World Religions

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
But considering EVERYTHING that you've written, how do you (not necessarily YOU) explain countless miracles that are performed on behalf of many people all over the world who have no Jesus-bias? Many miracles (deaf receiving their hearing, blind eyes opened, dead people being raised from the dead, including people being HEALED from terminal illnesses) can be CONFIRMED by physicians and other medical personnel.

A Very good and Highly Convincing Point..... 👆

IF that's the only way you look at it.

I have heard reports of people having thier lives and health changed from Buddhism as well. I have heard reports from a man who promotes "Dream Healing", and many testify to having terminal cancer cured, having disabilities vanish, etc.

There are also many scientificly proven reports of many diseases that are uncurable in United States, which were cured in China and other parts of Asia with thier oriental methods of medicine.

AT the same time, there are reports of simply VERY HEALTHY people who overcome nightmares such as AIDS, Cancer, etc. ON THIER OWN...with no religious or medical interference.

The point is that for every Christian "miracle", you will find OTHER miracles that are independent of Christianity. You cannot say that Christ is the ONLY healer, when others have been healed through other methods.

As for resurrection of dead people....now i KNOW your crazy.... 😆

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
There are an innumerable number of cases of the abovementioned miracles (and others that I have not cited) ocurring all over the the world in remote countries as well as here in the continental U.S. These miracles cannot just be explained away, not even by you or anyone else on this forum site.

Like I said, there are also many other unexplainable miracles which occured through OTHER means besides Christian Faith.

On the FLIP SIDE, JIA, there are MANY MANY Faithful people who claim that Christian Faith did NOT WORK, and that no such miracles occured for them. Tons of prayers go unanswered, and TONS of beleivers get dissapointed when they are STILL suffering, DESPITE thier patience and Faith.

"Why has God abandoned me" has been a question, that unfortunately, MANY many many people on this world have asked. 🙁

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
I know we all have egos and we THINK we know the answer but folks: if doctors and scientists (erudite, educated, scholary, devoted, people who scrutinize EVERYTHING) CANNOT explain the many cases of miracles that they see regularly then I am not inclined to believe that someone who has not submitted to what they have gone through (YEARS, not months of study and learning) can either.

None of us THINK we know the answer....hypocritically, YOU are the only person on this thread who THINKS he knows Absolute Truth, and compells the rest of us to beleive.

Most of us ACCEPT that we do not know everything, yet we are open to infinite possibilities. YOU on the other hand, claim you know Absolute Truth, claim your belief as FACT, and then disregard ALL OTHER OPINIONS AND TRUTHS that come to the table.

Don't be a hypocrit 👇

Christianity is a world religion.

Originally posted by Storm
Inch by inch, we do or try at least. They exist because of the choices we make. If we choose, if we have the will to act, we can make them history.

But you cannot eradicate death.

As a Christian death for me is nothing more than a change of address to a temporary location until my body is resurrected and I return to this planet.

🙂

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
But you cannot eradicate death.

As a Christian death for me is nothing more than a change of address to a temporary location until my body is resurrected and return to this planet.

🙂

No yet. But one day, it is quite possible. And when that one day comes, would you accept a needle jab if science had over come death?

And as to the second - it is that same old chestnut. It is faith - we have no proof Christianity overcomes death, just the hope/faith it does.

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
http://wri.leaderu.com/pages/montenegro.html

What a POWERFUL testimony!

By far the MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY TO DATE.

notworthy

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
By far the MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY TO DATE.

notworthy

I always find it funny that stories of that nature have certain features when they turn out to be pro-Christian that no other person has in a similar field -

First, its higgildy/piggildy. I know people deeply invested in the study of spiritualism, mysticism etc (usually for scholarly purposes, but some think their might be something real to it.) Yet few of them go so over the top and are into everything as this chap is. It seems then, when the conversion inevitably comes, he has been a part of so many things it would be impossible to pick which one was bad - as such they just throw a blanket over the lot a say "to be on the safe side all of this is bad." Buddhism, Hinduism, tarot, occult whatever. All bad. I was a part of it all, something bad happened, best to just say it is all bad. Most people interested in this seem only to invest in a certain few areas. But all of them like this guy?

