Any questions?
It is useless to investigate islam looking for an authoritive
voice.
With some parallels to the local corner ‘bible church’, it’s
read the koran, and decide for yourself. Only Catholics have an authoritive
voice.
Even among peace activist Catholics, there are bumper
stickers that state “If you want peace, work for justice”. They see Jesus
constantly on the side of the poor and oppressed. But come on, do you think
Jesus had a ‘plan’ for justice and peace? Was He all about a program? Where
exactly is he eliminating oppression? Rather He told us that the poor
we would have with us always. And like Mother Teresa, those poor are to be shown
love.
He was all about love. In fact he was love. That’s the
starting point and foundation. Diving love in each heart. After that, everything
is easy.
The key turning point for Christians is to turn the other
cheek. As far as I know, no other religion has such a teaching. Like St.
Francis, take off your clothes, leave your belongings in the street, give the
oppressors your coat and shirt too, and get on with it.
Or you
could, as this individual islam spokesperson decides, “help eliminate oppression
in all its manifestations and work for justice and you will see that peace will
prevail.” Well sure. That’s one heavy plan that has been continuing from
the vantage point of individual viewpoints of oppression, justice, and peace
since Cain and Able.
Nope, there is something in the Sermon on the
Mount and Calvary that contains the more difficult and more divine action.
Sacrifice. Although it will never appear on the list of short term goals… It is
eternal.
Only Christians have it. Which even if it is seldom tried,
is the important thing.
Islam is derived from two root words -- "salaam" meaning peace and "ism" meaning submission. This very definition formulates the significance of following the Islamic way of life and of submitting to this religion in totality, since it promises this will bring about peace. Peace, then, is not a mere concept or an automatic result of identifying oneself as a Muslim. It is a goal, a reward and a state of being that is achieved when one surrenders to the Islamic way of life freely, with understanding and sincere commitment.
Islam warns that all human beings are to be treated equally and their dignity preserved because to do otherwise is to sow seeds of discontent and tilt the balance of justice. Poverty, starvation, homelessness and wasteful consumption of world resources by a few are all contributing to the disharmony in our world today. To chant peace as a mantra without actively seeking to correct this imbalance will not achieve peace.
Achieve and submit.
Islam is to be excused for not being told about Love. Somehow, that
angel that whispered all those secrets to their prophet forgot that little
thing. I would still like to see that angel's identity card. He sounds to
me like a troublemaker.
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