What Do Real Muslims Believe?

[Lara]

Although I have no interest in joining a "quote fest", I can only imagine that a positive or negative view of any religious (or political) group can be created by "cherry picking" quotes that will support one's personal viewpoint.

If you mean cherry-picking quotes out of context to give false support for one's personal viewpoint, then yes that would not be ethical. But to satisfy the naysayers that ask "where's your source", then quoting the source can't be wrong...can it? Because I'm about to do it . I hope it doesn't offend anyone. If it does I hope they just put me on ignore or just walk away and not read it. I've never forced anyone to read what my belief is, my faith.

 

[Lara]

I share the thoughts of this great man : "God has no religion" (Mahatma Ghandi)

God actually defines religion in the Bible: "the system of worshiping God is not a matter of observing rites and rituals; rather, it involves practical help for those in need and living a pure life, separated from the sin of the world." James 1:27

I attend a church that worships God and focuses on helping those in need, as well as supporting one another to live pure lives separated from sin.

The word religion is used in many contexts, but there is a difference between false religion and true. Similarly, there is a difference between religion to look religious and religion to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ.

...........................................................
2 Timothy 3:1–5, we are warned that people can have “a form of godliness” without their religious activity making any meaningful difference in their lives. Despite their external ceremonies, they remain unloving, unthankful, uncontrolled, and unrepentant. The scriptural instruction is “Have nothing to do with such people.” Jesus described those who were undoubtedly religious in Matthew 7:21–22, yet His final word to them is, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (verse 23).

As James 1:27 says, true religion in God’s eyes makes a difference in who we are and what we do. It is religion based on relationship: Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obedience is the proof of love. We love God because He loved us first (1 John 4:19), and our love leads us to action; it is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). This religion of relationship is not based on what we do for God; it is based on what He has done for us. We are not trusting in our performance but in a Person—Jesus Christ.

 

[Lara]

Allah and God are not really the same.

God and Jesus Christ are One, with whom one can develop a relationship with Christ as one's Savior from sin.
Jesus Christ is significant in the Christian profile.

Allah is apart from Christ. Muslims don't believe Christ as Savior nor God. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there is no personal relationship between Muslims and Allah. Christ is the bridge between Christians and God for developing a personal relationship.

Fact: There are good and bad people in all groups, everywhere, in every era of time since Satan entered the Garden of Eden.
So blame and cultural stereotyping is just ignorant. As comedian Bob Newhart (age 91) once said, "Stop it. Just stop it."

I respect all good people from other religions that don't agree with my religion. God says love one another. And I do.
I have some serious issues with parts of the Quran that are currently obeyed in the world...but the good followers of the Quran may also.

 

[Shero]

God actually defines religion in the Bible: "the system of worshiping God is not a matter of observing rites and rituals; rather, it involves practical help for those in need and living a pure life, separated from the sin of the world." James 1:27

I attend a church that worships God and focuses on helping those in need, as well as supporting one another to live pure lives separated from sin.

The word religion is used in many contexts, but there is a difference between false religion and true. Similarly, there is a difference between religion to look religious and religion to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ.

...........................................................
2 Timothy 3:1–5, we are warned that people can have “a form of godliness” without their religious activity making any meaningful difference in their lives. Despite their external ceremonies, they remain unloving, unthankful, uncontrolled, and unrepentant. The scriptural instruction is “Have nothing to do with such people.” Jesus described those who were undoubtedly religious in Matthew 7:21–22, yet His final word to them is, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (verse 23).

As James 1:27 says, true religion in God’s eyes makes a difference in who we are and what we do. It is religion based on relationship: Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obedience is the proof of love. We love God because He loved us first (1 John 4:19), and our love leads us to action; it is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). This religion of relationship is not based on what we do for God; it is based on what He has done for us. We are not trusting in our performance but in a Person—Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your lovely post Lara. I do enjoy reading about others' beliefs. I appreciate what you have to say and I am sure you have no real problem with my beliefs even though they may differ somewhat from yours. I am a great admirer of Mahatma Ghandi and I would like to share another quote of his with you:

"No religion which is narrow and which cannot satisfy the test of reason, will survive the coming reconstruction of society in which the values will have changed and character, not possession of wealth, title or birth will be the test of merit."

 

[Warrigal]

Fact: Allah and God are not the same.
Sorry Lara, but this sounds very dogmatic. It is a reasonable statement if you leave out the word Fact and the underlining.
God and Jesus Christ are One...with whom one can develop a relationship with Christ as one's Saviour from sin.
Many Christians theologians today would argue that Jesus was fully human, not divine.
Allah is apart from Christ. Muslims don't believe Christ as Saviour nor God. Nor do most Jews. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there is no personal relationship between Muslims and Allah. I'm not sure about that either. Sufis might be a bit different. Christ is the bridge between Christians and God for developing a personal relationship. Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet and revere him as such. The God of all Creation is the same for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Only the imagery and the name varies. None of this matters to me very much. I resonate with the writing of Paul in Corinthians 13 where he talks of our imperfect understanding in this life: Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

There are good and bad people in all groups, everywhere, in every era of time since Satan entered the Garden of Eden.
So blame and cultural stereotyping is just ignorant. As comedian Bob Newhart (age 91) once said, "Stop it. Just stop it."
Couldn't agree more. Life is to short to waste time blaming others. We need to deal with the log in our own eyes first.

