VoyForums: Christian-Muslim Chat

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4 ]

Salaam Alaiykum
Welcome friends! Take time to look at all the different threads and share a little about yourself. This site has a wide variety of topics for Christians and Muslims to talk about. We hope you enjoy them!

Subject: (“Priests & Preachers Enter Islam?”)
Author: DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH ((“Priests & Preachers Enter Islam?”)) [Edit]	Date Posted: 04:20:45 02/21/07 Wed “Priests & Preachers Enter Islam?” [Part 1] Chaplain Yusuf Estes My ethnic background is English-Native American, Irish and German. I was what they called a "WASP" (white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant). My family moved to Texas in 1949 while I was still in grade school, so my accent changed from "Yankee" to "Texan" real quick. We learned how to say "Ya'll" instead of "youse guys" and "Howz ever thaang?" instead of "Waz up?" We also learned how to eat "Corn bread 'n bains" instead of "Johnny cakes and beans." I was born in Ohio, raised and educated in Texas and was a successful marketing entrepreneur and preacher of Christianity. I grew up in a religious home. My parents and their relatives were all 'good Christians.' Basically that means that you never drink alcohol, except on very special occasions and never gamble expect Bingo at the church. Religion was a real part of my life. I believed very much in God and the Bible as His Word. While other children were playing 'school' and 'cops and robbers' I would sometimes play the 'Preacher.' I can still remember my first sermon, standing on the ground in Doug Hideman's backyard: "We must learn the Way of God! And then stay on that Way." (That's all I said. I couldn't think of anything else) My whole family on both my mother's and father's sides were very active members of the same denomination of Protestant Christianity. We all loved to go to church on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and sermon (well maybe we didn't all love the long sermons). Then of course, special activities and holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween and parties were always a part of our lives in my early years. Our church was originally called only "Christian Church." It wasn't until I turned 10 or 12 years old that the church 'split' into two different groups that we started calling ourselves "Disciples of Christ." My father was an ordained minister and also very active in church work, as a Sunday school minister and fund raiser for Christian schools. He was the 'expert' in the Bible and its translations. It was through my father that I came to know about the various versions, translations and editions of the Bible as well as the introduction of pagan worship to Christianity about the time of the Emperor Constantine (325 C.E.). He, like many preachers would answer the question: "Did God actually write the Bible?" by saying: "The Bible is the Inspired Word of Man FROM GOD." Basically, it means that humans (inspired humans, but humans just the same) wrote the Bible. That quickly explains the errors, mistakes, deletions and additions which have crept in and fell out over the years. He would add: "But it is still the Word of God, as inspired to man." God was always on my mind. I was 'baptized' into the 'Spirit' at age 12 and surprised even the minister (an ex-Jew who accepted Jesus) by my seriousness and intent on being a 'full real follower of Christ." I would think about Him and what He wanted us to do and why He created us in the first place, very often. Many times I would be caught 'day dreaming' about God when I was supposed to be paying attention to other things, like watching the pots boil over on the stove or not listen to the teachers at school. Sometimes I would rest my head on my arms on the top of my desk and try to imagine: "What will happen when we die?" and "What will Heaven be like?" or "Can we ever see God's angels or the devil?" My mind was frequently preoccupied with these types of thoughts as a child. But then as with most youth, I became distracted from my pursuit and began to be influenced by my peers. Other children would make fun of me if I talked about these questions and thoughts, so it seemed like a good idea to keep it to myself. No problem. I like to be alone with my thoughts of God anyway. After growing up and owning many business, I realized that I did not want to be a 'preacher.' I was too afraid that I might be a hypocrite or call people to something that I myself didn't truly understand. After all, I had 'accepted the Lord' and considered myself a true Christian, but at the same time I could not resolve the idea of God being One and at the same time He is 'Three.' And if He is the 'Father', how could He also be the 'Son?' And then what about the 'Holy Ghost?' (later they changed that to 'Spirit'). But my big question was always the same: "How does three equal one?" Over the years I had tried to 'find' God in many different ways. I checked out Buddhism, Hinduism, metaphysics, Taoism, different forms of Christianity and Judaism. The one most attractive to me was a combination of Gnosticism (Christian mysticism) and Cabalism (Jewish mysticism) and metaphysics. This actually is a form of pantheism (God being throughout His creation) and is similar to some of the 'Sufi' mystics of today. But this concept in its entirety repulsed me because I did not want to imagine myself as being a 'part of God.' God is Pure! God is Perfect! God is All Knowing and All Aware of all things! So, how can I come along and say things like I was hearing from the other preachers: "In a way, we are all gods." Read the Bible: "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like any prince." (quoted from the Old Testament; Psalms [82:6]) & "I said, you are gods." (New Testament John 10:34) The rationalization which comes about in the books attributed to the Apostle Saul (changed his name to Paul), are full of statements which basically cancel the Torah or Law of the Old Testament. He makes it a matter of how you 'understand' something that makes it 'permissible' or 'forbidden.' As an example in the English Revised Standard Version which I have carried with me since 1953, it says in Paul's letter to the Romans: "I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean." [Rom 14:14] And again, in the same letter: "So do not let what is good to you be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." [Rom 14:16] By these types of statements, Paul pretty much destroys the entire Old Testament Commandments. Yet at the same time, in the same English version of the Bible in the first book of the New Testament, we are told that Jesus preached a message which was exactly the opposite of St. Paul: "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth shall pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." [Mt. 5:17-20] So according the St. Paul's own testimony in his letter to the new Roman Christians, he is relaxing not just the least of these commandments, but basically all of these commandments. And he justifies everything with his rationalization that if you don't think it's bad, then it's not! I just felt that something was wrong in this message and decided to try to uphold the Commandments according to the Old Testament as much as I could. That would mean: No Pork; circumcision; no sex outside of marriage; no adultery; worship on Saturday (not Sunday) and most important of all: No worship of anything which is in the creation. This is in direct line with the verse which says: "You shall have no other gods before (besides) me. You shall not make yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments." [Ex 20:3-6] It seemed reasonable to me, that there should only be One God. He should be All in Charge and without any partners. Reason also would demand that only He should be given any worship because He Alone deserves it. And as God, He should be the One to set the rules and give the orders. Then it would be clear who really loved Him and who was following His Commandments. I had tried not to deal with these issues for many