I'm interested in people's responses to these questions:
What religion are you a member of, and what god(s) do you believe in? How did you reach this conclusion? Besides your faith, what proof do you have that you're correct? What's your view on evolution and teaching it in school? How does that relate to your views on science in general? If you don't accept evolution, what other parts of science do you also reject? Do you believe your god will save humanity from global warming, or do you reject the concept altogether? Describe any encounters you've had with your god, along with any other supernatural or paranormal experiences. What's your view on the soul, reincarnation and the afterlife? What about heaven, hell, the devil, angels? What do you say to the members of other religions who believe differently than you do?
I'm not here to debate any of these issues, because I'm sure I won't be able to convince you one way or the other. Make your responses brief and readable, don't try to obfuscate things, and use your best spelling and grammar.
What's your view of the sacred text of your religion, its infallibility and how do you reconcile its errors, inconsistencies and the things it says that are totally at odds with today's values?
And let me add that I understand and respect people's need for, and belief in, their religion. I'll give you my view in brief: Religion is something man invented to help explain the world, make our lives more meaningful, and provide a framework for life. As such, there is no god, but that doesn't mean religion is completely wrong. Whatever your religion, having faith is never a bad thing, until it impacts someone else. I believe the institution of religion is just as imperfect as everything else humans have done, but on the whole more good than harm is done by religion.
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I'm interested in people's responses to these questions:
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Peace be upon you.
Isn't there a similar thread to this?
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What religion are you a member of, and what god(s) do you believe in?
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Islam. I believe in the same God as the Jews, Christians, Muslims, Bahais and so on. I believe in Allah.
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How did you reach this conclusion?
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Research.
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Besides your faith, what proof do you have that you're correct?
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Hundreds of proof. Mainly the Quran, the holy text of Islam, has hundreds of miracles. Go to Muslim websites and look them up. The most recent one i read was about Iram (i think that's the correct spelling?).
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What's your view on evolution and teaching it in school?
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My friend loves evolution and keeps trying to convince me it's true. I almost believed in it, but then came onto an amazing anti-evolution website which refuted my friend's arguments. I do not believe in evolution. This is not because of my faith in Islam. Evolution is not accepted or rejected by Islam. It is an orthopraxy religion, meaning it is mainly what you do, not what you believe.
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How does that relate to your views on science in general? If you don't accept evolution, what other parts of science do you also reject?
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Hmmm...i'm not sure. I think i accept almost all of science. I don't accept genetically modifiying things or cloning.
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Do you believe your god will save humanity from global warming, or do you reject the concept altogether?
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Global warming is true. Whether Allah will save me from it, is a different matter. It depends when Judgement Day is. Allah's job is not to look out for me. I'm on earth to be tested to see how much i love Him. Therefore if i suffer a bit, it should be expected.
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Describe any encounters you've had with your god, along with any other supernatural or paranormal experiences.
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Two dreams:
1) I fasted my first Ramathan. I had a dream i was fighting this huge monster (satan), and i could only have power by fasting. I defeated the monster and came to a garden where there were huge unimaginable fruits.
I know this dream is special.
2) When i became unreligious, God played Day of Judgement in my head.
I also have a feeling of God watching me.
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What's your view on the soul, reincarnation and the afterlife?
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That's too long to explain. If you want to find out, PM me.
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What about heaven, hell, the devil, angels?
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All exist. But it should be noted in Islam, the devil is the figure of monstrous evil.
Also all painful descriptions of hell are allegorical in Islam.
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What do you say to the members of other religions who believe differently than you do?
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Depends what religion. Many religions have come from God, but been corrupted by its followers.
For Christianity i would show the Christian that the Bible doesn't even support the notion of the trinity. I would then tell the Christian about what really happened with Jesus according to historical fact. I would then show the Christian that the bible is corrupt, and the trinity was invented in the fourth century at the council of Nicea.
For any other religious followers, i would do something similar.
