The word itself denoting intense heat,scorched ground, and shortness of rations.  In the Qur’an (known as the “Koran” in English), God (Arabic: ALLAH), proclaims that “fasting has been written down (as obligatory) upon you, as it was upon those before you.”  According to the earliest hadith (which is an appendix to the Qur’an of Muhammad’s sayings and deeds), this refers to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, a day of prayer for atonement and repentance).

However, this is the month when Muhammad received his initial revelation.  From the Qur’an, we have this verse.

Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong).  So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later.  Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties.  (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Ayah 185, Sura 2 (Al-Baqara), translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

[Notes to explain. "Ayah" is the Arabic word for sign, or miracle, in that Muslims regard each ayah as a sign from Allah, and therefore, the word refers to each one of the 6,236 verses found in the Qur’an.  A "Sura" (also spelled Surah) is a chapter of the Qur’an.  There are 114 Suras in the Qur'an. The shortest Surah (Al-Kawthar) has only three ayah (verses) while the longest (Al-Baqara, this one) contains 287 ayah (verses).  So, in Judeo/Christian language, this is the 185th verse in the Al-Barqara Chapter of the Koran.]

Aside from the five-times-daily prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan is the most visible and recognizable of Muslim acts the world over.  Like other Islam traditions, fasting in Islam has its origins in Judaism and Christianity.

During the 30-odd days of Ramadan, Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours from dawn until sunset, neither food nor drink (except, water) nor smoke, and abstain from sexual pleasures.  [The very young, those who are physically ill, the elderly, and certain groups (military, out door hard labor workers, ) are excused from fasting.]  Daylight hours are those when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread.

The purpose of fasting is to make one think, and teaches self-discipline.  Fasting sensitizes compassion (only those who have been hungry can know what hunger means), and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, spirituality, and also focus on social oneness with the ummah (which means the Islamic community) across the globe.

It is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual, praying for forgiveness, and praying for guidance – trying to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Based on sight ability of the moon in North America for 2010, the dates for Ramadan are from the 12th of August until the 9th of September.  Note that in the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day (this is from Judaism), so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan beginning with sunset on the 10th of August.

Hilal (Arabic; meaning, the crescent, or new moon) is typically a day after the astronomical new moon, the crescent moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of a new month, Muslims can estimate the beginning of Ramadan.

The Islamic calendar, called the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of either 354 or 355 days.  Although Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar.  This difference means Ramadan moves on the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year.  The date of Ramadan may also vary from country to country depending on when the moon is sighted.

However, whenever one sees these grand structures and begin to gain an understanding of the treasure, the sheer expense, that was necessary to build some of these monstrosities, it causes one to wonder if that treasure could have been better invested, better spent. For sure, the brick and mortar of these buildings does not make the difference as to whether or not the Buddhist achieves nirvana, or the Jew goes to heaven, or the Muslim goes to paradise, or the Christian goes to heaven, or the Hindu goes to a “higher state of being” in the reincarnation cycle to improve the Soul in order to achieve Oneness with Brahma. [All other religions, and their beliefs, spin-off of these majors.]

However, we recently returned from a trip to France, and I was taken by two of their churches in Paris — recall they, like all of Europe, have churches like we have McDonalds and Starbucks in major cities; meaning every corner or available space. (Although, to be fair, a piece of trivia: those two chains are only about 1/6 the size of the Christian church population of the U.S. @ 350,000.) And I begin to reflect on their background, their history, and what they represented at the time they were built. And what they continue to represent today. And I begin to re-visit how all this brick and mortar, in all religions, plays a part in the hope of humankind.

The short answer is that these faiths, these religions, are the glue that holds humankind together in their quest to be judged as women and men who “do the right thing,” who “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and therefore, in the end, have the hope of being reconciled to a higher being, God, in order to be a forgiven person in this life, and later face the greatest fear of humankind – death and eternal lostness.

The Sacre-Coeur of Montmartre is one of those churches. Say the word “Sacre-Coeur” to any taxi driver, and their passengers will be driven straight away to the Basilica. Upon arrival and touring, it is stunningly beautiful!

