Some Christian responds that I recieved:
The purpose of this paper is to allow the reader to see some of the commentary/responds from Christians who emailed me. Since I recieved so many of them, I feel that since at least I try to be fair, truthful and honest, then I have to present them on my site. Upsetting Christians is definitely not my goal. My purpose for this site is to win the hearts, and not the arguments.
Here are some of the emails that I recieved:
05/18/2001
This is a response from a Christian to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible:
Dear Mr. Abdallah,
You are obviously a man of strong conviction and integrity. As a
fundamentalist Christian, I too am very upset when I see those who call
themselves Christians living sinful lives and denying the Lord Jesus by
their actions and the intentions of their hearts. Please accept from me
that this is not the way true Christianity of the Bible is taught or
practiced. While all people are sinners, Christians, Muslims, and
everyone else, this is not an excuse to live such a life of deliberate
sin. Romans chapter 6 tell us that grace is not a "license to sin."
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may
increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any
longer?" Rom. 6:1-2
I can never claim any personal degree of virtue as evidence of the
truth of my faith... for I am certain you are a man of virtue as well...
but what I can say is that a commitment to the very scriptures you have
referred to as "pornographic" (due to misunderstanding and unfortunately
disrespectful interpretation) since childhood has resulted in my being a
30 year old male virgin who awaits for God to bless me with a wife
someday if that is His will. My closest single Christian friends are
virgins as well due to their commitment to Christ. One is 37 year old
man. My closest married Christian friend and his wife were both virgins
until their wedding night.
I am not a Catholic priest and neither are my friends. We are
evangelical Protestants. We consider the intimacy of marriage a gift of
God. I must tell you that the arguments you level against "Christians"
are really against those who think they are Christians but are in fact
enemies of the whole of scripture and the Cross of Christ. If you would
like to post any of this message to your website in the hope of
reproving the rebellious, please do so with my approval. I trust you
will print it as it is written, whole or in part, and not twist my
wording in any way. Thank you for your time. I pray that God will fill
your heart with His love and help you accept the truth of His
sacrificial love for you one day.
Sincerely, Philippe DeBernay
04/20/2001
This is a response from a Muslim sister to some of the
Christian responses below:
Sir:
Salam
I just finished reading some of the emails you've gotten from
Christians. I am surprised at the fact that they still do not believe.
One of the emails stated that women were not treated well because of the
era the bible was written in, and we shouldn't comment on the treatment
of women because they have 'evolved' since then. I must say that is
stupidity. If the Bible is all good and holy, how dare they treat women
as chattels...even back then? Shouldn't the book be prefect? They why
does it need to evolve? In another email, a Christian decided to call us
the 'spirit of the Anti-Christ' ... that is stupidity incarnate. Are
Christians not also liars, thieves, and murders? As for the Trinity: I
don't believe Christianity to be a monotheism religion. God is ONE!! He
has no relations! Christians are pagans, fooling themselves into
believing that they are good and wise. How can they believe that the
Bible (as known today) is true word of God when some Christians scholars
are disproving the translation themselves? I pity the people whose eyes
are closed to God's TRUE light. Because by condemning Islam, they are
condemning themselves to eternal hell. May God Forgive Them For Their
Sins and Show Them The Path To Islam.
12/15/2000
Hello:
I would first like to say that I consider myself to be a Christian but
also that I am one who is painfully aware of how little regard Christianity
has for the teachings of Jesus. As one who wishes to follow the teachings of
Jesus, I consider Muslims to be my brethren. Together, we acknowledge the
Supreme and One God although I realize that you may question how I can say
that. I feel that any differences in beliefs should only make us appreciate
each other more. Although divided by religion, I think we can be united in
truth.
I must confess that reading about the radioactive bombs being used during
the Gulf War was very disturbing. I would like to believe that something like
this would be impossible but, as I said, I am aware of how often important
matters are concealed from the public. If you could provide me with any
additional sources of information on this subject, I would be most
appreciative. Considering how poorly Christians have treated Muslims
throughout history, I have no reason to hope that you will consider me as a
friend but I pray that you will. May the blessing of God be upon all who
search for truth. Thank You.
