Coach,

Just a comment re poor old me.

Point 2: I studied the Bible and have two copies in Arabic at home.
I studied it through the Bible Society of Egypt...and no...I didn't see the things you are seeing.

Question: what is it with people like you who are in complete denial that Muslims read the bible and still does not make sense to them...? Is it ego?

btw, I noticed in an earlier posting you quoted the Quran saying 'they blaspheme' (5:73), the meaning interpretation is 'they disbelief' so I now know you have one of these 'missionary special' translations to brianwash the faithful on sundays.

Anyway, we all need to think.I happen to believe 'absolute truth' is a very personal conviction..

Peace,

As believers in One God we must stop thinking of Him in terms of a being, if our image of Him has spatial dimensions. God is the eternal Spirit whose presence is perfect character, actions and attitudes. So it's in these terms we must recognise God. He interacts with our conscience, desires and behaviour with the purpose of producing purity and strength of character, faith, hope, and contented peace. Demonstrated in acts of love, sacrifice, mercy, grace, forgiveness, care, provision, valour, courage and perseverance etc. In other words God is most evident when the aspects of human character is moral creating blessing for all people with devotional attention to the highest calling of humanity. We admire the attributes of His character that have been demonstrated incarnate in man who emulate Him.

The worship and praise of God is not focused in a being, supposedly up above the heavens, it should be focused in His character and actions as demonstrated in human history, and personal life. We do not worship the creature; we worship the agreed perfect character - one God. Faith in God is not a doctrine that is to be memorised it is a character that is to be lived. A doctrine about there being one God [monotheism] is irrelevant and divisive if there is no agreement as to the nature of his character, if such admirations of what is His character cannot be agreed upon. That is why Christians uphold the character of Christ as the nature of very God incarnate that is to be the human template for all men. In a world where gods exude oppressive power over people, Christ came as a servant to all people. However God is not there for manipulation as our servant, but he is expressed in our human character as blessing and caring for others, especially the weak, sick, and vulnerable; empowering, healing, and showing grace.

In a true Biblical world-view anyone behaving outside the example lived by Christ (as the character of God) is not worshipping the true God even if they tag themselves as Christian or any religion

My only wish is that if you want to live here, live by our rules and lifestyle - if you want to wear full headress, not listen to music, raise your kids badly then do it in your country not mine. Australia has a good vibe, good people (look at Steve Irwin) and a good culture WHICH IS CHRISTIAN! so if you don't like it go home and stop trying to change us - you will never do it nor will you make us feel insecure in our own country.

I don't consider myself racist but I must say that in the last couple of years my opinion has changed and I find myself somewhat looking the other way and crossing the street for fear of being bashed, yelled at or blown up if I see a mulim walking down the street!

Sorry but that's what your people have done for us - what else have you done lately for the country that has taken you in? Well seems to me that you simply throw it all back in our face and shun us! Well no more I say - bugger off back from whence you came so we can all be happy. I have had enough of it and don't want to be involved with ANY of you anymore.

Not happy......................

I just wanted to say how impressed I was with Shakira's comments on Insight. She really came across as one of the most sensible people they had on. I am not Muslim myself but have a lot of Muslim friends (both Lebanese-Australian Muslim women from Sydney and Indonesian Muslim friends from when I lived in Jakarta). Some wear hijab (or jilbab as it is called in Indonesia) and some do not. All are modern career women and don't seem any more repressed or downtrodden than any other women in Australia. In fact, they tend to be quite enlightened about womens issues and have thoughtful discussions about things like gender roles in the home, the workplace etc. None have any problems with people of other faiths and are able to intelligently discuss areas of commonality between the Islamic and Christian faiths (in a way that many Christians cannot). I deplore attitudes such as those expressed by Bronwyn Bishop and her dog-whistling colleagues, many of whom have appalling track records in relation to issues affecting Australia woman (eg, things like abortion, child care, maternity leave etc etc). I would love to know what I can do to make a difference in this awful climate of racism that seems to be engulfing Australian society. It makes me feel terribly disheartened.