[salem14]

I really don’t like misunderstanding of my intentions in this post .It is not an assault on Christianity or any other religion. It is indispensable for me to look for the truth and study comparative religion because if I would like to know whether a religion is true or false, I should not depend on my emotions, feelings, or traditions. Rather, I should depend on my reason and intellect. When God sent the prophets, He supported them with miracles and evidences, which proved that they were truly prophets, send by God and that the religion they came with was true.

We cay say there are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to God. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. Can we either claim that all men are Gods or that specific men were God or that nature is God or that God is a figment of man's imagination.

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. I made some searching and I couldn’t find a sharp answer but I found something interesting stated in the Koran:
Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone, consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man

"Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but He may forgive (sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes"(Soorah An- Nisaa 4:48 and 116)

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

God revealed a holy book to Jesus called the Injeel, some parts of which may be still available in the teachings of God to Jesus in the New Testament. But this does not mean that the Bible we have today because it is not the original scriptures that were revealed by God. They underwent alterations, additions, and omissions. This was also said by the Committee charged with revising The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version). This Committee consisted of thirty-two scholars who served as members of the Committee. They secured the review and counsel of an Advisory Board of fifty representatives of the co-operating denominations. The Committee said in the Preface to The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version), p. iv, “Sometimes it is evident that the text has suffered in transmission, but none of the versions provides a satisfactory restoration. Here we can only follow the best judgment of competent scholars as to the most probable reconstruction of the original text.
The Committee also said in the Preface, p. vii, Notes are added which indicate significant variations, additions, or omissions in the ancient authorities (Mt 9.34; Mk 3.16; 7.4; Lk 24.32, 51, etc.).

My question is do we believe in the information declared in the following sites or not:

THE REAL STORY OF MARY
http://geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/3001/storyofmary.htm

THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS
http://sultan.org/articles/Jesus.html

Who Was Jesus According to Jesus?
http://www.islaminfo.com

IS THE BIBLE GODS WORD?
http://www.jamaat.net/bible/Bible1-3.html

Women in Christianity and Islam
http://www.beconvinced.com/women/CH_IS.htm

[Chris]

again, this should at the least be in apologetics or theology, unless the General Discussion mods decide otherwise

[[red]]

Wow I never read that much into it before. All I know is I believe in My God- the One True God, The Great I AM - because I still today, see evidence of His moving and working wonders in My life and in the lives of others around me. And man, also- you've gotta have faith. I've stopped looking at things through a theological (sp?) point of view and started looking at them through the eyes of a disciple of the Lord Jesus who is very much alive today. DO I hear an amen out there?

[Becky]

Those commentarys say alot to assume things that they do not back up with Scritpure... THEREFORE, the job becomes YOUR job to back it up

The whole idea of God having a son is objectionable to God. God considers it an insult to speak of Him in this way.

This is your first assignment prove it!

[GRibbit]

This doesn't belong in General Discussion, please post any further threads similar to this one in Apologetics.

[Qingu]

There is no metaphysical reason to believe one religion or another. All worldviews are circular, so ultimately they all might be false.

The key is to make as few assumptions as possible and work from there. You have to make a bunch to even read the Bible. I just stop there, and don't believe what the Bible says because to do so would require me to make even more presuppositions, all of which might be false.

[salem14]

If religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. It is unreasonable to think that so many American converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation before concluding that Islam is true. These Americans came from different classes, races and walks of life. They include scientists, professors, philosophers, journalists, doctors, nurses, teachers, artists, lawmakers, chefs, laborers, and every other sort of person imaginable.

Although religion is no longer dominates everyday life in Western society,
Islam becomes the fastest-growing religion in America and in the world?

A NATION CHALLENGED: AMERICAN MUSLIMS; Islam Attracts Converts By the Thousand, Drawn Before and After Attacks
By JODI WILGOREN
Source: The New York Times: October 22, 2001, Monday
Section: National Desk

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3016/fastest.htm

"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people..." Hillary Rodman Clinton, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3

Famous people are affected too:

Singer "Cat Stevens" Hear his story as told him
http://www.islamtomorrow.net/converts/yusuf_islam.htm

[Qingu]

Originally Posted by salem14

If religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow.

Because most of them also teach bad things. And more importantly, to follow a religion is to submit to a false sense of certainty, which breeds intolerance and fanatacism.

