Questions about Allah

[rufioag]

I have read this on several internet sites but do not take it to heart because I do not merely accept fact because others have written it. But none the less, i will put forth the information and allow those who know to answer.

Moon worship has been practiced in Arabia since 2000 BC. The crescent moon is the most common symbol of this pagan moon worship as far back as 2000 BC.
In Mecca, there was a god named Hubal who was Lord of the Kabah.
This Hubal was a moon god.
One Muslim apologist confessed that the idol of moon god Hubal was placed upon the roof of the Kaba about 400 years before Muhammad. This may in fact be the origin of why the crescent moon is on top of every minaret at the Kaba today and the central symbol of Islam atop of every mosque throughout the world: About four hundred years before the birth of Muhammad one Amr bin Lahyo ... a descendant of Qahtan and king of Hijaz, had put an idol called Hubal on the roof of the Kaba. This was one of the chief deities of the Quraish before Islam. (Muhammad The Holy Prophet, Hafiz Ghulam Sarwar (Pakistan), p 18-19, Muslim)
The moon god was also referred to as "al-ilah". This is not a proper name of a single specific god, but a generic reference meaning "the god". Each local pagan Arab tribe would refer to their own local tribal pagan god as "al-ilah".
"al-ilah" was later shortened to Allah before Muhammad began promoting his new religion in 610 AD.
There is evidence that Hubal was referred to as "Allah".
When Muhammad came along, he dropped all references to the name "Hubal" but retained the generic "Allah".
Muhammad retained almost all the pagan rituals of the Arabs at the Kaba and redefined them in monotheistic terms.

could u explain this to me? Or is this false? I do not accept what others say but I wish answers to what people claim. If this is disrespectful I will edit and delte this post but I feel it is as genuine of a question as saying that Jesus is a prophet.

[Xamonas Chegwe]

That kind of thing happens in all religions.

In christianity for instance: -

The timing and name of Easter is derived from the pagan festival of Aistre.
The date of Christmas is set to correspond to the pagan festival of Beltane.
The communion of bread and wine is derived from Greek ceremonies involving the gods Ceres and Dionysos - see HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus#Parallels_with_Christianity) for more interesting parallels between dionysos worship and christianity.

It is a long standing tradition of new religions to incorporate the practices of established faiths in order to 'ease' converts into them. There are many more examples of christian rituals being drawn from earlier, 'pagan' practices. Google "christianity paganism parallels" and just see how many hits you get.

As someone that takes all religions with a pinch of salt, I don't find these parallels and bastardisations peculiar. Religions, being human constructs, quite naturally evolve and cross-pollinate over time; each taking what it finds most useful from its predecessors and competitors, like any business.

[rufioag]

I do not argue this becuase there are parallels between Christianity and pagan religions as well but any significant parallel that affects christian doctrine can be dispelled(as far as my knowledge is concerned). Yes Christmas trees and different holiday traditions concerning Christianity do come from Pagan religions but the fact is the celebration of Christ's birth at christmas and his resurection at Easter time. The question at hand is dealing with the roots of the Muslim god and if the Muslim god has its origins in a moon god.

I would argue one thing though, that many parallels towards Christianity are indeed false claims and are only theorized becuase of similarities. Would you not agree that sometimes movies or books have similar stories to that of your own? This is pure coincidence. My question concerning Allah is more than coincidence and is rooted in direct evidence or purported evidence. I am not a scholar when it comes to Islam nor do I claim to understand everything that is in the Bible. But with every counter claim towards Christianity, I find myself growing stronger and stronger in faith becuase the questions you bring up makes me want to search for answers. Thank you and Praise you.

Sorry for the aside, back to the topic at hand.

[Xamonas Chegwe]

You are not prepared to entertain that your religion, your book, can be derived from earlier, 'pagan' faiths; and yet you show no such qualms about suggesting the same thing of somebody elses religion, and their book.

I think this smacks of disrespect personally. What exactly was your purpose in posting this? To deride Islam and belittle other's beliefs? That is how it appears to me. You must realise that the muslims in this forum will dismiss your claims in exactly the same blasé manner in which you have dismissed mine. All you will end up with is a "My God is bigger than your God" contest. Forgive me for suspecting that that is precisely your intention.

I thank you and praise you for confirming my own personal belief in the bottomless pomposity of some believers.

[rufioag]

Im simply asking a question while not merely accepting it. I have answered questions on the fact is Jesus God? Was Jesus only a prophet? Was jesus a myth? All these questions are a slap in the face because they blantenly disrespect my beliefs on the issue. But none the less, I attempt to satisfy those who question my beliefs with the evidence I show through the Bible. And more so, these are not just questions but truly believed statements that attempt to conclude an answer before a response is given. My purpose on the other hand was to question something I have read and not merely accept it. You can criticize my faith but you will never weaken it in your criticism.

And you misquote me, I do not believe that the Christian faith, the Bible is founded in any pagan religions! That is putting words in my mouth and you know it. People do alot of things in the name of God that isnt affirmed in the Bible. And the point is that the celebration is an acknowledgement of actual events that occured! I can not change what people ahve done in the past I can just hope that I can follow the message that was given to me through God.

My purpose is not to start an arguement between my faith and anothers but to understand what others believe. I choose to not believe things unless I find great evidence that proves it true to me.

[Xamonas Chegwe]

You will notice that I have been as vociferous in condemning such threads when raised by muslims in the past, as I have been in condemning yours.

As you say, you took these threads as a slap in the face. Good analogy, shouldn't your response as a christian have been to turn the other cheek rather than to slap back?

[Xamonas Chegwe]

You are not prepared to entertain that your religion, your book, can be derived from earlier, 'pagan' faiths;

How does this state that you believe that christianity is derived from pagan rituals? I know very well that you don't believe that. In fact I have gone as faar as to state that you refuse to even consider it!

Who is misquoting who here?

[rufioag]

Hmm..how about we just close this thread because the purpose was to start a discussion to clear up misconceptions that exist if they are misconceptions. I believe I have turned the cheek in calmly and respectingly argued my point. But I also have never claimed to be a perfect Christian becuase i am far from perfect. I use the example that God has given us to live but i falter all the time.

[Logos]

Hmm..how about we just close this thread because..

Done. If people are going to participate in this part of the fora they have to be prepared to open themselves to other's opinions and viewpoints, which everyone is entitled to, as long as they're presented in a respectable manner.