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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: Jvette
I agree that our bodies will be perfected just as our souls will be perfected. It will be for us as God wanted it to be before the fall.

Only I HOPE that's the age I'll be! ;o)

Side note, do you think we will ALL be a certain "prime" age? And what about children or babies that died, will they have mature, adult-like bodies? I'm leaning towards we will all be in a glorified form that has no "apparent age" per se, but will be recognizable to not only those we knew and who knew us, but we will all be known to each other as brothers and sisters in the same family of God. Any thoughts?

3,961 posted on 09/17/2011 8:25:25 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: boatbums

I honestly have no idea.

Scripture says we cannot imagine what God has ready for us.

I think we will see each other as God sees us.


3,962 posted on 09/17/2011 8:35:34 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: stonehouse01; Not gonna take it anymore; smvoice
Thanks - Jesus on the Cross Saves - Catholics are well aware - that is why we have the body on the cross in our churches and the stations

I Corinthians15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

3,963 posted on 09/17/2011 8:38:35 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: stonehouse01

John 6:28,29

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”


3,964 posted on 09/17/2011 8:41:58 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: Jvette
Scripture says we cannot imagine what God has ready for us. I think we will see each other as God sees us.

Awesome answer. Thanks.

3,965 posted on 09/17/2011 8:49:42 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: stonehouse01
>> He died once for all - but we have to do our own part.<<

What, Jesus didn’t do a good enough job? His sacrifice wasn’t “complete” as He said?

3,966 posted on 09/17/2011 9:00:34 PM PDT by CynicalBear
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To: Not gonna take it anymore; metmom; Amityschild; Captain Beyond; Cvengr; DvdMom; firebrand; ...

To whatever minor yet regrettable degree Proddys twist words . . .

we learned such

from FR’s

Olympic Gold Medalists in such matters—

the FR RC’s.


3,967 posted on 09/17/2011 9:09:27 PM PDT by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: RnMomof7
The Father sent the Son.. The Son is the cornerstone of the church on which He BUILT His church ...

Yes indeed!

3,968 posted on 09/17/2011 9:11:07 PM PDT by caww
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To: stonehouse01

Fail, either Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient or it was not. It cannot be both.


3,969 posted on 09/17/2011 9:15:25 PM PDT by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see")
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To: boatbums

I agree though I am not one to memorize scripture as many have done thru Bible College. Rather as you mentioned it seems during my time of devotions and study viewing a particular verse or verses over and over as you study seems to fix them within...though you are probably right making an effort to memorize likely is quite helpful.

I do remember making a jingle for my sons to remember the books of the Bible when they were youngsters....not realizing that would stick with me as well! Ha!

Can’t imagine those who have memorized chapters and books! My feeble mind would unfortunately not stay fixed on thatth that for long... I’d have to dig deeper to see more of what I’m attempting to memorize...


3,970 posted on 09/17/2011 9:26:42 PM PDT by caww
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To: Mad Dawg

I’m not bobbing and weaving Mad Dawg... Sometimes I share an opinion but have no desire to debate the subject especially when it’s been gone over time and again and I know where certain individuals stand....

You are not likely to change your opinion and neither am I....But I do express my observations...and that was what I observed in Mass and what catholics I spoke with stated appeared to understand it as.


3,971 posted on 09/17/2011 9:33:30 PM PDT by caww
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To: Quix

I was wondering where you were Quix!..and then here you are...(chuckle)...where have you been? or maybe it’s more where have I been..Ha!


3,972 posted on 09/17/2011 9:37:04 PM PDT by caww
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To: caww; boatbums

I’m in the middle of that. While we did have to memorize Bible verses at Bible College, most of the ones I have memorized come from when I worked in AWANA clubs right after I left Mormonism. Listening to kids recite verses they had memorized, especially the basic plan of salvation, not only taught me those verses but also helped in my transition out of Mormonism and into Christianity.