[sgary]

Originally Posted by salem14

Although religion is no longer dominates everyday life in Western society,
Islam becomes the fastest-growing religion in America and in the world?

I do not agree with this, the God I worship, is not a religion, but a reality. (faith) And to say the worship/living does not dominate would be wrong.

As for the fastest growing?, I would need to see more proof. Then I'll add that, "The powers that be" know only a few things like control, & money, and will tell you whatever it is that you would like to hear for their gain, not yours.

Use that faith, talk to the Father, Hosea 6.6 is what He wants, (your love) it's the strongest thing I know. check it out. sgary

[JerryLove]

I do not agree with this, the God I worship, is not a religion, but a reality.

Right, the goddesses are not a religion, but a reality.

And to say the worship/living does not dominate would be wrong.

So the state of the world today, wars and terrorism, and crime, are the result of your God dominating everyday life? Great God you got there.

As for the fastest growing?, I would need to see more proof.

It's readily accessable. From the US Census :

Christian population (in thousands): 151,469 in 1990... 207,980 in 2001. Growth 56,511 (37%).

Muslim population (in thousands): 527 in 1990... 1,104 in 2001. Growth 577 (109%).

So Islam has a faster growth rate (by percentage) in the US.

[sgary]

Originally Posted by JerryLove

So the state of the world today, wars and terrorism, and crime, are the result of your God dominating everyday life? Great God you got there.

It's readily accessable. From the US Census :

Christian population (in thousands): 151,469 in 1990... 207,980 in 2001. Growth 56,511 (37%).

Muslim population (in thousands): 527 in 1990... 1,104 in 2001. Growth 577 (109%).

So Islam has a faster growth rate (by percentage) in the US.

He is a great God, it's man that is not. you are like a lot of people that want to blame God for every thing that is going on in this world, instead of themselves.

Islam MAYBE the fastest growing in the U.S.?, but not the world. (census is not a fact) sgary

[JerryLove]

He is a great God, it's man that is not. you are like a lot of people that want to blame God for every thing that is going on in this world, instead of themselves.

Not me, you. You said that God dominates everyday life in the western world. These are the realities of everyday life in the western world. Therefore you claim these are the results of God.

Islam MAYBE the fastest growing in the U.S.?, but not the world.

Christianity is dropping as a percentage (http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm) See also http://muslim-canada.org/muslimstats.html

(census is not a fact)

Of course it is.

[salem14]

From what I've heard from different friends of mine who have converted to Islam, there are a few main reasons for most conversions.

1. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don't in the USA. Islam is something that can't be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur'an. Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.

2. For women, it is a big and welcome change from the "in your face" sexuality of western culture. Women are not required by the Qur'an to veil. They are required to dress modestly and it is *recommended* that they cover their hair. However, most do veil and some go farther with niquab (the face screen) or other traditional clothes. Women dressed like this consider themselves marked as religious women, not easy dates. They don't get hit on. No one gawks at their bodies. They are clearly off limits sexually and many that I personally know say it is liberating not to have to conform to western standards of sexy dress, makeup and spending so much time and money on appearance. You buy a five-dollar hijab, put your hair in a ponytail and cover, wear long skirt and a tunic shirt -you're set.

3. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture. Islam on the other hand is more rigid and does not as a whole allow much for modern changes and the whims of society. Many like it because they feel other religions have loose standards.

That's what I got from the new Muslimah's group at Yahoo, Islamway women's board and a few other friends of mine. Stats taken by many college groups say that women convert 4 times more often then men.

[mad_4_christ]

Well, i think its good to look at christianity from different view points and angles from other religions or viewpoints. But i know that Christianity is real because we as christians unlike other people and rreligions HAVE a personal testimony of what gods done in their life. I can see god working in my life! And Unlike Zelda or the godesses neither have done anything for you, apart from a good game But you cant see them healing teh sick, the lame, and the blind! Which we christians can see first hand because our good is real! I think a major problem people have of christianity is that they have negative pre conceptions! Dc Talk said the biggest cause of aethism today are christians whom say one thing and walk out the church and are completely different! Its sounds like a lot of people converted to Islam as they saw soemthing they didnt like in christians (not christianity) and they saw more structure to islam life.

[JerryLove]

But i know that Christianity is real because we as christians unlike other people and rreligions HAVE a personal testimony of what gods done in their life.

This is true of most religions. I'll bet that Qingu has felt down and then thought of the soty, or prayed to the goddesses, or reread his Bible (played Zelda) and felt better.