Christians
Christians say either 'Ahh-men' or 'Ay-men'.

The 'Ahh-men' pronunciation tends to be a bit more formal and used in liturgy, choral music, etc. An example can be heard in the closing part of Handel's Messiah 'Worthy is the Lamb'2. The Ahh-men in the final chorus is repeated dozens of times, runs to six pages in a typical choral score, and usually takes around 3 minutes 40 seconds to sing.

The 'Ay-men' pronunciation is often associated with evangelical Christians and gospel singing. Unlike Handel's Messiah, the gospel chorus 'Amen' has only five words, all the same (Ay----men, Ay----men, Ay----men, Ay-men, Ay--men.) yet can take much longer to perform as it is repeated over and over again, bringing the congregation into harmony.

Jews
For Jews, Amen is also an acronym for El Melech Ne'eman, which means "Mighty, Faithful King".

Muslims
Muslims use Amen (Amin or Ameen) in the same way as Christians and Jews, even though the word does not appear in the Qur'an. Muslims say it after reciting Surah al-Fatihah, after completing their prayers, at the end of letters, etc.

Buddhists and Hindus
Many Buddhists and Hindus also use Amen at the end of prayers and as concurrence in the same way as the other religions.

But where did it all begin?

Pagans
From old Egyptian texts we can see that people regarded the Sun as the emblem of the Creator. They called the Sun Ra, and all other gods and goddesses were forms of the Creator. One of these gods was Amen; a secret, hidden and mysterious god named variously Amen, Amon, Amun, Ammon and Amounra. For the first eleven dynasties (c. 3000-1987 B.C.) Amen was just a minor god, but by the 17th dynasty (c. 1500 B.C.) he had been elevated to be the national god of southern Egypt. This position gave Amen the attributes and characteristics of the most ancient gods, and his name became Amen-Ra, that is, a supreme form of God the Creator. By the 18th Dynasty (1539-1295 B.C.) a college had been established to study Amen-Ra and as a focal point for worship.

The Jews settled in Egypt for around 400 years4 from 1847 B.C. and during this sojourn there is no doubt they would have been fully exposed to the worship of Amen-Ra. By the time of their exodus from Egypt in 1447 B.C., Amen would certainly be in their language even if it was not their god. It would be a word that had associations with reverence and majesty. This is not difficult to understand. People still talk about Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha, and often use those names completely out of context as expletives. Amen was seen as a powerful god and the name continued, out of context, as an exclamation or salutation; a classic example of language evolution. From the Jews, the word was adopted by Christians, Muslims and others.

So Amen was originally the name of a Pagan god, who was considered a form of God the Creator. But he was certainly not considered God, or Christ. Interestingly, most Pagans today tend not to use the word, preferring instead to say "So mote it be", an old Anglo-Saxon term. Perhaps they see the word Amen in the Bible and the Tanakh and don't want to be associated with Christianity or the like. Indeed, in the Bible3 we see Jesus Christ referred to as "The Amen". Christ is God's Amen to all that he has spoken. Thereby the name used for an old Egyptian god is replaced by the same name used for Christ.

Like many other words used in religion, (or art, mathematics, medicine, etc) it's easy to believe that our ancestors saw no point in creating new vocabulary when existing and familar words could be recycled. Yet some people are vehemently protective of things and believe Amen is a Biblical word which is also found in the Tanakh and in Islam, and happens to sound like the name of a Pagan god. Others believe it is an Islamic word that can also be found in the Bible and Tanakh. And so on. The whole issue is hotly debated and any Pagan link denied by many. Who knows how many accidental or deliberate mistranslations have crept in over the centuries.

Those who believe that God is the Great Mathematician will no doubt point to the numeric value of Amen:

"Finally, we may note that the word Amen occurs not infrequently in early Christian inscriptions, and that it was often introduced into anathemas and gnostic spells. Moreover, as the Greek letters which form Amen according to their numerical values total 99 (alpha=1, mu=40, epsilon=8, nu=50), this number often appears in inscriptions, especially of Egyptian origin, and a sort of magical efficacy seems to have been attributed to its symbol."

(Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 1; 1907)

Nowhere in the Bible, the Tanakh or the Qur'an can we find words to suggest one can be redeemed by merely uttering a magic word.

Whether Amen is magic, rooted in a Pagan deity, originally a Christian word, a Muslim word, a Jewish word, or anything else, the question is the same: So what? When Christians, Jews and Muslims say Amen, they do not invoke any god or any power just by saying that word or indeed any other word. Amen does not even make other words more sincere. But Amen, like all the other language we use, helps us to focus on what we mean in our hearts.

And that is the answer to "So what?" What really matters is what is said by the heart.

The source of article;  http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/amen.html

[center]The Origin of Amen[/center]

      Amen is perhaps a word like no other. It is certainly used hundreds of millions of times daily to conclude prayer or supplication to omnipotent beings, and as a way to acknowledge the spiritual presence of something, or some “other” than one’s self. But from where did “amen” originate? And from what history or tradition?

Etymologically, the word’s root is Hebrew in origin, with its use spreading to eventually encompass Christianity and Islam. Amen is found in the Bible, of course, but also in the Quran and in Hinduism. Amen is a shared response to liturgical rites and a means of affirming sacred scripture. Beyond Judaism, in the fading mists of early history, the word can be traced to ancient Egypt and a particular line of pharaohs, that of the Amun or Amen –hotep lineage.

      While there is absolutely no historical proof for the patriarch Abraham, there is plenty of evidence for the existence of four rulers of the Amen –hotep line. The last of these, Amen –hotep IV is today known as the heretic king, the most ancient ruler to whom history can attribute another origin, that of monotheistic belief. Amen –hotep IV, or Akhenaten as he is known, founded his new religion at the expense of the Egyptian neteru, the many faces of the trinity Amen – Ra – Horus, all of whom were banned under his short, ten-year rule, their images defaced and their temples destroyed.

      During an indeterminate period of the Amen –hotep lineage the first Biblical character with a historically verifiable presence joined the Egyptian court. The biblical Joseph was perhaps a contemporary of Akhenaten (Amen –hotep IV) or of his forbears. The influences of monotheistic thought on this Semitic addition to the court of the Amen –hoteps could well have carried forward as an early form of proto-Judaism.

      Though religious leaders will scoff at the coincidence of the relationship of the word amen to its royal forbear, it is virtually certain that much of the Hebrew language, as well as Aramaic, was derived from earlier Egyptian. In fact, at the time of Moses, a distinct Hebrew language had only recently come into existence. Moses, the Prince of Egypt, likely spoke Egyptian which made him unintelligible to the fledgling Hebrew population. In the Bible God suggests that Aaron speak for Moses, not because he stuttered, as biased scholars would have it, but because Moses needed an interpreter to speak to his Hebrew flock.

      The very usage today of the word “amen” is an interesting conundrum. Is amen a holy affirmation, or is it simply a part of our collective memory of history’s first monotheist, the Pharaoh Akhenaten?

      Amen.

The source, http://theamenheresy.com/the-origin-of-amen.aspx

jagunlabi:

[center]The Origin of Amen[/center]

      Amen is perhaps a word like no other. It is certainly used hundreds of millions of times daily to conclude prayer or supplication to omnipotent beings, and as a way to acknowledge the spiritual presence of something, or some “other” than one’s self. But from where did “amen” originate? And from what history or tradition?

Etymologically, the word’s root is Hebrew in origin, with its use spreading to eventually encompass Christianity and Islam. Amen is found in the Bible, of course, but also in the Quran and in Hinduism. Amen is a shared response to liturgical rites and a means of affirming sacred scripture. Beyond Judaism, in the fading mists of early history, the word can be traced to ancient Egypt and a particular line of pharaohs, that of the Amun or Amen –hotep lineage.

      While there is absolutely no historical proof for the patriarch Abraham, there is plenty of evidence for the existence of four rulers of the Amen –hotep line. The last of these, Amen –hotep IV is today known as the heretic king, the most ancient ruler to whom history can attribute another origin, that of monotheistic belief. Amen –hotep IV, or Akhenaten as he is known, founded his new religion at the expense of the Egyptian neteru, the many faces of the trinity Amen – Ra – Horus, all of whom were banned under his short, ten-year rule, their images defaced and their temples destroyed.

