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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: Avalon Hussar
< Say, wasn't there a command by a fairly famous Rabbi about not bearing false witness? Can't put my finger on it, but I'm pretty sure He did say something about that, well He did before the Romans crucified Him. Maybe you could look Him up sometime, He's even had a book or two written about His life and times. Check in your library for "Holy Bible", I'm pretty sure that a Catholic Church library would have one of those.

What did that rabbi say about calling those who honor His mother a Mary-Ishtar Goddess worshipping cult? Time and time again? Not just once, but repeatedly. When it is clearly not true. I guess you believe it, though, I've never seen you ask the stalker to stop. When did you ever reprove him for posting to me? Never, that's when.

561 posted on 09/05/2011 8:31:48 AM PDT by Judith Anne ( Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: boatbums
In a perverse sort of way, heretics were partially responsible for the formation of the NT canon. They motivated the church to identify - and eventually canonize - the true works of the Apostles. These heretical movements, therefore, had a "collective" influence on the setting of the canon.[Gamb.NTC, 65]

That is quite good, except that I would take exception to the identification of 'true works of the Apostles'. We know of many changes during the first 400 years and that some Scripture wasn't written until AD 150 or so. It was what the Church harmonized Scripture into being. Don't forget that the baptismal formula in Matthew was changed to Trinitarian.

562 posted on 09/05/2011 8:31:57 AM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move m to do so.)
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To: Judith Anne; Iscool
Careful, Iscool. You are dealing with a seemingly hate-filled bigot (against non-catholics- oh the irony!) Judith Anne, the irony you post is priceless.

But back to the point, Judith Anne says she knows the way to Jesus. Through the sacraments, hunkered down in the Mother Church, praying to the saint of the day, memorizing the catechism, and following the doctrines and traditions located in the Cart of Knowledge that is hauled around to show us the "simplicity" that is in Christ.

squeak, squeak..."Would you like to know the way to Jesus? I have in this cart everything you need to get on the road to righteousness. It will just take a few years of your time. But the good news is that you will one day be pretty certain you may get there...hopefully.. It's really simple...really..." squeak..squeak..."Ah, nothing like a suffering back pushing this cart around suffering for the gospel that tells us to preach it to...the..world..."

563 posted on 09/05/2011 8:32:07 AM PDT by smvoice (The Cross was NOT God's Plan B.)
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To: MarkBsnr
Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

:)

564 posted on 09/05/2011 8:34:20 AM PDT by marbren (I do not know but, Thank God, God knows)
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To: presently no screen name
I let God guide me and I'm not afraid of what man can do to me.

Good for you.


565 posted on 09/05/2011 8:37:46 AM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move m to do so.)
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To: presently no screen name
I let God guide me and I'm not afraid of what man can do to me.

Good for you.


566 posted on 09/05/2011 8:37:46 AM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move m to do so.)
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To: Natural Law
Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words. - St. Francis of Assisi

I'll bet that has won more hearts for Christ than your in-your-face proselytizing.

Not likely at all...Many a Mormon or a Jehovah Witness or a Catholic look like what many people could call Christians...Clean living, an appearance of morality, charity, religious...That doesn't guarantee anything...

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

You guys think that God wrote the bible in vain??? Your St. Fank didn't bother to read the scriptures???

Faith comes by hearing the words of the bible preached, NOT by watching other people...

567 posted on 09/05/2011 8:38:07 AM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: Judith Anne
It’s a lie, it’s a lie, it’s a freaking lie, how about the “Mary-Ishtar goddess cult” lie. How many times do we have to read THAT inflammatory post before somebody calls a halt to wrong #1? We might get somewhere on this forum if there were limits set on some of the worst.

Judith, here's the problem. We don't have a problem saying that Mary was highly blessed and should be revered most among all women, that much is Biblically sound. Where we have a problem is when Mary is elevated to the post of Co-Redeemer with Christ. That is where the problem occurs and that's what Protestants have been complaining about now for 600+ years.

We have no problem saying that Mary is to be praised for her faithfulness to God, we have a problem when she's attributed Redeemer status. That title belongs to Christ alone and that's where our complaints come from, including the "Mary-Ishtar goddess cult" rub that you mentioned earlier.

It's a legitimate complaint, it's not a lie.

568 posted on 09/05/2011 8:39:26 AM PDT by Avalon Hussar
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To: CynicalBear
I also stated that when I am asked, I witness to my faith. Did you miss that?

2. You are saying that even though scripture says that if you bid a Muslim “good day” or “God’s speed” you are partaker of his evil deeds and that doesn’t scare you as bad as losing your job. Scripture, please. And the only "evil deeds" I am responsible for are my own. You cannot scare me with your boogeyman.

2. You are saying that even though scripture says that if you bid a Muslim “good day” or “God’s speed” you are partaker of his evil deeds and that doesn’t scare you as bad as losing your job. Christ will not condemn me for your sin, nor for a moslem's sin.

3. You just said that you fear being a witness for Christ if there is the possibility of a negative consequence so much that you are willing to “partake of their evil deeds” which is condemned by the very God you purport to serve.

Point out the post where I said I fear being a witness for Christ if there is the possibility of a negative consequence.

I'm tickled pink for you that you have always owned your own business and always made the rules. I'm tickled pink I never worked for you, too. Because I don't want to be forced to proselytize, as your employee, a false and phony church I don't and never could believe in. Did you make your employees sign a statement of faith? Or did you refuse to hire Catholics?