Visitors are always amazed to find within this church a community of people silently praying, and from time to time, their eyes being fixed on the monstrance (a vessel containing the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist) which is set above the high altar; thence, the huge dominating scene which is one of the world’s largest mosaics depicting Christ with outstretched arms.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacre-coeur-interior.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8978079@N05/4599164634/

Designed above all as a votive (meaning, done in fulfillment of a pledge/vow) monument since 1885, the Sacre-Coeur has become a sanctuary for day and night perpetual prayer. In addition to the Sunday Masses and Vespers, and the weekday daily services of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Vespers, and Complines, the Benedictines, a religious order, are present along with the faithful from all walks of life (they have overnight facilities for visitors) who come to pray in silence, in relays, day and night to intercede for The Church, and the salvation of humankind.

After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, there was a general feeling of national guilt, a need for penitence. This was the defeat of Napoleon III on the battlefield, and later, the defeat of France. Further, they felt responsible for the indignities inflicted on the Pope because the French were protecting Rome, and they had to pull-out their garrison of troops to defend France. Rome was then attacked by Italian military, and the Pope was a virtual captive following the occupation of Rome. This humiliating military defeat by the Germans and the embarrassing indignities inflicted on the Pope enraged the French.

What resulted, however, was a tremendous religious upswing, and therefore, discovering a new veneration, that deep respect, for the Sacred Heart. So, a vow was made by one of their leaders that the French people would construct a church dedicated to The Sacred Heart, the heart of Jesus, on the hill named Montmartre. This was in reparation (in penitence for sins committed) simply because, for the French people, the misery of France stemmed more from spiritual than from political causes.

The vow was approved by the Archbishop of Paris, and the vow was embraced by the entire population. It took 45 years to raise all the needed funds (funds were raised by a collection of small contributions as excessively large offerings were rejected), and finally to finish the church. It was later changed to a basilica (a designation given for ceremonial privileges).

The expression “heart” is borrowed from both the Old and New Testament to express humankind’s inner life with all of their intelligence, willingness, and sensitivity, and the depth of their inner being when men and women are in contact with God. Jesus in his teachings on reconciling with God, the Father, was, above all, totally driven by love: “He gave us his Heart freely, so that we could find refuge in it. He asked for our hearts, so that He could live within us.”

The top of the hill Montmartre, being some 330 feet above the river Seine, is seen from all directions – add another 280 feet, the height of the Basilica, and it is the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. It had been a place where people came to worship in the past during different times throughout history. The name signifies “mount of martyrs” because by tradition it is the place of the martyrdom of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, and his companions in the 3rd century. Upon entering Paris (air, rail, or car), it is the first hallmark to be seen.
http://www.travel-images.com/photo-france645.html , or search Sacre-Coeur of Montmartre
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickmann/4619479198/

But the granddaddy of them all is Notre-Dame de Paris. Construction began in 1163, some eight and a half (8 ½) centuries ago. As we see it today, the major phases were completed by 1270. It is huge, particularly when considering the engineering knowledge of that day and the construction materials available (no steel, by way of example). The towers at the front are 226 feet in height. The inside height under roof is 141 feet. Amazing construction for that day and time.

Paul Claudel, a famous diplomat (made the cover of Time Magazine 3/21/1927), marvelously described this place: “Notre-Dame is not just a building, but a living person. Looking at it is not enough, we must live with it every day for a long time.”
http://www.terragalleria.com/europe/paris/notre-dame-de-paris/ (On this website, hold curser over each picture; thence, left click to enlarge.)

Notre-Dame was conceived and built to be a leading place of prayer around the Bishop. From the first Solemn High Mass celebrated on January 17, 1185 by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, prayers offered throughout these 825 years create the heart of Notre-Dame. Beginning with seven Sunday masses, then these prayers continues to rise unceasingly every day during weekday masses, daily (morning, noon, evening) prayers, and vespers. “The upward yearning of its arches and its spires expresses the movement of prayer in which the soul lifts itself to God who is love.” (Cardinal Feltin, 1949-1966)

The organ is one of the biggest in the world with 113 stops (a component of a pipe organ that admits pressurized air, known as wind, to a set of organ pipes), and 7,800 pipes. Every Sunday after Vespers, one of the cathedral organists gives a free recital, “in the spirit of God’s calling, in this place which would like to give, even to those not of Christian faith, a little peace, beauty, …and some light.”