Second - there is always a moment when some vengeful spirit tries to take over the body. This only ever seem to happen in the Christian versions. None of the people I know claim to have ever had it happen to them, even the ones who have been doing it for a long time. I wonder why? What is special about people who who will turn Christian that just seems to draw vengeful old women spirits who try to claim their bodies?

Most powerful testimony to date? It seems like trying to claim one glass of water is so much wetter then another glass of equally wet water.

http://wri.leaderu.com/pages/maharaj.html

(excerpt from the above link)
"After my father's funeral, I became a favorite subject for the palm-readers and astrologers who frequented our house. Our family would hardly make an important decision without consulting an astrologer, so it was vital that my future be confirmed in the same way. It was encouraging to learn that the lines on my palms and the planets and stars, according to those who interpreted them, all agreed I would become a great Hindu leader. I was obviously a chosen vessel, destined for early success in the search for union with Brahman (the One). The forces that had guided my father were now guiding me.

I was only eleven and already many people were bowing before me, laying gifts of money, cotton cloth, and other treasures at my feet and hanging garlands of flowers around my neck at religious ceremonies.

How I loved religious ceremonies -- especially private ones in our own home or those of others, where friends and relatives would crowd in. There I would be the center of attention, admired by all. I loved to move through the audience, sprinkling holy water on worshipers or marking foreheads with the sacred white sandalwood paste. I also loved how the worshipers, after the ceremony, bowed low before me to leave their offerings at my feet."

With this kind of destiny HOW did this young boy end up becoming a chrisitan?

Yet another POWERFUL testimony!

With this kind of destiny HOW did this young boy end up becoming a chrisitan?

Yet another POWERFUL testimony!

You're still around?

Pity.

You know what's an even more powerful testimony? There was a prince who had every single one of his wants tended to, and never lacked anything. But he became an ascetic, and devoted his life to eliminating suffering.

Of course, that was long ago. Let's consider Larry Gene Weinman, who, despite being born and raised Christian, converted to the true faith of Islam. What POWERFUL testimony!

Abdullah ibn Sailam ibn al-Harith was a famous rabbi, widely respected by every one, even non-Jews. But he also converted to the TRUE FAITH of ISLAM!

Seriously, do you think you're making some sort of point? Why the hell do you think anyone would care about some Buddhist who converted to Christianity?

[QUOTE=7116064]Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
http://wri.leaderu.com/pages.html (Testimonies of conversion from various religions to Christianity )

Why are personal testimonies so powerful?

Mark 5:18-20
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Luke 8:38-40
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
Why are personal testimonies so powerful?

They aren't. That was sort of my point. But if you like conversion stories so much, here's a brief list from Wikipedia:

Companions of Muhammad

Abbad ibn Bishr - known for his devotion to worship, knowledge and courage in battle

Abd-Allah ibn Abbas - from paganism, cousin of Muhammad

Abd-Allah ibn Jahsh - from paganism, cousin of Muhammad

Abd-Allah ibn Mas'ud - from paganism, was the 6th man who converted to Islam after Muhammad started preaching in Mecca

Abd-Allah ibn Umar - from paganism, son of the second Caliph Umar ibn Khattab

Abd-al-Rahman ibn Awf - from paganism, one of the first eight persons to accept Islam

Abdullah ibn Sailam - from Judaism, was a rabbi

Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari - was one among the Ansar

Abu Bakr - father of Aisha, first of the Four Caliphs and rightful successor to Muhammad (according to Sunni Muslims)

Abu Dharr - from paganism, noted for his piety

Abu Hurayrah - from Judaism, narrator of Hadith most quoted in the isnad

Abu Musa al-Asha'ari - governor of Basra and Kufa

Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith - son of Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah - member of the Quraysh clan al-Harith ibn Fihr

Adiyy ibn Hatim - from paganism, was an Arab king

Aisha - from pre-Islamic Arab paganism, scholar, the youngest wife of Muhammad, see Wives of Muhammad

Al-Baraa ibn Malik al-Ansari - from paganism, personal aide of Muhammad.

