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eergin
02-02-2004, 01:04 PM
I hope for prosperity, happiness and peace for the new year. The development of mutual tolerance and understanding between members of the three religions and cooperation built on common values will be an important step capable of changing the world in 2004. I wish that all the religions may unite forces for love, peace, justice, happiness , good moral in 2004.


CALL FOR UNITY
LET US UNITE TOGETHER
LET US RALLY TO A COMMON PURPOSE

We are probably living in a period of time that the world mostly needs peace, friendship and justice. The 20th century's many regional conflicts and various acts of local violence, made it the most bloody century ever. And in 21st century they all continue. Innocent people struggle because of these conflicts and tension.

The world urgently needs solidarity and working together, but some enviroments’ encouraging conflicts and violences is a fact that may me thought about. It is really clear that it will be a great disaster if a civilisation conflict as these enviroments wish, occurs. The most important way to hinder such a disaster is that to strengthen the diolog and cooperation between civilizations. Besides this is not so difficult because there is not so many differences between Islam and the West. There are lots of common point of views of all the Jewish and Christian cultures those are the basis of Islamic and Western civilizations. To solve the problems in the world together will not be so difficult in the basis of these common point of views.

Today a mental struggle’s lasting and the world’s dividing into two is a reality. But Muslims, Jewishes and Christians are not the sides of these two sides. On one side of these two experts there are whom believe in existence and oneness of God and on the other side there are deniers. In other words, on one side there are whom that believe in the three theistic religions and on the other side there are whom that defend ideologies besides these religions. This is a living reality that some cooperations targeting religious and moral values, unite their wide opportunities and they act unanimously besides the religious people. There is only one way to inert this mental alliance, to remove the unfavourable and destructive results of these atheistic and materialist inspirations, to be the cause of societies with good moral, happiness, presence, safety, affluence: this is uniting all the sincerely believing Christians, religious Jewishes and Muslims for this common purpose.
There might be some conflicts, disagreements between members of these three theistic religions with various excuses, this is a historical reality. But these have not been because of the basis of Jewishness, Christianity and Islam, this is because of wrong conclusions and opinions of governments, communities and individual ferts, and mostly of economical, political benefits and expects. One common purpose of three religions is all the humans’ living in peace, presence and happiness. A conflict besides this is wrong for all three religions.

So a diolog and alliance built between religions is a natural result of justice and peace seeking of Christians, Jewishes and Muslims, and wish of beeing useful for humans. And this alliance will be one of the causes of the world’s reaching to presence and clarity in these times of us wating for Jesus’s coming back to the earth. All the realities we had told until now is that the members of all the three religions believe in existence and oneness of God, His creation of all the livings and the universe, must of their living according to revelation of God. The moral comprehension and ideal social model in the Old Testaments and in the Bible are likely with the Quran. Christian and Muslim belief have many aspects in common. Judaism too shares many beliefs with Islam.
Of course there are some basic belief differences besides these similarities. These belief differences had been reasons for discussions and conflicts and still are. But in a time of existence of atheist ideologies the simiralities of the three religions must be the foreground not the differences.

We can explain the necessity of to abandon making the differences a disagreement subject with an example as: Just after an earthquake or a torrent disaster, we can see the rescues. After a disaster all the people from different countries, belonging to different nations and religions, all join forces to rescue the wounded people instantly and make sacrifices. Besides in such times of difficulties, the countries give up their enmity. They unhesitatingly come to the countries’, affected from the disaster, aid. This is anyway what to do as a human.
Let’s imagine readily the position that the world societies are in: The world wide activities of the ideologies whose principles are atheism and materialism, social degeneration, moral depression, destitution, starvation, increasing badnesses, dispersed families, illegal operations, murders, struggles, wars, uneasinesses.

These and such badnesses certainly drag the world societies rapidly to physical and moral disasters. On the other hand atheist-materialist, destructive philosophies threaten the people’s not only the world lives but also the next world’s lives. All of these facts indicate that billions of living people have no difference from the victims of the disasters waiting for help.
Believing, sincere, conscientious and commonsensical Christians, Jewishes and Muslims may have a duty of helping one another against badnesses and evil, to propose a mental struggle, and work in cooperation and unity. This unity may be built on love, regard, tolerance, understanding, harmony and cooperation. This fact’s urgency may be realized, we may avoid from elements that are the reasons of quarrel, discussion and separation.
When we look at the Old Tastement and the New Tastement the basis of Christianity and the Quran, we can see that the best words and behaviours are advised.