Through its art, outside and inside, which includes small and large paintings, series of story paintings, bronze statues, stone statues, stained glass colorful windows story art, carvings and carved story panels, and sculptures of all kinds, the stories of the Bible, and particularly of Jesus, are told. Over the centuries, this is the way that The Church has always taught those that could neither read nor write. Aside from its educational purposes, it is a beautiful collection.

Some yards up a road from the Cathedral, there is the Cathedral School that is a continuation of the tradition of Notre-Dame that began in the 4th century. Every week, over 2,000 people follow various courses: Bible Study, theology, history, music, and preparing couples the responsibility of becoming parents. Their mission is no different from that of the Cathedral as a whole: “To people of today as to people of yesterday, the Church wants to say what it believes about God, what He does for us, and what He expects of us.”

More than 10 million visitors pass through the doors of Notre-Dame de Paris every year.

**************************************************************

I have learned over the years that each church has its own unique story, but of all the churches that I visited in France and their wonderful stories, these two, this Basilica and this Cathedral, got my attention. They represent the glue.

For 2,000 years, Jews have rejected the Christian idea of Jesus as a messiah. Why?

Thought you would enjoy this little explanation. Go to this link.

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/48892792.html

Any comment?

====================================================================

—-Original Message—-
To: Jacob
From:  Robert Fawcett
Subject: Why Jews Don’t Believe In Jesus
Sent: Wednesday, 10:13 AM

Dear Jacob –

Nothing like throwing a little curve in there just to see what will happen. As I was reading this, some advice I received in my early years started to ring in my ears. While in college, the sound advice was to avoid any debate regarding either the Jewish religion or the Christian religion or both where your Jewish brothers and sisters are on the other side of that debate — you will surely find yourself on the losing side of that little situation.

But, what the heck, I’ll try, anyway. As you know I am a “reader” of the Bible and not a “student” of the Bible, but I am fairly well versed in the major religions — their overall beliefs and teachings, and the role/purpose of each. So, a few comments.

As to the general statement of Jews not believing in Jesus, there is a misconception regarding the acceptance of Jesus by the Hebrew people. As I point out in my book, “while is it is very true the the religious and political leaders rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Jewish people did embrace Jesus in the early years of the church, ….and continue to do so today.”

Think about it: the Apostles were all Jewish, and they spoke/taught in the Jewish synagogues — for all pratical purposes, the entire Christian movement was Jewish. Yes, there were some early Gentile converts, but for goodness sake, it was some 10+ years later that the Christian message was even taken to the Gentiles. For instance, the Book of Romans in the New Testament; this letter was written to the Christians in Rome some 20+ years after the death and resurrection of Jesus; these were Jewish Christians who moved to Rome that started that church.

As to the charge that “throughout history, thousands of religions have been started by individuals attempting to convince people that he or she is God’s prophet,” that is true. Heck, it’s even true today — look no further than either Mormonism or Islam. Even in modern times involving Christianity, there are religious movements declaring their founder as a special individual by some revelation, or even the 2nd coming of the Messiah, using selected Biblical verses, taken out of context, to justify that position.

But the difference, contrary to popular belief, is that Jesus did not start Christianity. He never intended on starting a new religion, …at all! Christianity was not started as Moses gave a jump-start to Judaism, or Buddha started Buddhism, or Muhammad started Islam. Jesus was around for about 3 years bringing the Good News, and trying to straightened-out Judaism. As the record shows, early Christianity was really a sect of Judaism, and  spun-off later by his followers — Jesus didn’t have anything to do with it. No guidelines, no instructions — nothing!

