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Religion Questions 61-70

THE QUESTION:
RE70: Islam is the second-largest religion in America, and growing fast. It accepts all the Jewish prophets and Jesus. Why is it then, that many Jews and Christians have an aversion to Islam, even though most Muslims are peaceful?
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
Brad, Honolulu, HI

ANSWER 1:
1) Islam does not accept Jesus as Christians understand him (second person of a triune God). See C.S. Lewis for a discussion of the importance of accepting the divinity of Christ if acceptance means anything. 2) Iranians may have good historic, cultural and political reasons to hate the United States, but Muslims should not be surprised that hearing a nation constantly chant “Death to America” and identify the United States with Satan results in an aversion to Islam. 3) Muslims practice their religion freely in the United States – Christian missionaries are persecuted in Islamic countries. I don’t justify the aversion by these observations, but I understand it.
POSTED AUG. 1, 1998
Charles B., 51, white <owlfran@aol.com>, Haverford, PA

FURTHER NOTICE:
Mohammed, the founder of Islam, did say that he acknowledged the prophets of Israel and Jesus as prophets, but that he was truly The Prophet of Allah (the name of God according to Islam). Thus, what he says is the final truth, and all truth is contained in the Koran. Christians believe Jesus is “The Prophet” of YHWH (Yahweh or Yehovah; no one knows the vowels for certain) and truly the Son of God and Messiah, as prophesied. Jesus taught that He would be the last Prophet and that He was the fulfillment of the Law (Torah) and all prophecy. All new revelation from God ceased with the teaching of Jesus the Messiah, and any teaching from man or an angel of God that does not completely conform with His teaching is not from God. This is why Christians do not accept the teaching of Islam.
POSTED AUG. 3, 1998
Scott C., 40, Christian <scampbel@netset.com>, Worthington, OH

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
My introduction to Islam took place at the university. Before that, I had no opinion about Islam and was only vaguely aware of it. Many of the other students at this university were Islamic. I was instructed by one that while Christians say “turn the other cheek,” Moslems say “hit back twice as hard.” Those were his words. He was from India. I was a graduate assistant and taught labs. One day four men came up to me in a group and accused me of giving unfair grades to them because of their ethnicity. They too were Islamic, from Iran. As a lone woman, I was intimidated by this group of men. I took their complaint to the head of the department, who gave the papers to an instructor (also foreign, from Cameroon) to compare. He returned them with the comment, “The grades are fair.” These instances and the things I have read about the treatment of women in Islamic counties have given me a bad opinion of the Islamic religion.
POSTED AUG. 7, 1998
Theist, 47, white, Ann Arbor , MI

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Islam’s image is that of a zealous, violent religion intolerant of others’ beliefs and religions. This may or may not be accurate, but we all see Iran and the intolerance toward the writings of Salmin Rushdie to the point of ordering his death, and we see the lack of women’s rights , forced female circumcision , suicide bombers and kidnappings. This shapes our image. We never see Islam promoting world peace, non-violence or women’s rights.
POSTED AUG. 17, 1998
Dave <GILSTRAP@MS13.HINET.NET>, Easley, SC

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
In my humble opinion, the reason many Jews and Christians have an aversion to Islam is because of some of the statements you read here. Not because they are true, but because it’s the common belief. Some of the notions here are purely laughable to me. Many misconceptions abound. The name of the religion “Islam” comes from the Arabic root for “peace” or “tranquility.” Most Muslims want nothing more than peace. However, in the face of oppression, Muslims must fight for what’s right. As for unfair treatment of women, it truly does not exist in an Islamic framework. Just because someone states something is Islamic, or because they come from an “Islamic” country, doesn’t mean what they do is Islamic. Just as the ethnic cleansing in Serbia, the KKK or the Spanish Inquisition should not be considered “Christian.” A little bit of research on the part of individuals or the Western press will find that Islamic creed and Christian creed are rather similar, and that a relationship built on similarities instead of differences would be far more advantageous to everyone.
POSTED SEPT. 21, 1998
David, 29, Muslim <dk4@bigfoot.com>, Washington, DC

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Most of the aversion to Islam that I perceived as I grew up in a Catholic environment was related to militant groups such as Middle Eastern Muslim terrorists. Generally, Christian terrorists kill themselves (i.e. the Branch Davidians in Waco, or the followers of Jim Jones), whereas the Islamic terrorists are portrayed as hijackers and kidnappers.
POSTED OCT. 7, 1998
Eric, 26, raised Catholic <eze@home.com>, Bryn Mawr, PA

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
I’m a young Muslim girl living in Morocco. I don’t wear tchador but I practice my religion in peace and respect those who have other beliefs. Why do some people always associate Islam only with Iran or India? I can assure you that most Muslim people only want to live their religion in peace and harmony. Other problems are rather politic issues. Islam does recognize other religions; the only difference is that we don’t believe Jesus is the son of God. Unfortunately nowadays the media only focus on the problems in the Muslim community, forgetting that the Muslim civilization has had her glory period and that the problem of fundamentalism is due to political deceptions, poverty and ignorance. Yes, ignorance because Islam has preached tolerance: Few people understand that.
POSTED OCT. 9, 1998
Hind, 22, Moroccan <yseult30@hotmail.com> Morocco

