view the text quoted as permission to beat their wives savagely probably view their interpretation as the absolute word of Allah. This is shown by the Taliban's frequent beating and submission of women for failing to cover themselves completely and the occurances of western women having rocks and sticks thrown at them. Early commentators aside, while the exact extent of beating remains vague, the endorsement of wife beating is still in the Qur'an and quite clear.

The whole hard line of the Qur'an being absolute truth, void of wasted words and only filled with the perfected speech of Allah lends itself to these abuses. Everyone's interpretation is taken as absolute truth, and there can be NO variation or other interpretation.

At the end of your post you list a quote for the Qur'an where Allah says all should live together in peace, but you can't deny that the posts I quoted exist in the Qur'an and call for violence against disbelievers and the submission of women. Do you still think the Qur'an is devoid of contradictions?

Joeiss 01-21-2003 06:51 PM

Justin, so what do you think will happen to Muslims, Jews and Hindus when they die?

TheGame 01-22-2003 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeiss
Justin, so what do you think will happen to Muslims, Jews and Hindus when they die?
Exactly what the Bible says will happen to them. If anything different happens, it's god's decision. I'm not god, so I can't speculate or judge anybody, I can only go by the words he has given me... period.

Almansurah 01-22-2003 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Strangler
Almansurah, you are doing lot of interpreting of text that is not meant to be interpreted according to your and Shadow Fox's previous posts. I'm sure you don't view this as interpretation, but then again others that view the text quoted as permission to beat their wives savagely probably view their interpretation as the absolute word of Allah. This is shown by the Taliban's frequent beating and submission of women for failing to cover themselves completely and the occurances of western women having rocks and sticks thrown at them. Early commentators aside, while the exact extent of beating remains vague, the endorsement of wife beating is still in the Qur'an and quite clear.

The whole hard line of the Qur'an being absolute truth, void of wasted words and only filled with the perfected speech of Allah lends itself to these abuses. Everyone's interpretation is taken as absolute truth, and there can be NO variation or other interpretation.

At the end of your post you list a quote for the Qur'an where Allah says all should live together in peace, but you can't deny that the posts I quoted exist in the Qur'an and call for violence against disbelievers and the submission of women. Do you still think the Qur'an is devoid of contradictions?

No I am not interpreting the text. I am just reading the Qur'an, in what context it was revealed. The Qur'an was revelead in 23 years, and different verses were related on different events, for example some of the verses you quoted about 'Killing' is related to one of the battles called Hunain.

And concerning Taliban's frequent beating of women [I dont want to really talk about politics, and enter this field, since we'll just go round in circles], but just because you've seen a few pictures on TV of that happening, doesn't mean that the whole Taliban were like that. What about their good points, 100% Peace to the areas which were in internal strife, complete wipeout of drugs....but anyway, as I said I dont want to enter this discussion, since it's about religion. But remember, there are always 2 sides to a story.

The Qur'an is devoid of any contradictions, if you think what you posted are contradictions, then i've just gotta say, that those verses dealing with 'killing' are related to war, and peace is related to when there is no war, or a need of war. Just read it up in the context the chapter is in, and you will see.

Professor S 01-22-2003 05:42 PM

Ok, I see your points, but I can't agree with them. I still see the contradictions that you don't. Seaparating religious ideaology into separate "peace" and "war" philophies being one of them.

As for the Taliban's "good" points, I think you're REALLY stretching it there, even to the point of absurdity. As for whiping out drugs, wasn't Afghanistan's main agricultural product Poppy Plants which are used to make Opium? And what good is curing internal strife if it means the subjugation of your own people? The ends don't necessarily justify the means.

The more I look the more contradiction I see, even if you don't.

And I wasn't referring to a few pictures I saw on TV, but to a full length documentary made by an investigative journalist who went undercover for a year as an Afghany woman under a Burka (sp?). I'll try and see if I can find a link to it as it was quite disturbing.

But overall you have your view and I have mine, and never the twain shall meet it appears. I think we've both given each other a good amount to think about, though. Good discussion.:)

Almansurah 01-23-2003 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Strangler
Ok, I see your points, but I can't agree with them. I still see the contradictions that you don't. Seaparating religious ideaology into separate "peace" and "war" philophies being one of them.

As for the Taliban's "good" points, I think you're REALLY stretching it there, even to the point of absurdity. As for whiping out drugs, wasn't Afghanistan's main agricultural product Poppy Plants which are used to make Opium? And what good is curing internal strife if it means the subjugation of your own people? The ends don't necessarily justify the means.

The more I look the more contradiction I see, even if you don't.

And I wasn't referring to a few pictures I saw on TV, but to a full length documentary made by an investigative journalist who went undercover for a year as an Afghany woman under a Burka (sp?). I'll try and see if I can find a link to it as it was quite disturbing.

But overall you have your view and I have mine, and never the twain shall meet it appears. I think we've both given each other a good amount to think about, though. Good discussion.:)

Yes, good discussion. Once you've brought the point out into the open, and people reject it, even though you've tried, then that decision is up to them. As it says in the Qur'an 'La Kum Di Na Kum Wa Liya Deen', To you your religion, To me mine.

May God guide us all.

mickydaniels 04-01-2003 11:53 AM

No wonder people don't like talking about religion.



But the Bible does say few are the ones finding the way of life...

Professor S 04-01-2003 11:56 AM

Me? I worship the PHANTOM... I33T!~!!!!!~!~!!@!11!!@!1

The Duggler 04-01-2003 01:52 PM

Man, I wish I saw this thread earlier... Anyways here's what I think about religion.

The human race is too stupid and unevolved to realize that religion is nothing more than fairy tales invented centuries ago. It's the source of most problems and alots of wars.

Here's one of my favorite quote. I think it's from a guy called George Carlin
Quote:

"When it come to fooling people, religion takes the cake. Government and buisnesses stand in awe of the massive power of religion. Now, let me tell you why. Religion has people fooled that there is a man. Now this man, he lives in the sky, and nobody can see him, but he can see everything you do. In fact, he watches you to make sure you don't do 1 of the 10 really bad things. And if you do any of those things, then he's made a place for you. It's full of fire, burning, torture, rape, pain, anguish, and punishment, and you will go there forever if you break the rules.

.....But he loves you, and he needs your money."


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