The Tears Of Finding The Truth
Date: 2006-03-30
Description: Dialogue between a Christian and a Muslim.
Identifier: http://islamworld.net/resources/cache/25
Language: en
Subject: Non-Muslims
Title: The Tears Of Finding The Truth
Created on: Sat Jun 27 01:28:06 -0400 2009
Updated on: Mon Sep 25 13:21:10 -0400 2006
Version: 3
Abstract: ... Jesus was sent for the salvation of all mankind. If this is not true, then the foundation of Christianity is faulty. Right? What do you think? ABDULLAH: That's correct. The Christians of today are following what Paul taught and also tend to follow what the priests tell them to do instead of following what Jesus said. DEREK: Kindly explain the concept of salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus. ABDULLAH: In Christianity, the Doctrine of Original Sin is the reason that there is a need for salvation through Jesus' crucifixion. However, this doctrine was invented by Paul and it is strongly negated in the Old Testament (see Ezekial 18:20, Jeremiah 31:30, Deut. 24:16). This doctrine is an attempt to escape the responsibility of righteousness with the belief that punishment is given to someone else to release us from our burden of sins (see Ephesians 1:7, Romans 4:25, 10:9, Corinthians 15:21) In the Qur'an, every soul is responsible for its own deeds, good or bad (see 74:38,41:46, 3:25, 6:154). DEREK: What about the crucifixion itself? ABDULLAH: The Bible says Jesus cried out in a loud voice beseeching God for help on the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46) Does that sound like Jesus to you? DEREK: No, then what about Jesus' appearance to his disciples after the crucifixion? ABDULLAH: Jesus didn't die on the cross nor was he resurrected. If he were resurrected, then he would have come to his disciples in a spiritual body. As shown in Luke 24:36-43, he met them with his physical body after the event of his alleged crucifixion. In the Qur'an, it says that Jesus was not crucified, but it was someone else who was made to look like him (see 4:157,158). DEREK: How did the story of the crucifixion of Jesus get into the Bible then? ABDULLAH: Once again, Paul was responsible (see Timothy 2:8 and Romans 5:10). DEREK: Well, I, very deep in my heart, believe that God can never look like his creation nor does he do what they do. What I believe is that God is the perfect one who is very much different from everything we see or touch. In other words, I think the writer can never look like his book. ABDULLAH: You are right. There is nothing comparable to Allah (see Qur'an 112:4). The prophets came with a very clear message to worship God alone, without any partners or intercessors. However, Paul took pagan beliefs and practices from the Romans and mixed them with the teachings of Jesus. Consequently, Paul was mostly responsible for elevating Jesus to the status of Son of God (see Acts 9:20) and God. DEREK: Yes. Now I remember. The first Commandment is, " Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord." ABDULLAH: You're right. That's in Mark 12:29. Moreover, the Qur'an confirms that God is One: "Say He is Allah, the One and Only (God)." (Qur'an 112:1) DEREK: What you are saying makes perfect sense. This is just incredible! You mean that for almost 2000 years what the Christians have been following is wrong? ABDULLAH: Yes, especially their misunderstanding of who Jesus was. DEREK: Oh my God! I've been deceived! Really, I feel religiously raped. I have been fooled simply because I followed blindly the religion that I was born with and didn't take care to investigate it thoroughly. But still inside me there is something holding me back from accepting lslam, even though lslam is clearly the True Religion. ABDULLAH: Your last comment shows that you are a Muslim not a Christian and if you really love God and His Messenger Jesus, you will follow lslam and Prophet Muhammad. Break this barrier inside you and come back to the way of your ancestors. You are now free because you are looking for the Truth and our great prophet Jesus told us that we should look for the Truth and the Truth will set us free. So, you will be a free man as soon as you accept It. Be strong enough to accept lslam as the Truth, without any hesitation on your part and you will taste real freedom and real happiness that you have never tasted before. DEREK: Frankly, I am concerned about the negative way lslam and Muslims are shown in the media. In the West, there is a stigma attached to being a Muslim and I'm not sure I'm ready to live with that stigma. ABDULLAH: This is why I have chosen to tell people about the right picture of lslam. DEREK: Then, what is the right picture of lslam? ABDULLAH: The right picture of lslam is conveyed in the Qur’an, which is exemplified by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The reality is that it is not fair to judge a religion by the actions of its followers alone because there are good and bad followers in every religion. The correct thing to do is to judge a religion by its documented revelation from God and the prophet who brought that revelation. DEREK: I see. I agree with you, but I'm still concerned about the reaction of my family and friends if they know that I am a Muslim. ABDULLAH: On Judgement Day, no one will be able to help you, not even your father, mother or any of your friends (see Qur'an 31:33). So, if you believe that lslam is the True religion, you should embrace it and live your life to please the One Who created you. Be an illuminating torch for them. Do not delay your coming to lslam. If you die before becoming a Muslim, then it's too late (see Qur'an 2:132, 3:102, 3:85). So grab this opportunity now. You can only remedy this pain inside you by becoming a Muslim and... [Full Article...]