So let us remove all the reasons of conflicts and struggles by telling them the religion values and morals. Let us show that there is no need for conflicts between different beliefs, by acting together a nd by our behaviours. Let us explain “God love” so that love, tolerance and mercy can spread out.
Certainly, calling for charities, to advice to do good and to keep away from badnesses, with the permission of God, can hope for liberation and eternal happiness.

star blue
02-02-2004, 01:47 PM
who are you working for? litlenani?

Shea
02-02-2004, 02:09 PM
Just some constructive criticism:

*Whispers* This topic probably should have been posted under religious texts.


Originally posted by eergin
We are probably living in a period of time that the world mostly needs peace, friendship and justice. The 20th century's many regional conflicts and various acts of local violence, made it the most bloody century ever. And in 21st century they all continue. Innocent people struggle because of these conflicts and tension.



Have you ever studied other parts of our world's history? Vikings? 16th century Reformation? This statement is a generalized opinion.



The world urgently needs solidarity and working together, but some enviroments’ encouraging conflicts and violences is a fact that may me thought about.

If your going to tackle such a monster topic, make sure you spell check and grammar check. (Especially with the sarcasm that floats around these forums.)


So let us remove all the reasons of conflicts and struggles by telling them the religion values and morals. Let us show that there is no need for conflicts between different beliefs, by acting together a nd by our behaviours. Let us explain “God love” so that love, tolerance and mercy can spread out.

This is probably the most useful passage because it is the most specific. A noble idea, however, because of natural human greed and corruption, your probably never going to see unity. The best you can do is to influence the people around you.

I honestly didn't intend to come off in an insulting way. Like I said just some constructive criticism!:D

crisaor
02-02-2004, 03:45 PM
I agree with Shea.

IWilKikU
02-02-2004, 04:00 PM
Do you guys think that this guy will ever come back and check his replies? Cause I dont.

crisaor
02-02-2004, 04:02 PM
Could be. There's a mystery regarding new members... :rolleyes: ;)

Basil
02-02-2004, 04:44 PM
Jewishes?

Shea
02-02-2004, 09:45 PM
Originally posted by IWilKikU
Do you guys think that this guy will ever come back and check his replies? Cause I dont.

Actually, I was wondering the same thing myself as I was typing my response. But I figured it couldn't hurt.

subterranean
02-03-2004, 12:30 AM
In one point I agree with the lad. I really have no idea why religion can be a source of conflict!!..I know the yadda yadda thing about 'spread the good news" thing :rolleyes:. Still, a person who really think, will never used religion as a base to destroy other!


originally posted by crisaor
Could be. There's a mystery regarding new members...

you and your curiosity ;)

Shea
02-03-2004, 09:16 AM
I think the biggest problem is that people become so zealous before they fully understand their own religion. For example, there is a guy that stands in front of the building where I have most of my classes preaching to people walking by. I have no problems with that, and it's obvious that he dosen't have any kind of mental problem. The trouble is that he condemns people mostly by judging how they look. Especially the women (you know college girls).

The next time I see him, (I know, this is not the Religious Text section) I'm going to show him these scriptures,

Matthew 7:1
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

It's not always easy to follow everything, but at least if someone knows it's there they can try.

atiguhya padma
02-03-2004, 12:08 PM
Eergin,

If you seriously think the world's monotheist religions can unify, then tell me how many Muslims do you know who consider themselves Christian as well? How many Muslims would think of themselves as Jewish? And if you do know of any, are they Christian Muslims or Islamic Christians etc?

Few people believe in two or more monotheistic faiths. Because this isn't what monotheism is about. Monotheism is about believing in one God, one faith. This is often to the detriment of religious pluralism.

Also, you seem to think it is atheism that causes the problems in the world. I would like to remind you that most of the world's powerful and influential political leaders are religious. You might want to equate Capitalism with atheism I suppose, but Capitalism is definitely grounded in religion. In addition, around 4 billion people in the world believe in God. How many more do you think would make a difference?

If it is the duty of monotheist peoples to improve the lot of the world, you monotheists and your gods all seem to have done an appalling job. Christians have had 2000 years to improve things, muslims a little less time, Jews far longer. You have all failed miserably. What makes you think monotheism can achieve this task?

And I haven't even mentioned the number of deaths monotheism has caused directly in religious wars, or indirectly through secular wars undertaken by religious political leaders!

Atiguhya Padma

atiguhya padma
02-03-2004, 12:35 PM
Shea,

Matthew 7:1 - Great news if your a sado-masochist!

