Reader questions and feedback on religious issues. Also refer to Christianity, Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, history, faith, belief, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Religion:
General
The following 9 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Resources on Islam
- What is a temple of God?
- Why nothing on evolution in Religion section?
- Do any religions use fables for teaching
- What exactly is grace?
- Feels lessons against Islam
- How do Christian principles work with HR?
- Ethnic views on death
- Atheists and life after death
Resources on Islam
Question
November 14, 2009
What's The Purpose of life ?
Here you will get the answer :
islamtomorrow.com/purpose.htm
or
Islam Guide: A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, Muslims, & the Quran
islam-guide.com/
or
The quran miracles encyclopedia
55a.net/firas/en1/
or
Islam house
aslam-ahmd.blogspot.com/
or
The Religion of Islam
islamreligion.com/
- USA
18663
Answer
Thank you for your resources. See our lesson on "Five Pillars of Islam" at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/religion/islam_5pillars.htm
What is a temple of God?
Question
March 12, 2008
Please what is a temple?
How do you understand the book of 1cor 6 :19 downward and 2Cor 6 :6 downward?
In building the temple of God;
What do you need?
Who is the builder of the temple?
What is dedication?
Please kindly give the answers in details
ITORO - Nigeria
15530
Answer
A temple is a building that is a place of worship. It is a sacred building.
1 Cor. 6:19 refers to the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, meaning that your body is sacred and that you should not defile it. It also may mean that the Holy Spirit is within your body.
2 Cor. 6:16 again refers to the body as being a temple: "for you are the temple of the living God."
Although men can build temples as places of worship to God, they must remember that they themselves are temples of God and should try to lead a good and clean life.
Why nothing on evolution in Religion section?
Question
April 4, 2007
I've just recently stumbled on to your site and it looks quite interesting. However, I noticed one gapping flaw--nothing no Evolutionary Theory! I even found a reply to an email stating that there was no information on Evolution on the site. If the intention of the site is to help educate people and provide a basic and easy way to learn a few useful facts, Evolutionary Theory should be represented. Evolutionary Theory is one of the most well documented and useful scientific theories known. Omitting it to (I presume) avoid insulting religiously minded people is short sighted and dangerous. Evolution is not a "bad" topic and most theists who object to it hardly even understand it. A site like this could go a long way toward educating them and removing the prejudice.
John - USA
13490
Answer
Evolution would really fit in the area of Life Sciences, a subject that we do not have any material at this time.
The big religious discussion concerning evolution really is whether the Bible should be interpreted as the exact truth or as stories with messages. Those that believe that the Earth was created in exactly 7 days of 24 hours do not accept evolution or any other explanation of how things started. They follow the literal interpretation of the Bible, despite obvious contractions in the book.
I plan to have some articles on the problem with a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible, but still respecting the views of those that want to have that belief. Note that many very intelligent people emotionally cling to the beliefs taught them by their parents. It is unlikely that any logical explanations can ever sway them from their beliefs.
Also, it is only a very small sect of Christians that are actually against evolution. It is the intensity of their belief that makes it seem like there are so many of them. Most Christians and followers of other religions accept evolution.
Do any religions use fables for teaching
Question
March 8, 2006
we are doing a seminar for a grade 12 english class and we were wondering if any religions use fables to teach their students?
- Canada
10378
Answer
Most religions have fables or short stories with a moral. In Christianity, Jesus taught will many parables, which were fables. American Indians use many fables about animals speaking and such as lessons about their religions.
What exactly is grace?
Question
July 14, 2005
What exactly is grace?
Shelia - USA
7539
Answer
Grace consists of the gifts granted by God, including life, creation, and salvation, which God gives to us freely. A more common definition is that grace is the means by which humans are granted salvation. "By the grace of God, you are saved" would mean it is a gift.
Feels lessons against Islam
Question
June 8, 2005
While you indicate that no specific religion is 'given preference', it is clear that ISlam is the target. Never mind though. But some of you questions in the quiz are unintelligent. There should be a choice of "can't say" too. The reason is quite simple as I would elaborate in the following pages:-
For instance,
"Do people from other religions than yours go to Heaven?" Now how would I as a human being know what Allah will do?? When Prophet Moses (peace upon him) was asked 'what about those who died before us? he replied 'the fate of those rests with Allah'. So you see, the Prophet did not know what you are asking us mere humans!!
