Greetings from a Muslim

[Spud]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Muslim and I just joined because I'd like to learn more about the Bible and also to know answers to certain questions that I have in mind. I'm going to post them later, though, after reading some of the older threads and after becoming a little more familiar with this place. I read in the rules that no one is allowed to write any comments nor any post links which are intended to refute and/or contradict what Christian believe, right? Well, if that is the case, then I guess I'll just have to suck it up and follow that (or else go to a different forum). Either way, I promise to respect everyone's opinions here and treat them as my spiritual siblings because, afterall, I believe in God, too, and that the Bible along with the Quran is one of the scriptures of God sent down to mankind to guide us toward Him and to attain His limitless love.

Also, I know that there's a section for talking about other religions ("Christianity and Other Religions"). But then, I was wondering, where do you guys draw the line between discussing that religion and "promoting" that religion? I mean, I'm probably allowed to talk about my own beliefs as a Muslim, for example, but in what circumstances would that be considered as an active promotion of my beliefs? Sorry if I'm being rude by asking that question. I would just like to be clearer on that before I post anywhere else in this forum.

Anyways, I honestly look forward to discussing with you guys and learn more about Christianity by doing so.

May God bless you all.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Welcome:nod


As the ToS says, it is fine to discuss doctrines or beliefs. So just talking about one's beliefs won't get them in trouble, but if they are trying to persuade others to follow their belief then they are promoting it. Based on that, I believe debate on that belief would be prohibited as well.

I do hope you'll enjoy the forums here and that we can answer your questions.

 

[Eugene]

Hi Spud and welcome. I look forward to present Christianity to you, and I really do not know the absolute latitude you will have in defending the differences between us; I am new here also, and so I reckon we'll learn together.

I will say that I know my Father in heaven loved you enough to give His Son Jesus to die for you, and as such you are very important to Him. I also have read that Islam refers to Jesus as a prophet, they believe a prophet can't lie, and Jesus in our scripture tells us the He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Next in Acts 4:12, we are told "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Than Jesus) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

I pray God will make real to you the things that will bring you into eternal life with us, and I ask this in Jesus' name.
:waving

 

[Atonement]

Spud -

I want to welcome you to the Christian forum(s), I just started myself today. I'm glad you're here and hopefully we will be able to answer some of your questions and likewise maybe you will be able to answer some of ours?

Welcome aboard

 

[tim-from-pa]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Muslim and I just joined because I'd like to learn more about the Bible and also to know answers to certain questions that I have in mind. I'm going to post them later, though, after reading some of the older threads and after becoming a little more familiar with this place. I read in the rules that no one is allowed to write any comments nor any post links which are intended to refute and/or contradict what Christian believe, right? Well, if that is the case, then I guess I'll just have to suck it up and follow that (or else go to a different forum). Either way, I promise to respect everyone's opinions here and treat them as my spiritual siblings because, afterall, I believe in God, too, and that the Bible along with the Quran is one of the scriptures of God sent down to mankind to guide us toward Him and to attain His limitless love.

Also, I know that there's a section for talking about other religions ("Christianity and Other Religions"). But then, I was wondering, where do you guys draw the line between discussing that religion and "promoting" that religion? I mean, I'm probably allowed to talk about my own beliefs as a Muslim, for example, but in what circumstances would that be considered as an active promotion of my beliefs? Sorry if I'm being rude by asking that question. I would just like to be clearer on that before I post anywhere else in this forum.

Anyways, I honestly look forward to discussing with you guys and learn more about Christianity by doing so.

May God bless you all.

Hi Spud.

When discussing your beliefs, as long as you state "I believe that.... " and then elaborate on them in detail is not the same as pushing the belief.

Actually, I believe Christians should do the same with other Christians because we do not agree on everything, either!

For example, I believe that God's Word is also written in the stars. If I start out such a conversation with "I believe God's Word is in the stars because...." and then elaborate, it's not the same as saying an absolute as "God's Word is in the stars..." as if to say, "That's how it is. Period."

Then when I elaborate, it's fine to then debate it out.

Actually, I do not follow my own advice, but if you notice, it's in the health section and tech section (where those who know me are well aware how much I hate Microsoft). But then again, such beliefs are not life and death necessarily. And likewise, they do not have anything to do with spirituality directly.

Hope this helps and I think most here would agree with what I stated.

Welcome.

 

[Hammer]

Also, I know that there's a section for talking about other religions ("Christianity and Other Religions"). But then, I was wondering, where do you guys draw the line between discussing that religion and "promoting" that religion?

I love sincere people of all faiths who wish to lead righteous lives. But, I do not love their faiths which I fear lead to destruction.

I have no authority to make judgement calls about the rules here. But, I'm tempted to reply to your question about where to draw the line by suggesting you use the line drawn in Muslim countries. Where does Saudi Arabia draw the line in offending Islam?

الله يبارك لك في البحث عن الحقيقة

 

[Spud]

Thanks, everyone, for your warm welcomes and good wishes. I'll definitely stick around and post here if I want to share and/or ask something. If you guys have any questions for me, then I'll try to answer them as well.

Eugene, thanks for your prayers. And yeah, you're right in saying that Muslims believe that Jesus was one of the prophets of God. As you may already know, the main difference in the Islamic view of Jesus from the Christian one is that we do not believe that Jesus was God nor that he had God-like attributes. He was only a prophet, and that's why we are not supposed to pray to him although we do highly respect him - even almost as the Prophet Muhammad - because we believe that they were both Prophets or Messengers of God (peace be upon them).

Hammer, I do agree with you that Saudi Arabia has a lot of strict laws which seem to be offensive and which dispossess people's freedom to a certain extent. However, I think the problem is that the country tries to implement their own interpretation of the Islamic law on a complete scale, and that's why it's government enforces certain rules on women and restricts them from having equal opportunities in all areas of education, political participation, and decision making in society. But, my understanding is that such a system of ruling a country is not encouraged by the Islamic scripture.

In fact, even in most Muslim societies (excluding Saudi Arabia), men and women are equal before the law and both have access to education, employment, and participation in the political system. In several Muslim societies, women have held the highest office in the country and they have even been prime ministers and heads of state in key nations such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Turkey, for example.

I could go on talking about these things, but this is an introduction thread, so I just made a brief response to what you guys posted here.

Also, Tim, I completely agree with what you said. You explained it really well. Thanks.