Religion bonds humans to unity, peace and justice

https://www.religiousforums.com/threads/world-peace-and-religion.220384/page-2#post-6094135

Ponxxxxx said: ↑

Religion has been responsible for creating peace and for disrupting peace.
in 1914, during World War I, there was a cessation of hostilities as people from both sides celebrated Christmas together. Some even refusing to go back to fighting each other.
In the 2018 Olympics, North and South Korea joined together to compete as a single team.

Emperor Theodosius was the last Roman Emperor to rule over a united East and West Roman Empire.
He declared Nicene Christianity to be the official state church of the Roman Empire, he allowed the temples of the old religions to be destroyed, and he banned the Olympics because they were pagan. Historians use his death to mark the beginning of the Middle Ages.

When we consider that religion is the basis of a common bond among people. It seems that World Peace hinges upon religion. Religion will either Save the World or it will Destroy It.

Thoughts?

#40 paarsurrey

If correctly understood Religion bonds humans to unity, peace and justice; if not correctly understood it is the fault of the vested individuals not of the Religion itself. Right, please?

Regards

“freedom of religion” or “religion is wholly for Allah”

It is One-True-God who has allowed freedom of religion to every human being as per the scheme of life and purpose of life set and designed by Him. This is what has been described in the verse “religion is wholly for Allah”. Meccans usurped this right of the Muslims.
To restore freedom of religion which is an established human right has been mentioned in verse* of Quran. As is the first part eradication of “persecution” a justified norm so was the second part “freedom of religion” or “religion is wholly for Allah” also a justified norm.

Thread:  ” Is Koran a Book of Peace, Not War? ” Debating Christianity and Religion Forum Index -> Non-Christian Religions and Philosophies

Post 35:

[Replying to post 33 by paarsurrey1] X—– wrote: Okay, but is the persecution in question limited only to burning houses, torture, banning from congregation and exile? The part where you are to fight disbelievers until “religion is wholly for Allah” is particular troubling. paarsurrey1 wrote: Thanks for agreeing for the first part regarding”persecution”. The Meccans persecuted Muslims because of their religion. They neither allowed Muslims to believe as per Muslims’ faith nor allowed them to practice according to their religion: “The slaves who believed came from all communities. Bilal was a negro, Suhaib a Greek. They belonged to different faiths. Jabr and Suhaib were Christians, Bilal and ‘Ammar, idol-worshippers. Bilal was made to lie on hot sand, loaded with stones, and boys were made to dance on his chest, and his master, Umayyah bin Khalf, tortured him thus and then asked him to renounce Allah and the Prophet and sing the praises of the Meccan gods, Lat and ‘Uzza. Bilal only said, Ahad, Ahad … (God is One). Exasperated, Umayyah handed Bilal over to street boys, asking them to put a cord round his neck and drag him through the town over sharp stones. Bilal’s body bled, but he went on muttering, Ahad, Ahad… Later, when Muslims settled in Medina and were able to live and worship in comparative peace, the Holy Prophet appointed Bilal a Mu’adhdhin, the official who calls the worshippers to prayers. Being an African, Bilal missed the (h), in the Arabic Ash-hadu (I bear witness). Medinite believers laughed at his defective pronunciation, but the Prophet rebuked them and told them how dear Bilal was to God for the stout faith he showed under Meccan tortures. Abu Bakr paid ransom for Bilal and many other slaves and secured their release. Among them was Suhaib, a prosperous merchant, whom the Quraysh continued to belabour even after his release. When the Holy Prophet left Mecca to settle down in Medina, Suhaib wanted to go with him. But the Meccans stopped him. He could not take away from Mecca, they said, the wealth he had earned in Mecca. Suhaib offered to surrender all his property and earnings and asked whether they would then let him go. The Meccans accepted the arrangement. Suhaib reached Medina empty-handed and saw the Prophet, who heard him and congratulated him, saying, “This was the best bargain of your life.” Unquote Page 120 of 346 “Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran” https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Introduction-Study-Holy-Quran.pdf It is One-True-God who has allowed freedom of religion to every human being as per the scheme of life and purpose of life set and designed by Him. This is what has been described in the verse “religion is wholly for Allah”. Meccans usurped this right of the Muslims. To restore freedom of religion which is an established human right has been mentioned in verse* of Quran. As is the first part eradication of “persecution” a justified norm so was the second part “freedom of religion” or “religion is wholly for Allah” also a justified norm. Right, please? Regards _________ [8:39] Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past will be forgiven them; and if they return thereto, then verily, the example of the former peoples has already gone before them. *[8:40] And fight them until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Watchful of what they do. https://www.alislam.org/quran/search2/showChapter.php?ch=8&verse=39 “spreading mischief in the land” is “persecution” in the verse/s