As to Jesus being the son of God and his purpose, go to this link on my website:
http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/christianity_trinity_father_son_holy_spirit_who_is_son.php

The point by Rabbi Simmons in this piece that “Jewish belief is based solely on national revelation” is a tad mishandled. This Jesus program was a national revelation — he was speaking to the entire nation! People tend to forget that Christianity is a continuation of Judaism — they just kinda just skip over that point.

I continue to be amused by people reading other people’s commentary to find answers/meaning versus just reading the Bible themselves. Kinda surprising, isn’t it? The Hebrew people are the “chosen people,” as I say in my book, “to bring all the nations of the world to Him — they will spread the word, be the evangelists.” And that’s all explained in the Bible, written, I might add, at about a 5th grade reading level. As I have recommended in the past, the NLT (New Living Translation) version is the best for the new reader.

At that time, however, the record shows that the Jewish religious leaders were zealously following the Laws of the Torah (Torah Observance), as well as their own religious traditions. The legal extremes of the Law where it was a myriad of rules/regulations — scores, well over 100.

Certain foods, for instance, were banned by these legal extremes. Jesus said, “All of you listen, and try to understand. You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do” (Bible, Mark 7:14). It was legalism in its finest hour. It was a mess! God doesn’t so much judge your actions, he judges our motives, Jesus said.

Because of his popularity due to the authority of these kinds of teachings and his actions, Jesus threatened their status in the community. Further, Jesus challenged their political motives, as well. As I point out in my book, “they lost sight of their goal as religious leaders — to point people to God.”

As to Jesus not fulfilling the Messianic prophecies, not having the personal qualifications of a Messiah, mistranslated verses referring to Jesus, or not being a descendant of David, I leave that to others who are qualified. However, I will say that this is well explained in the Bible: Book of Hebrews which was written to Jews who were evaluating Jesus, or who were struggling with this new faith. Read, by the way, chapters 9 thru 11 Book of Romans written by the Apostle Paul, recognized as an extremely well educated Jewish theologian.

Suffice to say, however, that I would venture a guess that there are more formally educated Christian theologians, with world class intellect (many in the PhD arena) that have studied these very subjects more than half the total population of the Jewish people on earth. At 2 billion strong, there is easily 7+ million. And after some 2,000 years, I think ……

Well anyway, old friend, that’s my “try.”  Have a nice day.

Robert

“All right, how many of you in here have read the The Da Vinci Code?”  Vroom, the entire room raises its hand!

“All right, how many of you in here have read the entire Bible from cover to cover?”  The response was scattered hands throughout the room.

“So,” he said, “I don’t quite understand this.  I’m not telling you that I think God wrote the Bible, you’re telling me that you think God wrote the Bible.  I can see why you might want to read a book by Dan Brown, but if God wrote a book, wouldn’t you want to see what he had to say?”

He made the further point that this situation isn’t limited to his class of college undergraduates.

.

P.S. See Special Report:The Creation of the Bible, The Holy Scriputres http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/book_special_reports_major_religions.php

For a “reader” of the Bible versus a “student” of the Bible, the best that I have seen is the NLT (New Living Translation), Application Study Bible.  Purchase at any book store, or go to website: http://www.christianbiblesandbooks.com/store/productdetails.asp?isbn=’1414300794′

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.

In the Christian Gospels, the Last Supper (also called the Mystical Supper) was the last meal Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles and disciples before his death.  According to what Paul the Apostle recounted in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, in the course of the Last Supper, and with specific reference to eating bread and drinking from a cup, Jesus told his disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me.”  Christians describe this as the “Institution of the Eucharist.”

It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and followed by Good Friday. The date is always between 19 March and 22 April inclusive. These dates in the Julian calendar, on which Eastern churches in general base their calculations of the date of Easter, correspond throughout the twenty-first century to 1 April and 5 May in the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. In 2010 it falls on 1 April.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper initiates the Easter Triduum, the three days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday that commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. It is normally celebrated in the evening when, according to Jewish tradition, Friday begins.

