Quote:Just a quick note on Islam and common comments made by christians about their faith.
A day or 2 ago someone joined the forum and proceeded to post vile pornographic material in the site.
A comment was made "he/she is not a christian". This is a common response by those defending their faith.
Peace.....
Since I am the one who made the above comment, I thought it best that I reply. While sitting here thinging about what exactly to say and how best to express it so that thoughts are clearly exchanged, it occured to me that these are the major issues between people of differing faiths. People assuming they know about a particular faith without actually taking the time to study from someone who practices it. AND those who constantly feel the need to compare their faith with others.
There are christians who sin, and there are people who, according to their actions, mark them as not being Christians. The Bible teaches us:
Romans 16:17 - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18 - For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
And we are futher taught:
1st John 2:18 - Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1st John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Quote:All Praise and thanks to Allah that our religion is one of mercy. If a muslim were to do something like that it would be a sin but not grounds for expulsion from the religion. Even if he were to slay a million people it would not expell him from the mercy of Allah. He would probably be in big trouble, but he's still muslim. Only Allah can judge.
Faris, on this I agree with you, only God can judge, and his judgement was already clearly laid out in the Bible. It is that standard the Christian uses to measure the actions of a person. Am I ridged in my stance? Yes. Does it not leave room for forgivness? Not at all:
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Quote:In fact if we are to ever call a muslim a kafir (non-believer) on the day of Judgement that "hat" will sit on someone's head. If the brother we call a "kafir" turns out to be true - o.k. But if it be untrue then we will be labelled the kafir (unbeliever). Scary stuff.
Alright, I'll conceed this point and say it would have been better expressed if I stated his actions are not the actions of a believing Christian.
Quote:Didn't Jesus warned the 'followers of the way' that if they call their brother a fool they themselves are in danger of the fire of hell?
No Faris, what was actually stated was:
Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to
his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee;
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
The context of the instuction was being angry with your brother without cause and asking God to forgive your sins when you haven't sought forgivness from your brother. That is why it is always important to place verses in their proper context so that the proper understanding is received.
Quote:This is the grounds for expulsion from Allah's mercy -
<b><i>Surely Allah does not forgive shirk (associating any partner with Him - e.g. Jesus); and may forgive sins other than that if He so pleases. This is because one who commits shirk with Allah, does indeed invent a great sinful lie. 4.48</i></b>
There's much I could say about the above verse, but I'll keep it simple in saying, Christians don't associate partners with God, Jesus Christ is God:
1st Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Jesus himself taught:
John 14:5 - Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 - If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 - Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 - Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Shamms