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
1) They are not Christians; 2) They are not Jews; 3) They are so closely connected to terrorism in the Middle East, i.e. suicide bombings in Israel and Lebanon against Jews and Christians, and the Iranian problem since 1979. Then there is the World Trade Center bombing by Muslims, led by a Muslim cleric here in America. Certainly most Muslims here are peaceful, but when Americans see all these acts, including the subjugation of women in Afghanistan and persecution of Christians and Jews where the Muslim religion controls the government, you can’t be too surprised that there is a general attitude that a growing Muslim presence in America might not be desirable. For better or worse, most stories about them around the world are not very positive.
POSTED OCT. 26, 1998
Chris, 40, white male, Kokomo, IN

FURTHER NOTICE 8:
The real problem is the misconception concerning Islam. Because of the media, when one thinks of Islam, they tend to think of an Arab. The truth of the matter is that four out of five Muslims are not Arab. One should not judge an entire religion based upon a few misguided individuals. How many members of the KKK call themselves Christians. Too many people take what they hear from the media (TV, newspapers, magazines, etc.) as the truth. Most often, when a Muslim is portrayed in the media or movie, he is a terrorist of some type. My daughter attends an Islamic school with blacks, whites, Moroccans, Pakistanis, etc. I have attended numerous Kutbah’s (Friday Sermons), fund raisers and events at the local Masjid and have never once heard anyone speaking of hatred or intolerance toward other peoples or their religion. Islam is a religion of tolerance. Islam translated from Arabic means “total submission to the will of God.” We must learn to seek out the real truth before formulating an opinion. By the way, I am a 32-year-old black American who converted to Islam three years ago.
POSTED NOV. 3, 1998
David N., 32, black male <davneal@aol.com>, Baltimore, MD

FURTHER NOTICE 9:
I think many Americans (Jewish or Christian) have negative feelings about Islam because the majority of our information about Islamic religion and culture comes from the media. In the media, most of the imagery is that of the more radical elements, which consist of American flag burning, terrorist attacks, and general declarations against “McWorld”. They see Western culture as an attack on the way of life of the true believers. Muslims praying and doing charity work is hardly the kind of thing that would capture high ratings. However, put 10,000 Muslims chanting “Death to America” and burning our flag on TV, and you’re bound to get some viewers.
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
Rob, 26, white Christian guy

FURTHER NOTICE 10:
There could be several reasons for this. First, most Christians tend to believe that Christianity is the final religion ordained by God, and that Jesus was the final prophet and Messiah. To believe in any other religion would be (to some) to deny God’s will. An example of this would be Fundementalist Christians. Since, in their view, Jesus was the final prophet and Messiah sent by God, all other religions are false. Muslims, on the other hand, believe Jesus was merely a prophet, not the Messiah. Mohammed was the final prophet; therefore Islam is the true religion. Notice that Mohammed is considered a prophet, not a Messiah. To my knowledge, Muslims do not believe in a Messiah sent by God to save Mankind, only a prophet to spread the word of Allah (God). This is why the term “Mohammedan” is false. Muslims revere Mohammed as the final prophet, but they do not worship him. That is reserved for Allah.
POSTED DEC. 30, 1998
Scott O. <sroring@dmci.net>, Jackson , Mi
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THE QUESTION:
RE69: It’s my feeling that some Christians, particularly fundamentalists or born-again Christians, feel a need to tell others how to live their lives. On the other hand, while messages from society and the media may not necessarily be “Christian,” I don’t see non-Christians telling Christians to change their beliefs. Wouldn’t it be more “Christian” to live and let live, or turn the other cheek? Is their some religious reason behind this?
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Allison S., 33, white female, <alnshawn@aol.com>, Mission Viejo, CA

ANSWER 1:
Have you known married people who love to fix up their single friends? They are so happy being married they want their friends to know the same happiness. That is how it often is for born-again Christians. We sometimes get overzealous when sharing our joy. It is an intensely personal and emotionally charged topic, and it can be hard to discuss in a sensitive manner without seeming holier-than-though. True Christians know we are sinners like everybody else, but it’s like we’ve discovered the “cure” for guilt and shame. When we become Christians, we are forgiven and lifted up into a loving relationship with God. We want our friends to know the same joy.
POSTED JULY 26, 1998
T. Arthur, 38, born-again Christian <MrsArthur1@aol.com>, Sterling Heights, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
There is definitely a Christian teaching behind helping others. It was the whole point of Jesus Christ’s life on earth. Imagine if you saw a burning building. Would you feel the urgent need to get the people out? Most people would say yes, because those inside are going to die. However, if you try to help someone out and they refuse, you move on to someone who wants your help. This is how we feel about those who are not Christians (and even some who claim to be.) Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations … teaching them all the things I have commanded you.” If however, someone does not want to learn, that is their choice. God has given us the free will to decide how we will live our lives. But I don’t want people to make an uninformed decision about such an important matter.
POSTED JULY 27, 1998
M.A.M., 25, Atlanta, GA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
If you saw a person standing in front of a speeding truck, would you scream at him to move? Of course you would. That is how Christians feel about the secular world. They see a steaming locomotive coming to crush you and feel duty-bound to warn you. As for not being forced into others beliefs, try attending an Ivy League college such as Harvard. Try being a religious person of any persuasion not in the closet. You will be treated as if an aborigine from Borneo had invaded the place.
POSTED AUG. 13, 1998
Elaine C. < eoder1@compulinx-net.net>, Columbus , OH