12/12/2000
This is a response to my Answering Trinity articles.
Dear Brother Osama,
Greetings to you in the name of one God, now and forever Amen. May His peace
fill you and guide you as you pregress through the years in the land he has
given you.
You have posed in the first part of your essay on answering the trinity a
question on prayer - a question, rhetorical, almost excalmative , that
Jesus' claim about prayer and faithfulness is not true. well about the
moving of the mountain - I have a couple of things that in the wisdom given
me by God I would like to explain here. Before I do that I would like to go
on and reassure you dear brother that I hold nothing agaisnt you , I Love
you and your fellow brothers and muslims with a passion that only Jesus by
the power of HIs Holy Spirit could place in me. Ok so back to the essay -
see when Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name and in faith we will
receive He also said in a supporting parable that no father would give his
son a snake if hsi son asked for it - calrifying then , that our Heavenly
Father , will not give us what is not good for us, He will give us what is
good fo ru sand what is within His will. Brother we must not look singularly
at scripture taking one spot of information and dealing with it as if it is
the only thing ever recorded in the Holy scriptures. Jesus also went on to
say in the prayer that He taught His disciples, 'Our Father, who art in
heaven Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy WILL be done on earth...'
A long prayer as you might no - but one of the first emphesis is on the fact
that when we pray it must be in the Lord because then we will not come a
cropper a clash of His will and our desires. So brother I urge you to
consider our point that when Jesus said about faithfulness in prayer - He
spoke about praying to God, the God who is not going to answer a prayer
like,
'Dear God, plz you know how much body needs a douse of cocain, plz God your
word tells us that if we have faith you will do anything - si ask in faith
for some cocain to be made available to me - in Jesus name Amen.'
Dear Brother - NO - a prayer like that is blasphemous, and agaisnt the
teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ who left in no doubt as to the fact that
our god will not give us a snake if we ask for one. Also our Scriptures tell
us that our Bodies are the dwelling place of God and so pray tell me , can
God dwell in a house of drugs and rubbish - no - so He wont answer that pray
- even though it is prayed in jesus name - But what He will do is, in the
name of Jesus give the sayer of the paryer a sterngth to carry on and live
without that douse of cocain.
Now to answer the last bit- i quote directly from your essay,
'An exaggerating expression in the Bible: The Bible contains many verses in
it that contain irrational statements. For instance we read in Matthew
21:21 " Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not
doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can
say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be
done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'" I
challenge any "faithful" believing Christian to move one brick, not a
mountain with his sight or words. Have any Christian from the time of Jesus
till now been able to do it? '
Now can i surprsie you by teling you that YES IT HAS BEEN DONE...no not by
magic, coz Jesus the person of the ONE GOD, is not a magical being who is
able tdo things with a magic wand or something....He is a rational God.
There was an orphange in a european country and teh children knew that the
lake tehy walked to every weekend would have been visible to them had a huge
mounatin not been there. One of teh kids got sick and became unable to make
it to the lake walks, so the children, all very close and attached, got down
on their knees and prayed, yes they prayed calling on God to keep His word
and move the mountain coz they had faith in the power of Jesus name. Then
they went to sleep.b The next morning again the little boy wa snnot well and
teh gloomy room was so dull, the children remembred their prayer and ran to
the window, ...Lo and behold,
NO
the mountain was not in the lake
but surrounding the base of the mountain was surrounded by tractors,
bulldosers and all kinds of stuff that was drilling and breaking the king
away. When they went to find out about what was happening to the mountain
the teacher todl them that a local clearance had just been obtained the
previous to raise the floor of the lake and demolish the mountain, which
would be dug up and used to raise the floor of the lake. Now - they knew it
was tehir prayer, the mountain was being moved, and it was going into the
sea. This is a true story and no exaggerations.