      During an indeterminate period of the Amen –hotep lineage the first Biblical character with a historically verifiable presence joined the Egyptian court. The biblical Joseph was perhaps a contemporary of Akhenaten (Amen –hotep IV) or of his forbears. The influences of monotheistic thought on this Semitic addition to the court of the Amen –hoteps could well have carried forward as an early form of proto-Judaism.

      Though religious leaders will scoff at the coincidence of the relationship of the word amen to its royal forbear, it is virtually certain that much of the Hebrew language, as well as Aramaic, was derived from earlier Egyptian. In fact, at the time of Moses, a distinct Hebrew language had only recently come into existence. Moses, the Prince of Egypt, likely spoke Egyptian which made him unintelligible to the fledgling Hebrew population. In the Bible God suggests that Aaron speak for Moses, not because he stuttered, as biased scholars would have it, but because Moses needed an interpreter to speak to his Hebrew flock.

      The very usage today of the word “amen” is an interesting conundrum. Is amen a holy affirmation, or is it simply a part of our collective memory of history’s first monotheist, the Pharaoh Akhenaten?

      Amen.

The source, http://theamenheresy.com/the-origin-of-amen.aspx

what is your point?

My point?Perhaps that christianity and islam are religions that are much more pagan in nature than the followers have ever been told by their religious leaders.Or that you guys worship AMEN-RA,the egyptian sun god,which has always been signified by the utterances of the word,"AMEN" at the end of every prayer.
Boy,so many things have been hidden away from you guys!All that is hidden shall come to light.

JJYOU:

what is your point?

Story, story, story.

Once upon a time, time, time.

There was a god, Sun-Ra

RUBBISH!

mactao:

Story, story, story.

Once upon a time, time, time.

There was a god, Sun-Ra

RUBBISH!

AAAMEEN - RAA!!!

jagunlabi:

My point?Perhaps that christianity and islam are religions that are much more pagan in nature than the followers have ever been told by their religious leaders.Or that you guys worship AMEN-RA,the egyptian sun god,which has always been signified by the utterances of the word,"AMEN" at the end of every prayer.
Boy,so many things have been hidden away from you guys!All that is hidden shall come to light.

Exempting yourself men?

By you guys he means Christians.

jagunlabi:

Christians
Jews
Muslims
Buddhists and Hindus
Pagans

I dont think so. . meaning he is none of the listed.

Obviously an atheist.

Moshe spoke Hebrew too becos he was nursed and raised by his own mother in Pharaoh's house. His mother

would have taught him Hebrew language. Hebrew language is very much like Aramaic but it is distinct becos it has

its own forms. Abraham came from Babylonia but resided in Padan Aram thats why some words in Aramaic are

similar to Hebrew. Abraham's native tongue as one of the many Babylonian languages but the Hebrews borrowed

words from Aramaic while they lived there. The meaning of the word Amen or Amin in Hebrew is different from its

meaning in Egyptian. Go to the Psalms of David how many times to you see the word Amen after the prayers. Very

few almost none existent. The reason why the Midianite shepherd women thought Moses (Moshe) was Egyptian

was first becos of his Egyptian name.

Christians are soo dim. i hereby renouce my religion. i am going back to my faith in God

What about the Egyptian god also known as the lord of truth, Amen-Ra?

religious synthesis is inevitable as a religion spreads.

The deity Amun-Re, a deity that is acknowledged by Jews as Amin, and is mentioned in the Old Testament 22 times, by Christians as Amen, which is mentioned in the New Testament 50 times, and by Muslims as Amiyn, which is mentioned in the Koran 15 times. They all end their prayers in recognition of this great deity, Amun-Re. Furthermore, they all acknowledge the All-Seeing Eye of Ra, the symbol of the sun as a bright star, Star of David (Jews), Star of Bethlehem (Christians), and the Star and Crescent (Muslims). They all call their Yahweh Aluhum, or Thehos God, or Allah Subhaanahu Wa Taala, the light of the heavens and the Earth which is nothing but the sun.

he Origin of the Word 'Amen'

The word 'Amen' makes its first appearance in the Bible under the most solemn circumstances. When a husband accused his wife of adultery, and she protested her innocence, and she had not been caught in the act, the matter was settled by God under the test of bitter water (Num 5:12-31). The woman was taken to the priest, and the priest put her under oath. She submitted to a ceremony in which she drank some water containing dust from the tabernacle floor. If she had committed adultery, she was be cursed with a wasting disease, but if she did not get sick, then she was proven innocent and her husband was proven wrong.