years. But now I was getting close to fifty years old and needed to do something for the Lord. After all, had done everything for me. So, it was time for me to get serious about my religion and make some head way for the Lord. I decided to join in with some of my friends who were evangelists and preachers who preached in various parts of the country and even in Mexico. We traveled together and praised the Lord together and shared in 'the spirit' and went where the 'spirit lead us.' One of them use to carry a huge cross on his shoulders and drag it down the highway and give out little 'mini-Bibles' to those who cared to stop and visit. It was enjoyable to go to those who had given up hope or had no money or jobs and give them food, money, assistance and at the same time call them to the message of Christianity. I took my Bible everywhere and was very fast to whip it out and begin to 'preach the message.' I was 'born again.' I needed to 'be in the light of Christ.' I needed to share the 'message.' There was only one problem: "What is the message?" Oh sure, I know what some of the 'born again's are saying as they read this: "The message of salvation of Jesus Christ!" - "He died for your sins!" - "He paid the price of redemption." - "He is the Risen Son of God!" - "Jesus is LORD!" Right. - I got that. I preached that message myself and thought I understood it as well as anyone else did. The problem is that one time I heard another preacher say: "Don't leave your brain in the parking lot with your car." Then it hit me to start thinking about the very serious problems and real facts about my religion. Then came: THE QUESTIONS NOBODY WANTS TO ANSWER - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What about the Bible? Who actually wrote it? What was the original language of the Bible? (Hebrew? Aramaic? Koine Greek?) NOTE: - The Bible was never in English during the time of any prophet (not even Muhammad) - because English did not exist until after 1066 AD! Does the Bible exist in the original form anywhere on earth? (No) Why does the Catholic Bible has seven (7) more books than the Protestant Bible? Why do these two Bibles have different versions of the same books? Why are there so many mistakes and errors are from the very first verse right up to the very last verse? Why do 'Born Again Christians' teach concepts that are not from the Bible? There is no word "Trinity" in the Bible in any version of any language The oldest forms of Christianity do not support the 'born again' beliefs Jesus of the English Bible complains about the 'crucifixion' ("Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani? - My God! My God! Why have You forsaken me?") [Mk 15:34] How can Jesus be the "Only Begotten Son" of John 3:16? When in Psalms 2:7 David is God's "Begotten Son?" Would a 'Just' God, a 'Fair' God, a 'Loving' God -- punish Jesus for the sins of the people that he called to follow him? What happens to people who died before Jesus came? What happens to those who never hear this message? What about innocent children who die although their parents are not Christian? Didn't God create Adam from dirt? -- So, why does he need Mary to make Jesus? And what about God? How can God create Himself? How can God be a man? How can a man be a God? How can God have a son? The Bible says "Seth (is) the son of Adam" and that"Adam is the son of God." [Lk 3:36] Can't God just forgive us and not have to kill Jesus? And what about Jesus? Jesus did not even carry the cross -- Simon Cyre'ne, a passerby did! [Mk 15:21] Jesus of the Bible was NOT on the cross for longer than six (6) hours -- NOT three days -- (from the 3rd to the 9th hour) [Mk 15:25 & 15:33] Jesus of the Bible did not spend three days and nights in the tomb -- Friday night - until Sunday before dawn -- is not 3 days and nights! Jesus DID NOT claim to be God - or even equal to God! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My friend with the huge cross became tired of trying to answer all of my questions and in desperation one day, he told me to read the story of Abraham in Genesis in the Old Testament. Especially the part of sacrificing his son for the sake of God. He seemed to feel that this was going to explain the whole concept of sacrifice and obedience to God. I read it. But instead of convincing me that this was the meaning of punishing the good so the bad do not have to suffer, I saw a totally different message here. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son on the alter for the sake of Almighty God, if that was what God wanted from him. But God did not really want to take the life of an innocent boy for sins that Abraham committed. That was not even the story here. And as far as replacing his son with the ram for sacrifice, this also does not match the story of Jesus on the cross. Stop. Think. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son to test the loyalty of Abraham. He did not withhold his son from God, so God's angels ordered him to offer a ram in place of his son. God was pleased with his total submission and as a result, God Blessed him and his offspring. [Gen. 22:9-18] Now think about the New Testament story of 'salvation.' Jesus asked God NOT to put him through this ordeal. "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done." [Luke 22:42] Notice in the next verse, an angel from heaven also appears to Jesus to "strengthen him." Abraham's angel comes to offer a ram as a sacrifice instead of the son. The next verse [22:44] Jesus is in AGONY as he prays "more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground." Then I looked to the account of the story in the Book of Mark [14:32-39]. Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane and his soul is "very sorrowful, even to death." And "... going a little farther, he fell on the ground prayer that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Meaning that somehow when the time came for the event to take place he could escape it. This is NOT the submissive attitude of Abraham. Next I noticed in verse 36, Jesus says: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." And then he goes to his disciples and wakes them up and then returns to pray "... saying the same words." This whole concept was so totally different than the one from Genesis talking about Abraham and his son. I asked questions and delved into 'those kind of stories' the more I would like to facilitate the truth. Many strange things began to happen. Very strange. Things began to happen in my life. Things that would change many concepts and beliefs that I had been burdened with for many years. Solutions and answers started coming in very strange and wonder ways. First, my father started doing business with a man from Egypt. After introducing me to him, my father noticed right away that I was trying to convert the man to Christianity and asked me not to do so in a rude manner. I heard the man say he was ready to come to my religion if my religion was better than his religion. But there was a condition, he said he wanted proof. I told him religion is not about proof. It is about faith. He then said something that really made me think. He told me in his religion there was both faith and proof. Strange, I thought. How could there be any proof about God or religion? Next, I was to meet a Catholic priest who would enlighten us all on the true history of the church and what was really going on in the cathedrals and the Vatican. His name was Father Peter Jacobs. His experiences throughout Central and South America, Mexico and the United States would prove to be very enlightening. But most of all was his deep understanding of the Bible and the scrolls. He brought to the table many interesting and amazing facts about Christianity and the organized religion of Catholicism. Both the priest and the Muslim from Egypt came to live with us in our home in the country near Dallas, Texas. Then things really started getting strange. I would love to share the details of this story of how so many preachers and priests are coming to Islam.
Replies:
Re: (“Priests & Preachers Enter Islam?”) -- ServantOfGod, 10:29:13 05/28/07 Mon

