"generalization" is what you're doing, Taj

Submitted by jennifer solis (United States), Oct 14, 2007 at 03:46

Hello again, Taj,

As I stated in my initial e-mail, Taj, a way to define "God" is according to whatever pertinent scripture availiable reveals as to who the "god" in queston is. When "god" in two religions reveals himself of completely different character in so much as what he requires from his followers, the "god" in question cannot be the same "god", for example (to simplify it for you), a. The God of Christianity requires no "works" on the part of His followers with regards to achievement of eternal life. b. The "god" of Islam does. Why would one "god" require works of one, while not the other, if we were talking about the same "god"?

Concerning your reference to the poly-theistic cultures of Greeks and Romans - did they not sacrifice meat as well as human flesh (interestingly, virgin women, and children - never men) to please the "gods"? = "works".

- Anticipating, Taj, your possible argument regarding the (perfect) "sacrificial lamb" of the Old Testament - it was ALWAYS done as an admission and observation of the need of a (perfect) Savior, the future Jesus Christ, who would sacrifice Himself. It was not done to please God.

I will acknowledge, however, Taj, your argument - "if you were an Arab speaker, you would refer to God as Allah". Yes, you would. You stated, "we may view [the same god] differently". There, I must disagree; "blanket" use of the term/word "god", ie., all view the same "god", reveals reliance on human conjecture, and/or human philosophy. It contains no scriptural application or frame of reference, therefore it is nebulous and subject to, once again, human interpretation (and imagination) - and, generalization.

An exception would be in the case of a religion that specifically states "all religions worship the same God". That statement diametrically opposes what Christian scripture delineates.

As a student of the original languages of the Bible (Greek and Hebrew) for over thirty years, I can assure you not one iota of human conjecture or human interpretation with regards to God do I employ. I go stricltly by scripture. God of Christianity reveals Himself through His scripture, and in no way is He reliant on additional information or ideas (or "ideals") that humans so often feel the need to impose.

My own President is guilty of this (of having a human-viewpoint idealistic, with no scriptural frame of reference. God loved the world, John 3:16; that doesn't mean the world loves God), when he said, "all religions pray to the same God.". Don't think I'm picking an argument, Taj. Again, I believe God reveals Himself through scripture. The scripture of Islam reveals quite a different "god" than does the Greek and Hebrew of the Christian Bible.

Respectfully, Jennifer Solis

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".