I would love to keep in touch. I will email you agin when i am thru browsing
the rest of your web site. God bless you and guide you.
Blessings and the Love of Jesus
prayerd onto you
Ameen.
12/10/2000
This is a response to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible article.
I think the Critic here slightly seems to question the reliability of the
translation of the NIV Bible that I used. The NIV Bible is one of the most used
Bibles among Christians world wide. It was highly recommended for me to buy, and if
you visit any Book Store, you would see it sitting on the Shelf. Also popular
Christian "Bible
Search" web sites use the NIV Bible. So in
other words, my resources and arguments are quite valid.
Aight. I, quite adequately, understand your concerns... but, in my utmost
honest opinion, you are a confused individual. Please-- delete not my e-mail
to you just yet. Please... I pleed of you. I, too, am a frequent viewer of
the vast multitude of programs showcased on A&E. I, as well, know much of the
Holy Bible, and Roman/Greek mythology and ancient lore. I am also a
psychology major, author, and allegiantly betrothed. I do not, specifically,
consider myself to be a "Christian", though I do highly disagree with your
appearantly ignorant, so-called, "evidences". In the following phrases, your
translations were immensely strewn and naive:
____________________________________________
"We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do
for our sister for the day she is spoken for?" ...1st off, the word
"breast"
may as well be used for a man. Breast, directly translates... an' yes, even
from Hebrew, as "Chest". Torsus, in Latin, or "Torso". The upper-body.
"I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment..." ...yeah, so she's physiologically matured.
Oh no! She's matured, it's a sin!! Yeesh...
"His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me" ...have you
never held someone in yer arms? I've held my cousin like that... and my hands
were doing nothing sexual. It's a thing called "comfort", you know... poeple
need it sometimes?
I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: 'Open to me, my
sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness of the night.' I have taken off my robe [showed
off his groin in other words] must I put it on again? I have washed my feet,
must I soil them again? My lover thrust his hand through the latch-opening;
my heart began to pound for him." What a disgusting way for someone to talk
so pervertedly about his sister like that!!. ...yes, of course. The Bible
does exploit a bit of sin. Is it not necissary to show all just how sick, and
iniquitous sin is?! You said you believe in that yourself... did you not?
"You engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, and
provoked me to anger with your increasing promiscuity" heh, obviously you
know little of what you claim to be "true translations". Hence the phrase,
promiscuity-- the drive or urge to be sexually active. In other words; "You
performed unmarried sex with various Egyptians... and I have become angry
with your growing urge for sex" ...thus having nothing to do with penis size.
On a side note: women can be promiscuos. =P
"`If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done
what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their
own heads." ...the Bible was written by numerous individuals. Perhaps the
author figured poeple would have common sense as to associate the same with
women. Uh... obviously you proved him wrong...
"IF A WOMAN approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both
the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on
their own heads." / "IF A MAN has sexual relations with an animal, he must
be put to death, and you must kill the animal." Ok. Have you ever written an
essay, poem, story, etc.? ...perhaps the author considered it more efficient
to reword the second, so as to prevent a repetition. You know, that does make
sense. Why waste your time saying the exact same thing, with only "man" and
"he" replaced?
As well, you should realize that the bible holds much importance... even
beyond, or, more less, in ignorance of, spiritual concerns. It is a key of
psychology; the bible provides evidence of human activies, and secret,
mis-led, explanations behind them. To be amplemost in evidence, you would
have to evade the fact that the bible is regarded as a "Holy Book" (...uh,
actually being it's translation), an' see it as a guide to human
psychological near-perfection. Witherto should you find the true meaning in
the bible, and your so-called "perversions". Thank you for your time.
Gem
Ps. Feel free to respond if you lack the intellectual comprehension needed .
=)
12/09/2000
This is a response to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible article.
I also have a response about disproving that the Bible was all inspired by GOD from Christian resources- The NIV Bible itself.
Hi again,
sorry I'm not quite used to this hotmail thing yet.
