Christians eat your hearts out!

Islam may not be so bad.

http://islam.about.com/od/basicbeliefs/p/intro.htm
from JoeUser Forums

I linked the site where I found this information at the top.


People keep saying that they can't vote for Barack Obama because he, among other things, went to a Muslim school when he was a wee boy and that he *gasp* knew/knows muslims.  Or even, that he IS one.  Now I know this isn't the only protestation people have against the poor guy, but let's just examine it for a minute.

 

What is Islam?: The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission." Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed.

-----I don't know, pretty suspicious to me.  Submitting to an Almighty God?  Now THAT doesn't sound like ANY other religion I've ever heard of.  Pretty crazy so far.-----

 

Who is a Muslim?: A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam is called a Muslim, also from the same root word. So, the religion is called "Islam," and a person who believes in and follows it is a "Muslim."

-----Kind of like someone who is LDS being called a Mormon, but that's another story.  If I get into that then people will think I'm an extremist, America hating zealot.  Wait...-----

 

How Many and Where?: Islam is a major world religion, with over 1 billion followers worldwide (1/5 of the world population). It is considered one of the Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths, along with Judaism and Christianity. Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than 10% of Muslims are in fact Arab. Muslims are found all over the world, of every nation, color and race.


-----1 billion!?!?!?  That's the population of China!  Hey wait, these guys just lumped Jews, Christians, and Muslims together!  How dare they!-----

 

Who is Allah?: Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as "God." Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, etc.

Muslims believe that since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Islam holds to a strict monotheism. Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.


-----The Creator?!?!  Like all other Christian religions refer to their deity as "The CREATOR"?!?!  And no saints to pray to.  Less confusing than Catholicsm (sp) at least.----

These are the "Articles of Faith," simplified by that website.

  • Faith in the unity of God----Okay.  I certainly think He's one person.----
  • Faith in angels----Just like everyone else----
  • Faith in prophets-----Like Peter, John the Revelator for Catholics-----
  • Faith in books of revelation---Like Christians believe in the Bible?----
  • Faith in an afterlife---Heaven, Hell, hmm.----
  • Faith in destiny/divine decree----I think/hope you get the idea----

The "Five Pillars of Islam" are my favorites.  :D

-----The Pilgrimage is to Mecca, the Holy City, they are asked to go at least once in their lives.-----

Daily life as a Muslim: While often seen as a radical or extreme religion, Muslims consider Islam to be the middle road. Muslims do not live life with complete disregard for God or religious matters, but nor do they neglect the world to devote themselves solely to worship and prayer. Muslims strike a balance by fulfilling the obligations of and enjoying this life, while always mindful of their duties to Allah and to others.
  • Morals and manners
  • Business ethics
  • Modesty in dress and behavior
  • Dietary rules
  • Marriage
  • Care of children and elderly
  • Racism and prejudice
  • Relations with non-Muslims
----So they try to be nice and civil to others, honest and modest, and strive to have a balance between God and the world.----

----Yep, definitely kill-all-americans terrorists.  Every last one.

 

Hame Hovit.  (my phrase first, SanCho stole it.)

 

 

muslim islam barack obama democrat religion decision 2008 politics
10,327 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
To me, the bottom line is, "so what if he's Muslim? Or Mormon, or Catholic, or any number of other religions?"

the Constitution of the United States says that the president will not be required to take a test of religion to serve, so why is everyone judging him?

Also, every religion has its...extremists. With the Catholics it was the Inquisition, the Baptists its the people with the guns that shoot at poor Mormon missionaries, with the Jews it was the people who murdered Jesus Christ, and I could go on and on. I'm just saying that you shouldn't judge everyone by the actions of a few.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Very well said.

And, have you noticed how many comments you got so far?!!!!!!

But you know what? ... I honestly believe that REAL Christians know that already and have no reason to "eat their hearts out" because the real ones never spread lies and rumors.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top
But you know what? ... I honestly believe that REAL Christians know that already and have no reason to "eat their hearts out" because the real ones never spread lies and rumors.


I agree. I'm a Christian, and I never bought into the islamic stereotype. Personally think that the Old Testament is way more violent than any passages in the koran that I have read. The ideals of the religion have been corrupted by some that claim to belong to the faith, but you could say the same thing about Christianity.

But yeah, you make points that I hope everyone will try and wrap their heads around.
Reply #4 from PolMach Forums Top
But you know what? ... I honestly believe that REAL Christians know that already and have no reason to "eat their hearts out" because the real ones never spread lies and rumors.


I agree. I'm a Christian, and I never bought into the islamic stereotype. Personally think that the Old Testament is way more violent than any passages in the koran that I have read. The ideals of the religion have been corrupted by some that claim to belong to the faith, but you could say the same thing about Christianity.

But yeah, you make points that I hope everyone will try and wrap their heads around.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
The Koran has 519 instances of intolerance.

The Bible, 564.

And?
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I really don't care what his religion is, he could be atheist and it wouldn't matter to me, as long as he isn't pushing it down my throat. What does bother me is his long relationships with various extremists (apparently of many faiths) or at the very least extremist views and his inclusion of these people into his world as if they were family. I won't mention policies as they are outside the scope of the article. Some people will always cast their vote based on religion (is this or is not that) no matter what, that’s from the left or right. But I think while your article helps explain the similarities between religion, the candidate has not defined himself well with the public in general. He came out from nowhere and this environment is ripe for accusation and misrepresentation. It may not be fair but all candidates should know that their lives will be exposed in detail to the public; it’s their responsibility how that image is developed and presented.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
The problem is not that Christians don't understand Islam, it is simply that a portion of the population that doesn't understand the differences between Islam, Islamism, and radical Islamism, happens to be Christian. It is similar to some instances of racism where somebody uses race as the distinguishing characteristic to distinguish in their mind who they should be fearful of.

So what we have is a percentage of the population who would vote a certain way because they don't understand certain religions or religious factions, and political and religious opportunists that use scare tactics to fuel that fear.






Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
But you know what? ... I honestly believe that REAL Christians know that already and have no reason to "eat their hearts out" because the real ones never spread lies and rumors.


I know, I should have been more specific and said something like "All you intolerant jack@$$es that claim to be Christian but don't have a loving bone in your bodies eat your hearts out," but it was too long. And I get more views this way, and I'm kind of a comment whore. ;)

Nitro Cruiser: I understand if you don't like Obama based on things outside of his alleged ties to Islam, but there are a lot of people who A) think he is one, and B) think that being Islam means he's automatically evil.

I just wanted to clear that part up. But if you don't like his policies or attitude or the man himself...well, go ahead. Far be it from me to tell you what to think.