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My Faith: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), from Catholic to Muslim
CNN ^ | 9/1/11 | Chris Welch

Posted on 09/02/2011 9:07:47 AM PDT by marshmallow

Minneapolis, Minnesota (CNN) –Prior to 2006, few people even knew that then-Minnesota state legislator Keith Ellison was a Muslim. Because of his English name, he said, no one thought to ask.

But five years ago, when he ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives - a race he would go on to win - word of his religious affiliation began to spread.

“When I started running for Congress it actually took me by surprise that so many people were fascinated with me being the first Muslim in Congress,” said Ellison, a Democrat now serving his third term in the House.

“But someone said to me, ‘Look Keith, think of a person of Japanese origin running for Congress six years after Pearl Harbor–this might be a news story.’”

Though Ellison's status as the first Muslim elected to Congress is widely known, fewer are aware that he was born into a Catholic family in Detroit and was brought up attending Catholic schools.

But he said he was never comfortable with that faith.

“I just felt it was ritual and dogma,” Ellison said. “Of course, that’s not the reality of Catholicism, but it’s the reality I lived. So I just kind of lost interest and stopped going to Mass unless I was required to.”

It wasn’t until he was a student at Wayne State University in Detroit when Ellison began, “looking for other things.”

(Excerpt) Read more at religion.blogs.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Islam; Theology
KEYWORDS: blackmuslims; islam; keithellison; muslim
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To: smvoice

But, please, use the standard by which Catholics are held.

Book and verse where it says that the written word is placed above His name.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In a word, the Word is Jesus, not Scripture.


2,601 posted on 09/10/2011 5:26:23 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: metmom

Well put!


2,602 posted on 09/10/2011 5:28:56 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: Not gonna take it anymore; CynicalBear; smvoice; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; ...
smvoice:Enoch was important enough for God to mention his bodily assumption. Elijah was important enough for God to mention his bodily assumption.

And yet...Mary's bodily assumption is never mentioned.

THAT'S why it's important. If He thought Enoch and Elijah important enough to mention, why would He not have mentioned Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Co-Redeemer, Mediatress of all Grace, etc., etc.??

Ngtia: Maybe God thought we would be intelligent enough to realize Mary’s Assumption.

That is sheer desperation speaking there.

It's really pathetic to see the lengths Catholics will go to justify a teaching or doctrine which is totally and completely incapable of being supported by Scripture.

2,603 posted on 09/10/2011 5:30:29 PM PDT by metmom (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, & do not submit again to a yoke of slavery)
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To: MarkBsnr
You do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am not the one claiming to be, or supplant, Jesus Christ in arranging my own salvation.

Well sure you are...You've admitted many times that you must wait til it's all over to find out if you were good enough for salvation...

So let's get specific then...Are you indwelt with the Holy Spirit??? Yes or no???

2,604 posted on 09/10/2011 5:35:10 PM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: Natural Law

Gee, think the Apostles thought these new Christians were to submit to their authority?

Reading the letters which follow the Gospels and Acts, it would certainly seem that they felt pretty comfortable telling people what to believe and how to act and live as Christians.


2,605 posted on 09/10/2011 5:35:27 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: Not gonna take it anymore
>> After all I had called myself a Presbyterian all my life.<<

There ya go! You’re identifying the organization you belong to as what you are. You’re doing the same thing now. You identify yourself as Catholic. It’s not the church that saves you nor is it the church that makes you a Christian. You could have become a Christian without any ties to any organized church. A Christian is one who has accepted Christ as their savior not an association with an organization.

>> I thank God every single day that He made me Catholic.<<

I thank God every day He made me a Christian.

2,606 posted on 09/10/2011 5:37:08 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: metmom

Wow, sounds like no mercy there.

Glad I’m Catholic. Mercy in abundance. Thanks be to God.


2,607 posted on 09/10/2011 5:38:48 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore
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To: bronx2
Let us analyze wheat admissions have been entered. Most are proud to have crammed five and a half years of learning into four but you are to first to take pride in cramming four years of study into five and a half years. Is this some attempt to reach a level of humility demanded by Jesus in Mt 23:12?