 

[jerry old]

Warrigal, like your grasp of Paul. "None of this matters to me very much. I resonate with the writing of Paul in Corinthians 13 where he talks of our imperfect understanding in this life: Now we see but a..."
...through a glass darkly.'

This thread could become incendiary in a heartbeat.

Watched two hours of NYC Fireman trying to rescue their on on 9/11. still terrible, always will be.

 

[Warrigal]

Warrigal, like your grasp of Paul. "None of this matters to me very much. I resonate with the writing of Paul in Corinthians 13 where he talks of our imperfect understanding in this life: Now we see but a..."
...through a glass darkly.'

This thread could become incendiary in a heartbeat.

Watched two hours of NYC Fireman trying to rescue their on on 9/11. still terrible, always will be.

Heart breaking. I woke and heard on the radio that a plane had struck the first tower and turned on the telly. I watched it happen in real time and it was horrific. Also horrific is the far greater number of lives lost since in retaliatory warfare. How do we make sense of it all? I cannot, but the suffering has not stopped.

All I can think of at this moment is the Amnesty motto - "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness". We all have to decide what words will guide us to make this a better world.

 

[Aneeda72]

God actually defines religion in the Bible: "the system of worshiping God is not a matter of observing rites and rituals; rather, it involves practical help for those in need and living a pure life, separated from the sin of the world." James 1:27

I attend a church that worships God and focuses on helping those in need, as well as supporting one another to live pure lives separated from sin.

The word religion is used in many contexts, but there is a difference between false religion and true. Similarly, there is a difference between religion to look religious and religion to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ.

...........................................................
2 Timothy 3:1–5, we are warned that people can have “a form of godliness” without their religious activity making any meaningful difference in their lives. Despite their external ceremonies, they remain unloving, unthankful, uncontrolled, and unrepentant. The scriptural instruction is “Have nothing to do with such people.” Jesus described those who were undoubtedly religious in Matthew 7:21–22, yet His final word to them is, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (verse 23).

As James 1:27 says, true religion in God’s eyes makes a difference in who we are and what we do. It is religion based on relationship: Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obedience is the proof of love. We love God because He loved us first (1 John 4:19), and our love leads us to action; it is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). This religion of relationship is not based on what we do for God; it is based on what He has done for us. We are not trusting in our performance but in a Person—Jesus Christ.

I disagree. I believe you are used to me disagreeing by now . No offense is meant.

Your quotes are written my men, not God, it was men that wrote the Bible, men that defined religion. As far as I know, God wrote the Ten Commandments not the Bible. I don’t remember God referring to the Bible in the ten commandments. I might be wrong.

 

[Aneeda72]

Allah and God are not really the same.

God and Jesus Christ are One, with whom one can develop a relationship with Christ as one's Savior from sin.
Jesus Christ is significant in the Christian profile.

Allah is apart from Christ. Muslims don't believe Christ as Savior nor God. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there is no personal relationship between Muslims and Allah. Christ is the bridge between Christians and God for developing a personal relationship.

Fact: There are good and bad people in all groups, everywhere, in every era of time since Satan entered the Garden of Eden.
So blame and cultural stereotyping is just ignorant. As comedian Bob Newhart (age 91) once said, "Stop it. Just stop it."

I highly respect all good people from other religions that don't agree with my religion. God says love one another. And I do.
I have some serious issues with parts of the Quran that are currently obeyed in the world...but the good followers of the Quran may also.

I, hmm, disagree again .

God is the English word for, well, God. I think in the King James Version of the Bible God refers to himself/herself as “The Great I Am”. God has not revealed His actual name to anyone, as far as I know.

I guess we didn’t want to go around calling God, The Great I Am, so we named him God. His name could be God or Allah or Pete for all we know. There is only one God. I actually think God is quote somewhere in the Bible as saying there is only one God. But idk.

(I can not get the bold turned off ).

 

[Lara]

@Aneeda72 , I couldn't agree more that there is only one God.

@Warrigal , thank you for your suggestion to take out the word "fact" and the unlined one word. It's incredible that when I first entered the thread this morning, I hadn't read your post but was reviewing mine and made those two very edits you suggested. Then I read your post. I must have read your mind lol.

My daughter also gave me a tip this morning about my posts. She said, people don't want to read what it says in the Bible when they don't believe in the Bible. She said it's like I'm telling people they are wrong. She suggested I get in a small group of like-minded followers in my church to have a place to discuss these things.

@Shero , your post is a perfect example for me as well as others as to how to respond to to a sensitive subject by a member like as myself. I'm trying. I'm still learning. And of course my daughter is saying "Mom just stay away".
And thank you Shero for sharing your quote from Ghandi. It's a good one.

 

[Aneeda72]

@Aneeda72 , I couldn't agree more that there is only one God.