Subject: London escorts

Author:
London escorts
[Edit]

Date Posted: 16:43:27 05/09/07 Wed

Visiting London

While visiting London, don't forget these popular attractions. If you have always
dreamed of visiting London and seeing the sights, you may have wondering what
to do when you get there. There is so much to see and do in London when visiting
that to see everything could take months. What if you only have a couple of
weeks? Finding the tourist attractions that fit your agenda can be simplified
by using this list of some of the top hot spots for tourists visiting London.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
escort escorts escort service escort services escort London escorts London London escorts London escort agency escort agency escort agency agency escort escort UK escort agencies London escort agencies escorts in London escorts of London Parklane escorts Parklane girls
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously, there is much more to London
than what is listed here. These are just the essentials to touring one of the
oldest cities in the world. Top Museums To See While Visiting London
First on our list is the National Gallery. It houses one of the greatest collections
of European paintings. If you are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt
or Van Gogh, this museum houses those collections and several others from famous
artists. There are literally thousands of exhibits to see and it could take
days to see it all. Special guided tours and holiday events make visiting extra
fun. To get there, just ask to visit Trafalgar Square and walk from there. This
museum is often considered the number one place to see while visiting London.
Another great spot is the Natural History Museum. Kids dig the dinosaur exhibits.
Not to be missed is the earthquake simulator and an elephant bird egg. This
museum is interactive, educational and rewarding for anyone with a curious mind.
Located on Cromwell Road, this museum is great for families.
London isn't just a great place
to visit the hundreds of museums; you can also take a peek at some of its most
favorite landmarks. London is well
known for its palaces and other historical buildings that allow visiting and
tours. One of the most highly visited buildings in the London
area is Buckingham Palace. It gives you the opportunity to see the Royal Throne
Room, Ballroom and more on it's tour. Don't forget the world famous changing
of the guards. Also, the Palace gardens are exquisite for anyone who likes to
see a little green. You won't want to forget your camera.