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I, too, have found the fundamentalist/right-wing Christians to be ones who not only feel the need to tell others how to live their lives but also make judgments on the upcoming afterlife of others not believing in “their ” form of Christianity. To me, a Christian is one who believes in God and Jesus, the son of God and follows the rules of living a good, honest life, etc. However, I happen to be Catholic, and was told by many different “denominations” of “Christians” that I was doomed to hell because I wasn’t a Christian. Catholics are Christians, but many people in right-wing factions say otherwise. I would like to understand why this is.
POSTED SEPT. 5, 1998
Sue <obriens@vcss.k12.ca.us>, Thousand Oaks, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
It can happen both ways. Some non-Christians will bluntly tell Christians to “get a life” or “loosen up” when the Christian’s beliefs get in the way of the non-Christian’s personal agenda. Some non-Christians even tell Christians not to share their beliefs, which for some Christians is a vital part of their belief system. We are often taught that we are supposed to witness to others: To make a concentrated effort to tell as many people as possible about Jesus Christ. There are scriptures that back up that belief. I prefer to only answer people’s questions, but some people take a more assertive approach to witnessing, which offends some non-Christians. But to tell them to not share their beliefs is to ask them to change their belief that sharing is the Christian thing to do.
POSTED SEPT. 23, 1998
W. Lotus, 29, non-denominational Christian <wlotus@dreamscape.com>, Syracuse, NY

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:20). I just wish he had said something about only telling it once or being nice about it.
POSTED OCT. 13, 1998
Cynthia, Unitarian Universalist Agnostic <ThePowers@aol.com>, Greensboro, NC

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Many denominations of Christianity are taught to convert as many people as possible. Believe it or not, they are doing so with the best of intentions (usually). They believe they have found the “one true way” and anyone else is going to hell. So, they’re out to save your immortal soul. I’ve had born-again Christians ask me if I was “saved.” In one instance, I was on a plane and rather than get into a big debate, I merely said, “That’s a very personal question.” She began to cry and said she would pray for my soul et al. I was annoyed and frustrated for the rest of the trip. Turning the other cheek refers to attacks against you, e.g. if someone slaps you “turn the other cheek.”
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
Rob, Irish Catholic

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
It’s my understanding that in many fundamentalist, evangelical Christian sects, a follower’s salvation depends in part on how many conversions he/she achieves. That’s why some door-to-door proselytizers are so persistent – it’s not just your immortal soul they’re worried about.
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
Laura, 37, lapsed Methodist, Bel Air, MD

FURTHER NOTICE 8:
Fundamental Christian religions are based on the belief “Saved by grace, through faith” (believing that Jesus died for our sins). When you accept Christ as your savior, you believe that because Jesus had so much love for us he made the ultimate sacrifice and died for your sins. Therefore, in return you will (should) have the desire to emulate his teachings and his life on earth, avoiding sin and temptation. This is being born-again. You also believe that this is the only way into heaven. Most born-again Christians are not telling non-Christians how to live their lives. What they are doing is following the commandments to tell others of Jesus Christ and his love, and “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Imagine if you knew beyond a doubt (faith) that if you do step A (accept Jesus as your savior), then you will get reward B (eternal life in heaven). Wouldn’t you want all the people you love and care about to know this and convince them of this truth? And knowing that after you have done step A, you will/should have a desire to avoid sin, wouldn’t you want to teach these people that you love how to live this way? I do not evangelize, but I will not hesitate to explain this belief to anyone who inquires, showing them Bible passages explaining this. To me, it is more Christian to love others and teach them this, than to “turn the other cheek” and wait for them to spend eternity in hell. So yes, there is a religious reason behind this.
POSTED NOV. 30, 1998
Kris, 23, female, former Wiccan, Baptist, Phoenix, AZ

FURTHER NOTICE 9:
Christians are taught to spread the Gospel, which means good news, of Christ. Many Christians feel this gives them the duty to point out where others, who in their opinion are failing to live to Christ’s teachings, need improvement. Some Christians lead by example and have a live-and-let-live belief. Christianity is a complex religion, with may levels of understanding. Fundamentalists view the religon on a “fundamental” level – i.e. “Live to ‘these’ beliefs and you go to heaven, don’t do it and you end up in hell if you don’t repent your ways.” On its most basic level, Christianity offers fundamental teachings and ideal ways of living – an anchor to hold on to. A large group of the “born-again” Christians I have run across have been people who recently had been leading bad or drifting lives and made changes that brought positive results. The need to profess this change is strong. I believe they do it out of goodness and concern rather than with any malice.
POSTED DEC. 22, 1998
Jay, Roman Catholic, male, 35, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 10:
It partly depends on your definition of Christianity. If you believe Christian practices should be imitations of the actions of Jesus of Nazareth, then the modern practice of trying to convert “non-believers” is an inconsistency. Jesus was a Jew. He helped and healed many people, unconditionally. The emphasis on converting is actually a Paulian practice. Attempts to convert others goes beyond the desire to share joy. I experience a deep and abiding satisfaction stemming from my spiritual practices, and I share that by simply being an example of happiness and satisfaction. Christians who approach me to witness never ask me if I am happy or satisfied with my spiritual path. They ask me if I am willing to accept Jesus as my “personal savior,” indicating their belief that there is only one right way. Some have gone so far as to tell me that my perception of joy is actually an illusion created by Satan. In summary, the practice of conversion is based on a need to be right, not a desire for others to experience joy.
POSTED JAN. 29, 1999
Gypsy (Eclectic Neopagan) <gypc@accessus.net>
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THE QUESTION:
RE68: I do not belong to a church and would like to become a member of one. But I don’t understand the differences between Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, etc. Can someone please explain them to me? (Director’s note: For space reasons, Y? would prefer that answers focus on only the most fundamental differences among these denominations.)
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
J.G., Orion, MI

