I'm feeling prolific tonight, so here we go!
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Originally posted by slvrnblck
Like I stated in the Passion thread, Ive been depressed lately trying to find out who I really am and what my purpose on earth is. Im going to just ask some questions, some may seem stupid, some may be valid, and some may not be answered.
I was born into a Muslim family but am not religious at all,(neither are my parents), I dont really know anything about different religions, but I would like to learn someday.....Anyway I dont want to make this that long so on to the questions.
1. What is this truth that most people search for? Is it what the individuals purpose on earth is and who they really are? If so, that is the truth I want to find out but dont know how to. Help would be appreciated.
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1) I believe you hit the nail on the head, as it were; that is EXACTLY our purpose. But to discover the answer and as importantly the way to the answer, we have the wisdom of those who have gone before us, those who are with us and our own experience and intellect.
ALL SHOULD BE USED IN THIS ALL IMPORTANT TASK!
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2. If Mohhamad was the last known prophet, Shouldnt everyone follow his words, and have only one religion, or for that matter, no religion at all.
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2) Well, if everyone agreed that Mohhamad was the last prophet of God/Allah, then we would all be golden, but not everyone has that believe. Christians, Jews, etc. don't believe that he was a prophet at all, while the Baha'i believe that there was actually another prophet
after Mohhamad, which of course, puts them in the sh** with the Muslims.
As to one religion, it would require that God
forced people to believe the same thing about Him/Her, which is only one step above forcing people to believe in God at all.
This is something that would directly violate the free will that God has given us.
So perhaps God prefers that we all try to seek Him/Her the way that seems best to us. (Or so goes my own belief).
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3. If God wants all of his children to believe in him the same way, why do different religions even exist?
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3) See answer #2.
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4. If God truly loves his children and is most forgiving, why would we go to hell if we dont believe in him or his prophets?
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4) While fundamentalists may believe that, many many MANY religious people do not, or at least, give God the benefit of the doubt in terms of leaving the Judgement of others up to Him/Her.
At least that's what I do.
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5. Why did all these prophet and god situations happen so long ago, but nothing happens in the present day? Why doesnt god share is words with us presently? It is much more needed today, and would make much more sense as there would be ways to prove if it really happened or not. The Bible, Quran, etc etc is full of man made lies anyway. Who knows if any of these prophets existed, right? There is not enough proof.
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Who says they only happened a long time ago?
This is, IMO, one of the greatest heresies of some modern churches, e.g. that God only reveiled Him/Herself to those hundreds if not thousands of years ago.
Poppycock, codswallup and other colorful coloquialisms.
God is very much revealing Him/Herself to us today.
Read the writings of the Dalai Lama if you don't believe me.
God
speaks through that man...
2nd part) Of course they are full of man made lies. But the duality is that they are full of truths as well. If you are serious about your journey, part of it will inevitably be figuring out the wheat from the chaff.
3rd part) In terms of
proof, Mohhamad definitely existed, regardless if you believe he was God's prophet or not. Jesus almost certainly existed, as did Joseph Smith, Moses, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddah) as well as many others.
Saying they did or did not exist is like saying the wind does or does not exist. It is outside of you and cares not one wit if you believe in its existance or not.
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6. Stupid question, which proves I am ignorant when it comes to religion. What is the diffrence between Christians and Catholics?
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6) Mojo_peipei tried, but I need to throw in some clarification.
The early Christian Church split into three ancient branches, which still exist today: The Egyptian Coptic Church, The Eastern Orthodox Church, and the (Western) Roman Catholic Church. All were Christian and all follow the Nicene Creed of belief. Dogmatic belief, different ceremony and other non sequitors separate them, even today. Other Western Christian denominations split off of the Catholic Church at various times, or in some cases, formed separate from it.
If you have specific questions regarding Catholic vs other Christian dogmatic beliefs or practices, I can make a good try explaining them to you (or someone else can try
).
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7. If God exists why are some people born blind, deaf, or mentally challenged etc when they have not even had a chance to live yet?
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Good question!
I think it is because a) God never intended to create a "perfect, painless world", hence birth defects, accidents, etc. and b) that we can find God in everyone, even the poor and most defenseless among us.
For example, look at the work Mother Teresa did amonst the lepers and sick of Calcutta and look at the inspiration many get from her life today.
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Anyways, I wont bore you any longer. I will have more questions when they come to mind. I apoligize in advance if these questions are silly or have been answered in another thread but I have not checked or come across any.
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I had fun answering them,
Thank you and Peace!