Anyway, as I was saying, your characterization of Scripture as X rated
doesn't overly surprise me. My Father-in-law has always said that if the
Bible were a movie he would probably never watch it himself, let alone allow
his children to watch it.
However, I find it a little disconcerting that you would be using this
information to disprove God's authorship of the Bible. If we are to take
the Bible by it's word, as I believe we should, all Scripture is
God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). But I wouldn't quote that verse without putting
it in context either. Paul finishes by saying that Scripture is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training for righteousness. I believe
that this is what you need to realize when looking at Scripture, if it's in
the Bible there is a reason for it being there.
Also, there is the point of examining context, not just of the words, or
even the verse but of the chapter and (especially in Song of Songs) context
of the whole book. Song of Songs was written to give a good example of
human love and that cannot exclude the sexuality in love. When the writer
talks about his "sister" you need to take that in the context of the time as
well. At that time, as even now, sister was a term of affection among those
of similar faiths. My wife, for example, is my sister in Christ. I may not
refer to her as that but the family of Christ is just that: a family.
One question I have is what's wrong with that? There are a few times where
you comment on a verse, example:
Let us look at Proverbs 5:19 "A loving doe, a graceful deer, may her
breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love." Could
it be meant to say "may her breasts sexually satisfy you"?
Now what's wrong with that? My wife's breasts may satisfy me sexually, but
we're married, so what's the problem? You have to understand Mr. Abdullah,
that human beings are sexual beings. Sex and our sexuality is a large part
of life. That being the case, why should God ignore that side of our
humanity?
You have pondered a few things that I have no answer to right now. But I
will answer it like this: If it's in the Bible I sincerely believe there is
a reason for it.
As for your picture, that does nothing to support your case. You yourself
admit that we cannot judge a faith by two of it's supposed representatives.
So why bother even introducing a moot point? The picture raises all kinds
of questions as to the integrity of the picutre and because you chose to use
it, questions as to your integrity.
I hope I have not come off as offensive, because that was not my intent. I
do hope, however, that this would spur some more thinking on your part and
possibly we can continue to discuss this subject.
Thanks for your time,
[..........]
12/09/2000
This is a response to my Answering Trinity articles.
I just came across your site doing some research since I am writing a book
in support of the Trinity. I was utterly amused by your arguments of
exaggeration; I did not read all of what was on your page but I must suggest
that the reason you do not understand some of the passages at the beginning
of your page is because you do not understand kingdoms in the Bible. The
two top verses are dealing with the entry into the kingdom of heaven in
Daniels 70th week and has nothing to do with now in the dispensation of
Grace.
In the tribulation, those that are converted to believers will be able to
drink any deadly thing because the water will be turned into wormwood.
These are tribulation truths applied to today by you and many others. Most
heresies are tribulation truths.
12/06/2000
This is a response to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible article.
Hello I am a christian and I would like to say that you have an
interesting site. For hundreds of years christians and muslims have
been killing each other in the name of GOD and ALLAH. The main reason
this occurs is that we do not understand each others religions. We are
each brought up with stereotypes which breads a hatred for one another.
We can never have peace until we can have understanding and respect. We
need to have this peace. GOD, ALLAH comands that we love our
brothers. Not only refering to our biological family but to all of
mankind.
The versus you have quoted are indeed acurate. But some background
knowledge is neccesary in order to understand the full meaning. For
example in the Quran meany times it quotes ALLAH as saying "WE". With
out background knowledge I as a christian might take this to mean that
ALLAH is many GODS and not a single GOD. The versus you have quoted are
acurate in text. Much of the Bible is a historical documentary written
by as many as 48 people. Nothing in the Bible has every been proven
false.
Many of the things you are talking about are there because they
happened. Why would GOD inspire man to put these things in the BIBLE?
Because it is history and releveant to GODS word.
Much of your oppinion is based on what you see "so called
christians do". Real christians belive the following:
God created man and woman. The man will leave his father and mother
and be united to his wife, and they will be one flesh. Genesis
2 24
God commanded us not to commit adultery.