The Washing of the Feet is a traditional component of the celebration in many Christian Churches.  After the homily, the washing of feet may be performed. The service concludes with a procession taking the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition (Altar of Repose) — the  place where the Communion hosts, consecrated in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, are reserved for Holy Communion on the following day, which is Good Friday.  This is the day on which the death of Christ is observed liturgically and Mass is not celebrated, so communion must be given from Hosts consecrated on the previous day.

 The altar is later stripped bare.  The altar remains completely bare, without cross, candlesticks, or altar cloths.  In pre-1970 editions, the Roman Missal envisages this being done ceremonially, to the accompaniment of Psalm 21/22, a practice which continues in many Anglican churches.  In other Christian denominations, such as the Lutheran Church or Methodist Church, the stripping of the altar, and other items on the chancel, also occurs, as a preparation for the somber Good Friday service

Holy Week: Good Friday

Good Friday, also called Holy Friday, Black Friday, Great Friday, is a holiday observed by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, his death at Calvary.  The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and often coincides with the Jewish observance of Passover.

Based on the scriptural details of the Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus, the Crucifixion of Jesus was most probably on a Friday. The estimated year of Good Friday is AD 33, by two different groups, and originally as AD 34 by Isaac Newton via the differences between the Biblical and Julian calendars and the crescent of the moon.

 A third method, using a completely different astronomical approach based on a lunar Crucifixion darkness and eclipse model (consistent with Apostle Peter’s reference to a “moon of blood” in Acts 2:20) arrives at the same date, namely Friday April 3, AD 33.

After an all night trial before Jewish authorities condeming Jesus to death, the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate has Jesus flogged. and then brings him out to the crowd to release him.  The charges did support any further punishment, and Pilate view the charges as being false, anyway.  However, the chief priests informed Pilate of a new charge, demanding Jesus be sentenced to death “because he claimed to be God’s son.”

Coming before the crowd one last time, Pilate declares Jesus innocent, washing his own hands in water to show he has no part in this condemnation. 

Nevertheless, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified in order to forestall a riot (Matthew 27:24-26), and ultimately to keep his job. The sentence written is “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”

During his last 3 hours on the cross, from noon to 3pm, there is darkness over the whole land. With a loud cry, Jesus gives up his spirit. There is an earthquake, tombs break open, and the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. The centurion on guard at the site of crucifixion declares, “Truly this was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27:45-54).

Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus, wraps it in a clean linen shroud, and places it in his own new tomb that had been carved in the rock (Matthew 27:59-60) in a garden near the site of crucifixion.  Nicodemus (John 3:1) also came bringing 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, and places them in the linen with the body of Jesus, according to Jewish burial customs (John 19:39-40).

They rolled a large rock over the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:60). Then they returned home and rested, because at sunset began Shabbat (Luke 23:54-56). On the third day, Sunday, which is now known as Easter Sunday (or Pascha), Jesus rose from the dead.

See Special Report: Is There A Case For The Resurrection of Jesus? http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/book_special_reports_major_religions.php

Holy Week: Easter Day

HE IS RISEN!

Go to the link below for an article on Easter:
http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/christianity_easter.php

As seen on a sign attached to a small church somewhere in England:

Happy Easter to our Christian friends

Happy Passover to our Jewish friends

To our atheist friends: GOOD LUCK!

There is a quote in my book by Emily Large:  “We are created to worship God, and if we don’t worship God, we will worship something else.  Understanding this truth, and knowing that we are so needy, has really helped Alex and me in our ministry to people.”   This was never more evident than seeing this first hand in all the places visited: Hong Kong, Macau, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore.  As a matter of interest, there are some 1,300 Temples in Bangkok.

There were throngs of people visiting these Temples and Pagodas each and every day, praying and worshipping.  Yes, lots of visitors, but many more worshippers — complete with incense burning all over the place, all the time.

Ancestor Worship (the worship of grandparents/ancient patriarchs, and/or ancient leaders/protectors) was new to me, complete with their own Temples. Buddhism is the major religion, with Taoism and Hinduism being important.  We’ll discuss Ancestor Worship, as well as these others, at a later time as we move along.

