btw Daniel, rec'd your post text for rebutting Sensing. Just havent had a chance to post it yet. I'll probably wait for a few days so things arer spacedd out a bit. Just wanted you to know I havent forgotten :)
I agree with the sentiment here, but the plain text of the article more says that Christians use the same WORD for god as Muslims. This is not the same as saying they worship the same god. Though I think that point could be (and has been!) proven using more authoritative sources (koran, etc.).
"God" is just an English word. "Allah" is simply Arabic for the same word, which Arab Christians and Jews have been using for well over a thousand years.
Although dealing with Christian bigotry does get tiresome I'm sure (I certainly find it embarrassing), I do think the English speaking Muslim community would do well to use the English equivalent "God" just to seem less weird and alien to people who aren't well-informed. Nothing will move those who are utterly determined to see Islam as evil and alien, but others can be educated easily enough I'd think.
But if jewish Americans can call their god HaShem ("the name"), then why can't islamic Americans call their god Allah?
And what's weird about any of that?
Oh, they can call their respective gods anything they want - but that's precisely the problem!
Its not really the name but whether the fact of having different names means they are, in fact, different gods.
You see, despite every claim to the contrary, the differing textual grounds, differing means of worship, differing views on what the god in question would do in various situations, and differing views on what behaviors us mortals perform [dis]pleases said god, those gods are the same - or so I'm told.
Oh, and before anyone snarks, I actually do believe they're the same - but I don't agree with anyone's conception of that God. You're all flat-out wrong [and so am I, but at least I know it]
The term "Hashem" isn't meant to be God's name. It's meant to be a substitute word to avoid giving offense. Literally it means "The Name" (i.e. they say "The Name" instead of the actual name or names).
12.29.2007 10:58am
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
I agree with the sentiment here, but the plain text of the article more says that Christians use the same WORD for god as Muslims. This is not the same as saying they worship the same god. Though I think that point could be (and has been!) proven using more authoritative sources (koran, etc.).
That settles it, the christian church and newspaper in Malaysia lose.
But they can use the word, Deus.
Although dealing with Christian bigotry does get tiresome I'm sure (I certainly find it embarrassing), I do think the English speaking Muslim community would do well to use the English equivalent "God" just to seem less weird and alien to people who aren't well-informed. Nothing will move those who are utterly determined to see Islam as evil and alien, but others can be educated easily enough I'd think.
All things, considered, I'm hardly the guy to lecture anybody about the ethincs of naming their deity.
But if jewish Americans can call their god HaShem ("the name"), then why can't islamic Americans call their god Allah?
And what's weird about any of that?
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
Its not really the name but whether the fact of having different names means they are, in fact, different gods.
You see, despite every claim to the contrary, the differing textual grounds, differing means of worship, differing views on what the god in question would do in various situations, and differing views on what behaviors us mortals perform [dis]pleases said god, those gods are the same - or so I'm told.
--|PW|--
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.