Fonication "sex before marriage" is a sin.
Homosexuality is a sin, and homosexuals shall not inherit the kingdom of
GOD.
I would really like to stay in contact with you to let you know more
about what real christians believe. I have many stereotypes about
Islam. I woul like to keep in touch and converse by e-mail because I am
sure you can teach me alot about Islam and I can teach you alot about
Christianity.
For christians Gods createst commandment is "Love the Lord your GOD with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.", and the
second greatest commandment is "love your neighbor as yourself." Mathew
22 37-40
Please let us stay in touch
and help each other to understand each other's religions.
My name is [.........] and think it
would benefit both of us.
Thank you for reading this
11/18/2000
Mr. Osama Abdallah
The peace of Christ be with you. You maintained that
you did not intend to upset; yet some of the responses
you received indicated strongly that they have taken
offence. Perhaps, in your article, you need to present
a more two-sided opinions (pros & cons arguments) if
indeed your motive is to win hearts.
Jenniferstege (11/04/2000) has aptly describe what an
abiding Christian is like and how you can identify
anyone of us; and if really we do make effort to
practice the teaching of our religion, we will not
highlight the negative aspects of non-practicing
members of other religions simply to gain mileage in
theological arguments. Please note that there is still
a lot everyone of us need to learn about our own
religion - this includes you about Islam, and I, about
Christianity - hence, how fair is it to evaluate other
religions in any way whatsoever?
Let us admit that in each religion, there are bound to
be deviating members - our responsibilities are
therefore towards those members of our own religion
who have deviated. By commenting and highlighting
deviants members of other religions gives the
impression that members of the commentator's religion
are perfect. This is sadly, not the case.
Mr. Osama, may the love and peace of our Lord Jesus
Christ shed the spirit of respect to you and members
of your team.
11/04/2000
This is a response to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible article.
i read your essay on porn in the bible and how you disprove of it. i
have been looking on the internet lately to see how the world views
christians and am deeply disterbed. i can understand how you would
destest us if all you see is women wondering around in bikinies, but i
assure you that is not christianity. there are those out there that
claim to be christians just because they live in a good country and are
reasonably good people but that is not what we are. the email you have
in your essay from a "christian" person who likes porn is not at all
from a christian. i apologise on behalf of all christians for not giving
the world an accurate perseption of us. may i briefly describe to you
what all christian values should be (although NO person is perfect )we
believe in a loving God who forgives out sins which we have many of
which is why we need him. we do not agree with porn nor do we practice
it. none of my christian friends wear anything revealing . we believe
in the ten commandments which include not commiting adultry.
this frustrates me because there is no way i can tell you in an email
all that we believe in. all i can basicly do is tell you that what you
have said is not true about christians but is true of modern society and
i am deeply sorry that christians have not stood up and spoken up for
what is true and right. i pray that someday you will have the chance to
speak to a true christian and see that it is about love not porn. if
you care to you may email me back at jenniferstege@hotmail.com as i
would be interested in what you have to say. again i apologise that we
as a christian society have let you down, but i am working on getting
the truth out there.
sincerely
[...........]
11/04/2000
This is a response to my Jesus saying "I am" article.
Greetings,
I read one of your statements called "I Am", regarding Jesus' claim to
deity. I read the long explanation on your web-site's page regarding
the "I AM" statement of Jesus, and the author attempts to give a sundry
of reasons (mostly regarding language semantics), why Jesus is not God
or else He wasn't claiming to be God. The funny thing about your
explanation is the fact that Jesus' audience of Jews fully understood
what Jesus was saying, the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming to be
God Himself, and thus the Jews attempted to stone Him to death for
claiming such as is recorded in Scripture; and I read nothing in your
explanation regarding the fact that the Jews understood Jesus to be
claiming to be God Himself and thus the Jews attempted to stone Jesus to
death. So far, your explanation regarding Jesus' deity is totally
irrelevant.
