Question of faith!!

Wow, that's a pretty interesting theory...Ive heard something along those lines before...

A Russian Physics wrote a book "Worlds in Collision" that takes some of the books in the Bible and shows that such things happened. Such things as Mooses and the Plagues oon Egypt. He shows how Cosmic events caused them. The Great Flood is a recurring thema in many different cultures. The time the sun stood still in the sky, the orientials ahve a ledgen wher the spirtit would not let the sun set, and the Native Americans have a story of the sun not being allowed to rise. It is an excellent book written by a person who does not beleive in religion. It may change how you view the Bible and other historical stories.

Wow, for someone who is not a student of religion you seem to have the basics figured out well...

I try never to do anything halfa$$ed.....it's not my nature.

That is definitely a good thing to live by...can't fault you one bit...

That's pretty much waht my pastor said except for the "whoever you choose to believe in" part. He basically said that it's a matter of my faith and that one day i will meet god and that all those who don't believe as us will go to Hell....that really didn't answer my question and it kept sitting there, molding in my already decrepit brain until tonight...lol

""""According to the Quran, Muslims have "no ground to stand upon."Say: "O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Torah. (sic) The Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." (S.5, A.68) Two of the three pieces of the "ground" are gone. Islam's foundation has been destroyed, if "the Jewish (and Christian) scriptures as they stand cannot be" trusted.""""""""""""""""" its so funny sndcain!! How did you translated Surah Al MAeda chapter 5 verse no 68. Let see what Surah 5 verse no 68 says.. Say (O Muhammad SAW) "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! You have nothing (as regards guidance) till you act according to the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to you from your Lord (the Qur'ân)." Verily, that which has been sent down to you (Muhammad SAW) from your Lord increases in many of them their obstinate rebellion and disbelief. So be not sorrowful over the people who disbelieve."" So God is commanding People of the book(jews and Christain) to act according to the book revealed to them and accept Mohammad and Qoran( final revelation). Otherwise they have no ground to stand. This commandment is for jes and christain not for muslim. """"" Muslims need to take heed to a concept taught in Sura 5, Ayat 66. If only they had stood fast by the Torah, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, . . . (S.5, A.66) If Muhammad had stood fast by the Torah, the gospel, and the prior revelation, he would not have gone astray after this false god, Allah (see below, III. The False God Of The Quran). """""""""""""""""'' Afert reading your post I came to know really you dont have any knowledge of islam. All you have read is from anti islamic website and All you have gain is dark knowledge. Let me explain you chapter no 5 verse no 66. "And if only they (christian and jews) had acted according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Quran), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet. There are from among them people who are on the right course (i.e. they act on the revelation and believe in Prophet Muhammad SAW ), but many of them do evil deeds. " This verse is coming from the mouth of Mohammad(pbuh) and is for Jews and christian. So he was obeying false God? And he has gone astray? So sndcain false god is master of the universe :) sndcain false God is master of the Day of Judgement. :) Poor knowledge you have. Thats all I can say about you. """"To Thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, (S.5, A.48; see also verse 47)"""" Let see surah Al maeda chapter 5 verse no 48 say And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Qur'ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge between them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ. Cleary God is advising Mohammad to judge using the book (Qoran)revealed to him. you would never be able to find a single error in the Qoran. You can twist change and modify. There are so many people on this earth who have their own interpretation. Millions of people have memorised the whole Qoran. Its final revelation for mankind and it will remain unchanged till the End of the day. see 1400 years has gone. No book has revealed and no prophet has come. Mohamad is seal of final prophet and Islam is the only true religion of the world. Finally I will write the following verse of the Qoran: "Verily, proofs have come to you from your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so for (the good of) his ownself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so to his own harm, and I (Muhammad SAW) am not a watcher over you." Take care n bye.

Wow...after reading that it makes me wonder how anyone can believe anything the Quran says...that's pretty much like the defense presenting it's case in a murder trial then having the defendant himself stand up and tell you not to believe anything his own witnesses said...lol...

Yeah, but I've never even picked up and read anything from the Quran...obviously you have some prior knowledge...I'm really looking at getting started on studying it more fully...I am printing out a copy of this discussion and giving it to my pastor...

Oh I agree, and I'm glad you liked the topic...you know sometimes when I start one of these I never know where it's gonna go, but this one has truly made at least several people put some thought into it, and look deep within themselves for an answer, which was one of my main intentions. About the bible, yes what you said is very true, and I always have thought that if we could find a way to translate it from its original languages properly it would probably say a lot of things completely different, not contradictory, but even more affirming.

Yup. I'm looking forward to truly understanding, and yet am grateful for each day alive.

That was an awesome analogy...I never thought of it that way before...the only difficulty i see in that is for a new believer. Someone who has just come into the faith probably hasn't had any relationship with God, let alone a constant one, how would one even explain faith to them? Or would that have to be a faith built over time?

Sorry, I was sick for a while. Faith builds over time as you notice how God helps you in times of trouble. We can just encourage new beleivers to read the Bible and have a quiet time every day with God in order to build that relationship.

Yes I have heard that before, but I guess what I'm really saying is how do we as christians know we have it figured out? I'd surely hate to die and find out that the Buddists had it right and then I'd have to come back as some low level life form, or to find out that Islam was correct and I'd missed out on Nirvana...

I know my God in my heart. I know He is real because He changed my life, and made it meaningful. He healed me of severe asthma. He comforts me by His Holy Spirit when I am sad and discouraged, and soothes my soul. I know Him because I spend time with Him, reading His word, praying, and listening for His Voice. If you do that, you will know the truth.

Very interesting answer...

No problem...I enjoy engaging, thought provoking discussions...

Well, a non-denominational church will be good as long as they teach salvation thru Christ, some non-denominationals kinda get a little out of hand with some of their doctrines...

wow, you sound a lot like my mom...she is 79, went to Bible College in Allentown, PA and got her degree in Theology. Usually if I have a question regarding reigion I can ask her. She was taught to read hebrew and had a copy of the Torah written in hebrew as well as a copy of te Quran, the Holy Bible in several different translations, and a catholic bible. To go along with this she also has several sets of commentaries. She chose at a very early age to follow the wys of Christianity, and is probably the most devout person I have ever known. She has taught me a lot, yet there is so much I still do not know.

Well, that certainly is one option I guess..

ok that was just completely uncalled for... In the words of my little buddy...eesa21(pbuh) "REPORTED!!"

umm..I do believe, you just keep typing and the "little box" will get scrollbars as the text gets to be more than what the box will hold..just hitenter a couple of times to create a blank line seperating paragraphs or trains of thought...

Shoreboy! Thank you for your quick response to my question! I'm a long way from a doctorate in Computer Savvy as you can tell! Maybe You'll let me stretch your patience and allow me to ask one more??... "Is there a simpler way, besides seemingly endless scrolling page after page, to view responses to things said by each of us in discussions? They're not under messages or in disc. responded to. Thank you, again, for your help. Grandy3

sndcain: can you tell me how to write longer entries beyond the size of the "little box"?? I've been doing it by filling out 2,3 or more little boxes! I'd love to get into this mix! Tx. You can reach me at gailjkennedy@earthlink.net. Request enty. Grandy3

huh?

You know there is so much truth to that....as I believe sndcain has said in the past, organized religion is really not to be trusted, as it is man-made. My faith is based on the principles of christianity, but I also believe that God is in everything we see. To be close to God one needs only speak to him and he will hear.