Tennyson

I am familiar with Christian theology and understand its theories.
The point I was making to Coach was:

a) he missed the point of the article that we should work together towards a better world rather than his my 'God is better than yours'.

b) to get him to understand that religions are just ways of worship: absolute truth is personal and not universal. Thats why there are Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and atheists each strongly believe in their faith. No religion replaced its predecessors.

All the best,
FH

Tennyson

Disregarding the author’s age for a minute, let’s not belittle her attempt no matter how idealistic it may sound. Idealism is not necessarily a bad thing if similar theories have been proven once before and have been put into practice.

Take for example the fact that Muslims and Jews have lived peacefully in the region formerly known as Palestine for years before the state of Israel was ever created. Then take the author’s example of Saladin’s tolerance of non-Muslims despite previous wars fought by Christians against Muslims.

To indulge in more historical detail (when the topic is in fact about Lebanon, religion, the current invasion and the crusades) would mean the author would have to write a thesis. Clearly you don’t expect a thesis having accused the author of submitting a school project.

“The utter unity which the eternal Son has with the eternal Father…'Salvation is from the Jews'.. and then he poured out his life, so that it would be so, through forgiveness, and peace, flowing to us - now!”

Sounds like someone is doing a bit of nonsensical rambling – School teacher would give you 0 for that!

Why should the fact that certain beliefs about monotheism (No God but Allah) be a hindrance to religious tolerance? The origins of that belief must be analysed in context. Mohammed was not just dealing with Christians and Jews but many people of pagan religions with many gods. Islamic monotheism wasn’t revolutionary but reinforced the same message as its predecessors. Ask the red neck Evangelical Americans what they have in common with Islam and they’ll tell you “nothing”.

So who exactly says that the Muslims want to wipe out anyone who doesn’t believe in the same God? Utter nonsense! All religions promote the understanding of Love. Love one another, love God. What makes you think religion can’t be used as a tool to promote peace? I believe it’s the best vehicle to promote tolerance.

The Jewish State of Israel is more secular than you think. Most Orthodox Jews do not associate themselves with the State.

Case in point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RjnvQHWyLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWrAK4P-w3U&mode=related&search=

The Devil wrote

"...they are a divided people, the region is very much divided, and the people are being consumed by corrupt dictators"

Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland? Apparently not in this case. But the cap certainly fits.

It amazes me that otherwise sane and intelligent people cannot see that organized religion is nothing less than an evil, and a blight upon all of our lives.

The problem is not even limited to the fundamentalists, as Yasouna proposes. It is contained within the very concept of religion itself.

Necessarily, in order to attract followers and to propagate its belief systems, a religion has to be exclusive - i.e. to specifically exclude those who choose not to participate in its rites and rituals. This automatically creates an "us and them" disparity, which allows the next stage to assert itself: follow my leader.

And leaders will make rules, simply in order to subjugate and control their flock. One of these rules, inevitably, is that all other religions are evil except mine. (Are you listening Boaz? Coach?)

Given any pair of religions, this promotes conflict. Given multiple religions, each with a number of subgroupings within it that incubate additional fears and hatreds, the problem becomes exponential.

Sadly, even if we were suddenly to wake up to discover that there is, in fact, only one religion, the result would only be oppression and dictatorship. The religious elite has always got its jollies from telling the proles how they can and cannot live their lives. We can all envisage how exciting our existence would become, under their interpretations of holy writ.

This would in turn encourage rebellion, and form the seeds from which new religions or anti-religions would emerge.

So the only answer is to outlaw all religions, once and for all.

Or am I missing something?

Yup, Pericles I'm afraid you are missing something.

Your solution is to outlaw religion -

Before I continue, let me state I'm an avowed agnostic - and while some think that is a copout stance, let me tell you it isn't, it's just a realisation that you can't confirm religion one way or another, so it's foolish to say one is right - or wrong, as atheists do.

You can't simply outlaw religion, no matter how stupid it may be. For starters, religion thrives on oppression. Take a look at the roots of christianity. Or if you want a modern example, take a look at how keen the oppressed are on Islam.