The Tower of London, a highly recommended place for anyone visiting the city,
offers tours throughout most of the year. This tower began its life in 1078,
when William the Conqueror first ordered its construction. The tower itself
has been the location of palaces, prisons and even a zoo. Learn of its history
by taking a free guided tour of this most famous tower, home of the Crown Jewels
of England. The Rest Of The Best To See While Visiting London If looking for
an experience you'll never forget, London offers its unique London Dungeon.
This frightening tour offers an image of London in its most deadliest and frightening
times. This fun adventure let's you explore the Great Plague, Jack the Ripper
and more killer fun. For a family vacation, London offers its visitors a fantastic
zoo. The London Zoo offers exotic animals, tiny and strange bugs and loads of
fun for guests of any age. With over 650 animals on display, you won't want
to miss this adventure. Admission also includes exquisite gardens, exceptional
architecture and fine art exhibits. Whatever sort of attractions you crave,
London offers some of the best in the world. When you book a trip, remember
the top picks but also invent your own adventure while visiting London, England.

We run a High-Class escort agency and it’s been a good number of years since
we first launched the London escorts
agency Bond & Mayfair web site. Originally we weren’t based on the
web at all, business has always been booming and all we had to do is rely on
adverts in magazines such as What’s On etc…good advertising is partly
what we needed to do. Times have changed but in fact for the better in many
ways as we are now the most recognised and respected escort agency in the UK.

To have a successful London escorts
agency you need to put in long hours with a lot of determination and dedication.
This is the minimum effort you need to actually stay in business in this industry,
a lot of people will try to bring you down and try to make you look small. They
think they know everything that there is to know but really and truly they don’t
know much at all, these are the ‘Bedroom Boyz’.

Looking at the industry from a distance it is getting much better as more and
more people are beginning to realise that acquiring cheap service from a so
called high-class London escort
agency is not always the right choice. Most of the time they get burnt.

Bond & Mayfair will at all times strive to provide the best value for you
and we constantly keep a perfect blend of old world service at the same time
keeping modern demands and comforts as high priority.

There are many others just likes us that are trying very hard to keep things
nice, clean, friendly and professional but the list is now beginning to grow
endlessly and only the best are being remembered.

London escorts agency
owner living in central London

escort escorts escort service escort services escort London escorts London London escorts London escort agency escort agency escort agency agency escort escort UK escort agencies London escort agencies escorts in London escorts of London Parklane escorts Parklane girls

Subject: Biggest BIBLE mistake ever
Author: DR. KARMAN SATTAR BALOUCH [Edit]	Date Posted: 05:17:59 04/24/07 Tue PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING SITE AND SEE IT YOUR SELF http://www.members.shaw.ca/mmljbc/

Subject: Millionaire Training Begins With Millionaire Thinking!!!

Author:
James Tarbutton
[Edit]

Date Posted: 03:40:42 04/18/07 Wed

Millionaire Training Begins With Millionaire Thinking!!!

Greetings,

Please check out the link below?

Our Training CAN Help YOU Become:
Debt Free
&
Financially Secure

Possibly even a millionaire

Find Out How - Call Toll Free recorded message
1-800-466-82117
ID# 20512
==================
http://www.jamestarbutton.com
==================
This message sent by James Tarbutton

Subject: Muslims love Jesus Christ
Author: Ammar [Edit]	Date Posted: 10:29:47 04/15/07 Sun Muslims love Jesus Christ. Muslims have love as a central theme in their religion. Loving Jesus Christ is part of that love.