“Until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah”

‘Ammar’s father, Yasir, and his mother, Sumayyah, also were tormented by
disbelievers. On one such occasion the Prophet happened to pass by. Filled with
emotion, he said, “Family of Yasir, bear up patiently, for God has prepared for you a Paradise.” The prophetic words were soon fulfilled. Yasir succumbed to the tortures, and a little later Abu Jahl murdered his aged wife, Sumayyah, with a spear.

Zinnirah, a woman slave, lost her eyes under the cruel treatment of disbelievers. Abu Fukayh, Safwan bin Umayyah’s slave, was laid on hot sand while over his chest were placed heavy and hot stones, under pain of which his tongue dropped out. Other slaves were mishandled in similar ways.”

Thread: “Is Koran a Book of Peace, Not War? “Debating Christianity and Religion Forum Index -> Non-Christian Religions and Philosophies

Post 33:

[Replying to post 31 by paarsurrey1] X—- — wrote: Not sure how that is helping your case. Sure, spreading mischief in the land can mean persecution. It’s not clear what count and does not count as persecution. And it says to fight us until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah right there, that’s the very opposite of peace. Quote:X—- — wrote: us paarsurrey1 wrote: Quran verse [8:40]* addresses the Meccans who were persecuting Muslims, had burnt their houses, tortured them physically, not allowing Muslims to pray in congregation as per their religion, Muhammad and his companions were boycotted and restricted to an area for three years, not even allowing them access to food and were forced to migrate leaving their properties and valuable behind: “Most of these slave-converts remained steadfast in outer as well as inner professions of faith. But some were weak. Once the Holy Prophet found ‘Ammar groaning with pain and drying his tears. Approached by the Prophet, ‘Ammar said he had been beaten and compelled to recant. The Prophet asked him, “But did you believe at heart?” ‘Ammar declared that he did, and the Prophet said that God would forgive his weakness. ‘Ammar’s father, Yasir, and his mother, Sumayyah, also were tormented by disbelievers. On one such occasion the Prophet happened to pass by. Filled with emotion, he said, “Family of Yasir, bear up patiently, for God has prepared for you a Paradise.” The prophetic words were soon fulfilled. Yasir succumbed to the tortures, and a little later Abu Jahl murdered his aged wife, Sumayyah, with a spear. Zinnirah, a woman slave, lost her eyes under the cruel treatment of disbelievers. Abu Fukayh, Safwan bin Umayyah’s slave, was laid on hot sand while over his chest were placed heavy and hot stones, under pain of which his tongue dropped out. Other slaves were mishandled in similar ways.” : One may like to read more from “Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran” Page 121 of 346 https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Introduction-Study-Holy-Quran.pdf Regards __________ [8:39] Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past will be forgiven them; and if they return thereto, then verily, the example of the former peoples has already gone before them. *[8:40] And fight them until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Watchful of what they do. https://www.alislam.org/quran/search2/showChapter.php?ch=8&verse=39 “spreading mischief in the land” is “persecution” in the verse/s

Islam teaches “non-violence”

Thread: “Is there an answer to Islamic terrorism? ”
Can we defend ourselves?

Debating Christianity and Religion Forum Index -> Current Events

Post 93:

——- wrote: paarsurrey1 wrote: One may note here that the terrorists are clearly not following the teachings mentioned in these verses and whatever they are doing has no sanction from Quran/Islam/Muhammad, please. ——- wrote: Be more specific please. What part(s) exactly out of those verses, do you think terrorists are not following? paarsurrey1 wrote: They are not following any teachings mentioned in the context verses, for instance: [5:29] ‘If thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me, I am not going to stretch out my hand against thee to kill thee. I do fear Allah, the Lord of the universe. OOOOOOO Regards

“Is Koran a Book of Peace, Not War?”