C'mon, where's your sense of humor? If I could have afforded it, I would have completed a BA (four years) but since I paid my entire way through, it took me longer to complete the required semester hours needed for the degree. Do ya get it now???

2,608 posted on 09/10/2011 5:40:30 PM PDT by boatbums ( God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: MarkBsnr
I’m just going to ignore your word semantics.

>>But if we sin, that is a condition in which we reject it.<<

So you think your salvation depends on your actions? Oh my! The statement from scripture that even our best is still as filthy rags to God must give you nightmares. If it doesn’t it should.

2,609 posted on 09/10/2011 5:41:29 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: CynicalBear

I thank God every single day that I am a Catholic. Why? Because Christ is at the center of my life.

The Catholic Church (The First Church of Christ, founded by Him, protected by Him and loved by Him) gives me His truth, every single day of my life.

And I am so grateful.


2,610 posted on 09/10/2011 5:43:49 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore
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To: metmom
It's really pathetic to see the lengths Catholics will go to justify a teaching or doctrine which is totally and completely incapable of being supported by Scripture.

They have no choice but to do so Metmom. For their instructions on 'what to believe' rests first on what the Vatican says they are to believe, to do otherwise is an affront to the Vatican.

As long as they hold 'the traditions of men' equal to or better than scriptures they cannot budge without opposing Rome. They just do not 'believe' the scriptures are the absolute ultimate authority. Therefore that is doubting Gods word. Thus they fall into all manner of "other" beliefs......just as so many false religions do as well as the cults etc. who follow "traditions of men".

2,611 posted on 09/10/2011 5:46:30 PM PDT by caww
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To: Not gonna take it anymore
Maybe God thought we would be intelligent enough to realize Mary’s Assumption.

***CRINGE***

HaHaHaHaHa...Is that what Aristotle told your religion???

2,612 posted on 09/10/2011 5:47:58 PM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: MarkBsnr
>> And if it is shown to be true?<<

It’s not there Mark. If it were the RCC would have it all over their sites.

2,613 posted on 09/10/2011 5:51:27 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: Not gonna take it anymore
The Catholic Church ...gives me His truth

We, as Protestants, seek His truth 'with' the Lord first and foremost,..... and our Pastors are accountable to us as the members of Christ's body of believers....for what they preach....just as it is written.

Therein is the difference.

2,614 posted on 09/10/2011 5:51:51 PM PDT by caww
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To: metmom

Excuse Me? Desperation?

You know, I hope that when you finally face your final judgement that you can face Jesus with a straight face and say “I dishonored your mother. And I really hope you’re okay with that.”

I wonder what He will say to you.

You used to practice the Catholic faith. I have no idea why you left nor do I care. But you must have learned something.


2,615 posted on 09/10/2011 5:53:46 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore
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To: boatbums

I sure wouldn’t stew about anyones time to get their degrees.....Moses and the Israelites were forty years getting their education.


2,616 posted on 09/10/2011 5:54:18 PM PDT by caww
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To: Not gonna take it anymore

The Church gives you His truth”. Oy! I get mine straight, unfiltered from God’s Holy Word but do as you see fit for you.


2,617 posted on 09/10/2011 5:58:15 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: CynicalBear

And I also get the truth from God’s Holy Word. That would be Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

You want to get it from a book? Hey go for it.


2,618 posted on 09/10/2011 6:12:35 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore
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To: Not gonna take it anymore; metmom
>> I wonder what He will say to you.<<

Haven’t you heard? When Christ paid for our sins He paid in full. Our sins have been removed from us as far as the East is from the West. When we go before God He sees “paid if full” for all our sins. No partial payment or interest due. Christ did not do a partial job. So He’ll say “well done my good and faithful servant”.

2,619 posted on 09/10/2011 6:12:52 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: Jvette
I have posted book and verse 3 times now telling you what God says about His word.

PSALM 138:1,2. How many more times do I need to give this Scripture to you in order for you to understand? Once again, PSALM 138:1,2. The Book of Psalms. Page 613 in my Bible.

You do not seem to understand the word and the Word.

I simply cannot make it any clearer to you.

2,620 posted on 09/10/2011 6:13:48 PM PDT by smvoice (The Cross was NOT God's Plan B.)
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