If you wish to find out more, please PM me.
may God bless you.That was a thoughtful posting, loyal, and I learned something valuable about Islam. Thank you and peace be with you.
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| What religion are you a member of, and what god(s) do you believe in? |
Christianity, and more specifically I am Roman Catholic. I belive in God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God).
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| How did you reach this conclusion? |
I was raised Catholic and liked the idea. I've researched many other religions and denominations of Christianity, none match up to my beliefs quite like the Catholic Church.
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| Besides your faith, what proof do you have that you're correct? |
Look outsided and around you, there is proof of God in everything. Every drop of water, every blade of grass, every leaf on a tree, every pebble and grain of sand. The existence of God, to me, is much more rational than saying this all happened by accident.
If I took apart a watch, and threw it up in the air - what are the chances that all the parts would land exactly where they need to be, and the watch would work. Not much, if any chance - and that is basically my justification for God.
The rest of it comes from the Bible and its miracles.
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| What's your view on evolution and teaching it in school? |
I do not believe in the theory of evolution (that man came from monkeys), but I do know that creatures evolve. I once questioned about theistic evolution, in that God created the monkeys and we evolved from them, but decided it didn't line up with my beliefs well.
As for teaching it in schools, I feel it is totally acceptably - only if they are willing to teach both sides of the argument, which means Creationism as well.
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| How does that relate to your views on science in general? |
I feel that both religion and science do their share in explaining the way things work. There is a point where science ends and religion begins, and I accept both. Even if the science or religion doesn't match mine, I at least respect it.
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| If you don't accept evolution, what other parts of science do you also reject? |
None that I can really think of at this time, although there probably are a few others that aren't coming to me.
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| Do you believe your god will save humanity from global warming, or do you reject the concept altogether? |
I believe that global warming is a completely natural process. Humans may be speeding it up, and it wouldn't hurt to cut down emissions, but it's still natural. And because it is totally natural and acceptable, yes I believe that God will "save humanity from global warming."
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| Describe any encounters you've had with your god, along with any other supernatural or paranormal experiences. |
Mostly through dream and inimate prayer and conversation with God. It's hard to explain unless you've felt it, I can just feel God's presence everywhere. It's a wonderful feeling, really.
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| What's your view on the soul, reincarnation and the afterlife? |
I could get into pretty deep explaination here, but I'll keep it basic. For one, I don't believe in reincarnation. You are given one life, an eternal life. God even tells us he knew us before we were in the womb. So we are placed on this earth (body and soul) to practice our worship for God, and to "win" our place in Heaven after we die here.
After death, you are judged by Jesus (God) and sent either to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. Purgatory exists as a place where you "serve your time" if your sins aren't bad then you are sent here before your entrance into Heaven. It's similar to limbo, but not.
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| What about heaven, hell, the devil, angels? |
All exist. Heaven is paradise, and our promised salvation if we believe in God and Jesus. Hell exists as eternal seperation from God, and I do believe that the Hell we know in the Bible is figurative.
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| What do you say to the members of other religions who believe differently than you do? |
I'm cordial and inviting, explaining to them what I believe, and listening. I try to get them to accept Jesus, but I am not a Bible-thumping Christian who will force it down your throat. Your belief in God must be your own choice, and not forced upon you.
Besides, I like to learn - so it's always refreshing to hear others' ideas.
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What's your view of the sacred text of your religion, its infallibility and how do you reconcile its errors, inconsistencies and the things it says that are totally at odds with today's values?
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The Bible gives a clear message, and I acknowledge some contradicitons within it. But I'm not naive enough to think that when you have many people writing over hundreds of years about the same story, some things will contradict, but the basic idea is there.
In closing, I would like to say that I acknowledge a difference in religion and spirituality. Man-made religion isn't 100% correct, because it is naturally flawed (created by man). You will never find a religion that you completely 100% totally agree with, which is where spirituality comes in - your own personal religion.
I hope that makes sense.
God bless!
