Soren wrote on Oct 14
th, 2014 at 8:54am:
Islam is not a private language where everyone has his own meaning for every word.
Actually it is. Islam, like all religions really is an intensely private relationship between the believer and their God(s). Indeed, Islam much more than Christianity, without it's panoply of saints, it's churches and their hierarchies and it's holy trinity, obscuring the central figure of God. As a consequence, in their private conversations with God, each believer makes their own interpretation of the things they are told to believe in, Soren.
That you appear unable or unwilling to recognise this merely indicates how much of a bigot you are.
Quote:Islam is made up of Muslims. That's what religion is - people bound together by common beliefs.
Yes but each believer has their own interpretation. One only has to compare Moses and Yadda's and Sprintcyclist's to see how much individual Christians can differ, Soren, yet according to you, all Muslims think the same, believe exactly the same thing, interpret everything in exactly the same way. What a fool. You're presented with the glory that is God and you stop and say, "Mmm, I wonder what Abdul is experiencing and thinking?"
Quote:Islam does have a massive influence on how Muslims behave. To pretend otherwise is dishonest - that's why you re instantly onto that particular bandwagon, Brain.
Of course Islam has a massive influence on how Muslims behave but every Muslim's Islam is different. Remember, there is no one between the believer and Allah, the Prophet merely delivered the message, it is up to each individual Muslim how they interpret, Soren. Influence does not mean control, every Muslim is an individual, naked before the gaze of God, Soren and must account for their actions, just as are Christians, Hindus, etc. Each Muslim hopes they've got it right. Some obviously do, some don't and most just muddle along. You however, have them all under the direct control of Muhammad. Acting as if they are automatons. You erect this strawman, completely failing to understand the nature of religion, of Islam, Soren.