During the ceremony, when the priest pronounced the curse, the woman was required by God to say, "Amen, Amen". (Num 5:22). That is the first occurrence of the word in scripture. The Lord commands it to be said by a person who is yielding herself to examination by him in his presence.

The word 'Amen' probably goes back a long way. Some think it is of pagan origin (there was an Egyptian god called Amen-Ra). Perhaps that ancient usage reflects an even earlier existence of the word. As to its use in the Bible, however, we first encounter the word in this commandment spoken by the Lord (Num 5:22).

dp

@jagunlabi
The point of this thread is trying to prove that Christians are actually worshiping a pagan god right?

Revelation 3:14  “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”

This quote, from the Christian Bible, shows the definite article “the” before Amen. The Koran also uses it as El Mu'min (Koran 23:1, 4:92) in countless places. Both of these mythological religions are subtly giving praise to your Nubian ancestor Amun-Ra, the husband of Mut (photo), Queen of the heavenly skies. (They use his name at the end of their prayers, e.g. amen, and ameen.) His symbol is the sun, the fire of nature. That is causing the skin cancer and eventual elimination of people without melanin, the cursed albino seed (the seed of Canaan; Leviticus 13); and their return into the shadows of the caves.

Right!And the same goes for moslems.If you worship,then you are a pagan bowing to a pagan god,no matter what religion you are in.

mactao:

@jagunlabi
The point of this thread is trying to prove that Christians are actually worshiping a pagan god right?

Right!And the same goes for moslems.If you worship,then you are a pagan bowing to a pagan god,no matter what religion you are in.

This is another prove that the ultimate motive of atheists is to try and make theists lose faith in the religion they ascribe to. Tell me what difference does it make to an atheists if someone worships any god? Whether they worship a pagan god or the Almighty God, it doesn't mean anything to an atheist who doesn not believe in the existence of any divine being.

Thus, the essence of this thread, like all the others posted by atheists is ultimately to discredit  religion in general and Christianity in particular.

All gods that demand worship are pagan gods.Call them whatever you wish,jehovah,yahweh,allah,jesus,etc,etc.All these are just meaningless names.They are all pagan gods and that is why you all have to worship t´hem and fear them.

wisedge:

Tell me what difference does it make to an atheists if someone worships any god? Whether they worship a pagan god or the Almighty God, it doesn't mean anything to an atheist who doesn not believe in the existence of any divine being.

The essence of this thread is to inform that all religions are pagan in origin,and the gods you all worship are pagan gods.
ALL OF YOU!

As for discrediting religions,you believers of different religions do fantastic jobs in discrediting yourselves.This forum is full of threads in which you discredit each other's religion.No oned does it better than you guys.

wisedge:

Thus, the essense of this thread, like all the others posted by atheists is ultimately to discredit religion in general and Christianity in particular.

The 'casual' linkage between the Amen god of Egypt and Judaism/Christianity has long been played out.

Does Amen have a Jewish meaning? That is the crux - that there is coincidentally a name for an Egyptian god with the same spelling is not a confirmation of anything. After all my name is Debola, does that mean I am named after the Ebola virus?

It means so be it - any other meanings/origins can be inferred from now till eternity, It is of no difference.

The essence of this thread is to inform that all religions are pagan in origin,and the gods you all worship are pagan gods.
ALL OF YOU!

You and your cohorts have posted thousands of threads trying to discredit religion. But is it working? Absolutely not. This is proof that faith is not defined by what anyone thinks about what someone believes in but by their own personal experiences of/ interraction with a divine being.

THe fact that atheists have not had any personal experience of God does not mean others haven't. It just means that they are spiritually blind. Its like a blind man who attests to the existence of the sun because he can feel the sun's heat but denies the existence of other planetary bodies because he cannot see or feel them. Meanwhile, those who are not blind can see these bodies and attest to them to the blind man to no avail.

