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Christianity Etc › Power-play And Religion by plainbibletruth(op): 7:20am On Jun 14, 2015

Power-play And Religion

Jesus said in Matthew 20:
"25 .......... "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Robert Greene in his book "The 48 Laws of Power" said:
Law 3, Conceal Your Intentions.
Law 6, Court Attention at All Costs.
Law 12, Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victims.
Law 15, Crush Your Enemy Totally.
Law 18, Keep Others in Suspended Terror.

So, what should we find in religion - Jesus' example or Greene's?

Power always has the tendency to negatively influence the holder and also distorts the way he sees himself and treat others.

Power can make people act in an impulsive way, disregarding other people’s feelings and desires. There is therefore a great need for self control by a person in a position of power. Like is said: "Power is nothing without control".

That is why I believe that good systems of governance do not leave power unchecked or without scrutiny. And so, for example, an executive arm of government that knows that the judiciary is there to intervene where it has gone too far will be careful in the exercise of its powers.

A religious leader can be powerful in controlling his followers through the pulpit. But when he needs to be operated upon by a surgeon in an unconscious state where lies his 'power'? At whose mercy is he then at? But, does he then see that power is transient and something that should be handled with utmost sense of responsibility ? He can be at the mercy of another person (perhaps one he has oppressed) another day.

I believe because Jesus treated his disciples (subordinates) with respect, shared power, and a sense of camaraderie and trust he was considered just and fair and held in high esteem by them than they would have the Pharisees.

Unfortunately this his approach is missing in the lives many religious leaders and those who claim to be religious and are in positions of power today.

What we find today are those who use their positions of power to; checkmate perceived enemies, impose their will on others, give vent to their resentments, and generally terrorize people in a bid to keep them subjected to them.

True religion, however, is not using power to harass and subdue others. It is using it for their benefit. It is in genuine concern for the well-being of others. It is in relating to all under the leader's sphere of influence and operation without partiality or favoritism.

This is what anyone in the position of power in religion ought to seek to be.

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Christianity Etc › Re: Its Obvious That Muhammad Exist In Bible by plainbibletruth: 10:54pm On Jun 13, 2015

I think the verse you're talking about speaks of how jesus said Moses spoke about him. Maybe he did, but some of these prophecies can only be attributed to Muhammad, I will give you a few examples below, now you ask why muslims don't to accept the bible but point to parts that we rightfully say speaks of Muhammad, that's because, read:

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Whatever the people of the Book [Jews and Christians] tell you, do not verify them, nor falsify them, but say: We believe in Allah and His Apostle. If it is false, do not confirm it, and if it is right, do not falsify it. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Knowledge (Kitab Al-Ilm), Book 25, Number 3637)"

Whatever in the bible agrees with the principles and teachings of Muhammad, that's what is right.

Now about these prophecies, how can you tell me this speaks of Jesus and not Muhammad?

He said,

“The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us;

he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousand of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand."
—Deuteronomy 33:2
Samau'al al-Maghribi referred to this verse also in his book as a prophecy of Muhammad. He said that Mount Sinai refers to Moses, Mount Seir "the Mount of Esau" refers to Jesus, and Mount Paran "the Mount of Ishmael" refers to Muhammad.

some contemporary Muslim scholars have also pointed to the similarity between Deuteronomy 33:2 and Qur'an 95:1-3 where "the Fig and the Olive" refers to Jesus, "Mount Sinai" refers to Moses, and "Mecca" refers to Muhammad.

"the ten thousand of holy ones" are thought to be the ten thousand Companions of Muhammad.

Or this?

"Behold! My Servant, whom I uphold; My Elect One, in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench. In truth He shall bring forth justice. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the islands shall wait for His law."

—Isaiah 42:1

This is even more obvious, you do accept that Muhammad like Moses brought new laws?

Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands, and the inhabitants thereof! 11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands. 13 The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies.

—Isaiah 42:10
The mention of Mount Sela (Arabic: جبل سلع, Hebrew: הר סלע) "the mountain of Medina" and the mention of Kedar "the forefather of Muhammad", in verse 11, is proof that this verse was indeed speaking of Muhammad.