Ali ibn Abi Talib - first Imam, last of the Four Caliphs and rightful successor to Muhammad (according to Shi'a Muslims)

An-Numan ibn Muqarrin - was the leader of the tribe of Banu Muzaynah

At-Tufayl ibn Amr ad-Dawsi - was chief of the Daws tribe from Tihama

Bilal ibn Ribah - freed from slavery by Muhammad.

Habib ibn Zayd al-Ansari - martyr of Islam

Hakim ibn Hazm - from paganism, was principal narrator of hadith

Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib - from paganism, uncle of Muhammad

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman - one of the earliest converts to Islam

Jafar ibn Abi Talib - known as "the possessor of two wings"

Julaybib - from paganism, was a martyr

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt - from the Banu Tamim clan in Najd

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid - from pre-Islamic Arab paganism, businesswoman, the first wife of Muhammad, the first female convert to Islam, see Wives of Muhammad

Muadh ibn Jabal - noted for his intelligence, quick wit, potency in speech

Muhammad Ibn Maslamah - was among the first in Yathrib to become a Muslim

Musab ibn Umayr - from paganism

Nuaym ibn Masud - from paganism

Rabiah ibn Kab - from paganism

Rumaysa bint Milhan - from paganism, one of the earliest women converts to Islam

Sa'd ibn Abi-Waqqas - from the Ban? Zuhrah clan

Sa'd ibn Muadh - from Paganism

Salman the Persian - from Zoroastrism

Umar ibn al-Khattab - second of the Four Caliphs

Uthman ibn Affan - third of the Four Caliphs

[edit]

Politics related

Yousef al-Khattab (Yosef Cohen) - from Orthodox Judaism, converted to Islam with his wife and 4 children, his political goal is to implement Islamic Sharia worldwide [1]

Haji Idi Amin - from Catholicism, former dictator of Uganda

Khaled Edward Blair - English barrister, works for an investment bank, married to Princess Badiya of Jordan

Jean-Bédel Bokassa - from Catholicism (later reconverted), Central African Emperor

Omar Bongo - President of Gabon

Torquato Cardilli - Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Thomas Haidon - from Catholicism, lawyer, government advisor of New Zealand [2]

Ibrahim Hooper (Douglas Hooper) - Islamic activist

Iyasu V - former Emperor of Ethiopia

Mathieu Kérékou - from Christianity (later reconverted to Christianity), President of Benin

Johann von Leers - Adviser to Muhammad Naguib.

David Myatt - from Paganism, Neo-Nazi-activist [3]

Karl Nickner - Executive Director of CAIR-CAN [4]

David Musa Pidcock - from Catholic Christianity, leader of the Islamic Party of Britain

Apisai Tora - Fijian politician

Sabrina Varroni - of Italy, fined € 80 for wearing a burqa in Drezzo, Italy sparking a controversy in Italian politics [5]

Malcolm X / Malik Shabazz (Malcolm Little) - from Christianity to NOI to mainstream Islam, African-American civil rights leader

[edit]

Sports related

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) - retired basketball player, NBA's all-time leading scorer

Karim Abdul-Jabbar (Sharmon Shah) - former football player

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Chris Jackson) - retired basketball player

Tariq Abdul-Wahad - basketball player

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) - from Christianity to NOI to mainstream Islam, American retired boxer

Nicolas Anelka - French football player

Chris Eubank - boxer

Mustafa Hamsho - boxer

Bernard Hopkins - boxer

Hussein Jaafar - football player

Mohammed Jaafar - Australian professional wrestler

Bruno Metsu - French coach of the Senegal team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Abdulkerim Mirkovic - former Bosnian basketball player