ANSWER 1:
I am a Christian who has had the occasion to be a member of many different denominations. I will give you a layman’s answer to the best of my ability since this is a complicated question. The denominations are divided into types of worship. All have the Bible as a foundation for their beliefs. But all interpret their style of worship differently. The Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches are liturgical. That means their worship is centered on an order of service. It can be High service (Catholic or High Episcopal) or Low service (Lutheran and some Episcopal). The Protestant churches – Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist – are “pulpit-centered.” That is, the personality of the congregation is derived from the minister. The fundamentalist churches – Assembly of God, Nazarene, Church of God, etc. – are Bible-centered, “Spirit-led” churches. They believe in the personal activity of God through his Holy Spirit in each service.

All of these denominations have the basic tenets of the church: Personal acceptance of Jesus Christ, belief in the Virgin Birth, acceptance of Christ’s death and resurrection, the use of prayer as a personal communication with a living God, baptism, confrontation of individual sin and assistance from God in turning from that sin to live a holier life, acceptance of personal responsibility for your actions. All of the above churches believe in life after death, which will be joyful because it is in the presence of the Living God, and that absence from that is Hell.

There are differences among denominations on certain subjects, such as 1) Baptism – do you need to be baptized at birth, or must you make that a personal decision at the age of accountability? 2) Forgiveness of sins – must they be confessed to a confessor, or is that personal and private? 3) How vocal should one be in his faith? A major difference between the Liturgical church and the Protestant is on the Eucharist, or Communion. The Liturgical churches believe Christ inhabits the bread and wine, while the Protestant believe the service is symbolic. But basically, all the Christian faiths are consistent with the beliefs stated at the Council of Nicea in 325, today known at the Nicean Creed. The prime differences you will find will be in style of worship service. You must find the one that suits you.
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
J.L.K., 60, Fort Myers, FL

FURTHER NOTICE:
I agree with the above summary for most Christian religions, but there are some Christian religions that do not hold to the Nicean Creed. I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and we are Christian. Add to the above list the understanding of who God is. The doctrine of all the aforementioned religions states that Jesus Christ is part of a trinity God-head (although many individual members do not believe this teaching). As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we worship a single God, as the “Old Testament” Jews did. This God revealed His name to Moses as YHWH (Jehovah in English). Until a few centuries ago, all Christian religions used this divine name. Now, few do. We believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and acts as our Ransomer and Redeemer. Without Him we would have no forgiveness of sins and no approach to Jehovah God. We do not believe in a burning hell. Mankind’s punishment for refusing to serve God is simply eternal death. We do not believe man has a soul that lives on after death – if he did, what would be the purpose of resurrection? Finally, we believe Jehovah God created this earth for humans to live on in paradise forever. When Adam and Eve chose not to be part of that, God did not change His mind and decide that all “good” humans could come and live with Him in heaven. No, He made the earth for us and wants us to live here. So at His appointed time, He will cleanse the earth. This includes resurrecting both the “good” and the “bad” to give them a chance to know Him and live by His standards. Any who choose life will be able to live forever on a paradise earth in perfect health. At that time if any want to rebel again, He will use our experience to prove that living under His rule is better than living under our own rule. To get the Scriptural proof of these teachings, go to www.watchtower.org .
POSTED JULY 27, 1998
M.A.M., 25, Atlanta, GA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I am a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian. Although our beliefs are similar in most aspects to other Protestant denominations, we have some very distinct differences. One very obvious one is the seventh-day Sabbath.We believe that at Creation, God blessed, sanctified and rested on the seventh day. Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath, as well as His disciples. This is the fourth commandment of the 10 God set forth. Many have set this aside as unimportant, but it is important to God, or He would not have instituted this special day to worship him. This is found specifically in the first chapter of Genesis and also the twentieth chapter of Exodus. There are many other references throughout the Bible as well.

Secondly, SDAs are very health-conscious people. We abide by the rules set aside for diet in Leviticus 11 and Deuteromony 14. These state that pork, shellfish and other scavengers are unclean to eat. This is very brief; for more details refer to the Scriptures. As for death and the resurrection of man: When a person dies, they are asleep. They know nothing of what is going on around them. Their souls are not immediately sent to heaven. Instead, when Jesus returns for the second time, all those who are saved and have been given everlasting life will rise from their graves and meet Jesus in the sky. Hell is not an everlasting torture as many believe. Instead, it is a punishment that can continue only as long as there is fuel for the fire. The wicked will “burn forever” just as Sodom and Gormorrah did – until there is nothing left. The two cities from Genesis are no longer burning today, just as the wicked will not burn for eternity. These are just basic beliefs of Seventh Day Adventists. For more specific answers to your questions, you should visit: www.iiw.org and www.adventist.org.
POSTED JAN. 15, 1999
Krystal R., 18, Seventh-Day Adventist <rubytuesday_2@hotmail.com>, Surfside Beach, SC
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THE QUESTION:
RE67: I have trouble accepting all the teachings of the Baptist church, although baptized by my own will. My main concern is the belief that you should not drink alcohol. Why is this? All the references to drinking in the Bible I have found basically say not to obsess/get drunk. Besides, Jesus turned water into wine. This has prevented me from attending church faithfully, as I don’t want others in the church to condemn me for wanting a glass of wine with my meal. I prefer Scripture quotes if anyone responds.
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Krystina L. <krystina@okicol.com>,Columbus, OH

