Category: Theology

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Theology

Islam vs. Christianity: Religion and/or Legal Framework?

two angels

As I said a while back, I have been studying a bit about ISLAM, its system, history, and its holy book, the QUR’AN. One of the most interesting aspects of the Islamic doctrine is that apart from being a very much followed religion, it also is a legal framework. A bit like the Torah used to be in ancient times.

two angels

Many people around the world follow the behavioural codes taught in the QUR’AN. And it is a fascinating book, which claims that many of the miracles Moses is credited with, were helped by ISMAELITES instead (QUR’AN 2:53-57). They also take credit for the plagues sent at the time, and the miraculous punishments that ensued in Egypt, for example. I think it is quite daring to take both credit and responsibility for such unfolding of events.

Of course, many people do follow the Bible too, although not so much as a legal framework. It is more like a moral code that is shared between communities; whereas in Islamic societies the law itself is deeply ingrained in its religion.

And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

Romans 7:16

The above Bible verse is somewhat controversial, in my opinion. It seems that according to the apostle Paul (who wrote the book of Romans) a good legislature makes you do things you do not wish to do. It is no wonder that Christian people rarely rigorously follow such a law. The truth is that people prefer to engage in activities they enjoy doing, and such is (in my opinion) healthier.

If anyone considers themselves religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 1:26

The above Bible verse tells us that words do matter; however, this is not directly applicable to the law in practice. This is a great difference between the Christian and Islamic religions. As a matter of fact, the Bible even speaks of sin as an absence of law.

What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have known what sin was except through the law

Romans 7:7

A similarity is that both textbooks highlight the importance of the Sabbath, although this does not get applied into law in practice. Below is a verse from the Qur’an which similarly highlights the importance of such a day.

You know about those of you who broke the Sabbath, and so We said to them, ‘Be like apes! Be outcasts!’ We made this an example to those people who were there at the time and to those who came after them, and a lesson to all who are mindful of God

QUR’AN 2: 65-66
Categories
Books Theology

Is the Talmud of Jmmanuel the True Gospel?

Jmmanuel

In 1963, two European scientists found a manuscript written in Aramaic supposedly written by Judas Iscariot, and telling the story of Jmmanuel– the son of Mary and Joseph– and of how he was conceived, some of the things he taught and it also spoke of the cosmos, God, and Creation.

Jmmanuel

Sounds familiar? That’s correct. It is a gospel similar to those found in the new testament of the Bible; the great difference is that unlike other books in the Bible, this manuscript was original and had not been adulterated, for example, by King Constantine the Great (a Roman emperor who burnt original texts and rewrote the book to his convenience around the years 306-337 A.D. when he was ruling). Another major difference is that many of the events that Constantine left narrated as magick or miracles; the talmud explains in terms of technology, such as space technology. Finally, it also reveals that Judas Iscariot was not in fact Jmmanuel’s (known more popularly as Jesus Christ) traitor. But instead, he was his closest ally, and the person who betrayed Jmmanuel was called Juda Ihariot instead.

Look at the birds in the sky: they devour the harmful insects, and they have plumage for clothing, yet they have no spirit capable of ongoing evolution.

They work to fulfil their duty, and they are fed and clothed by Creation.

Are you not much more than they?

You can think independently through your free consciousness; you can work independently and you can prepare food and drink and clothe your bodies independently

Chapter 6: 42-45.

Like any Gospel, the book also has prophecies specifically foreseeing the revelation of truth around the time of space travel (are we there yet?), and makes references to extraterrestrial spiritual beings, as well as to some technology which seemed to be ‘normal’ back then, such as the singing lights which guided Joseph and other characters in the book when travelling. These lights appeared in the sky and led their way towards the desired destination. A bit like satellital navigation technology but far larger and more advanced than we imagine.

Anyhow, after the two European researchers found the manuscript and started studying and interpreting its contents, there was an Israeli air-raid (due to conflicts of interest) in the Jerusalem camp where Isa Rashid- the translator- and his family were staying, causing them to flee to Lebanon. The Israeli authorities found out and also air-raided the Lebanese camp, causing them to flee to Baghdad. This way, the text was destroyed and the translation to German was only possible until chapter 36. By then, he had already managed to send a copy of such a translation to his colleague- Albert Meier- in Switzerland in 1970. Sadly, the man who translated the manuscript (Isa Rashid) was assassinated in Baghdad after sending some correspondence to Albert Meier.

Categories
Journalism Theology

What Does the QUR’AN teach?

WOMAN AND MAN
Lucifer offers a gift to Vesper.

Last month, I had the opportunity to borrow a translation of the QUR’AN by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem and published by Oxford World Classics. Out of all the translations I’ve reviewed so far, this is my favourite. And I have just pingbacked them to inform them of my views. The pingback is no coincidence, my dear fervent, and devoted reader.

Introducing my new research interest in theology:

Some of the values promoted in the QUR’AN are somewhat alike to those taught in other holy books. Similarly to the TORAH and the GOSPEL, the QUR’AN (2:84-86) is against murder, and furthermore, it is against geopolitical displacement.

During the following months, we shall be exploring more of this holy book in this blog along with some of the history of ISLAM. For example, the verses portrayed in QUR’AN (2:8-20) are in my opinion, verses that bring hope to those currently struggling and/or suffering.

Some of the verses in the QUR’AN (2: 75-82) are very thought provoking. Furthermore, the QUR’AN (2: 78) states: “Some of them are uneducated […] They rely on guesswork”.

The above statements makes me want to be INCLUDED in the good heavens because, oh man, is Allah not furious enough to hit them up Netanyahu style? And here I am… Betshy… לא ישנה בלילה… dreaming of a better world Matisyahu style.

I believe that both the TORAH and QUR’AN are in my blood. I feel constantly divided as I am a woman who is legally Islamic. Yes, I legally converted to ISLAM on the 26th August, 2008 whilst I was visiting Suleymaniyah, Iraq. It is no delusion that I am a terrible Muslim who went astray and did not do her research, as some of my best friends in Pakistan have smart-ass-smartly remarked. Yes, I am an ISMAELITE.

It is also no delusion that I am Jewish, and Israel is in my genes, heritage and survival accounts of my European great-grand-parents which officially are welcomed in Israel as it is the custom since it became a state post World War II. So pardon my Hebrew, when I say that I have been dancing non-stop to my geo-political, current environment. Yes, I am an ISRAELITE.