American Muslim site

[bbxx]

Ok, so decided to see what the muslims themselves were saying since we hear some Christians saying they are not allowed to witness to muslims in dearborn michigan at their muslim park. So I went to this site and
all I can say is WOW-- look at this

This was a discussion about Chrisitans who pray during the muslim prayer time only they pray that muslims will see the their God. Ok---so the muslim guy says the following

" Obviously we do not endorse the material contained in the link below.  We offer it in a "know your enemy" spirit so that Muslims who encounter these proselytising Evangelicals may educate themselves as to their methods.  Forewarned is forearmed."
http://www.islamfortoday.com/evangelical01.htm

Why do they say their fellow american is their enemy?
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Most the stuff does not appear hateful, but I would like to ask them what they believe should happen to those who deny their god, or even speak hate against it.

Another thing I noticed was in Dearborn they did get pork tossed out of the schools because they feared one of their kids would eat pork on accident. I realize that whatever is the majority in an area, they try to make laws and rules in accordance to their beliefs, thats only natural, but this is an example of just that.

[adgal]

I too enjoyed the conversation.  It's nice when we can have different beliefs and discuss them in a non angry way.  I appreciate your openness to hearing my end of things even if you don't agree with me.  And as I said, I fully respect where you are coming from.  It was a healthy conversation.

[bbxx]

I just wanted to say, I did not take you to be angry, and I did not want you to feel I am angry. I agree to disagree. It was an intersting discussion. :)

[bbxx]

Yes, I went to the muslim site. They do believe in Jesus, but they believe it is blasphemy to believe Jesus is God. The site I was on did not appear hateful, but they were very clear they do not believe the same as Christians, because Jesus seperates us.
For kicks, I went to you tube to see what I could find, both from Christians that turned to the muslim religion and Muslims that turned to Christianity. It was interesting because what I noticed was that the ones who left what they called the christian faith, left it because they could not get out of the trap they were in. For example one girl was a stripper and her life was full of sin and she wanted an escape. The sad thing is that she must never have read her bible or she would know that if she was a Christian, she would not remain walking in the sin she was in. Anyway, she now has a bunch of rules to control her which keeps her from doing the things. The lady who was a muslim and turned to christianity did so after comparing the two books adn learning that the Christian God loves her and desires a relationship with her verses the other god that did not love. (this is what she said). Anyway, out of curiousity I went on to you tube and found some disturbing things from the muslims own mouth about things like their hatred of jews and chrisitans. One guy even explains why the only religions they hate are jews and christians but they can accept all the others. Then one guy says that when the muslims were sad over the 9/11 innocent victims that died, they only consider the innocent to be other muslims. I was shocked at that. THen there are even more extreme muslim videos of them having their little girls talk about their hatred to jews and christians and wanting to die in battle. Anyway, lots of info out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmpCh_HBr_Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64r-iWoTsX8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjbJnZUJTYU&feature=related

As to a war between religions, God does not tell Christians to fight anyone or hate anyone, but I see where Christians are doing this. I also see muslims teaching it is right to hate and fight the Christians.

As to the Jews. The bible is very clear that the Jews are Gods chosen people. This is why all these years later, such a small group of people are still here, in spite of the many many many attempts to destroy them. God protects them still. I think if anyone were to look at their past and even now, you cant deny Gods hand of protection is on them. God says he will keep a remnant even though they have rejected Jesus.
Anyway, lots of info out there, a bit overwhelming and depressing in all honesty. I think I will just get off this subject and go back to reading my bible and making sure that I do not hate anyone.

[adgal]

I fully respect your beliefs.  And it's a good case in point.  We Christians often see things a bit differently from each other, yet are still Christians.  For example, I do consider myself a Christian in that I try to live according to what I think God wants.  I try really hard to be good to others, I am a faithful wife, I am dedicated to my child, etc.  I do not necessarily believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible.  There are just to many contradictory messages.  Yet still I firmly believe.

I have studied several religions just because it interests me. Certainly doesn't mean I understand it or agree with it all, I just find it interesting.  I love trying to understand why people feel the way they do and what the basis of the belief is. The reason I defend the Muslim religion is just because it is the one that comes up the most often these days.  I would defend anyone's religious beliefs the same way.  I guess to me it makes sense that God has appeared to everyone in a way that makes the most sense to them.  So yes, I do believe in one God and one God only, and that most religions worship the same God, just perhaps slightly differently then I do.  It's just how I see it and interpret it, I am not claiming I am right.  I don't know and won't until I pass on I guess.  What I do believe is accurate is how many people twist the true message to suite themselves or to justify horrible actions.

I think most religions are that way.  Different folks, different interpretations.  Extremists in any religion terrify me.  I respect peoples right to believe what they do, but when they start killing over it or using it to harm others, that's scary.  Personally, I don't consider what those terrorists did and are doing to have anything to do with their religion. I think they used it to try to justify hate and murder.  I see any group that does that in the name of religion the same, and I don't think their or our God would like it either.