ANSWER 1:
The occasion of the “Last Supper” when Jesus shared wine with his Apostles was not an uncommon thing. They evidently shared wine at meals on a regular basis. But as you mentioned, they drank in moderation. I can only say that I believe the Baptist religion is teaching something that is not in harmony with the Bible. Paul addresses this at 1 Timothy 5:23: “Drink no water longer, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine infirmities.” He advises Timothy to drink wine, though only a “little.” In 1 Tim chapter 3, Paul gives the qualifications for overseers in the congregation. Verse 3 says, “not given to drunkenness.” We are all responsible for investigating what our religion teaches. If we do not think one, some or all of the teachings agree with the Bible, we must ask ourselves, “Is the truth more important to me than this religion?” Live with your conscience once you’ve answered that question.
POSTED JULY 27, 1998
M.A.M., 25, Atlanta, GA

FURTHER NOTICE:
You will probably never agree with all the teachings of any denomination. I haven’t found one I completely agree with. The important thing is to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. St. Paul advises in Romans 14:21 not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. In his letter to the Ephesians in 5:18, Paul says to be not drunk with wine. In his first letter to Timothy 5:23, he advises him to “…use a little wine for his stomach’s sake…” Use Paul’s teachings as a guide, but know that Jesus is absolute truth. Jesus says in Matthew 15:11-20 that it is not what goes into a person’s mouth that defiles him but what comes out. What enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated, but what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and from the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, etc. These are the things that defile a person.
POSTED AUG. 14, 1998
J.B., 45, non-denominational <berryjb@swbell.net>, Missouri City, TX

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
As a former Baptist I can tell you that the prohibition against alcohol started in The Prohibition. The current stand is probably more dogmatic than it needs to be. Considering the Baptist belief in the priesthood of the individual, you should not be outcast for having a drink, but also consider whether your drink might be a stumbling block to others. As a religious conservative I will add that a modern glass of wine has far more alcohol than the Biblical glass. In the Middle East, grape juice will quickly ferment if not consumed immediately. Modern wine processing and grape selection is built to increase the alcohol content. And, of course, “new wine” (always praised in the Bible) will have far less alcohol than “old wine.” As a tea-totaller, I personally would rather not start drinking because of the bad example of drunks in my family. The same has been true of smoking and coffee. All are acquired tastes I have found no need to acquire.
POSTED SEPT. 7, 1998
Craig, 40, male, MO

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I’ve never been a drinker, although I did experiment a bit a college. I’m sure you’ve found all the Scriptures that deal with drinking, and you’re right: Nowhere does it say “Thou shalt not drink”; but we are to be witnesses to others by our actions. For example, say I was gossiping with a fellow Christian about a third person; not publicly slandering, just gossiping among ourselves. If a person I�d been witnessing to overheard me, I wouldn�t appear very Christ-like (and that is, after all, what Christian means). They may draw the conclusion that the Christian lifestyle is no different from their own, so why bother with it. Or, they may throw around the �H� word (hypocrite). The same could be said for an occasional drink. You’re not getting drunk, but what if someone you’d been witnessing to saw you having that drink? They may be misled.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think an occasional drink is going to send anyone to hell, and I certainly don’t want to condemn anyone, but I know what works for me. You stated that this whole drinking thing is the main reason you don�t attend church regularly. If it�s that much of an issue, maybe you have bigger things to worry about than what people think of you. You�re basically saying that if the Church does indeed condemn it, you choose alcohol over the Church. Romans 14:20 and 21 says �…All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.� I, personally, would rather not open any doors (in my spiritual life) that may one day lead another down the wrong path. Ephesians 4:27 says to �…do not give the devil a foothold.� I believe alcohol to be a foothold, whether it is controlled or not.

Please don’t hold the opinion of a few church members against the church itself. We shouldn�t choose a religion (or denomination) by finding one that doesn�t require us to make any changes in our life. Christianity is all about change. Ask God to help you make the decision that’s right for you. Pray for wisdom, not just for the thing you want.
POSTED SEPT. 11, 1998
Danny J., 33, Baptist <articulate@earthlink.net>, Austin, TX

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Romans 14 seems to apply to your situation, particularly verses 14-23. (I won’t quote here, for the sake of space.) Paul basically says if you know a certain thing offends your brother, do not engage in it in that person’s presence. But you can have faith privately before God that partaking in that food or drink does not condemn you. Remember this, too: People’s condemnation has no effect on your salvation or relationship with God, though their judgments against you may hurt. Only God has any real say in the matter.
POSTED OCT. 7, 1998
W. Lotus, 29, non-denominational Christian <wlotus@dreamscape.com>, Syracuse, NY

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
My father’s favorite Biblical quote was from the book of Timothy: “Take a little wine for thy stomach’s sake.”
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
Laura, 37, lapsed Methodist, Bel Air, MD
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THE QUESTION:
RE66: As a Boy Scout leader in a large community, and as a person raised Baptist, I find it confusing that the Jewish members of the troop do not celebrate the birth of Christ. In order to understand these children’s backgrounds, I would like to know why they do not celebrate this.
Ashlinn T. <heretherealso@hotmail.com>, Arlington, TX

ANSWER 1:
Jews believe Jesus was simply another Jew who lived in Israel, probably a very charismatic person, but not the son of God, and therefore not someone whose birth is to be celebrated. For us, the Messiah has yet to arrive.
POSTED JULY 20, 1998
Vered <vered@geocities.com>, Tel Aviv, Israel

