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Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > Religious intolerance, persecution & conflict > General
A prominent rabbi and imam, each raised in orthodoxy, overcome the
temptations of bigotry and work to bridge the chasm between Muslims
and Jews
Rabbi Marc Schneier, the eighteenth generation of a distinguished
rabbinical dynasty, grew up deeply suspicious of Muslims, believing
them all to be anti-Semitic. Imam Shamsi Ali, who grew up in a
small Indonesian village and studied in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,
believed that all Jews wanted to destroy Muslims. Coming from
positions of mutual mistrust, it seems unthinkable that these
orthodox religious leaders would ever see eye to eye. Yet in the
aftermath of 9/11, amid increasing acrimony between Jews and
Muslims, the two men overcame their prejudices and bonded over a
shared belief in the importance of opening up a dialogue and
finding mutual respect. In doing so, they became not only friends
but also defenders of each other's religion, denouncing the twin
threats of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and promoting interfaith
cooperation.
In "Sons of Abraham," Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali tell the story
of how they became friends and offer a candid look at the
contentious theological and political issues that frequently divide
Jews and Muslims, clarifying erroneous ideas that extremists in
each religion use to justify harmful behavior. Rabbi Schneier
dispels misconceptions about chosenness in Judaism, while Imam Ali
explains the truth behind concepts like jihad and Shari'a. And on
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two speak forthrightly on the
importance of having a civil discussion and the urgency of reaching
a peaceful solution.
As Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali show, by reaching a fuller
understanding of one another's faith traditions, Jews and Muslims
can realize that they are actually more united than divided in
their core beliefs. Both traditions promote kindness, service, and
responsibility for the less fortunate--and both religions call on
their members to extend compassion to those outside the faith. In
this sorely needed book, Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali challenge Jews
and Muslims to step out of their comfort zones, find common ground
in their shared Abrahamic traditions, and stand together and fight
for a better world for all.
On February 18, 2009 at 8.15 pm, Lorenzo Bouchard sent to honorable
court elected members a message under the title: BAN ISLAM (
PETITION ON GOOGLE), as it is in capital letters. He addressed it:
TO: THE WORLD COURT. He describes the message as phase 1, in
controlling Islam. For those who are concerned "about "Slavery,
especially of Women in our modern World" and asked politely the
members " please read the following item." Now you know the sender
and the subject matter and the receivers of the petition are: those
who are interested in human values and "Universal Love" which in
his belief are "THE WORLD COURT" to judge his request. The
undersigned are representing International petitioners. Their
request is to "ban on the organization called Islam." The author
responded to this petition published under the title "Banning
Islam: A Petition of Ingnorance." It is good to read. Islam
however, is the most ignored and misunderstood faith in the West,
until recent years. The author, also a poet, he is a former
professor of sociology authored more than 140 books available for
readers in both Arabic and English, and his works are translated
into dozens of other languages. Dr. Yahya, an Arab American scholar
resides in Michigan, USA, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Open your eyes and prepare to see the unyielding truth Top Heavy,
Bottom Fed is about to shatter every thing you thought you knew
about serving the LORD. GOD said those who worship HIM must worship
HIM in spirit and in truth. How is it then that the average
American church has invited pagan practices into its pulpits and
pews? You will: Discover how the welfare system works against the
Believer. Discover how the rise of false gods continue to bring
down the American system and the churches that submit to it. Learn
the history and setup of the American governmental system and its
practices. Witness how the system demoralizes and persecutes a
church that attempts to merge with it. Learn what are
principalities, powers and devils The truth will shock you Find out
how so many believers are whoring themselves to this devil-made
system And much more You will never be the same after reading Top
Heavy, Bottom Fed. This book is full of truths that will shock even
the most astute believer
Secularism, Theology and Islam offers a uniquely theological
analysis of the historic Danish cartoon crisis of 2005-2006, in
which the publication of twelve images of the Prophet Muhammad in
the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten ignited violent global
protests. The crisis represents a politically, culturally, and
religiously important event of the early 21st century, and Jennifer
Veninga explores the important question of why the cartoons were
published in Denmark when they were and why this matters to the
larger global community. The book outlines three main
interpretations of the affair as they were framed by international
news media: as an issue exclusively about freedom of speech, as
related to a 'clash of civilizations', or exclusively as a matter
of international politics. Whilst these are important to note, the
author argues that the crisis was far more complex than any of
these interpretations suggest, and argues that an alternative
methodology can be found in philosopher Charles Taylor's concept of
the 'social imaginary', which refers to the shared norms,
expectations, images and narratives of a community or nation that
inform many of its shared practices. Describing the Danish social
imaginary as a paradox of Christianity and secularism, Veninga
explains why the new presence of Islam has been perceived as such a
threat to Danish identity. The author also maintains that despite
tendencies toward exclusion, the Danish imaginary also supports a
move toward authentic religious pluralism. Understanding the Danish
cartoon crisis is important for any community struggling with new
religious diversity, especially those with largely secular
identities. Furthermore, the method used to examine the crisis
provides a theological analytical framework applicable to a wide
variety of contemporary social and political movements and issues.