Subject: FOR SALE - Sustanon deca durabolin winstrol dianabol Erythropoietin Methyl 1-testosterone

Author:
nkristan@indo.net.id
[Edit]

Date Posted: 23:22:17 04/01/07 Sun

FOR SALE !! Sustanon sustenon deca durabolin nandrolone decanoate dianabol anabol naposim anadrol anapolon clomid durabol clomiphene citrate Gonadotropina HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hGH Human Growth Hormone somatropin saizen jintropin caffeine gensci igtropin orgabolin andriol testosterone undecanoate proviron norma deca cytadren Aminoglutethimidum Oxafort Maxigan Novartis Equigan Ultragan Oxandrovet Aminoglutethimide methandrostenlone Orimeten Percocet Endocet primobolan methenolone acetate winstrol azolol stanozolol cetabon Ampavit Stanosus Stanazolic Zambon Estano pets Metenol QV schering decabol stanabol stanol body research LA Pharma Oxydrol stanoject bacteriostatic water nolvadex tamoxifen citrate Hubei Huangshi Nanshang Salbutol Albuterol Sulphate diazepam Arimidex anastrozole parabolan clenbuterol spiropent Suprimo norma hellas Jurox Lab Anabolic DN Anabol Thyroid – T3 liothyronine sodium cytomel T4 Levothyroxine Sodium thyrax Testabol Depot methyltestosterone ephedrine HCL EPO Erythropoietin Epogen Epotrex Repoxygen laurato denandrolona Eprex syringes needles Terumo Merck Frosst Boldenon Equipoise Humatrope Lilly Intervet Laudrol Pfizer EC Labs Latvia Isotretinoin boldabol boldenone undecylenate Loefler Vardenafil super test Norvet Lab Methadone sildenafil citrate tadalafil Cortisone Acetate drostanolone propionate Mastabol Drostanozol Masterbolan Immunoglobulin Gammaglobulin decaject denkadiol dipropionate methandriol sydgroup british dragon british dispensary Methyl 1-testosterone M1T IGF-1 Adipex organon decanandrolen Andractim Androstanolone DNP 2,4- Dinitrophenol Lutalyse PGF2 prostaglandin F2 Testabol Propionate Adderall Viagra Cialis OBH12 Dobetin Liv 52 B12 cyanocobalamin Aranesp Amgen Metformin Darbepoetin Alfa Albumin Laurabolin MDMA Tulip ANABOLIC TS ANABOLIC TL ANABOLIC ST ANABOLIC BD Morphine Sulfate methadose GHB gamma hydroxybutyrate usnic acid sodium usniate Soma Watson Kynoselen Turanabol Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone Agovirin Depot methandienone Carisoprodol GennaPharm Brick Methylphenidate Concerta Ritalin Methyldienolone finaplix testogel DUPROST Dutasteride Avodart HCA hydroxy citric acid carnitor/Levocarnitine injection aspirin insulin humulin lilly xenical glucophage metformin teslac Testolactone cypionate propionate anavar oxandrolone bonavar oxanabol meridia Roche accutane norandren brovel lab nandrolona Tornel Lab ttokyo averbol Reforvit B Oxymetholone androlic bonalone masteron test enanthate Testoviron Depot Androtardyl omnadren jelfa denkall lab metil test aquatest testosterone suspension Anabrol Denkall Oximethalona Kanestron NANDRALONE CYPIONATE Acetrembo Nubain nalbuphine laurabolin reductil proscar finasteride Finaplix trinabol trenbolone acetate trenbolone enanthate THG Tetrahydrogestrinone trenabol provigil Modafinil modiodal alertec modalert Oxycontin Oxycodone Stadol NS Polycitra-K Ambien zolpidem Dornicum Norco Phentermine Alprazolam Xanax Klonopin Clonazepam Loratabs Loratadine ROHYPNOL codein Flunitrazepam Parlodel Bromocriptine mesylate Condylox Ketotifin Super Clen Dalmane flurazepam valium Codein Phosphate oxycodone hydrocodone lortab lorcet norco vicodin Tamiflu Oseltamivir levitra Rivotril Clonazopam Klonipin Calcort Methenolone Enanthate Deflazacort midazolam Ketamine Anastrozole HYDROCORTISONE Solcoseryl Sorbitol Actovegin Haemodialysate Nembutal PENTOBARBITAL Paxil PAROXETINE Wellbutrin BUPROPION Hemopure Biopure Oxyglobin Femara Letrozole Letroz GBL Gamma Butyrolactone Aromasin Exemestane Halotestin Halotestex Stenox Fluoxymesterone Lotrel Amplodipine Benazepril 4-AD 4-Androstenediol seconal secobarbital Adrafinil Olmifon Erimin nimetazepam paracetamol acetaminophen Amoxillin amoksisilin amphetamine benzedrine dextroamphetamine dexedrine methamphetamine methedrine dextrostat desoxyn ionamin OxyIr Percolone Roxicet ethex mallinckrodt medical roxane laboratories purdue pharma a-a spectrum healthcare medisca injectable ATP Adenosine Triphosphate oxydose cocaine lorazepam ativan benzodiazepine

etc ---

We ship worldwide. For complete pricelist / ordering information, please mention your origin country (current position) and send your mail to :

nkristan@indo.net.id

Subject: PLEASE TAKE A LOOK, PART 2

Author:
DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH (PLEASE TAKE A LOOK PART 2)
[Edit]