Many of those verse come back to me when I am witnessing to the LDS but when I am doing research I dive much deeper into the Word and often go back to the Original languages. I find that when I thoroughly study a topic, I also often memorize the passages I am working on, so it goes both ways.

Also, never discount the power of the Holy Spirit, oftimes He will bring to mind a verse or part of a verse that I don’t have memorized but know enough to look it up or find it in my Bible or online. :)

Boat, where did you attend?


3,973 posted on 09/17/2011 9:38:44 PM PDT by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see")
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To: caww
You'd be surprised how much our old brains can still do! Not only did we do memorization, but we also did them in conjunction with the studies of them. Some classes were an entire semester on one book alone. This is a trick I would use: write the verse on a 3x5 card and the reference (Book/chap/ver) on the other side. Then go through them every day, several times a day, even at work. In the morning and before you go to bed, are also good times to do this.

Regarding the jingles, that's the only way I can spell ENCYCLOPEDIA today. Mickey Mouse Club!

3,974 posted on 09/17/2011 9:39:35 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: Not gonna take it anymore
Really? Sounds Catholic to me.

Jesus said it. I don't believe that he belongs to just Catholics, do you?

3,975 posted on 09/17/2011 9:56:29 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.)
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To: boatbums

Oh wow...you really did that! Reminds me of Luther and how God honed in on “The Just shall live by faith”...just one verse! Which surely had impact on him and we know where that took him.

Your tip sounds like a reasonable way to do memory work.


3,976 posted on 09/17/2011 10:12:28 PM PDT by caww
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To: reaganaut

I think it’s pretty amazing also whenyou find yourself in a touchy situation and a whole chapter you might have read, and God revealed it’s meaning, might not have seemed significant at the time...but He knew what you would be facing...and low and behold He brought it to mind as you faced the situation before you. Perfectly suited in every way.


3,977 posted on 09/17/2011 10:18:19 PM PDT by caww
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To: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg...your irritation with me is exactly why I don’t get tangled in debates with you....you seem to take how I see the catholic church as a personal assult on you when I am simply stating what my observations are for most with those I’ve encountered as catholics and their practices...outside of FR.

As for those here...well it’s needless to say a unique bunch...and I have oftentimes attempted to understand, but more times then not it defies understanding or opposes the truth of the scriptures. Othertimes some offer some interesting reads which if I have little familarity with will entice me to seek out the truth of the matter.

Your knowlege of catholics and their belief system no doubt goes much further then mine since this is your choice of churches....but that does not mean that it’s true or that I have misunderstood what I do know.

The rituals catholics perform are especially sensitve issues to catholics....and the defense strong against any who disagree...oftentimes beyond reasonable imo...there just seems to me so much “stuff” that gets in the way and people hold fast to for to do otherwise without there faith would shake, rattle and role....and when that happens all the defenses come up and the tongue lashing ensues.


3,978 posted on 09/17/2011 10:35:19 PM PDT by caww
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To: Mad Dawg

In Mt.24:23-24 we are told if anyone says look here is Christ or there! Do not believe it. If they he say he is in the desert or in the inner rooms (the glass case or a wafer) DO NOT BELIEVE IT! Can you bring Christ down from Heaven from where He sits?... The priests say they can.... According to God’s Word of truth, not mans tradition it says,.... “Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is to bring Christ down from above)” (Romans 10:6-11).


3,979 posted on 09/17/2011 11:00:53 PM PDT by caww
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To: caww

I have already answered this in this very thread! If you’d like to know what we teach rather than attack what we don’t teach, you can start with Aquinas.

But right now you’re saying we do what Aquinas specifically denies.

I have already addressed whether the priest is a cause of the Eucharist.

So this time, when you say, “Can you bring Christ down from Heaven from where He sits?... The priests say they can.... ,” it’s just an error. But unless you do some research you run the risk that the next time it will be at best an act of negligence and at worst a lie.


3,980 posted on 09/18/2011 2:36:40 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Jesus, I trust in you.)
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