[teko]

I am not taking up for the muslim faith as far as what they do or what they do not believe. My point speaks to the fact that under the Islam name, there are many sub groups and some of those sub groups do beliebe in Jesus. Here in the US we have christians calling themselves christian who also do not believe in the trinity. JW is just one of those factions. Regardless, of what they believe or not, as long as it is not impacting me, I dont care. JW impacts my life more than muslim beliefs, and doing alot more damage to it than any muslim anywhere.

I believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and it is my position to spread the word and pray for those who dont, not to have a hand in judging them or taking them down. God created them and he created me. We are as different as night and day not only in the way we look, or what we believe, or how we live. I am not ready to condemn an entire people simply because I do not understand or agree with their ways. Im just sayin, maybe Im not saying it right. I dono.

[bbxx]

I will be looking at some of their sites to see what they say is different between Christianity and their religion. So far things I have found are
1. They reject Jesus as God, Christians Jesus is God.
2. They believe their book is holy and we Christians believe the bible is Gods word and
    we beleive it is living, alive.
3. They believe in a lot of rituals, as do some who call themselves Christians, yet the bible
    which is Gods word says  God does not want us praying vain repetitions nor does he
    want us to be religious like having rituals. He says no works will save us, and if they could, it would produce pride, a sin.
I think though, the biggest thing, which is the one thing that seperates all Christians, from other religions, is the belief in Jesus Christ the Lord, who died on the cross but rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit and onlly through Jesus can we be saved.

[bbxx]

The other thing, you mention all the different Christian views. I dont believe all who call themselves Christian are. God is God the Father, The Son Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. The three is one. Jesus is God. The bible says when we look at Jesus we see God. The muslim faith does not accept Jesus as God. The bilble says it is impossible to be a saved if you think Jesus Christ is not God.

[bbxx]

Sorry, I just saw a bunch of your post I missed.
I am not trying to learn about their religion. I was looking at the people.
I do not worship the same god that they do. I see you believe all gods are the same. I do  not.

[bbxx]

I do not pray to the same god they do.

[adgal]

I think it's wonderful you are trying to better understand and learn about Islam.  I love learning about other religions, even those I disagree with or don't understand.  If you really want to learn about it, try reading the Q'aran.  Yes, there are some very violent parts just as there are in the Bible.  But the underlying message is the same.  Peace and love and committment to their belief.  It's a very interesting read.

I approached it much the same way I did learning about my own religious beliefs.  Look at Christianity and the different beliefs that lie within it.  For example, fundamentalist LDS members.  Or JW as Teko mentioned.  Even Catholics and Protestants have different "rules" but are all Christian.  So much of any religious book or writing is how it is interpreted.  No different in Islam.

[adgal]

So right Teko, I could not agree with you more.  Look at any religion and you will find the extremists.  It's too bad some take something that is beautiful to that extreme, but they do. RIght now there is a big spotlight on the Muslim faith because of the terrorists.  But most are just like us...moderate normal people who practice their faith in peace.  And just for the record..they do pray to the same God we do.  Allah is arabic for God.  The difference in belief is that they believe Mohammed was the messanger and we believe Christ was the Messiah.  Very similar in belief to Judism.  As you know, they also don't believe Christ was the Messiah.  But our God is one and the same.

[teko]

Here is my deal. If you look hard and long enuff you will always find some kind of evidence to support your ideals. I look at the muslim faith in much the same way as I see the christian faith or even the catholic faith. Like us the muslims have different belief systems set up under the muslim or islamic title. We ourselves have, baptist, presbetarian, methodist, and then you have the holiness which believes in tongues and healing, and JH witness who believes that healing is of the devil and those are separated from socializing with those who do not believe the same as they do (meaning non jehovah witnesses). We have our share of nuts who do things in the name of god that no one else agrees with. Bombings of abortion clinics and killing of those same doctors. We got some preaching the end this saturday and we even have those preaching that the muslims are our enemy and ours is the only religion and we must not give them an edge. I think each of us thinkis our way is the only way so that is not elite either. There are also muslims that think of us as evil and feel the same about us as we do thim.  So who is going to be successful at starting the holy war and doing away with all religious rights> Us or them. We seem to be in a race to do away with ourslves.

[bbxx]

Thank you. Due to my health situation, I wont be going anyplace anytime soon, so I really dont have any way to meet others to talk to them personally, but I do agree that is important.

[ILADVOCATE]

   Generally what I have found from the people I have spoken to who were Islamic who were moderate their ideology and belief systems about how to approach people and treat them were about the same as everyone else. Where I live there are an increasing number of ethnic groups and belief systems and basically although people are not required to the more people integrate into society the more successful they will be so that is mostly what has happened. The people among any ethnic or religious groups who haven't have isolated themselves from others and do not do as well. I do know that some what appear to be concessions to certain groups such as extending alternate side of the street parking days (where a person can get fined and ticketed) to more religious holidays including Islamic holidays is hypocritical because its just for the city to make money. If a person wants to know how a certain group thinks often its helpful to speak to someone of that background.

[bbxx]

The good thing about this site though, is that you can see for yourselves what they are saying or teaching, at least this particular group. I would sugest people not only research what others say about the muslims, but read what they themselves put on their web. Its really only the fair way to judge them, well that and their actions, just like we are judged by our words and actions.