Date Posted: 03:59:29 03/21/07 Wed

9 Steps to Purify the Heart
May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to purification of the heart?

Clean - your mind, your heart & soul - remove all prejudices & biases.
Thank God - for what you have - every moment of every day.
Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran in a language that they can understand best. (http://islamtomorrow.com/downloads/noblequran.exe)
Reflect on the meanings & consider the bounties of your Lord.
Seek - Forgiveness From God & Learn to Forgive others.
Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.
Open - your heart and mind.
Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it.
Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of your soul."
Remember: Clean; Thank; Read; Reflect - then:
"Seek, and ye shall find. Ask, and it shall be given thee. Knock, and it shall be opened."
Then: Continue & Avoid

The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe. If you truly love Him, then He already Knows it and He will deal with each of us according to our hearts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Now as I promised here are the answers to the questions many have asked me connected with my choice of Islam:

1. "How could you have turned your back on the perfect plan of salvation of Jesus Christ on the cross for you sins?"

Answer: Your question implies you have not considered the similarities and teachings of the Bible and the Quran.

"ISLAM" means - "Surrender, submit and obey your Lord in sincerity and peace." Whoever is trying to do this, is a "MUSLIM." If someone believes in Almighty God as One God and One Lord and wants to commit their life to serving Him and obeying His Commandments, then that person will be in the right way and they will be "saved" according to God's Mercy. No one can take the sins of another and the guilty must stand accused for what they have done. It will be up to Almighty God to Forgive or Punish according to His Judgment on that Day.

According to the remains of the translations of the Bible [see: "Bible, A Closer Look"] Jesus, peace be upon him, did not preach a message of salvation by worshipping him. This was something added later by Saul (who later became Paul). We find clear statements indicating salvation would come only through acknowledging Almighty God as One God and worshipping Him with all the heart, mind and strength. Jesus, peace be upon him, taught his followers to worship "My God and your God, My Lord and your Lord."

Again, according to the remains of the English translation of the Bible, we see the one on the cross crying out a very blasphemous statement, "Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani?" (Which being translated means, "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?") This statement on the cross clearly indicates the one on the cross is not pleased with the situation nor does he consider it right or just. Therefore, one would have to conclude this was not something Jesus approved of nor did he accept, or else someone else was on the cross in his place. Either way you look at it, the one on the cross did not accept this as a plan of salvation.

The Quran is absolutely in agreement with these teachings and Muslims do worship the same God and Lord of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Adam, peace be upon them all. The Quran states in many places, no one will be taken to task for the sins of another, nor can anyone carry the burden of another. We will all be on our own on that Day. And I ask Allah to have Mercy and Forgiveness for all those who believe in Him, ameen.

I consider that I have not left the teachings of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. On the contrary, I feel much closer to Jesus, peace be upon him, and I look forward to His return on earth more than ever before. Now I am worshipping the same God he worships and I serve the same Lord he serves, in the very same way he does. Jesus prayed to Almighty God and taught his followers to do the same. I am simply doing what he commanded to the best of my ability and ask Almighty God to accept it.

2. "Do you consider you were really "saved" and that you had in fact, been "born again?"

Answer: The Baptists have a statement, "Once saved, always saved." I asked one of them about this and he agreed it was true. Then I mentioned at one time I had become a Baptist (in my teen years) but now I was a Muslim. I had also been "saved" and baptized at the age of 12. I had accepted the very statement of Jesus being the way, the light and the truth and no man coming on to the Father except by him. I understood these statements to mean I must follow Jesus and his teachings. Therefore, I read the Bible for myself and did not let others tell me what to think about what I was reading.

The Bible states that Jesus prayed for salvation for himself in the garden of Gethsemane in this way, "Let this cup pass from me, even so, Thy Will be done." This prayer was repeated by Jesus, peace be upon him, a number of times and it is mentioned in more than one Gospel. Yet, according to Biblical accounts, the cup did not pass from him and his prayers were NOT ANSWERED. Islam teaches us his prayers were answered and he did not have to endure the cruel treatment and death on the cross, but rather he was taken up while still alive and is with Almighty God even now and ready to return in the Last Days to bring victory to the believers.