Religious people discredit themselves on this forum by attacking each other.See moslems and christians attacking each other in different numerous threads.
Christians of different denominations attacking and discrediting each other in different threads, You guys do all the discrediting.No atheist can do it better,

wisedge:

You and your cohorts have posted thousands of threads trying to discredit religion. But is it working? Absolutely not. This is proof that faith is not defined by what anyone thinks about what someone believes in but by their own personal experiences of/ interraction with a divine being.

THe fact that atheists have not had any personal experience of God does not mean others haven't. It just means that they are spiritually blind. Its like a blind man who attests to the existence of the sun because he can feel the sun's heat but denies the existence of other planetary bodies because he cannot see or feel them. Meanwhile, those who are not blind can see these bodies and attest to them to the blind man to no avail.

wisedge:

You and your cohorts have posted thousands of threads trying to discredit religion. But is it working? Absolutely not.

The worse enemy of religion are religious themselves. All the churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques are all competing against one another. There are churches who are of the same denomination, in the same town, the same diocese, which mean they have the same beliefs and worship the same God. Yet, they never come together and fight each other. Even christians who are on the same Nairaland forum are fighting each other.What is so ironic is that these churchgoers are claiming that church and religion is the place for unification and love.

These issue is simple to deal with. When you know who someone is, what he/she says will matter or not. If this post I just read is written by an #Atheist, that sums it: I shouldn't even reply because it wouldn't mean a thing to him. I know Atheists/Free maisons/etc have seeking ways to get recognition like the major 2... Anything can be said so that we look/listen then talk: leave this "Guy"
FYI: God Almighty's not looking for "ITK" peeps to call His own..(that's what brought us here) - thanks

dadu77: These issue is simple to deal with. When you know who someone is, what he/she says will matter or not. If this post I just read is written by an #Atheist, that sums it: I shouldn't even reply because it wouldn't mean a thing to him. I know Atheists/Free maisons/etc have seeking ways to get recognition like the major 2... Anything can be said so that we look/listen then talk: leave this "Guy"
FYI: God Almighty's not looking for "ITK" peeps to call His own..(that's what brought us here) - thanks

You do not listen to what we say, because we are atheist. you are saying that due to being atheist whaever we say is irrelevant.... interesting

All gods that demand worship are pagan gods.Call them whatever you wish,jehovah,yahweh,allah,jesus,etc,etc.All these are just meaningless names.They are all pagan gods and that is why you all have to worship t´hem and fear them.

The essence of this thread is to inform that all religions are pagan in origin,and the gods you all worship are pagan gods.
ALL OF YOU!
[color=#990000][/color]

I had a guy like "This Guy" #SMH (even worst than "this Guy". Said a lot of things those days but today: an MOG fighting darkness.......

FYI: the Owner of your #SmallSoul will soon arrest you....we shall hear of it & rejoice with you.

Enjoy "this" while it last

Ok, so following this thread has been comical at best. First of all take a look at the responses to the facts presented by someone who has done at least a minute of research. This research being done by an "Atheist" then look at the uneducated responses by the "religious". One has to only look at the simpleton, uneducated responses from the so called "believers"(no matter the religion) and it becomes evidently clear why someone with a mind to question and research will ultimately turn away from religion all together. Had it not have been for a very in your face set of experiences in my life which enlightened me to the creator I would have most certainly be an atheist and am currently not subscribed to any mainstream religious sect, whether Christian, Islam, Buddhist or an other whack-job cult for that matter. Religion is what is wrong with this world. It is evil in and of itself and does nothing more than divide creation. A relationship with the creator is an extremely personal. My faith or your faith isn't up for question by anyone else. It is mine alone. It is completely between the creator and myself.

This so called atheist you are all bashing is simply doing research into who everyone around is worshipping apparently in an attempt to get to the source and find out where the truth actually exists which I can guarantee does not exist in the mainstream churches, synagogues, mosques and temples currently occupied at this point in time. Wake up people. They are right. Religions, do a great job dividing itself, discrediting itself and ostracising itself from anyone who isn't a follower who has the wherewithal to question what they hear.

