My favorite reading from this week was the one about Islam and Muslims. It was great to understand a little bit more about this religion and culture. It is always very important to acquire knowledge about cultures that surround us, and the Muslim culture, especially in the USA, is growing rapidly.
The media always gives us an idea about Muslims that it is not completely true. We usually rely our understanding on information we get from movies, TV and newspapers. It was until I came to the USA to college that I had an opportunity to be close to Muslims and I learned more about the Islam.
It was only after de attack from 9/11 that me (and probably lots of other people) paid more attention to the Muslims. Before that all I’ve heard was that: Arabs = Muslims, Arabs ride camels and have magic carpets, and Islam is a crazy wronged religion.
When I met Muslim people I learned that the Islam and the Catholicism have a lot in common. Both religions talk about the angel Gabriel bringing knowledge about God to a very important icon within the religion. In Islam it was to Muhammad and in Catholicism it was to Virgin Mary. Both religions also believe in Jesus Christ, for Catholics they believe he was God’s son, and in Islam they believe he was a prophet. Overall both religions are about following God’s rules, preaching God’s word, daily praying and help people in need.
If people cared more about learning about other religions, they would find out that all of them in the end have the same purpose, to be a good human being. Each person lives their religion in their own particular way, some are more passionate and some like to keep it private, but as long as outcome is to be a good person and help and respect others, then who cares which God you believe in or what religion you like?
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6 comments:
I agree with you. I find it hard to believe that religion can so strongly pit two parties against each other. I was over in Bosnia a few years back and saw the devastation that the Bosnian War caused. I don't really know too many details about the war but I do know that it had to do with religion and was rather brutal. The Bosnian Serbs against the Croats and Muslims. I'm sure if you or I were a part of that community it would be easier to understand, not that we would agree with it but maybe it would make more sense. Religion can be a pretty touchy subject, I guess that's why they say you should never discuss it in a social setting.
Great insight! I too agree with a lot of what you said. I can see many parallels between the two religions--Christianity and Islam. I like how you gave the example that Mulsims do recognize Christ, just in a different way. I also agree that religions are just different perspectives and beliefs that accompany a common goal--to be good. Is this attainable without religion? I think so, but the guidlines of various religions just make it more attainable for the majority. Great Commenting!!
My favorite reading this week was also the one about Islam and Muslims. I agree with you. If only those in the world fighting for religous reasons could agree with this point of view. It saddens me that there are those still out there that wage war in the name of God/Religion. If we could only get those fighting to think more about what it means to be a good person reguargless of religous beliefs think of the progress the world could make towards peace. I realize that there are those that have been waging war on others in the name of "god" for longer than we can imagine. We have made progress in other arenas why not hope for more in this one.
Enjoyed your reading. I also believe it's important to learn more about other cultures and religions, regardless of own personal faith. Its interesting because it is a highly personalized subject of your own beliefs, however, I think the world would be a better place if people had a higher level of understanding with other religions. But I am glad we do live in a country that has synagogues next to mosques and somehow we have peace here.
I must join the party on this one. But caution that we not look just at other countries when it comes to religious intolerance and persecution. America has not only its own history of religious persecutions, and we may as well through in racial. Is that basis of all religion is to be good and treat others as God would have us, we as a nation definitely have a mote in eye.
It it goes on still today. Our country was founded on religious freedom, and yet even today, in the name of political correctness, we persecute other's religious beliefs, right down to atheism. Is it not itself a form of belief?
As the Holidays approach, a time of growing intolerance, may I share a portion of the following. It was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. . ..
Where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
This is only a potion of Mr. Stein's email. But it shows religious tolerance and that people on a whole are good and decent.
Yes, we have committed crimes in the name of religion. Yes, crimes are still being committed in the name of religion. But one bad apple does't spoil the bushel unless we let it. Let us be careful not to judge and entire religion by the acts of a few. Instead, let us be sure that we ourselves, and our children, are not "ignorant and contemptuous" to Islam or any other religion. For as Mr. Stein stated, we are all brothers and sisters when it comes to our efforts to be good and do good.
Amen God is god and there is only one God. Jews, Christians, Muslims all believe in the same God. I personally don't think that God cares what people call him as long as you recognize him, and develop a personal relationship with him. Prayer (talking to God) Meditation (listing to God)and helping other. the rest is all fundamental to the different sects of the religion. Respect one another and each others traditions.
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