Additionally, we find Jesus, peace be upon him, teaching his disciples to pray like this, "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and Glory, forever and ever, ameen." Every Muslim I have met accepts every single word of this pray with the exception of calling "Allah" our "Father." Muslims consider it better to call on Almighty God by His Names, which we do consider to be "Hallowed."

3. "How did your family respond to your conversion?"

Answer: This is always difficult for families to adjust to and it usually takes time. My family was no exception. Although my wife, children entered into Islam and eventually my father came to declare Islam to be the way of salvation for himself, still my own mother and many others in my family resented our going to Islam at first. Eventually, things became more normalized and we do stay in touch, although they are all still very much involved in Christianity.

Allah promises to test those who declare their faith in Him with many types of difficulties and family is one of those mentioned as a test in the Quran. I do pray for them and ask Allah to guide them to the very best in this life and the very best in the Next Life. But it is up to Allah if He wants them to be in Submission to Him (Islam means, submission to Allah) or not.

4. "How about your congregation? What did they say?"

Answer: I never had my own church. I was a music minister in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana branch) in Texas and did my preaching to businessmen and informal gatherings. Those who knew me for the most part did not object and some even came to Islam, but there were a few who felt very upset and accused me of "Turing my back on Jesus, peace be upon him." No matter what I tried to say or do, these particular individuals would not listen nor did they want to learn anything about Islam.

5. "Did you experience a lot of difficulties in changing religions?"

Answer: Certainly anyone who wants to consider Islam in these times, just as in times gone by, will have to recognize there will be certain difficulties and tests along the way. The followers of Jesus, peace be upon him, were highly criticized and persecuted even until death (read what Paul said he used to do to them in the Bible; Book of Acts of the Apostles). Those who followed Muhammad, peace be upon him, suffered at the hands of their very own tribes, yet they were determined to continue to worship Almighty God Alone, without partners and submit to His Will.

The biggest problem with non-Muslims, is their lack of understanding and lack of knowledge as to what Islam is really all about and who the Muslims are supposed to be. I pray for them all and ask Allah to forgive the Muslims for not showing a better picture to everyone.

6. "Who was responsible for converting you?"

Answer: As Muslims we believe that it is only Allah who guides the people and whoever He guides will not be misguided and whomever He lets go astray none will be able to guide them. As such, it means we don't believe anyone really can "convert" someone else.

Also, we accept that all children are born in the natural state of submission to Almighty God and as such that means they are Muslims. Should a child die he or she would go to Heaven as they are not responsible for what they do not understand.

7. "Don't you ever think about coming back to being a Christian?"

Answer: "Christian" indicates a follower of Christ. When Jesus, peace be upon him, returns to earth in the Last Days, all the Muslims will be obliged to follow him. But we would not call ourselves "Christians" anymore than he would. He never called himself or his companions "Christians." The Bible tells us they were never even called "Christians" until Paul was preaching his message in Antioch.

8. "Doesn't it bother you to have left the way of peace, justice and love for a religion of hatred, violence and oppression toward women and others?"

Answer: All the prophets, peace be upon them all, called the people to worship Almighty God as One God and One Lord. As such, those who did not want to submit to Almighty God would combat them and treat them with hostilities, even unto death, as Paul had done while still being a Pharisee. The prophets, peace be upon them all, did encourage their followers to live in peace and deal with people in justice and certainly love is the highest form of emotion a human can have for another human being.

Yet at the same time, believers have to defend themselves, their families and the religion itself, lest those who are not believers should remove belief from the very face of the earth. Islam, like Christianity preaches a message of peace and tolerance - to a point. But when this is no longer possible without totally compromising and loosing one's way of life and belief system, then there is no alternative except to engage in open combat against those who are combating against the believers.

Jesus called upon his followers to sell their coats and buy swords. He explained that he did not come with peace, but rather a sword. He and his companions were engaged in mortal combat with their enemies, the Pharisees when one of the priests slaves had his ear cut by the sword. Jesus then told them to put down their swords. This is mentioned in the Bible.

The word "sword" appears over 200 times in the Bible - but even though the Arabic language has more than a dozen words for sword, there is not a single occurrence of any of these words anywhere in the Quran.

Combat is ordered in the Quran, only under very specific and limited conditions and it is nothing more than what we would today call "The War on Terrorism." Fighting against all acts of organized aggression, oppression, persecution and terrorism is an obligation on all believers. But it certainly has limits and women, children, elderly and any innocents are not to killed or injured during such occasions. Treatment of prisoners is not to be humiliating or torture of any kind. Even the dead of the enemy are to be buried with dignity and respect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now since writing my story and publishing here on the internet many other websites have picked up this story and it had become a famous example of how "Priest and Preachers Are Coming to Islam."