569 posted on 09/05/2011 8:41:14 AM PDT by Judith Anne ( Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: Judith Anne
What did that rabbi say about calling those who honor His mother a Mary-Ishtar Goddess worshipping cult? Time and time again? Not just once, but repeatedly. When it is clearly not true. I guess you believe it, though, I've never seen you ask the stalker to stop. When did you ever reprove him for posting to me? Never, that's when.

What did that Rabbi say about salvation? "No man comes to the Father, but by me". I don't see Mary's name in there, so she can't be a co-redeemer now can she? Venerate her for her part in bringing Christ into the world, but don't worship her. She's just another creature like the rest of us, she's not the Creator.

570 posted on 09/05/2011 8:42:31 AM PDT by Avalon Hussar
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To: CynicalBear
I also stated that when I am asked, I witness to my faith. Did you miss that?

2. You are saying that even though scripture says that if you bid a Muslim “good day” or “God’s speed” you are partaker of his evil deeds and that doesn’t scare you as bad as losing your job. Scripture, please. And the only "evil deeds" I am responsible for are my own. You cannot scare me with your boogeyman.

2. You are saying that even though scripture says that if you bid a Muslim “good day” or “God’s speed” you are partaker of his evil deeds and that doesn’t scare you as bad as losing your job. Christ will not condemn me for your sin, nor for a moslem's sin.

3. You just said that you fear being a witness for Christ if there is the possibility of a negative consequence so much that you are willing to “partake of their evil deeds” which is condemned by the very God you purport to serve.

Point out the post where I said I fear being a witness for Christ if there is the possibility of a negative consequence.

I'm tickled pink for you that you have always owned your own business and always made the rules. I'm tickled pink I never worked for you, too. Because I don't want to be forced to proselytize, as your employee, a false and phony church I don't and never could believe in. Did you make your employees sign a statement of faith? Or did you refuse to hire Catholics?

571 posted on 09/05/2011 8:42:56 AM PDT by Judith Anne ( Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: Cronos
angels are extra-terrestrial aliens

IMHO I think the linkage is better between extraterrestrial aliens and demons rather than angels. IOW are they ET's or demons? I do not know but, Thank God, God knows.

I met an angel once, Years ago I was on the road between business meetings and my 1980 Regal refused to start. In a panic, because I would not make my next meeting, I opened the hood and started to look. A gentleman walked by and said try again. Without questioning I got in and it started right up. I looked for the gentleman but he disappeared! I do not know but, Thank God, God knows.

572 posted on 09/05/2011 8:44:02 AM PDT by marbren (I do not know but, Thank God, God knows)
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To: boatbums
Hey, I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover. :o)

Hmm, that can be taken a number of ways... :)

573 posted on 09/05/2011 8:44:20 AM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move m to do so.)
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To: MarkBsnr
From a synoptic Gospel! Can you believe that? LOL!

Matthew, chapter 28

The Commissioning of the Disciples.* 16f The eleven* disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17* When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. 18* g Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19h Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20i teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

 


574 posted on 09/05/2011 8:46:10 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Judith Anne
Neither statement gets the moderator hammer.

False claims, ridicule, spitwads and so on are to be expected in the town square format of "open" Religion Forum threads.

575 posted on 09/05/2011 8:46:29 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Avalon Hussar
What did that Rabbi say about salvation? "No man comes to the Father, but by me". I don't see Mary's name in there, so she can't be a co-redeemer now can she? Venerate her for her part in bringing Christ into the world, but don't worship her. She's just another creature like the rest of us, she's not the Creator.

Where did I say Mary was other than a creature? Where did I say she was the Creator? More utterly false inflammatory statements. Did I ever post that you or any protestant would come to the father by Mary? Why can't you leave "veneration" alone? Why must Catholics conform to YOU? Why do you allow your fellow protestants to call us Mary-Ishtar goddess worshippers? And even hop on their bandwagon? Do you think the world will come to an end in September, too?

576 posted on 09/05/2011 8:46:59 AM PDT by Judith Anne ( Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: MarkBsnr
to be renewed, remoulded, changed, modified

Does Spiritual growth involve change?

577 posted on 09/05/2011 8:47:47 AM PDT by marbren (I do not know but, Thank God, God knows)
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To: Judith Anne; CynicalBear; Avalon Hussar
Point out the post where I said I fear being a witness for Christ if there is the possibility of a negative consequence.

Does this count?

"Great! Did you tell them about Jesus?"

ARE YOU NUTS? Prosyletizing could get me fired.
-- Judith Anne, post #317


578 posted on 09/05/2011 8:48:41 AM PDT by Alex Murphy (Posting news feeds, making eyes bleed: he's hated on seven continents)
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To: presently no screen name
LOL! I’m blessed blessed blessed! I’m blessed going in and blessed going out! I’m blessed with eternal life.

Yep, if you keep saying it often enough, it will come true.


579 posted on 09/05/2011 8:52:36 AM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move m to do so.)
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To: Cronos
What about this one — “He [Jesus] who is righteous by choice said, ‘The only way I can stop sin is by Me becoming it. I can’t just stop it by letting it touch Me; I and it must become one.’ Hear this! He who is the nature of God became the nature of Satan where He became sin!” (Benny Hinn, TBN, 12/1/90).

When you come up with a picture of Benny Hinn kissing a Koran in the presence of a terrorist, get back with me...

580 posted on 09/05/2011 8:55:31 AM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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