Mohammad, prophet or cult leader ?

[Guest]

<i>Originally posted by Dan </i><b></b>I studied many religions before becoming a muslim. I actually saw myself more as a Bhuddist. I get to pursue nirvana by however I see fit, following lose guidelines. Sounded good to me. After the rigidity of catholicism, that seemed right up my alley. I looked into it and other religions as well in my pursuit for spiritual fulfillment. Each religion I put myself into the practices that they observed. None really fit. I was curious about Islam but five prayers a day was hard to swallow let alone fasting. I had come to the understanding that I believed in God. I just did not know what next.

This is what I meant by a "Tesco" selection of religion. You shopped around for a religion that suited your needs. Not so much a criticism Dan, just an observation.

<i>Originally posted by Dan </i><b>Bismillah</b>

You have got to be kidding me if you think that I chose Islam because it fits my needs.  You did not really read what I wrote?  Islam in the United States is just about the most difficult religion to practice.  It also requires more of my time and effort than any other religion that I have studied.  How is this fitting MY needs?  

Why is it so difficult to practice your religion in the United States ? What has your location got to do with ?

<i>Originally posted by Dan </i><b></b>

Could you also define cult leader for me?

Also list how Muhammad benifitted by being a prophet.

He was a well off man with a wife that allowed him to follow the spiritual pursuits he wanted.  He had enough leisure time to meditate and reflect for weeks at a time.  He was respected by all of the people of Mecca to the point where he was called upon to settle intertribal disputes.  After prophethood, he had no free time, his fellow people initially hated him for his calling and abused him.  When he died as the most powerful man that Arabia had ever seen, he died without any material possessions.  Everything that was given to him, he gave away to those he saw in more dire need.

I am going to stop here because I feel that I am wasting my time with your questions.  If you really wanted to know things, you would not just take the bits and pieces that feed your opinion and actually find out the full truth of things.

I don't know if we are talking about the same Mohammad then. Sure I see a guy that was capable some truely benevolent acts and at other times, no so much. Hitler was very kind to animals but he didn't seem to care so much for mankind, Jews in particular. So everyone is capable of benevolent acts. Details details, hey ?!

As far a cult leader goes, where is the difference between Mohammad and Marshall Applewhite, leader of the Heavens Gate cult ? He managed to convince about <b>39 people to kill themselves</b> on the back of a story he had concocted about a spaceship.

<i>Originally posted by Dan </i><b></b>

Initially I pegged you as some wannabe pompous  intelectual who surfs the net starting debates just to get off some how.  I now feel differently.  I do not feel you are intellectual at all.

Ah well, I will just have to learn to live with that Dan