Rutilio Grande, SJ, was the first Jesuit to be assassinated in El
Salvador. He was killed on March 12, 1977, for having done the
works that Jesus commands with regard to one's neighbor as a priest
in the Roman Catholic Church. This volume of his writings and
homilies illustrates how he applied the social and ecclesial
teachings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in his ministry
with the poor and marginalized of El Salvador. His use of the
social sciences to understand the problems in his context, his
prophetic denunciation of power and wealth, and his ministry to
empower laypeople to lead their faith communities all speak to the
Holy Spirit working through the courage of a true servant leader.
From the bestselling authors of The Rise of Babylon and The ISIS
Crisis, the essential guide for Christians about what Bible
prophecy foretells concerning current events in the Middle
East-especially the rise of ISIS and the resurgence of Russia-while
providing a way to find peace and hope in the face of end times
concerns. ISIS, Russia, and Iran are daily atop headlines and are
among chief sources of intensifying unease among Americans about
how current world conflicts will unfold. Using the Old Testament
texts of prophets Ezekiel and Daniel as foundational passages,
Bible experts Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey explain the connection
between Bible prophecy and real-time events such as the growing
alliance between Russia and Iran; the unsettling of the region as
ISIS ravages countries and redraws boundaries; and the pull of
Turkey and Saudi Arabia into the fray by Russian encroachment,
Iranian meddling, and the United States' inability to create and
lead a coalition. Simultaneously, Dyer and Tobey provide practical
encouragement and spiritual principles for finding comfort,
strength, and perspective in an unsettling time while laying out a
strategy for responding out of faith rather than fear in the face
of end times concerns.
'Masterfully opens up a little explored realm: how the quest for
religion and spirituality drives hundreds of millions of Chinese'
Pankaj Mishra 'A fascinating odyssey ... a nuanced group portrait
of Chinese citizens striving for non-material answers in an era of
frenetic materialism' Julia Lovell, Guardian 'The reappearance and
flourishing of religion is perhaps the most surprising aspect of
the dramatic changes in China in recent decades...this is a
beautiful, moving and insightful book' Michael Szonyi In no society
on Earth was there such a ferocious attempt to eradicate all trace
of religion as in modern China. But now, following a century of
violent antireligious campaigns, China is awash with new temples,
churches, and mosques - as well as cults, sects, and politicians
trying to harness religion for their own ends. Driving this
explosion of faith is uncertainty - over what it means to be
Chinese, and how to live an ethical life in a country that
discarded traditional morality and is still searching for new
guideposts. The Souls of China is the result of some fifteen years
of studying and travelling around China. The message of Ian
Johnson's extraordinary book is that China is now experiencing a
'Great Awakening' on a vast scale. Everywhere long-suppressed
religions are rebuilding, often in new forms, and reshaping the
values and behaviours of entire communities. Ian Johnson is as
happy explaining the wonders of the lunar calendar as talking to
the yinyang man who ensures proper burials. He visits meditation
masters and the charismatic head of a Chengdu church. The result is
a rich and funny work that challenges conventional wisdom about
China. Xi Jinping, China's current leader, has put a return to
morality and Chinese tradition at the heart of his ideas for his
country - but, Johnson asks, at what point will the rapid spread of
belief form an unmanageable challenge to the Party's monopoly on
power?
revealing the truth that was hidden from us for many centuries. the
truth that people died for and others are willing to kill for. the
truth about God's existence and where he actuall resides and the
farce of Jesus Christ.
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