Secondly, it's wrong. religion mightn't be right, but to prevent it certainly isn't. You have to start cracking down, and take a look at how the Chinese Communist party is behaving with the falun gong. Is that the road you want to take?

We can only educate people, and try to discourage them from imprinting their religous beliefs on their children.
That's the root of this problem - passing ingrained superstitions onto the next generation.

Yasouna,

1. Being a catholic does not make you a disciple of Jesus - if you believe that Allah can also save you like Jesus does. That is religious pluralism.
2. Eli, Elohim, may sound like Allah but has nothing in common. The word Allah was introduced to the Arabic bible centuries after Islam came to the scene. Allah was the name of a pagan Idol Worshipped by the Meccans even before Mohammad was born. His father’s a pagan was named Abd-Allah.
3. Jesus also told Peter “get behind me Satan…”. Jesus did not mean a church building when he said on this "rock" I will build my church… Peter is Simon’s nick name meaning stubborn like a rock. So-despite-our-weaknesses-the-church-which-is-the-body-of-Christ- will-prevail-for-ever,-until-He-returns-in-full-Glory-to-take-the-born-again-Christians-away-and-judge-the-rest.
4. Yes Mohammad was rejected in Mecca but started his conquest in Madinah.The Muslem calendar started with the migration (al-hejrah) to Madinah.
5. The barbaric nature of Islamic teaching is well recorded in the Qur’an. A true Muslem is a fighter for Allah.
6. The three religions in the Middle East are equally guilty and all capable of the same acts of revenge and atrocity. We have seen that in the 25 years of civil war in Lebanon for example. This is why I follow Jesus and not a Religion.
7. We agree on the last point that Islam cannot exist under any other regime but Allah’s theocracy. This is why Islam is aiming for world domination for survival. Islam is numerically growing at twice the rate of all other religions and governments put together.

Israel wants but to exist in peace. Her neighbours want to get rid of her and dump her in the sea. Where is your Christian compassion? Where is the Islamic compassion towards their Palestinian brothers and sisters?

Peace is just a dream for the world today as long as we have an arogant Islamic movement and an ignorant world to match.

Syncretism is not a solution either–it-is-a-hypnotic-form-of-delusion-let’s all be friends and forget that Jesus is the ONLY way to God.

Wake up – and may God open your eyes to his love and truth.

TurnRightThenLeft - I really enjoy reading your posts and I agree with everything you've said.

Coach,

a) "The word Allah was introduced to the Arabic bible centuries after Islam came to the scene. “

So?? It means "God" now. Deal with it.

b) "if you believe that Allah can also save you like Jesus does. That is religious pluralism"

Defintion of Pluralism: A system that includes individuals from groups differing in basic background experiences and cultures. Pluralism allows for the development of a common tradition while preserving the right of each group to maintain its cultural heritage. It implies mutual respect.

Mutual respect is what Yasouna has suggested. Nowhere does he suggest that all Catholics must believe in Allah. But most Catholics do believe in God so I don't get your point? It's the SAME God. All three religions believe in the same God.

Where does Jesus say one must not show tolerance for other religions? If anything he promoted this position. It is Fox News and other evangelical fundamentalists who falsify the true meaning of Christianity.

- What's your point about Medina?

- "The barbaric nature of Islamic teaching is well recorded in the Qur’an. A true Muslem is a fighter for Allah"

Wrong wrong wrong. Show me the proof of this in the Qur'an.

- "This is why I follow Jesus and not a Religion."

If you are a follower of Jesus then I renounce my Christian faith. To hell with it, if your views are synonymous with that of Jesus then show me the nearest temple of Buddha, I'm converting!

- If you think 25 years of civil war in Lebanon were caused by religion then you obviously haven't read the article. Maybe you didn't get past the first line.

- You just sprouted Zionist propaganda - Who wants to throw who in the sea? The people who are actually killing the Arabs in Israel or the Iranians who have not touched a hair on the heads of their Jewish community?

Solid proof - Giveth.