Is Koran a Book of Peace, Not War?
Debating Christianity and Religion Forum Index -> Theology, Doctrine, and Dogma

Paarsurrey wrote:

Post 1:

“In order for them* to generate support beyond their small group, they have to latch onto universal symbols, and this is where Islam becomes a target of convenience for them,” says Nyang People combine pieces of verse from the Koran and use it to justify their actions, says Khouj. “But to understand the full meaning of the verse,” he says, “you have to read the one before it, the one after it, maybe five to six verses to get the full picture.” The “full picture” of Islam and the Koran, say Khouj and Nyang, is captured by Chapter 5, Verse 32: “[I]f anyone slew a person—unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land—it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0925_TVkoran_2.html * The terrorists One may like to read the full article titled “Koran a Book of Peace, Not War, Scholars Say” by Peter Standring, National Geographic Today, September 25, 2001 Regards

The viewers of this blog  join the discussion here or at the “Debating Christianity and Religion Forum Index“

“Muhammad abhorred fighting with anyone. Did he?”

https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=888732#888732

Post 1:  Muhammad abhorred fighting with anyone. Did he?

Paarsurrey wrote:

Muhammad under the guidance of Word of God established a most equitable, peaceful and rational society starting from Mecca, Medina and when Mecca became free under his control to the whole of the Arabian Peninsula and of course then in the whole world. Muhammad abhorred fighting with anyone and he was not trained to fight. Was he, please? RegardsOOOOOOOOOOOReference Post 24 in the thread “Worship of Mary not Biblical”: https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=888509#888509

Post 5:

W—-h wrote: It’s dangerous to see the good in wicked people and more dangerous to try to justify wicked actions because it’s not healthy to support immorality.For instance all criminals would claim to abhor violence but in their situation they had to do it. But the criminal at least deserves some pity because we did not walk in their shoes. But the one that makes excuses for the criminal deserves far less pity because they are justifying evil. Right now we have a mass delusion enforced by violence and fear where sane comments about a historical figure are not possible. The West is going to have to choose again between freedom and slavery and it is not clear it has the courage to do so. We can talk sanely about Ghengis khan or Hitler or napoleon or Cesar or pharoah but not Mohammad. Why is that? W—-h wrote: Quote: We can talk sanely about Ghengis khan or Hitler or napoleon or Cesar or pharoah but not Mohammad. Why is that? Paarsurrey wrote: One is welcome to talk about Muhammad sanely, no harm, please. Did one read Quran to know the truth about Muhammad? Quran is the truthful source of important/crucial/salient points about the life events of Muhammad, and it recorded them while these happened as if a live transmission was going on. Right, please? Regards __________ Anyone who says the Quran advocates terrorism obviously hasn’t read its lessons on violence http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/islam-muslim-terrorism-islamist-extremism-quran-teaching-violence-meaning-prophet-muhammed-a7676246.html

Muhammad spread his religion and peace with the minimum human loss

Muhammad spread his religion and peace with the minimum human loss
Seeing the figures of human causalities in “the most murderous century ever” one must note here that Muhammad spread his religion and peace with the minimum human loss, if he and his followers would have not been attacked aggressively; there would have been no human loss.
Muhammad had no intention to capture any lands or to be a king.Right? Please

Regards

Discussion forum < www.religiousforums.com >, is my favorite discussion forum where I write posts and recommend others to discuss/debate on the religious issues.

One may like to click the posts # below to view, to comment and or to join discussion on the above topic, Started by me , or one may discuss the topic here in my blog.

