Journey to Monothesim

[loga]

Guidance and stability was what I was seeking in my search of religion. I have been able to study religions in the University setting, which gave me a secular presentation of all the religions. If all the religions guide to the truth and stability of faith, then there is a God whom one can call upon:

There is nothing like unto Him

God explains to us that “There is nothing like unto Him� (42:11). From this we can understand that nothing of the creation can be compared to God, nor does God resemble the creation.

Christians say that Jesus (upon whom be peace) is God incarnate, a part of the Trinity three-part God – this is often described as being like an egg where there are three parts of one thing. Christians may also say that Muslims believe God can do anything therefore it is possible for God to become a man. However, the Bible confirms for us that this is not the case:

• "Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God." (Exodus 8:10)
• "You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:35)
• "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." (2 Samuel 7:22)

With regards to the Trinity, the three-unit God-head is not named in the Bible anywhere. In fact, the Oneness of God is emphasized time and time again. And, that none is to be worshipped except the One God, such as:

• "Before Me there was no god formed, And there will be none after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)
• "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:39)
• “There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." (Deuteronomy 32:39)
• "There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." (1 Chronicles 17:20)
• “God is one." (Galatians 3:20)

Further, the Bible relates how God reacts if a person were to worship other than the One God and says: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..." (Exodus 20:5). Taken strictly from a Biblical perspective, God is One and worship ought to be directed to Him alone – not to anything or anyone else.

Say, “He is God, the One. God, to Whom the creatures turn for their needs. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him.� (Quran, 112:1-4)
From the studies I have done while in university, one of the most interesting bits of information researched was the errors found within the Bible. This is interesting because typically people say that the Bible is the word of God, so these errors posed a great theological problem. I would like to share with you some of the evidence and the information I found. I have selected those errors which the Christian scholars themselves say: Yes, this is an error. Here are a few:

1) The age of Ahaziah when he began to rule (second Kings 8:26 – says 22, or 42 in second chronicles 22:2)? Christian scholars say: copyist error.
2) Solomon had how many supervisors? 3300 (1Kings 5:16) or 3600 (2Chonicles 2:2). Christian scholars say: copyist error.
3) Was the daughter of Jairus dead (Matthew 9:18) or alive (Mark 5:23) when she came to Jesus? Christian Scholars say: We don’t know.
4) God tells David the famine will be 3 years (1Chonricles 21:11-12) or 7 years (2Samuel 24:13)? Christian scholars say: copyist error.
5) Who killed Goliath? David (1Samuel 17:50) or Elhanan (2Samuel 21:19)? Answer: copyist error.
6) Charioteers killed by David. 700 (2Samuel 10:18) or 7000 (1Chronicles 19:18)? Christian scholars say: copyist error.
7) David captured 1700 (2Samuel 8:4) or 7000 (1Chonricles 18:4) horsemen? Also: copyist error.
8) 2000 baths (1Kings 7:26) or 3000 (2Chronicles 4:5)? Christian scholars say: copyist error.
9) Michal had five sons (2Samuel 21:8) or none (2Samuel 6:23)? Scholars say: copyist error.
10) Jehoiachin is 8 (2Chronicles 36:9) or 18 (2Kings 24:8) when he becomes King? Christian scholars say: copyist error.
11) Stalls of Solomon, 4000 (2Chonicles 9:25) or 40,000 (1Kings 4:26)? Again: copyist error.
12) Jehoiachin rules Jerusalem for 3 months (2Kings 24:8) or 3 months and ten days (2Chronicles 36:9)? Christian scholars say: copyist error.

At the most basic level of a religion is the source of knowledge, and for Christians this source is the Bible. However, when asked if the Bible is the word of God or not, they might have a difficult time. This is a vital and basic issue that the Christian community can not agree upon. The question is difficult for Christianity because both answers (yes or no) pose great theological problems. Let us examine them briefly:

(1) Yes, the Bible is the word of God. This poses a grave problem because the Bible has many self-contradicting statements within. I have listed just a dozen above, and there are many more.
(2) No, the Bible is not the exact word of God. This poses an even greater problem for the Christians because at this point the Bible becomes very subjective and “truth� is really only in the eyes of whoever is reading; this is because some parts are “inspired� by God while other parts are simply editing mistakes and human errors – who decides what falls into which category is a slippery slope that we don’t want to fall into.

“Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.� (Quran 1:6-7)

www.loga-abdullah.blogspot.com

[bernee51]

wa'alaykum.

Do you believe in any kind of moral system?

I observe a system of morals that has evolved with and continues to evolve, along with society.

[Coyotero]

My friend Coyotero, who decides what is relative and what is Truth (capital T)?

Why should there need to be any one person to decide this?

Maybe I can draw you an example:

Relative truth: Pink Floyd is the best rock band ever. (True to my mind, maybe not everyone else's)

Absolute truth: Pink Floyd is a band. (No one person needed to decide on this, it's simply the way things are.)

[loga]

wa'alaykum.

Do you believe in any kind of moral system?

I observe a system of morals that has evolved with and continues to evolve, along with society.

According to which society and which group? We have humanist manifestos, human rights councils, and lists upon lists of moral systems found within one western society (leaving aside the hundreds upon thousands of societies and cultures around the world), so how do you decide which one is correct or valid?

[loga]

My friend Coyotero, who decides what is relative and what is Truth (capital T)?

Why should there need to be any one person to decide this?

Maybe I can draw you an example:

Relative truth: Pink Floyd is the best rock band ever. (True to my mind, maybe not everyone else's)

Absolute truth: Pink Floyd is a band. (No one person needed to decide on this, it's simply the way things are.)

Wonderful example, thank you.
How about this one: God exists.
Relative or Truth?

[Goat]

My friend Coyotero, who decides what is relative and what is Truth (capital T)?

Why should there need to be any one person to decide this?

Maybe I can draw you an example:

Relative truth: Pink Floyd is the best rock band ever. (True to my mind, maybe not everyone else's)

Absolute truth: Pink Floyd is a band. (No one person needed to decide on this, it's simply the way things are.)

Wonderful example, thank you.
How about this one: God exists.
Relative or Truth?

That is neither. It is not relative, it is not truth.

[Coyotero]

My friend Coyotero, who decides what is relative and what is Truth (capital T)?

Why should there need to be any one person to decide this?

Maybe I can draw you an example:

Relative truth: Pink Floyd is the best rock band ever. (True to my mind, maybe not everyone else's)

Absolute truth: Pink Floyd is a band. (No one person needed to decide on this, it's simply the way things are.)

Wonderful example, thank you.
How about this one: God exists.
Relative or Truth?

Absolute truth: God exists (A great many of them)

Relative truth: What God is. (An all-powerful entity? An entire pantheon? An ascended human being? A human thought process?)

[loga]

Hi Goat,

What do you mean by that, neither relative or Truth - and, on what basis do you make the claim?

[loga]

Hi Coyotero,

So, do I understand you correctly that you are affirming that a deity of some kind exists as capital T, Truth, but that the manifestation of that deity if relative? Or, simply that the perception of that deity is relative?

[Coyotero]

What I'm saying is that deities exist. or, at the very least, the idea of them does.

The question is whether they exist inside the minds of their believers, or as external entities. This is up to personal interpretation, as the deities themselves seem to be unanimous in their public silence on this issue... Which is likely for the better of everyone, I wager.

[loga]

Hi Coyotero

Ok, so a diety exists but you are not sure if that diety is merely an idea or if it is real? Let's leave aside others and public opinion for now, what do you think?