@Warrigal , thank you for your suggestion to take out the word "fact" and the unlined one word. It's incredible that when I first entered the thread this morning, I hadn't read your post but was reviewing mine and made those two very edits you suggested. Then I read your post. I must have read your mind lol.

My daughter also gave me a tip this morning about my posts. She said, people don't want to read what it says in the Bible when they don't believe in the Bible. She said it's like I'm telling people they are wrong. She suggested I get in a small group of like-minded followers in my church to have a pace to discuss these things.

@Shero , your post is a perfect example for me as well as others as to how to respond to to a sensitive subject by a rather bold member such as myself. I'm trying. I'm still learning. And of course my daughter is saying "Mom just stay away".
And thank you Shero for sharing your quote from Ghandi. It's a good one.

First, don’t stay away. It’s a discussion and your imput is appreciated and valued @Lara. I believe in the Bible, I just believe different than you .

Daughters, daughters and sons . I have only been on one other forum and it was not the great experience that this one is. My son and daughter had a long talk with me about on line forums and friends. They didn’t say “stay away”. They said remember very few people are “real”.

I think there are several “real” people here. But some are not. The trick is realizing which is which, and that is often very hard.

 

[Oris Borloff]

@OneEyedDiva ,

I'm curious to what attracted you to Islam from Christianity? Was it just a "better fit"? If you already have addressed this somewhere and care to redirect me I'd appreciate that. If you don't care to answer or simply can't answer it in a few sentences, that's understandable.

Interesting to read the thread, thank you.

 

[Chris P Bacon]

Islam seems easier to spell but I'm pretty sure that that wasn't anything to do with the decision.
It's great though that unlike in politics, one has more than just two choices of whom to choose!

 

[Shero]

Your post is a perfect example for me as well as others as to how to respond to to a sensitive subject by a member like as myself. I'm trying. I'm still learning. And of course my daughter is saying "Mom just stay away".
And thank you Shero for sharing your quote from Ghandi. It's a good one.

Thank you Lara and no, you must not stay away.. Let your light shine and in that way, you give others permission to do the same

 

[Chris P Bacon]

This might be a good starting point to research - https://www.uri.org/kids/world-religions/muslim-beliefs

 

[oldman]

What color is the background of the screen you’re reading this on? White? Yeah, I thought so!
Even electronics are racist!

You make me laugh.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Extremism is not unknown to religious fanatics. I've had people, at my door, screaming that I'm " going to hell" for not following in their beliefs, and their traditions. As an atheist, I do not believe there is a divine source of hate, and distrust, there is only man, and extremists are extremists.

 

[oldman]

I didn’t read all of the posts, but what is a “real” Muslim? Are there different sects like maybe a splinter group? Maybe I am being obtuse?

 

[RadishRose]

Are there different sects

Yes.

 

[Lara]

Extremism is not unknown to religious fanatics. I've had people, at my door, screaming that I'm " going to hell" for not following in their beliefs

...you've had people at your door screaming that you're going to hell? "people"...as in plural? Are you provoking these people? I mean, no offense, but that's never happened to me, ever, nor have I ever known anyone where screaming and damning is going on....on their doorstep. I'd call 911. Extremists are scary in this day and age.

 

[charry]

They believe in the Koran , that there’s only one god.....and Mohammed is there only disciple.....

 

[oldman]

They believe in the Koran , that there’s only one god.....and Mohammed is there only disciple.....

I need to brush up on my Muslim knowledge. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Lara]

I didn’t read all of the posts, but what is a “real” Muslim? Are there different sects like maybe a splinter group? Maybe I am being obtuse?

I think what Diva meant by "real Muslims" is that the true followers of Muslim, that she knows, are peaceful and not terrorists.

 

[StarSong]

I can't change what's in the Bible, Torah or Quran Star. But I will say this. I have friends who claim no religious affiliations (some former Christians who got turned off), some never affiliated and a good friend who is Buddhist. I have friends who are gay and "bi". I treat them all the same. I know other Muslims who do likewise. So don't be so shocked. We're all just trying to get through this life.

Understood. Nevertheless it disturbs me deeply to have just learned that Muslims can remain true to the Quran while denying wide swaths of humanity (meaning people who aren't "of the books") from having rights or being treated equally and justly. More than 1/2 of the world's population wouldn't qualify.

@OneEyedDiva, I respect and like you, and get that you and your friends may not follow this pattern, but the very fact that Islam states it is enough to make me very wary of that religion.

Far warier than I was before reading this thread, to be honest. Indeed, it makes me very, very nervous.

 

[Shalimar]

If one reads the Old Testament, it contains some truly horrific passages about what is lawful treatment of those who are not Jews. Fortunately, times have changed, somewhat, although Israeli Zionism is cruel toward Palestinians and the Israeli

Muslims. Sadly, some extremist Christians, who also follow these biblical tenets, have committed atrocities on those, Christian, or otherwise, who did not subscribe to their narrow views. Other religions are not exempt from this

behaviour. Check out the extreme right wing religious viewpoint of the ruling Hindu party in India. They are very discriminatory towards Christians and Muslims. Imho, the fault lies with the people. Haters gonna hate.