Galatians 6:1 - Sin sounds like so much fun! Even believers might want to join in.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 - <25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,>

This is precisely why there will be no unity amongst monotheist faiths.

crisaor
02-03-2004, 11:26 PM
Originally posted by Shea
I think the biggest problem is that people become so zealous before they fully understand their own religion.
That's a good point. I'll doubt I'll ever do that, for real I mean. Life's too short for some things.

Shea
02-04-2004, 09:24 AM
Originally posted by atiguhya padma
Shea,

Matthew 7:1 - Great news if your a sado-masochist!

Galatians 6:1 - Sin sounds like so much fun! Even believers might want to join in.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 - <25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,>

This is precisely why there will be no unity amongst monotheist faiths.

I wasn't calling for world unity. I was giving an example of the little things you can do to make peace in those who are simply around you. Changing the world is impossible, irrational, and dangerous. God gave us free will for a reason, He didn't want drones. That guy who stands in our courtyard insulting people is a small example of why there is religious strife. When you force a religion on someone, it's not that person's religion its yours, even if their going through the motions. (Trust me, my family did that to me for years.)

BTW, I delt with Abdo enough when he was here commenting on my religious statements to have grown a thicker skin than a rhino!;)

atiguhya padma
02-04-2004, 02:24 PM
Shea,

You say <God gave us free will for a reason, He didn't want drones>. So tell me: is there freewill in Heaven? If so, how do you know that Heaven will not be a second Earth? ie a place of pain and suffering, except eternally so. If your answer is no, then what is the purpose of Earth? Why not put us all in Heaven?

Looking forward to your reply,

Atiguhya Padma

IWilKikU
02-04-2004, 09:33 PM
Originally posted by atiguhya padma
[B]Shea,

You say <God gave us free will for a reason, He didn't want drones>. So tell me: is there freewill in Heaven?

No one knows, can know or can asume. Everyone knows that, so why ask?


If so, how do you know that Heaven will not be a second Earth?

Again with no way of knowing. Ask YOURSELF these questions. If you come up with perfect answers than good for you. But your not going to convince everyone else.


what is the purpose of Earth?

Didn't you and Crisaor already have this exact same conversation in another thread? So why are you still going on about it?

Shea
02-04-2004, 10:30 PM
For the moment, I'll have to go with Kik. If I get the time, I'll try and come up with scriptures for you. I've been taking more classes than a full time student this semester, (which is why I haven't been in the religious text section which used to be my frequent haunt) and so along with all my reading, memorizing (Beowulf in Old English for recitation :eek: ) and paper writing, it leaves me with very little time for Bible research other than my usual studying.

Sorry for the run-on, that's the way my brain is functioning right now!:eek:

star blue
02-04-2004, 11:08 PM
666

IWilKikU
02-05-2004, 06:33 PM
pick-up sticks

subterranean
02-05-2004, 10:07 PM
Originally posted by atiguhya padma
Also, you seem to think it is atheism that causes the problems in the world. I would like to remind you that most of the world's powerful and influential political leaders are religious. You might want to equate Capitalism with atheism I suppose, but Capitalism is definitely grounded in religion. In addition, around 4 billion people in the world believe in God. How many more do you think would make a difference?

I agree with you. It's very ironic thing to say that some people who brought pains in the world are those who claimed to be religious! And indeed capitalism is based on Weber's Christian ethics! That's why I guess many radical Muslims hate Christianity cause they considered that Christians got something to do with our capitalistic world!


If it is the duty of monotheist peoples to improve the lot of the world, you monotheists and your gods all seem to have done an appalling job. Christians have had 2000 years to improve things, muslims a little less time, Jews far longer. You have all failed miserably. What makes you think monotheism can achieve this task?

I dont know whose duty it is to improve world's condition :confuse: Somehow it's a false thing to consider it as religions' taks

Shea
02-06-2004, 04:52 PM
Just thought you guys would be interested in my progress with that fire and brimstone preacher.

When I tried to show him those scriptures yesturday, he ignored them and started quoting things to codemn people again. Then he told me to turn to Ezekiel but I only had the NT, psalms, and proverbs because I was using one of those small Bibles that the Gideons gave me. (I have to carry around 3 huge anthologies on Tuesdays and Thursdays) Then, he said (in his extremely loud preaching voice), "Where's your full Bible? Why are you carrying around Shakespeare?" As if he beleived that I thought studying Shakespeare was more important than God's word!:eek:

I reiterated Matthew 7:1 to him and explained how he was judging all the people around us. Needless to say, my words fell on deaf ears. However, I did get an applause from the crowd.