Posted on 02/28/2005 5:27:26 PM PST by TheTruthess
1. They say that Jesus was a prophet sent from God.
2. Prophets sent from God speak the Word of God, and speak it Truthfully.
3. Jesus said He was God (IS God).
So...either Jesus is not a prophet (invalidating their religion), or He was a prophet, AND Messiah, AND God in the Flesh, which also invalidates their religion.
Hmmm.
However disconcerting this statement may be to those who foster the notion of irenicism at all costs, it cannot be refuted. No amount of wishful thinking, ecumania or Assisi-ing will make it so.
To Islam, the Koran is, literally, the word of their god; not a discussion document, non-interpretative and certainly not up for negotiation. For a Christian, to indulge in self-delusion to the contrary is madness. The sole possibility for rapprochment between Christianity and Islam is for the latter to renounce the Koran, the Hadith and the Sira.
If there really is only one God, how can a false God exist?
The Muslim(s) would probably say that the New Testament accounts of Jesus are not accurate, having been corrupted over the years.
If that one God has given you free will, then you are able with it to create in your mind all the gods you wish and give them any history or character as you wish.
Just because thinks something, doesn't make it true, that would just be a figment of their imagination, wouldn't it? How can there be a false God? I don't believe there can be.
Unless the definition of "false god" = the figment of someone's (or some group's) imagination
Thor, for example.
Several possibilities exist:
1) A person could worship nothing at all.
2) A person could worship God, the creator of all that is, and have a correct understanding of His nature.
3) A person could worship God, the creator of all that is, and be (grossly) mistaken about one or more aspects of His nature. I would consider this worshipping God falsely, rather than worshipping a false god.
4) A person could worship some entity or entities which are not God, but are posing (falsely) as god(s). This would constitute worship of a false god.
5) A person could worship a total figment of his own or someone else's imagination, which has no referent in reality. This, also, would constitute worship of a false god.
Note that in 4) above, the false god actually exists; in case 5) above it does not. The term "false god" refers to some thing, entity, or idea which men may put in the place of God, but which is not God.
That's just our definition, that wouldn't make Thor God. I still don't understand the concept of a false god, it seems there can only be one God. It that what is meant in the 10 Commandments...no figments of your imaginations?
Excellent breakdown, AB. Thanks.
Before me could me "considered to be of higher status/stature than me." Or it could mean "in my presence."
I would subscribe to the second, but either will suffice.
Now, that was an era where other peoples and the Israelites had a plethora (whole pantheons) of gods. As arrogant bustard points out, these could be (1) entities treated as gods which really weren't, or (2) imaginary figments.
If someone prays to God, and someone else prays to Thor, (thinking he is God), what does God hear, what is His reaction?
Since God knows everything, he hears someone talking to a figment.
Very well put.
So God must hear the prayers of all, regardless of what religion they are....
God knows everything.
That doesn't mean He approves of everything.
There is a very simple rejoinder to Mr. Siddiqi, which is an extension of the last paragraph of the piece:
I believe in Mohammed as a historical figure, but I don't believe he was a prophet. In fact I believe that he was a madman and a child molester who rose to power through corruption, dishonor and murder.
In fact, it IS possible he was a prophet, but not a prophet of God. There is another power who has sent prophets into this world and will do so again, in an attempt to decieve and destroy men's souls. I reject him and all his works.
Admin Moderator: if you consider this post out of bounds, please remove it - however, I know for a fact (having been married to a Baha'i for 28 years) that this is a mirror of how Muslims preach their revisionist Jesus
Only according to the New Testament, which the Muslims say was deliberately distorted.
They also say that Jesus survived the crucifixion and ended up in Arabia.
Not the same Jesus at all.
No, but it seems that it would be safe to say that when a non-Christian prays to God, and what they pray for comes to fruition, then they can feel that God has answered their prayers.
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