#1 paarsurrey, Jan 8, 2017

“interfaith movement in the United States is growing”

amir Hussain

The Challenges of Interfaith Dialogue

“The interfaith movement in the United States is growing. Led by organizations like the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago, the Pluralism Project at Harvard, and the groundswell movement founded by Ms. Valarie Kaur (to name just a few), more and more Americans are engaging with people of different religious and spiritual identities than themselves. The mainstream media has finally started to pick up on this trend. Major news outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, Public Broadcasting Service, and The Huffington Post frequently report on interreligious engagement.” Unquote

One may like to read 610 words more of the article From Huffing Post, America by clicking the following link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aamir-hussain/the-challenges-of-interfa_b_4581918.html

PAARSURREY SAYS:

IT IS A POINT OF GREAT SATISFACTION THAT INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN THE USA IS GROWING.

IT NEEDS TO BE PROMOTED IN ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD ALSO. PEACEFUL DIALOGUE (WITHOUT RIDICULE AND DERISION) IS ESSENTIAL FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD, FOR CO-EXISTENCE OF THE HUMAN BEINGS IN THIS PLANET EARTH.

THE MOVEMENT IS MOST WELCOME

Historic Conference of World Religions Held at Guildhall, London

12th February 2014
PRESS RELEASE

Historic Conference of World Religions Held at Guildhall, London

God is a Living God and so world should turn towards Him says Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

The World Head and Fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered the keynote address at the historic ‘Conference of World Religions’ on 11 February 2014.

The conference was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK, as part of its centenary celebrations, at the famous Guildhall in the City of London. The theme of the much anticipated event was ‘God in the 21st Century’.

Around 500 delegates attended the conference, including faith leaders from various countries, politicians, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics and representatives of various NGOs.

The conference also received messages of support from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Prime Minister David Cameron and several other dignitaries.

During the event the various faith leaders considered what role religion could play in today’s world and whether religion continued to be a force for good. The keynote address delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad sought to answer these questions in light of Islam’s true teachings.

The Khalifa highlighted that all the major religions of the world taught the worship of God and love and compassion for mankind in their original form. His Holiness said that if these original teachings were upheld today it would lead to a harmonious society, free from conflict and war. He also condemned governments across the world for prioritising defence and military spending above and beyond social welfare and humanitarian projects.

Speaking about how the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) responded to the most horrific and sustained persecution, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gained victory over the sworn enemies of Islam, who in the past had left no stone unturned in their efforts to destroy the religion, he responded with peace and forgiveness.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said there was no contradiction between Islam’s peaceful teachings and the fact that some wars were fought during the early years of Islam. He said that those wars fought had been defensive wars, fought not only to protect Islam, but also to protect the people of all religions.

Citing the example of the Battle of Badr, where 300 ill-equipped Muslims defeated a much stronger army comprising 1,000 soldiers, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Where on the one hand this was a victory for Islam, it was also a timeless triumph for every person who desires for peace to be established in the world. It was a victory for every person who desires for human values to always be preserved and it was a victory for all people who believe religion to be a force for good and for establishing peace in the world.”

His Holiness clarified that any wars fought during the era of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) or his four Rightly Guided Successors were entirely defensive in nature and fought only to “end cruelty” and “establish peace”. However, later wars fought during the eras of certain Muslim monarchs were fought to expand kingdoms and gain power.

Commenting on this, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Those wars fought to expand kingdoms and to increase power were not in any way fought in accordance with the teachings of Islam as taught by the Holy Quran.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that Ahmadi Muslims believed the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi and that he had come to end all religious wars, to bring mankind towards its Creator and to draw the attention of the world towards fulfilling the rights of one another.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad appealed for the people of all religions to work together towards creating a just society based on mutual respect and tolerance.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I hope and pray that we, who are the representatives of different faiths and religions, and who have gathered here today to practically demonstrate these loving teachings, all strive towards worshipping the One God, by treating His Creation with justice and by fulfilling their due rights.

Certainly these are the original teachings of all religions. We should utilise all of our resources and capabilities to foster a better society, to help God’s Creation and to spread love, affection and peace at every level. The urgent and critical need of the world today is to establish peace and faith in God.”

His Holiness called on the leaders of all nations to prioritise social welfare above and beyond unnecessary militarisation.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The urgent and critical need of the world today is to establish peace and faith in God. If the world understood this reality then all countries, whether large or small, would not, in the name of defence spending, allocate millions and billions of dollars to expand their military capabilities. Rather, they would spend that wealth to feed the hungry, to provide universal education and to improve the living standards of the developing world.”