Then, "Do animals go to Heaven?
Now if I say yes, you would counter by saying "then you must believe in evolution..bla bla. And if I say No, you would take that "Islam sends beautiful animals to hell". Thus, as above, there should be a can't say!!
Further, Do those who kill non-believers get rewarded in Heaven?
Again the trick. Now if a non believer tries to conduct a war against me, what should I do, stand before him and say come n kill me!!!!I am sure you wouldn't want me to do that. So this question should cease to be a part of survey.
Additionally, Are Allah and God the same Supreme Being?
Indeed not! It is not possible to consider GOD=ALLAH. There can be a godfather, godmother, goddess, god (lower case), godman, sun god, snake god, elephant god.....so on so forth. Reframe your question. Are Allah and the Creator same being? Else quit this question too.
By the way, Islamic concept of Allah or Lord or creator is quite simple!
Say, Allah is One and only.
Allah the Protector.
Neither He begets nor is He begotten.
And there isn't anything like HIM!!
Now Allah is the Father of Christainity (not the one of three who are three but one!!)
He is the Ishwar of Hinduism.
He is Wahey Guru of Sikhs (Not Guru Nanak or any human gurus)
He is Elohem Of Jesus.
Finally, why should a primitive life found on Mars would affect anyone's belief??
I am baffled, do you really come across such fragile belief or concepts?
Best Regards
Khalid - USA
7207
Answer
Thank you for your views.
We have an article on the "The Five Pillars of Islam" that states a basis for the faith. It is advised that you follow those pillars. We plan to add further information on Islam, as well as other religions.
How do you know what we or others would say to your opinions? Do you know our beliefs? Can you read our minds? Allah has given us minds to think and to ask questions. Do not put yourself above Allah by making rash assumptions of what others may say.
How do Christian principles work with HR?
Question
July 7, 2004
i will first of like to know what are the basic christian religious principles, and how relevant they are to human resource management in an organisation. What roles can human resource managers as well as employees can play to ensure the princples fused into the human resource management practice becomes a success?
i will be very grateful if you would give me an answer since the question has been bothering me for months.
Solomon - Ghana
3704
Answer
The basic Christian principles are to love God, do to others as you would have them do to you, and accept that Jesus Christ is your savior. Some say to live as Jesus did and be a good person.
It is not usually good to include the beliefs of any religion in the human resource management of a company, because there may be workers, managers and customers of other religious faiths. It is better to emphasize good character among all people, including honesty and determination.
See our material on character at www.school-for-champions.com/character/
The School for Champions philosophy emphasizes the 5 Powers of a Champion: maintaining your health, seeking knowledge and skill, doing excellent work, being valuable to others, and having good character. We believe that those 5 items should be used in human resources at all levels to improve the company and its business. They all fit in well with the various religious beliefs.
Best wishes in your endeavors.
Ethnic views on death
Question
December 30, 2003
I work for Harlington Hospice based in Harlington Middlesex, which offers pallaitive care to terminally ill patients and have been for the past 20 years. However, we have no ethnic minority communities representation. I have been recently employed as an active access worker to encourage ethnic minority representation. I need to have a deeper understanding of the different ethnic views on death and dying. I therefore request if you could send me any reading material on the subject.
Thanking you
Poonam Chandra
Active Access Worker
Poonam -
1765
Answer
The views on dying are a combination of religious and cultural views. Often people change religions when moving to a new country, so it is necessary to look at all aspects of the person.
For some references, see:
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/327/7408/207.pdf
http://www.sunyit.edu/library/html/culturedmed/bib/dd/
http://dying.about.com/cs/religiousviews/?PM=ss13_dying
I hope that helps you.
Atheists and life after death
Question
November 25, 2003
Hello currently i am doing a major assessment for religion that is a major percentage towards my HSC. I was wondering if you could inform me on what atheists believe on life after death. Also I would like to compare it to a Christian belief so perhaps the differences etc.
thank you very much it will be very helpful
maree -
1378
Answer
Many atheists refuse to even think about the subject. Others say, "When you're dead, you're dead. That's it." But surprisingly, a majority of people who say they are atheists, feel there is "something" after death. Some of those believe in reincarnation. But actually, that group should be classified as agnostics, since they have an inkling there is some spiritual essence in humans. A true atheist considers humans as just highly complex machines in a universe that has occurred by chance.
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