If you have a relevant opinion regarding the "I AM", I would be
interested to know your opinion.
Thank you kindly,
[...........]
11/04/2000
This is a response to my Answering Trinity articles.
As I live says God every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father. That includes you..
Have you rebuked the wind, in Jesus name, and it obeyed.....
Have you prayed for the sick, and they were healed, in Jesus name.
Have you Rebuke the devil and set people free, in Jesus Name.
Have you Preached to the Drug addicts, the drunk, the hurting.
Have you fed the poor, have you invited them into your house, even
though they SMELL, I have done all the above; because I have the love of
God in My heart.
Have you had compassion on your enemies, rather then kill them,
The bible says "Love your enemies" "do good to those who hurt you."
You wage a holy war and you suicide, you kill innocents, with the
guilty,
Vengence is mine says the Lord,
By your Fruits you reveal yourSelf, and who you are..
You are the spirit of Anti-Christ, you do the works of your Father the
Devil,
You were a Liar, a Theif, and a Murderer, from the beginning,
You cannot see the truth, because the truth is not in you.
My prayer for you is, may God forgive you, and help you see the truth.
a Friend who cares.
10/31/2000
This is a response to my X-Rated Pornography in the Bible article.
I am debating whether it is even worthwhile to respond to your commentary. If I tell
you outright that I am a Christian, and believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I am
afraid that you might simply dismiss this letter immediately. However, you seem to want to
portray yourself as a reasonable man on your site, so I will attempt to convey my
thoughts...
Much of your commentary comes across very one-sided. I understand that you are disturbed
by anti-Islamic sites that you have run across, but please don't let that turn you off to
all Christians. My belief is that a true Christian loves everyone, and part of being a
Christian is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all who don't know him. It seems
to me that you assume that anyone who wears a cross on his or her neck is a true Christian
(in reference to your porn topic and picture), and that a person who calls themselves
Christian is automatically a representative of the faith. Please remember that many people
will claim a belief in something because it's the "respectable" thing to do;
some (maybe even many) of those have only a small inkling of an idea what it means to
follow Jesus. (I'm sure this happens in the Islamic culture as well.) I don't claim to be
a perfect Christian, more or less a perfect person. However, my faith has grown tenfold in
the last year, an!
d I feel confident enough in my knowledge to at least address several of the points on
your web site, particularly on the x-rated material.
Regarding the claims that, in Song of Songs, the writer wants to have sex with his sister:
Surely you've been in the US long enough to have heard the term "sister" being
used to refer to female representatives of a close group (i.e. "brothers and sisters
in Christ"). His refering to a sister doesn't mean that the woman is the daughter of
his mother; he could be (and likely is) refering to the idea that she is a person with
whom he feels a close relantionship.
Regarding Leviticus 20:15,16: It is commonly known that women were held in much lower
regard than men in that time period, and for a woman to even think on her own was
practically considered a crime. Fortunately, we have evolved past that and now consider
women equals to men (or at least many people feel that way) in this country. Please don't
accuse the Bible of chauvinism - this was merely a portrayal of the culture at that time.
Regarding the comment about Song of Songs 2:6: Surely you don't think that this is
directly stating that the man is feeling her up, I would hope. People embrace one another
all the time in non-sexual ways - your comments seem excessively exaggerated here.
Finally, regarding your comments about the descriptions of the woman's body throughout
Song of Songs: Taken in context (a term which you seem to use when it suits you), this is
a man honoring the beautiful work of art that is a woman's body. Contrary to the sexual
explicitness that you seem to extract from this, these verses were written, as many people
beleive, as a tribute to women - this was out of the ordinary, as women were not looked
upon highly during those times (like I mentioned earlier).
I truly hope you'e made it this far, and perhaps have at least taken into consideration
some of the things that I've pointed out. I will pray that one day you might come to know
Jesus on an intimate and personal level. May God bless you and touch your life.
[..............]