Muhsin Muhammad - football player

Matthew Saad Muhammad - from Catholic Christianity, former boxer

Dwight Muhammad Qawi - boxer

Franck Ribery - French football player

Ahmed Santos - American publicist, former boxer

Philippe Troussier - former French football player, trainer of a Japanese football team

Mike Tyson - former heavyweight boxing champion of the world

Rasheed Wallace - basketball player

George Weah - from Christianity (later reconverted), professional football player

Danny Williams - British boxer

Mohammad Yousuf - (formerly Yousuf Youhana) from Christianity, Pakistani cricket player

[edit]

Religious figures

Umar Faruq Abd-Allah - from Protestant Christianity, Islamic scholar

Yusuf Estes - former Christian pastor, prison chaplain

Abdul-Ahad Omar (Gary Miller) - former Christian priest and missionary

Jacob Querido - successor to Shabbetai Tzvi

Shabbetai Tzvi - former Jewish religious leader

[edit]

Scholars

Hamid Algar - a tenured British professor at the University of Berkeley, has particular expertise in the Ja'fari school of thought and Iranian civilization

Aminah Assilmi - from Southern Baptist Christianity, scholar, director of the International Union of Muslim Women

Sherman Jackson - Islamic Scholar and Academic, University of Michigan Near East Studies and Law School

Nuh Ha Mim Keller - from Catholic Christianity to agnosticism to Sufism, Islamic scholar

Martin Lings - from Protestantism to Sufism

Ingrid Mattson - Canadian scholar

Jeremiah McAuliffe - from Catholicism, American convert to Islam who holds a doctorate in formative spirituality from Duquesne University [6]

Akbar Muhammad - scholar of history and African studies

Muhammad Pickthall (Marmaduke Pickthall) - from Christianity, a translator of the Qur'an

Zaid Shakir - Islamic scholar

Haschem Wilde - British Muslim professor

Timothy J. Winter - Islamic scholar, Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge

Sheikh 'Abd al-Wahid Yahya (René Guénon) - from Catholic Christianity to Sufism, philosopher

Khalid Yasin - former American Christian, the Executive Director of the Islamic Teaching Institute (ITI)

Hamza Yusuf - Islamic scholar

Kevin Barrett - is an academic who supports "conspiracy theories" about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

[edit]

Philosophy related

Titus Burckhardt - philosopher, historian, mystic

Roger Garaudy - French philosopher, writer

[edit]

Writers and journalists

Ali Bey al-Abbasi - writer, explorer (disputed)

Muhammed al-Ahari - from Christianity, American essayist

Muhammad Asad - from Judaism, writer

Amir Butler - Salafi Australian author

Ian Dallas - writer

Isabelle Eberhardt - from Lutheran Christianity, 19th century explorer and writer

Knud Holmboe - 19th century Danish journalist, explorer

Maryam Jameelah - from Reform Judaism, essayist, poet, journalist and author

Ruqayyah Waris Maqsood - from Protestant Christianity, British author

Daniel Moore - from Christianity, poet

Lev Nussimbaum - from Judaism, writer

Harry St. John Philby - from Anglicanism, Arabist, explorer, writer, British colonial office intelligence operative

William Abdullah Quilliam - from Christianity, poet, solicitor, ambassador, journalist

Bilal Racheha - Australian social commentator

Yvonne Ridley - from Anglicanism, journalist

Stephen Schwartz - Jewish born, Sufi neoconservative journalist

Kamala Suraiya - Indian writer

Pamela Taylor - writer and board member of the Progressive Muslim Union [7] [8]

Brandon Toropov - from Christianity

Alexander Russell Webb - from Presbyterian Christianity, 19th Century U.S. journalist

Michael Wolfe - writer, documentarist

Michael Young - of Britain [9]

[edit]