The Khalifa concluded by reiterating the fact that God is a “Living God” who continues to listen to the prayers of mankind.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In order to protect ourselves and to save mankind we need to turn towards God Almighty and we need to attach ourselves to that Living God who did not forsake the Prophet Moses and his people and nor did He forsake the Prophet Jesus and his disciples. Nor have true Muslims been deprived from attaining the blessings of God and seeing their prayers accepted.”

Earlier in the evening, a range of faith leaders and dignitaries took to the stage to highlight their respective beliefs. All of the speakers also took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for organising such an event that promoted inter-faith dialogue.

Rabbi Jackie Tabick, Joint President of the World Congress of Faiths said:

“We should be supportive of one another in our spiritual lives and be true to our own faiths whilst understanding and valuing the oneness amongst us.”

Umesh Sharma, Chairman of the Hindu Council UK quoted sacred Hindu texts highlighting the peaceful teachings of the Prophet Krishna. He also said that Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad “leads by example” in his efforts to develop peace in the world.

Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General said:

“The right of individual conscience is the basis of everything and so it is essential that people are free to practice their religions without coercion of any kind. I would also like to thank Your Holiness (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad) and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for its astonishing contribution to the United Kingdom.”

Geshe Tashi Tsering, read a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which said:

“Virtues of love and altruism are the basis of all religions and so a respect for all religions is essential. All religions are a means of inner-peace. I give my full heartfelt support to the Conference of World Religions.”

Prof Kwaku Danso-Boafo, High Commissioner of Ghana read a message from the President of Ghana, which said:

“This Conference will be a means of helping to bring peace in the world.”

Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, Spiritual Head of the Druze Community of Israel said:

“All the great religions agree on the Unity of God… Let us all come together and join hands together against violence.”

Dr Katrina Lantos-Swett, Vice-Chair United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, said:

“I am always uplifted and moved by the spirit amongst Ahmadi Muslims. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is living proof that religion can be a means of peace.”

Dr Lantos-Swett also acknowledged the role of the late Sir Chaudhry Zafrullah Khan Sahib in negotiating the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the fact that he signed it on behalf of the State of Pakistan.

Baroness Berridge, Chair of the UK Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom outlined the work of the Parliamentary Group and said that its objective was to “prick the conscience of Governments” towards establishing religious freedom.

Archbishop Kevin McDonald, representing the Roman Catholic Church, spoke of the World Day of Prayer for Peace organised by the late Pope John Paul II in 1986 and said that “today’s conference is another moment of the coming together of the people of different religions in peace and justice.” The Archbishop also read a message of support from Cardinal Peter Turkson, the President of the Pontifical Council for Peace and Justice.

The Rt Hon Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State at the Foreign Office, said:

“It is testament to the openness, the pragmatism and the humility of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community that their flagship global event celebrated all faiths.”

Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber, representing the Chief Rabbi of Israel addressed Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the ‘Khalifa of Islam’ and said:

“Humankind in the world are not its masters but its custodians. Let us return to the simple notion of faith and the sanctity of God.”

The World Conference concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. Earlier in the evening, His Holiness held a series of private meetings with dignitaries and delegations from various countries and he also led the Maghreb and Isha prayers at the Guildhall.

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Atheists! Please select ONE, the most violent verse in Quran for discussion

Paarsurrey wrote:

@ Sabio Lantz

I have written following comment on the link provided by you above. Please help dwindlinginunbelief, if you may like to, to select the most violent verse for discussion. Thanks and regards

paarsurrey said…
@
dwindlinginunbelief

Thanks for providing a list of some 30 places from Quran where you think Quran teaches violence instead of peace.
I think you are an intelligent person; please select just ONE verse from it which you think is the most violent one among them.

We will discuss the verse here to find whether it is peaceful or violent one.?

Will you do it please?

Tue Feb 04, 01:52:00 PM 2014

http://dwindlinginunbelief.blogspot.ca/2013/11/pope-francis-islam-and-quran-are.html?showComment=1391550775760#c7910498698825374690

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unfundamentalistchristians/2013/12/islam-demystified/#comment-1231113326