[John Philoponus]

1) Yes they were, using generic names for god available at the time. Just like when Christians pray to "God".

2) No the syriac/aramaic translation does't crumble, I linked to it above.

3) I'm sure followers of those pantheons would disagree with you. Brahaman is believed by the Hindus' to be the universal god. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman
Odinists and Neo-Pagans, I'm thinking, have similar beliefs.

[zimdog]

Yes they were, using generic names for god available at the time. Just like when Christians pray to "God".

So when Muslims pray to God, it's the same thing.

'm sure followers of those pantheons would disagree with you. Brahaman is believed by the Hindus' to be the universal god.

Monotheism means that there is one and only one universal God. Such is not the case with Hindu and Norse pantheons, which have many gods.

[zimdog]

alright n00b, it's dinnertime for me. thanks for the interesting commentary on the syriac church.