FURTHER NOTICE:
This is probably the question I get asked the most, being a Jewish person. It is very difficult for people of other religions to understand why we do not believe in Jesus. But it is not so difficult to understand if you are familiar with Judaism. Judaism began long before Jesus’s time. It was founded and practiced thousands of years before Jesus was born. Our religion is made up of the Torah, or the five books of Moses. This is what Christians consider to be the Old Testament. To us, there is no New Testament, so we do not call it the Old Testament. All of our practices and followings are deeply rooted in our past and are meaningful to all who practice them. It is sad to me to think that the Jewish boys in your troop are having to explain to you why they do not wish to participate in your beliefs. You should be embracing all of their beliefs, and not signaling the fact that they are different, as is what is usually the case. No Jewish person will deny Jesus existed, or that you feel he was important to your religious beliefs, but you must understand he had nothing to do with the founding or practicing of our religion. Only to Christians does Jesus have anything to do with Judaism.
POSTED JULY 22, 1998
Robin, Jewish <Buka163090@aol.com>, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The birth of Jesus is celebrated because he was considered by some to be the Son of God. Anyone who does not believe this has no reason to celebrate this event. I grew up Catholic but am now agnostic. I can’t speak for anyone else, but even with my background, I end up getting annoyed by the time Christmas rolls around because of Christians’ insistence that everyone must celebrate this holiday and/or hear about their celebration of it. If it is such a holy, special time, why is it turned into such a spectacle?
POSTED JULY 24, 1998
Eva M. <emm1942@bjcmail.carenet.com>, St. Louis, MO

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Those of the Jewish faith, such as myself, do not believe Jesus was anything more than a Jew. We do not believe in the immaculate conception, that he was the son of G-d or that he saved anyone with his death. To help you understand Judaism further, I recommend that you read the Old Testament, or as we refer to it, the Torah. The history of the Jewish people is recorded there along with all the guidelines that define the way we live. Jesus is not mentioned there and being that he is not a part of our religion, we certainly wouldn’t celebrate his birth.
POSTED JULY 26, 1998
Rachel, 24, Orthodox Jew <SpeedyRae2@aol.com>, Oceanside, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Jews do not celebrate Christmas because we do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. We are still waiting for the Messiah to come, at which time we will be in the Messianic Era, when G-D consciousness will permeate the world. Our most important holidays are Yom Kippur (Day of Repentence), Rosh Hashanah (New Year, in September/October) and Passover (in March/April).
POSTED AUG. 5, 1998
Naomi S. 23, Jewish, Lansdale, PA

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Actually, your question contains the answer you want. In Hebrew, the word “Mashiach” means “the anointed one,” what in English one calls the Messiah. When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek in the third century before the common era (B.C.), the Greek word “Christos” was used for “Mashiach.” The Book of Isaiah contains powerful images of the Messiah and the Messianic Age. According to Jewish Messianic tradition, when the Messiah arrives, the world will know true and complete peace, because the Messiah will usher in the reign of God. In fact, peace is to be the primary way by which the arrival of the Messiah will be evident, (“…the lion will lay down with the lamb…” [Is. 11:6]) Judaism does not expect the Messiah to be divine. Greek-speaking Jews in the first century who acknowledged Jesus as the annointed one called him Christos, thus the name “Jesus Christ,” or Jesus the Messiah. Judaism does not hold that Jesus was the Messiah, and thus your Jewish scouts neither observe Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ /Messiah) nor worship Jesus Christ/Messiah.
POSTED SEPT. 11, 1998
C.J.L. <ProfMokita@aol.com>, West Bloomfield, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Jews don’t celebrate Christian holidays because Jews don’t believe that Jesus was or is the Messiah. (As you may know, the New Testament is not a part of the Jewish scriptures.) You might want to contact the parents of your Scouts in order to decide which holidays it’s appropriate to celebrate; most Jewish parents are understanding about “cultural” celebrations — Christmas trees, Frosty the Snowman — but very sensitive about “religious” celebrations — Nativity scenes, religious carols and such. Also, if the Jewish kids aren’t shy about public speaking, ask them to talk about their holidays!
POSTED SEPT. 29, 1998
Robin S., 35, Jew <rmshapiro@hotmail.com>, Bluefield, WV

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
Christians celebrate Jesus’ birthday because Jesus is central to the Christian faith. However, the Jewish faith does not recognize Jesus as a contributor to the Jewish faith. He is not regarded as the son of God or even as a prophet. Interestingly, Jews do not celebrate the birth of any of their religious leaders. In fact, very few Jews could tell you when Moses was born.
POSTED OCT. 14, 1998
Jewish male, 30s <rkwiat@mbs.umd.edu>, MD

FURTHER NOTICE 8:
As a person raised Jewish, I have to tell you that we just don’t learn about Jesus one iota, so it follows that we don’t celebrate his birthday. Your religion is not ours. No matter how possibly worthy, if you don’t know the stories about Jesus, you will not celebrate his birthday. Jews do not concern themselves with “being saved” or avoiding hell, and have never read the New Testament. Why don’t you celebrate the birthday of Krishna, Rama or the Buddha? Some of their followers revere them as incarnations of God, too. But, overall, basically it’s ignorance and lack of interest. Jews do not buy the “only Son of God” stuff, nor do they want to hear about sin and salvation and eternal life. Many will also say that God is not a man.
POSTED OCT. 30, 1998
Michael, 29, Jewish, B.A. religious studies <mikeg36776@aol.com>, Saratoga, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 9:
Maybe it’s because Jesus was “just another Jew,” no one particularly special. Or maybe, if he is acknowledged as a prophet, his birth isn’t celebrated because none of the prophets’ births are celebrated. Remember, Jesus is central to Christians, not others. Why don’t Baptists celebrate Yom Kippur? Or Ramadan? Because these are not central to your beliefs.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
Andy B. <ATB0118@aol.com>, Branchburg, NJ