While one young guide was quick to point out that 60% of Vietnamese were not followers of God, or any god or goddesses, that figure has nearly quadrupled in these economic better times since embracing capitalism — the vastly improved quality of life.  They are, of course, worshiping “something else,” the material things of success — even an up surge in Ancestor Worship.  In reality, the same condition exist in any society; however, bring on sickness/disease, war/rebellion, or economic troubled times, and that number quickly reverses.

As an aside, and as I point out in my book, this agnostic type upswing is a product of the example set by the role model leaders of society.  Because money represents power, authority, and success, it is often difficult for wealthy people to realize their need to recognize and honor God.  It’s not that they seriously doubt God’s existence — He is just not relevant in their life, and therefore, no need to return to Him for reconciliation and forgiveness.  The rich in talent, or intelligence, suffer the same difficulty.

In my study of Hinduism while writing my book, I ran across something that stuck in my mind, …and it stayed there, …and it was true: “If at the end of your study you think you have a clear understanding of Hindu teachings, you probably do not.”

A common word for God in Sanskrit (a literary language since the 3rd century) is Brahma, or Brahman. But, let’s not forget that Hinduism has literally hundreds, or thousands, or god and goddesses.

As I wrote in my book, “the basic Hindu view of God is impersonal. …utterly beyond all possibility of conception. In Spinoza’s formulation, God’s nature resembles our words about as much as the Dog Star resembles a Dog; the most that can be said for these words is that they are pointers — our minds do better when they move in their direction than in the opposite. God lies on the further side of being as we understand it.”

The Upanisads represent the evolution of thought in Hinduism, the teachings of the sages, and were composed between 800 — 200 BC. The Svetasvatara Upanisad, by way of example, explores these questions: “What is the source of the universe? What is ultimate reality? Where do we come from ? By what power do we live? What is that, which being known, illuminates everything else?” So, through the natural evolution of thought, Brahman began to be viewed as the universal power.

But, Brahman became increasingly abstract and difficult to grasp. Brahman was called the “thread” that strings together all creatures. Brahman is in everything (”ultimate reality” as one text described), and Brahman is spirit.  Because Brahman is spirit, It cannot be perceived, at least not by ordinary means.

While Brahman is ultimate reality, Brahman is unknown and unknowable. So, the many gods and goddesses are, therefore, the many different expressions of the one reality, Brahman. The true meaning of the many god/goddesses in Hinduism, which gets lost in human understanding of images/icons being worshiped as idols, are ways to enrich the understanding of the the divine, while guarding against confusing image and reality.

That’s the reason why these images/icons are made not to be human — they are simultaneously human and nonhuman to remind people that the gods are not like us, cannot be reduced to finite status. Example: multiple arms indicate the great power of a god; many heads suggest a god’s universal knowledge. While hard for Westerners to understand, each of these helps give shape to the unseen, and allow Hindus to glimpse some aspect of the divine.

Hindus do not worship to all gods equally, or even attempt to do so. While they can have more than several gods/goddesses, they usually have a personal deity of choice. It is not uncommon for family members, or a congregation type group, to be devoted to different gods/goddesses.

To the Hindu ways of thinking, as I continue to study, the ultimate reality is “so far beyond our imagining, so complex and so rich in potential, that a single image, or even a mere handful of images, is not sufficient.”

So, one can readily see that the God known as Brahma is neither viewed nor understood in the same manner as the the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. This subject was, needless to say, one of my curiosities (see link http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/about_book.php ), and the reason why I wrote the special report, The Case For The Existence Of God (see link http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/book_special_reports_major_religions.php).

More important, communities of faith — including our own — do not necessarily rely on the historicity of the narratives that are at the center of faith — but rather they function as compelling stories — that woven together create symbols which command belief and adherence. To place one’s faith on the presence or absence of an historical record is to make one’s faith community subject to refutation based on history. Real history in the Bible starts with Kings — there we have independent historical confirmation of history. Most of what comes before — myth. But it shouldn’t dissuade you from Jewish allegiance.

Bert
.

First, while I disagree with your brother’s general view of the historical record, the real point is that the vast majority of students studying Jewish history/theology get tangled-up in the shortcomings of history. The real story is that of Abram, or Abraham, and therefore, what God was trying to do.