Does Muhammad not fit the bill?

"He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies."

So you quote from the Bible to say there is a prophecy about Mohammed but when the same Bible says who that very prophecy refers to – Jesus Christ – you reject that and claim that it is Mohammed. What kind of deduction do you call that?

To you ‘some contemporary Muslim scholars’ claim is more important than clear statements of the Bible. How convenient!

Suppose I tell you that the word ‘Ijebu’ is derived from the biblical word ‘Jebusite’ and therefore the Ijebus are descended from the Jebusites, how about that for “good” argument like you have attempted in your post. So you can see how childish your ‘similarity’ and ‘proof’ sound.

The first issue you need to look at is this – the portions in the Bible usually quoted by Muslims to support Mohammed being prophesied is ADDRESSED to the Israelites. How then do you explain why God’s promise to and for Israel and their future will suddenly mysteriously turn out to be about a completely irrelevant person to the people of Israel – Mohammed who has nothing to do with them whatsoever?

The second is this: You are yet to clarify this: In what way was Mohammed distinctively like Moses in his Prophethood? After all that is the claim of Muslims – that another PROPHET like Moses will come.

Christianity Etc › Re: Its Obvious That Muhammad Exist In Bible by plainbibletruth: 11:38am On Jun 13, 2015

ZoranderGraeme:
Deuteronomy 18:18
18 I will raise up for them a prophet (Prophet) from among their brethren like you, and will put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not hearken to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

—Deuteronomy 18:18-20
Samau'al al-Maghribi, a Jewish mathematician who converted to Islam, pointed to Deuteronomy 18:18 in his book Convincing the Jews as a prophecy fulfilled by Muhammad. Samau'al argued in his book that since the children of Esau are described in Deuteronomy 2:4-6 [and in Numbers 20:14 as well] as the brethren of the children of Israel, the children of Ishmael can also be described the same way.

The comparison between Moses and Muhammad is quite common in the Qur'an and the Islamic tradition. Ka'ab al-Ahbar said: "Verily God Most High divided His vision and His conversation between Muhammad and Moses. He spoke to Moses twice, and Muhammad saw Him twice.

It is also reported in the books of hadiths that Muhammad declared before his companions that he and Ali are like Moses and Aaron.

Some Muslim writers, like Muhammad Ali, interpreted Qur'an 46:10 as a reference to Deuteronomy 18:18. The witness from among the Children of Israel is thought to be Moses, and the one like him is believed to be Muhammad:

Qur'an 73:15 was also interpreted by some Muslim writers, like Fethullah Gülen, as a reference to Deuteronomy 18:18. Similarly, Qur'an 53:3-4, where it has been stated that "Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of his own desire. It is but an Inspiration that is inspired [unto him]", was further interpreted by Muslim writers, as a reference to Deuteronomy 18:18

I can remember you admitting that Jesus was not like moses. Consider the lives of Moses and Jesus in the bible, then consider that of Moses and Muhammad.

If John 1:45 confirms that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is indeed the prophet MOSES and the prophets wrote about (with Jesus' own in Luke 24:44) where and how does Mohammed fit in?

2. Between Moses and Mohammed several prophets came and went, so what in particular (what special thing) should make anyone think Moses was referring to Mohammed and not any of the other ones?

3. If Muslims don't want to accept the Bible, why pick out some portions of it to want to enhance the image of their prophet or their book?

Christianity Etc › Re: ISIS Forces Girls To Recite Qur'an While Being Raped by plainbibletruth: 11:19am On Jun 13, 2015

9jaforlife:
For your understanding of what is meant by Propagation of Islam, I'm re-posting this comment here...

Fighting is justified for legitimate self-defense to aid Muslims. It's also permitted after a violation in the terms of a treaty, but should be stopped if these circumstances cease to exist.

