Azadre's Thread on Islam (aka you have questions, I have answers)

I'm more playing devil's advocate with this response but certain religions tell you to turn the other cheek. Do not even defend yourself. If someone takes from you, give them the rest as well.

 

I have heard that Islam considers Christians and Jews "of the book" or something like that. Is that true and what does that mean?

Also, a Discovery channel show stated that the Prophet Mohammed's wife was actually a very active and successful businesswoman. Is this true? If so, why would some Islamic countries prevent women from owning and operating businesses?

Next, I have heard Hakeem explain that a true Jihad is a struggle withen yourself. Is this true?

 

Christians and Jews are described as "the people of the book," meaning they also received revelation. There is a certain affinity with "the people of the book" through their common abrahamic link. A Muslim man can marry a Jew or Christian, and Muslims are permitted to eat the meat (no pun intended) of Christiand and Jews, excepting pork.

His first wife was a very succesful businesswoman. He actually worked for her as a merchant prior to the marriage. Current restrictions are cultural and baseless.

There are two types of "jihad." Jihad of the self, or an inner struggle, and warfare. An authentic tradition has Muhammad saying upon returning from an expedition, talking about the inner struggle, "now begins the greater jihad."

 

You're missing the point in that argument, the author is simply saying that in the west it is looken down upon for a woman to be "just a housewife." You proved this is true by suggesting that being a housewife is simply cooking barefoot in the kitchen while making babies. In Islam, being a housewife is a position of great honor.

But again, I do agree that cultural practices oppress some women in the east, but at the same time our culture also oppresses women to a certain degree. As someone else said in this thread, women are clearly objectified in western culture and neither extreme is right.

 

Although I generally disagree with what Azadre says in this forum, this is a great idea for a thread. I love to see someone opening their beliefs up to questions from others.

Good job Azadre!

 

You misunderstand. We do not look down on women who choose to be homemakers, but rather, on a culture (or moronic author) that tells women that they must be homemakers, and that having a choice to work or not makes them less free.

 

This article is the funniest, most ridiculous piece of crap that i've read in quite awhile. Thanks.

Woman is liberated when she fulfills the role for which she is created? Wow, just wow.

 

Although I'd still like to argue this point, it's not that important. It doesn't matter if you like the article or not. The point here is that it is a misconception that Islam itself oppresses women. It is not a bad thing that we encourage (not demand) gender roles for each sex. It is a major reason why the family system in the Muslim community is so strong.

 

Hey Azarde, I wanted to know what Islam thinks about Jesus, and the other prophets in the Bilbe. How do Muslims view Jesus, Moses, and Elijiah--do they think they were false prophets or great men who indeed were servants of God? And how does Muhammad fit into the equation...Thanks

 

finally an easy question:

they were ALL prophets.

 

This just sounds so ridiculous and silly to me. God (Allah, whoever) transformed a man to look like Jesus and then crucified him, kind of?

This isn't a knock specifically at Islam but at religion as a whole. While I feel that the Bible, Koran, etc, has great value to everyone that reads it, I feel that some people take what they read WAY too literal. It is incredibly difficult for me to believe that God transformed some guy to look like Jesus, just like I find it difficult to believe that Moses struck a rock with his staff and water came out or that bread fell from the heavens to feed the Jews while stranded in the desert.

When was the transition from all of the crazy stuff that happened 2000+ years ago to modern day where none of these "miracles" happen? In several thousand years are the people of that day going to think that our Jesus and Allah stories are just as silly as we think of the Greek Gods? Our stories aren't any more far fetched but people believe it none the less.

I'm not saying that I do not believe in God, I am just going through a huge questioning phase. Like I said earlier, I'm not trying to be offensive but asking legitimate (well, I feel they are legitimate) questions that I have. If my tone or questions are in anyway offending to anyone, I apologize in advance.

 

I'm hoping we can have this discussion without it getting into conflict.

The Koran was written about 750 AD, right?

The accounts of Jesus' life in the New Testament were written anywhere from 50 AD to about 120 AD, depending on who/what you believe. There are some scholars who suggest there was an early narrative of Jesus' death on the cross by about 30 AD, from which the other Gospels borrowed from.

In letters from Paul to the early churches, in around 50 AD, he includes creeds of the early churches, saying that Christ died on the cross. He does this during a time when people who were alive at the time of the event would still be alive. Paul, himself, was a high-ranking Jewish official.

Christ's death on the cross is recorded by Jewish leadership at the time in the Talmud.

But 750 years later, the Koran says different.

See my issue with that? I'm not trying to be a jerk...just throwing it out for discussion.

 

I would suggest to you that miracles still happen.

 

People only need a belief in divine intervention when they see the natural universe as less than divine.

 

That article had a very 1984 Phyllis Schafly feeling about it.

 

i'm certain God understands, in a scientific sense, the nature of all of the things we might call miracles.

i know how babies are made....i don't think that makes it any less of a miracle to me.

 

they do. however, they no longer defy the laws of physics.

 

The 'crazy stuff' in the Bible had a specific purpose.

You will not see water coming out of a rock or bread floating down from heaven today, but 'crazy stuff' happens.

God still does miracles today.

 

just like explosions and car chases in action flix.