Second, there is a quote in my book by D. L. Moody that says it all: “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change lives.”

Why don’t you send him a copy of my book, and have him review the book. Either you or he can order off of the website: www.MajorReligions.com.

You just need to remind him that this is a book written by a lay person for lay people — it is offering some common sense to a very simple subject that most folks tend to complicate.

My best to you,

Robert

P.S. Your Jewish allegiance, by the way, has to give way to Jewish belief, and therefore, faith in the Jewish religion (there’s a definition of “faith” on the website — bottom of page on “Is There A God — Overview“. Go to this link: http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/god_is_there_a.php

It isn’t about allegiance — it’s about study and belief and faith.

The significance of Ashura for the Shiite, or Shi’a, denomination of the Muslim religion is that it is commemorated as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein at the Battle of Karbala.  Therefore, this day is of particular significance to Shi’a Muslims, who consider Hussein, the 3rd Imam, and the rightful successor of Muhammad.  To explain: Ali was Muhammad’s grandson, and was the closest living male relative, and therefore, his rightful successor and the leader as the 1st Iman.  Hussein was Ali’s son.

According to the 8th Imam, Ali al-Rida, the day of Ashura must be observed as a day of inactivity, sorrow, and total disregard of worldly cares.  It is a period of intense grief and mourning. Mourners congregate at their local Mosque; however, some mourners make pilgrimages to the Mashhad al-Husayn, the shrine in the city of Karbala (Iraq) that is traditionally held to be Hussein’s tomb.

On this day they are in remembrance, and mourning attire is worn.  This time is spent listening to sermons about the tragedy, and poems about the tragedy, as to how Hussein and his family were martyred.  This is accompanied by an outward expression of grief and sorrow to the tune of beating drums and chants of “Ya Hussein.”  This is intended to connect them with Hussein’s suffering and martyrdom, and the sacrifices he made to keep Islam alive.

So, Hussein’s martyrdom is widely interpreted as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. They believe the Battle of Karbala was fought to keep the Muslim religion untainted of any corruptions, and it was a battle between the forces of good and evil.  Imam Hussein represented good while Yazid, the other political force, represented evil — it is believed that the path that Yazid was directing Islam was definitely for his own personal greed.

Certain rituals like the traditional flagellation ritual, as a religious discipline, called “zanjeer zani” or “zanjeer matam,” involving the use of a zanjeer (a chain) are also performed.  It needs to be noted that these are not religious customs, but are popularly done to show solidarity with Imam Hussein and his family.  People mourn the fact that they were not present at the battle to fight and save Hussein, and his family.

It is believed that taking part in Ashura is to be absolved of sin.  A popular Shiite saying has it that, “a single tear shed for Hussein washes away a hundred sins.”
.
.

For further information:
www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/islamic_denominations.php

Maybe you can’t give anything.  There’s nothing left to give – or there’s no one left to give to.

Listen.

What’s Christmas all about, anyway?  Wasn’t there a death, an emptiness, a need?  Wasn’t there a Love somewhere – infinite, eternal, unchangeable – a Love that gave His only Son?  That’s what Christmas is all about: God coming to Earth in the person of the Christ Child to do for you, and for me, what we cannot possibly do for ourselves.

Jesus lived among us, and had the same kinds of problems that we do.  You haven’t a problem – and I haven’t a problem – that He doesn’t understand from close personal experience.  He spent His entire life meeting human needs.  He died on the cross to deal, once and for all, with our greatest need – redemption from sin.

This Christmas, God is asking you to come to Him.  Bring your failures, your sins, your problems, your fears.  Bring yourself.

This is Christmas: Redemption’s glorious exchange of gifts!

A selection from Ruth Bell Graham’s writing

Taken from Decision Magazine, December 2009.
BGEA; Charlotte, NC 28201-0001
Website: www.billygraham.org/Decision
Contact Information. E-Mail: Help@BGEA.org
Or, toll-free (877) 247-2426 Seven days per week