Never forget that the Muslims never started ANY war. All of the wars that the Muslims fought were wars of defense imposed upon them by the enemy:

The Muslims did not invade people intentionally to pillage their towns and villages and to take the booty. They fought legal wars. It is completely justifiable what they did.

Also, the Muslims did not fight and take the spoils of war for their own personal gain. They used it to help the needy and the poor and to establish a system. As a matter of fact, NO army in the world spent the spoils of war in such a generous and beautiful way as the Muslim armies did during the time of the Prophet (PBUH)

[color=#000099] The Prophet (PBUH) ESTABLISHED and ENSURED that etiquettes of war were observed.

Among other restrictions (of NOT fighting women and children, etc), Muslims have been instructed by the Prophet not to pillage or plunder or destroy residential areas, nor harm the property of anyone not fighting. It has been narrated in the Hadith: "The Prophet has prohibited the Believers from loot and plunder" (Bukhari, AbuDawood).

Are you serious about all these?
Muslims never started Any war? Really?
How was Islam chiefly propagated or do you want to re-write history?

No spoils of war for personal gain?
And Mohammed could take some for himself?

No pillage or plunder?

Maybe you live in Mars!

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Christianity Etc › Emotion And Religion Sects. by plainbibletruth(op): 9:05pm On Jun 11, 2015

Emotion and Religion Sects.

Emotion does not think.

Imagine this: You are a fan of a football club. Your club is out there on the stadium playing the finals against an opponent. It is clear that the opponent is technically, and even in every respect, playing a better game than your club. However, when you are asked this question: ‘Who should win this match?’ Your obvious answer will be: ‘My club’ Why is this so? Because you’re emotionally attached to your club. The superiority of the other club notwithstanding you still want your club to win.

That is emotion.

The same applies to many in religion. They are emotionally attached to their religion so much so that even when they see the flaws in some or major aspects of their religion they still refuse to admit there are flaws. They hold on no matter what is clearly presented as short-comings of their religion.

Rather than perhaps work at reforms of flawed areas of their religion and work as change agents or change makers they stick to the status quo.

Emotion is at play.

Interestingly many who are emotional about their religion will argue with every fiber of their being that they are very objective and logical about issues. They may even put forward a “methodical” presentation of the reasonableness of those flawed areas of their religion.

Because the human being is a complex entity these expressions defy clear understanding. It must be noted that these expressions also apply to those who claim to be irreligious.

For those interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI), this is perhaps one area where COMPUTERS will NEVER behave like the human being – being more fitted for logical deductions.

In religion, a ‘Man of Dei’ (MoD) will choose A over B without reason. He will allow A the latitude he will not grant B using different ‘standards’. And where he is in a position of unchecked power he can decide to oppress and suppress A whilst being lax with B.

What is responsible for the negative and evil expressions in religion over the millennia? It is emotion. What is responsible for the current carnage we are witnessing today worldwide in the name of religion? Emotion.

Because emotion does not think, anything becomes acceptable and doable. When the person expressing emotion in religion is in the position of power what he can do is best left to the imaginations.

If there is therefore one thing that a person called to the position of power, leadership or coordination in religion must learn and discipline himself to do, it is this – work at suppressing his emotion in the exercise of his function. He must have ‘Mastery over Desire’ (MoD).

Christianity Etc › Re: Are Nairaland Moderator Against Christians?? by plainbibletruth: 6:55pm On Jun 11, 2015

malvisguy212:
OMA4J,lalasticala. Why are you guys too bias? Why did you guys have to removed my topic once again? But the topics against christians are still here? Do you guys love to hide the truth? Or you find pleasure in lies? God will judge you if you do not stop this evil. This will be my LAST time in saying this.

Proverbs 4:14
Do not enter the path of the wicked And
do not proceed in the way of evil men.

It's so glaring. I'll share my recent experience shortly.

Christianity Etc › Re: Question: Did Jesus Read The Bible? by plainbibletruth: 7:46am On May 31, 2015

Empiree:
[size=15pt]Smackdown![/size]

Anis Shorrosh is really full of manipulations

"And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."
( 1 John 5:11-12).

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