.....or even a 1st century king, eh steven? Jesus was a king, but not a Herod king, a David king, different bloodline. hence the question, "are you king of the Jews?"

Bugsy,

I'm reasonably sure the seventh century tribal chieftain existed. He may even have been responsible for some of the rants and (mis)deeds attributed to him.

But I'm certain as it is possible to be about something that allegedly happened 2,000 years ago that no first century itinerant preacher rose from the dead. In fact I would require an extra-ordinary level of proof to be convinced that anybody has ever risen from the dead.

Well Steven, if you are really interested, then I should point you in the direction of Barbara Thiering's work, especially "Jesus the Man". Extremely interesting stuff, including the idea that jesus was by no means an itnerant preacher, oh no, he was a king with a very peculiar birthday for various background reasons, which had caused quite some controversy during his lifetime and even more after!

But this is of course nothing to do with the thread at hand, but then again, the religions today have not much to do with the real message of their originators either.

"There was a time when religion ruled the world. It was known as the Dark Ages". I don't know who said it but I wish it was me.

Irfan

I know you are reading these comments. So - I would like to congratulate you on a very well written article.

Irfan,

How could you bluntly deny the basic principle of your religion? And then say: “Certainly that is what I have been taught.”?

The rest of us watch, study, compare, then decide.

Not once anywhere did we find any hint that State affairs are to be separate from daily living in Islam.
As a matter of fact there is no word in Arabic for “SECULAR”.

Unfortunately for Islam is that Utopia was never to be fully realised – hence Jihad – the continual bloodshed wherever Islam exists.

Integration into new societies is so very painful because TRUE Islam cannot submit to any other authority but Allah’s.

Islamic Law is the only way a Muslim knows how to live; two words define their lives: halal and harram.

That is why Australia cannot have Sharia LAW. It is dualism. We do not want to make the same mistakes the UK and many other EU countries made succumbing to the un-integrables whinge.

Listen to people like Hirsi Ali instead of stoning her with your insults and threats.

FREEDOM is a precious gift from God.
With Allah it is “do as you’re told because Allah and his prophet know best.”

AIME,

Wow, reading your kind of history is like being there. I can’t wait to read your spin on ‘Christmas day’

As to trying to convert you. No I leave that to God, He is the one who created you – He gave you your precious eyes, through which you now see YOUR truth. That's Freedom!


Oliver asks:

>> If God is all powerful, why was substitutionary ransom even necessary? Would say God cannot forgive sin without Attonement. If so, It is not God. <<

Don’t worry about it mate – this stuff is only for the sinners. You (like Aime) obviously do not subscribe to that race yet.