Whether you like it or not: Reality: AMEN is derived from the Egyptian deity Amen Ra. Sorry to burst your bubble. Doesn't matter what you think your worshipping when your saying it reverently or singing it you are worshipping that deity. The worship of this deity has continued through the ancient world and has continued to this day. It is your job to research and find out what the distinct name of the god you worship. If you say your god is Spongebob but you but close all your prayers to the name of Patrick then who are your worshipping? Really? Just because you said "in Jesus Name" before you closed with the name of AMEN. Who are you attributing the name of Jesus to? AMEN.

One can look at the Name of "Jesus" which actually didn't exist in Aramaic or Greek. So in reality millions end prayer using a fictitious/fraudulent name then give the true name of a known deity; AMEN to attribute the prayer to in the end. This is done with all religions. So who is actually the god of this world? AMEN. This has remained true since the days of ancient Egypt and continues to this day in almost all "organized" religions.

So before you go bashing Atheists for questioning which god is actually being worshipped you need to take the time to find out who you are actually worshipping.

i strongly agree with that Amen is said to invoke the amen god. and all those who use it should know the origin n change.

I believe the pagan 'god' Amun-Ra (Amen) was not a real god, rather, the Egyptians built statues and worshiped those statues.
I believe there is only one real God, and yes, that one real God is hidden from our sight.
The one real God is the true "Amen", in that sense, therefore.

According to the Bible in many passages we can see that ancient Israel indeed worshiped the sun and stars and the Egyptian gods and the other gods of the people around them - Ezekiel 8:16-17, Amos 5:26, 2 Kings 21:1-5
According to the Bible it was some of the very scribes(the writers/keepers of ancient Jewish scripture) and pharisees that caused Jesus to be put to death - John 11:45-54
Therefore it is no wonder if they also perhaps changed even some of the Torah and other prophetic writings to suit their anti-Christ agenda.

I have chosen to no longer say the word Amen, "let your word be Yea, yea; nay, nay" Matthew 5:37
I take that to mean, if you mean yes, say yes, not no; if you mean no, say no and not yes. Say what you mean.
So, if i think someone hearing me will not know what i mean by "Amen", i will say, "I agree" or "So be it" instead.

1 Corinthians 8:13
"Therefore if eating meat (in the presence of my brother) makes my brother become offended (have cause to sin, and also offended in the traditional sense) I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to stumble."

Therefore, if i am in the presence of one who thinks the word Amen relates to an Egyptian god, i will not say the word Amen in the hopes that the very thought of any Egyptian 'god' does not enter any mind.

Also there is the history of the Bible.

The Geneva version of the Bible that was popular 51 years before King James has far less of the word "Amen" in the old testament.
The Geneva version of 1 Kings 1:36 does not say Amen, but rather "So be it; and the Lord of my lord the king ratify it"
Same with Jeremiah 28:6 - "So be it"

I think the word Amen was added into the Bible. Clearly it was added when going from the Geneva version to King James.
(it seems to me 1 Kings 1:36 was even re-worded such that it could be mistakenly taken as reference to a god named Amen)
(the Geneva translation makes more sense, both directly and grammatically)
As i said above; according to the Bible it was some of the very scribes(the writers/keepers of ancient Jewish scripture) and pharisees that caused Jesus to be put to death - John 11:45-54, 2nd Thessalonians 2:10-11
I think they also perhaps changed even some of the Torah and other prophetic writings to suit their anti-Christ agenda.

God is the ever existing single source of all things.
( Col 1:14-20, Rev. 4:11, Isaiah 45:6-7, Proverbs 8:22-23 )

1. God can not NOT be God.
2. God can not NOT know something.
3. God can not die/stop existing.

However, God DID experience all 3 of the above as Christ.
God created everything so that He could experience the above 3 things and relate to His creation,
while at the same time creating the ultimate way to demonstrate His love for His creation.

Jesus Christ from Nazareth was and is God in the Flesh the physical manifestation of God.
( 1st Timothy 3:16, Zechariah 12:10, Isaiah 9:6, John 14:9 )