FURTHER NOTICE 10:
Jews do not believe the Christ was the “promised one.” Jews believe that the “promised one” has yet to appear. One celebrates that which one sees as significant. A Jew celebrating the birth of Christ would be the same as a Tahitian celebrating the Fourth of July as a holiday.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
F.M., 47, born and raised a Jew, now a Baha’i for 20 years <fmunroe@slonet.org>, Grover Beach, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 11:
To Robin (Further Notice): Why must you “feel sad” for the Jewish Scouts in this gentleman’s troop? He never said he was grilling them on their religious beliefs. That’s the whole idea behind a site like this – it’s a forum for asking such questions. Must we fear stepping on someone’s toes all the time? How much more democratically could his question have been posed?
POSTED DEC. 2, 1998
Danny J., 33, male, Baptist <articulate@earthlink.net>, Austin, TX
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THE QUESTION:
RE65: What is the meaning behind certain Catholic practices, holidays and holy days, such as not eating meat on Fridays, and Lent and Good Friday?
POSTED JUNE 14, 1998
Angie, Los Angeles, CA

ANSWER 1:
Many of the holy days are holy in that they have been set aside for reverence of a holy person or event in the Christian faith (i.e. Christmas for the birth of Christ, Easter for the Resurrection, Good Friday for the day Christ was crucified). The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent is a form of fasting that provides physical denial of that which is usual in our lives. This denial is thought to enhance spirituality in the Christian soul.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Dan R., 23, Roman Catholic <rankind1@egr.msu.edu>, East Lansing, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
The Catholic Church began in the non-Christian world of the First Century. In that world, there existed many older religions of non-Christian deities. These religions celebrated holy days in honor of certain events in their Gods’ stories. The Catholic Church incorporated some of these feasts. Easter always comes near the Vernal Equinox, the return of the Light. Christmas is always near the Winter Solstice, the lengthening of the daylight. Jesus is reported to have said, “I am the Light of the world…” so they fit nicely. These events, central to certain non-Christian religions, were “baptized.” Abstaining from meat on Fridays was for penance for one’s sins and the sins of the world since that is supposedly the day Jesus died; similarly, one fasts (only one full meal daily)and abstains during weekdays of Lent.
POSTED JULY 1, 1998
Rev. Kenneth K., 54, Universalist <pontiff@mail.sstar.com>, Gretna, LA
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THE QUESTION:
RE64: I am aware that there has long been hatred of Jews, but I have never understood why. What is it about Jews that has caused this history of hatred?
POSTED JUNE 13, 1998
Ray K., RayK50plus@aol.com, Ramona, CA

ANSWER 1:
Some of the reasons are irrational, some contradictory, some absurd and some dishonest, and a few have some small basis in reality. Let’s start with ancient, pre-Christian times. The Jews alone, among all peoples in the world, held that there is only one God. This was an affront to all other nations. Though pagan nations had different names for their gods, they all believed in pretty much the same gods, and respected each other’s gods. Jews, however, proclaimed the pagan gods did not exist. This made them unpopular in the ancient world.

Things got worse for the Jews during the Christian era – though Jesus was a Jew, and so were all the earliest Christians, by 70 AD, most Christians were Gentiles, and increasingly, they perceived Jews who did not embrace Christianity as “stiff-necked” people who rejected Jesus. Over time, these Gentile Christians began to blame the Jews, rather than the Romans, for the crucifixion of Christ (this is often called “the blood libel” by Jews).

In medieval Europe, Jews were often denied the right to own land and were often forced by law to live in “ghettos” isolated from Christians. This isolation spawned new anti-Semitism in two ways: First, because Jews were not allowed to own land, they often turned to other trades, including trades Christians were not allowed to pursue – like money lending. The notion that Jews are moneygrubbers arose during medieval times, when most leading moneylenders were Jews. Second, Jews have always been greatly concerned with hygiene. The Jewish ghettos were kept quite clean, which meant Jews did not have the same problems with rats and lice that Christians did. That meant Jews did not suffer from the Black Plague. When Christians saw that Jews were not dying from the Black Plague, they began to think Jews were in league with Satan.
POSTED JUNE 25, 1998
Astorian <Astorian@aol.com>, Austin, TX

FURTHER NOTICE:
Another reason may be that the Jewish people have a strict code of behavior dictated by the Torah. The Torah has served the Jews well for 5,000 years, and they are not willing to bend to current thought. They are unchanging and have existed successfully in almost every nation on earth by following the precepts found in the Torah. I believe this makes many people distrustful of Jewish people because they will not accept other beliefs as their own.
POSTED AUG. 21, 1998
Roy M., 58 <roym@umd5.umd.edu>, Baltimore, MD

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I would add to Roy M. that the Jewish community has long been somewhat insular and very self-supporting. The Torah is just the pre-Christian books of the Bible, a.k.a. the Old Testament. Any other Jewish religious text is not part of the Torah.
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Bakum, white Jewish male <bakum@bigfoot.com> San Francisco , CA