Again, I thank you for visiting. And I thank our Christian friend for his email. If he hadn't sent it, I probably would still not have completed this task of putting down the story once and for all of how my family, friends and myself all came to Islam.

Please feel free to share this story with others. You should print it out and make copies for everyone. Give them our links, add our story to your website or blog page, and send out emails to everyone you know. Maybe it could make a difference for others like us, God Willing.

May Allah guide you on your journey to all truth. Ameen. And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality of this world and the purpose of this life, ameen.

Peace to you and Guidance from Allah the One Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
Your friend,
yousef estes

POST BY DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH
drkarmansttar@yahoo.com

Subject: Is Muslim the gateway to Heaven?
Author: Shajahan Bin Sainor [Edit]	Date Posted: 11:42:04 03/17/07 Sat To Me, i rather talk in a simple and logical way.... I'm actually a grown up muslim with their teachin ever since young... s life goes by, i learnt alot from experience... In Quran there was a sayin for a muslim, by the age of ??, you must be able to pray.. It won't sin for the parent to cane the child if he never pray... Prayin is like giving thanks... Is it a must? Even my dad never force me to give thanks to him for prayin... 2nd, Comparing between Jesus and prophet Mohammad, Mohammad has nothin great or miracles that he proof to the world... In history, there isn't any prophet that can bring the death to life.... So how can Muslim say Jesus a Prophet...?? If you do a research, Allah is a name of 1 out of 365 gods back in Makka... The Muslim don't believe the Teachin of Christian in the Trinity and said that there isn't such thing that there is three God.. The Christian never do mention that they had three God.. It was just that it's God in 3 form.... Just like i took Three picture of you wen you were just born, at your teens age, and at your old age, they're diff but can i say that there is three of you....?? Common sense please.... I have more to say but do email me and i will try to answer wen i can..... Anyway i'm not a christian... I'm a born muslim but not a muslim.... I'm a free thinker but i look at Christian as the most logical teachin than the muslim..... Anyway i'm not bible educated so don't treat me as the father of some church wen you're expectin your reply..... Thanks.... My email: prankzter_86@yahoo.com.sg
Replies:
Re: Is Muslim the gateway to Heaven? -- shajahan Bin Sainor, 11:43:06 03/17/07 Sat

Subject: NAME MEANINGS
Author: AAMIR AYUB [Edit]	Date Posted: 03:06:42 03/10/07 Sat May Allah be pleased with you, could you please tell me the meanings of name zarar,i believe it was the name of {sahaba} Best Regards AAmir Ayub FROM UK.

Subject: friend first
Author: abderrahim (happy one abdo) [Edit]	Date Posted: 14:41:33 02/26/07 Mon hello all friend i will be glad to share with you in this site
Replies:
WELCOME -- DR.KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH, 04:04:08 02/27/07 Tue

Subject: who is deceiving?
Author: b deets (truly curious) [Edit]	Date Posted: 20:52:41 02/25/07 Sun Questions: If Mohammed said that God deserted Abraham's son Issac and his line for Ishmael, then why did God continue to spend time with the Hebrews and was among them during the Exodus? If God had deserted the Hebrews, then why did Jesus, whom Muslims consider a prophet say that he came for the Jews? If God made a covenant with the Jews that they were his people, then why would he only tell Mohammed that he broke that covenant, that could only be broken by death? Doesn't it seem suspicious that Mohammed's life is not similar to any other prophet's life? The other prophets taught and were blessed or persecuted, only Mohammed took (coveted) what he wanted, without consideration? Why does the Muslim faith prohibit followers from reading God's word in the bible if Christians are not prohibited from reading the Qaran? If God gave people free will, why do radical Muslims feel they have the right to make other peoples' decisions?
Replies:
be factual, read your own scripture -- DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH, 03:45:13 02/26/07 Mon Christ( may peace be upon him ) said , i am sent only to the lost sheeps of israeel -- DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH, 03:52:54 02/26/07 Mon

Subject: FAQs, ASKED BY NON MUSLIMS ABOUT ISLAM
Author: DR. KAMRAN SATTAR BALOCH [Edit]	Date Posted: 04:34:53 02/21/07 Wed TEN MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES AGAINST ISLAM http://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm QUERRIES ON ISLAM http://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm http://www.islamreligion.com/ http://asimiqbal.2.googlepages.com/asim316.htm http://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm

"I attack you not as some do, by arms, but by words; not with force, but with reason, not with hatred, but in love… I love; loving, I write you; writing, I invite you to salvation.” Peter the Venerable[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums^(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2008 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.