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I find it unfortunate how hated Jewish people are. I don’t agree or understand this logic, but here is the reason I’ve heard the most regarding hate towards Jews: Everywhere you turn you hear about Jews. Jewish people are trying to convert everyone to their religion. Jews are all you hear about on TV, in movies, on the radio, etc. The Diary of Anne Frank has been done and redone several times … it’s all a giant “conspiracy.” Please remember I do not agree with this; I have a lot of contact with the public, and these are the kinds of things I hear.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
D. Phillips, multi-ethnic background <DruBDoo3@aol.com>, Fernley, NV
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THE QUESTION:
RE63: I am Pagan and am curious about why we are looked down upon by Christians, when we follow our rede of, “An’ it harm none, do as ye will”? Isn’t that a contradiction?
POSTED JUNE 13, 1998
Anthony E., dianicwitch@yahoo.com, Wichita, KS

ANSWER 1:
People with the spirit of Christ in them don’t look down on anyone. There are those who profess to be followers of Jesus who don’t practice His ways. Don’t confuse these people with Christians. The greatest commandments are “Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart and spirit” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If anyone does not love his neighbor, he doesn’t know or love God, and therefore is not a Christian. Christ came into the world to save the lost. That, my friend, includes all of us.
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
Johnny B. <berryjb@texaco.com>, Missouri City, TX

FURTHER NOTICE:
I think the animosity Christians feel for Pagans comes from one event in history. Prior to contact with the Pagan Celts, Christianity saw Satan as a fallen Angel, beautiful and terrible. When the Holy Roman Empire moved into Celtic areas and sought to convert the Pagans, they co-opted most of the Pagan Deities (Saint Brigit from Bride, etc.) but one they could not co-opt was Cernunos, The Horned God, God of the Hunt, Consort to the Goddess. That Horned God, Master of Animals, became the new image for Satan. And thus, modern Christians see Pagans as worshipers of their Satan, while Pagans don�t believe in the Christian Satan any more than in the Christian God. And as for a contradiction, it would be your animosity to Christians that contradicts the Rede, not theirs for you.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Gordon P., 31 <gordon@albedodesign.com>, Sunnyvale, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
It is my opinion it stems from the belief that if you do not accept Jesus as your Savior, you are doing the devil’s work. The fact that Wiccans do not believe in the existence of Satan is not believed by the more Fundamental Christian denominations. Our belief in the Rede and other practices are foreign to the tenets of their faith. Plus,the admonition in Exodus 22:18 “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live,” if strictly interpreted, is not conducive to tolerance. Too many have died over the centuries because of this passage. Forums such as this may help in bringing about understanding, if not acceptance. But I crave neither. My religion is between the God/dess and myself.
POSTED JULY 1, 1998
S.O., 46, Wiccan Solitaire, Kent, OH
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THE QUESTION:
RE62: What, specifically, do Mormons believe? I’ve heard a lot about Josef Smith, some gold plates and a doctrine that has been rewritten over and over, but to me the whole religion seems weird and secretive. Could a Mormon follower with a grasp of your beliefs explain what the church is all about?
POSTED JUNE 12, 1998
George B., Mobile, AL

ANSWER 1:
The Articles of Faith are 13 concise statements that give some of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint’s basic beliefs: 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. 3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, letting them worship how, where or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous,and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul – We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
POSTED JULY 1, 1998
David J. <jachmann@paracel.com>, Pasadena, CA
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THE QUESTION:
RE61: If America is based on freedom of religion and thought, then why is it that Native Americans have only small reservations to practice their beliefs?
POSTED JUNE 11, 1998
L.C., 15, white male, lord_Chaos_1@htomail.com, VT

ANSWER 1:
Beliefs cannot be contained by borders, and while some reservations are hubs of Native spiritual activity, most Native Americans I have known would tell you that wherever they go, their beliefs go with them, and that in truth most of their most sacred ancient lands fall outside borders set up by the government – sacred lands now accessible only to them through National Parks or “by permission” of the companies or individuals who now “own” them. It is wrong and unjust, but faith transcends territory lines, and reservations cannot hold Native spirituality.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
MarchHare, 33, Wiccan with some Native blood, <marchhare32@webtv.net>, Fairfield, OH

FURTHER NOTICE:
What’s accepted as freedom of religion and thoughts is regulated by the controlling power of the country. When America was expanding, Native Americans stood in the way of westward expansionism; therefore, their way of life was not desirable or acceptable to the controlling powers of the United States at the time. When we did take all the land away from the Native Americans, the white public viewed them as lower than themselves, and therefore did not really care about their beliefs. They just gave them land in the desert and tried to forget about them. Now it’s pretty much too late to do anything else about it. We can’t give them U.S. land, so they just have their reservations.
POSTED JUNE 30, 1998
Casey, white male <cdreier@inav.net>, Iowa

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The previous statements concerning the mistreatment of the Native American are true except, “Now it’s pretty much too late to do anything else about it. We can’t give them U.S. land, so they just have their reservations.” There is no reason why we, based on the eternal principles of our Constitution, with the benefit of hindsight and the wisdom only experience can bring, cannot dredge up those myriad treaties that certain of our avaricious forebears scorned and misused, and make every conscientious effort to see they are acted upon and carried out with diligence and humility. We could, as a result, chip away very slightly at the mountain of karmic debt that looms in the distance.
POSTED JULY 26, 1998
Oddball, <zoom1@ccia.com>, Crescent, PA

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