Mystics

Samuel L. Lewis - aka Ahmed Murad Chisti or Sufi Sam

Daniel Moore - Sufi poet

[edit]

Society figures

Jemima Goldsmith - from Judaism, British socialite, ex-wife of Imran Khan

Heather Laird-Jackson - from Christianity, American Muslim activist, wife of Dr. Sherman A. Jackson

Ayesha Sultana (Sharmila Tagore) - from Hinduism, Bollywood actress, converted to marry her husband

[edit]

Science related

Jeffrey Lang - mathematician, has a Saudi Arabian wife

Susanne Osthoff - German archaelogist, former hostage in Iraq

[edit]

Of course, none of those people converted to Christianity. They, uh, all converted to Islam.

I guess my point is that people are chaning religions all the time, and I still have no idea why you think we should care.

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
http://wri.leaderu.com/pages/maharaj.html

[B](excerpt from the above link)
"After my father's funeral, I became a favorite subject for the palm-readers and astrologers who frequented our house. Our family would hardly make an important decision without consulting an astrologer, so it was vital that my future be confirmed in the same way. It was encouraging to learn that the lines on my palms and the planets and stars, according to those who interpreted them, all agreed I would become a great Hindu leader. I was obviously a chosen vessel, destined for early success in the search for union with Brahman (the One). The forces that had guided my father were now guiding me.

I was only eleven and already many people were bowing before me, laying gifts of money, cotton cloth, and other treasures at my feet and hanging garlands of flowers around my neck at religious ceremonies.

How I loved religious ceremonies -- especially private ones in our own home or those of others, where friends and relatives would crowd in. There I would be the center of attention, admired by all. I loved to move through the audience, sprinkling holy water on worshipers or marking foreheads with the sacred white sandalwood paste. I also loved how the worshipers, after the ceremony, bowed low before me to leave their offerings at my feet."

With this kind of destiny HOW did this young boy end up becoming a chrisitan?

Yet another POWERFUL testimony! [/B]

All Little Kids like attention...especially when they think they are doing something great and everyone is applauding them for it.

Nothing unusual or special here.....what is your point ?

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
http://wri.leaderu.com/pages/montenegro.html

What a POWERFUL testimony!

I just cannot get over the sincerity, candor, frankness, and honesty of this woman. She was a bona fide New Ager and yet as deep as she was into that stuff Jesus (Love Personified) reached out to her from Heaven and pulled her out of satan's hands.

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
I just cannot get over the sincerity, candor, frankness, and honesty of this woman

You are the only one. You are not going to converty anyone. Get over it.

http://www.near-death.com/ritch.html

Dr. George Ritchie's near-death experience

"Suddenly I was aware that it was brighter, a lot brighter, than it had been. I stared in astonishment as the brightness increased, coming from nowhere, seeming to shine everywhere at once. All the light bulbs in the ward couldn't give off that much light. All the bulbs in the world couldn't! It was impossibly bright. It was like a million welders' lamps all blazing at once.

"I'm glad I don't have physical eyes at this moment," I thought. "This light would destroy the retina in a tenth of a second."

"No, I corrected myself, not the light. He. He would be too bright to look at."

For now I saw that it was not light but a man who had entered the room, or rather, a man made out of light, though this seemed no more possible to my mind than the incredible intensity of the brightness that made up his form.

The instant I perceived him, a command formed itself in my mind.

"Stand up!"

The words came from inside me, yet they had an authority my mere thoughts had never had. I got to my feet and as I did came the stupendous certainty:

"You are in the presence of the Son of God."

If this was the Son of God, then his name was Jesus. This person was power itself, older than time and yet more modern than anyone I had ever met.

Above all, with that same mysterious inner certainty, I knew that this man loved me. Far more even than power, what emanated from this presence was unconditional love. An astonishing love. A love beyond my wildest imagining. This love knew every unlovable thing about me - the quarrels with my stepmother, my explosive temper, the sex thoughts I could never control, every mean, selfish thought and action since the day I was born - and accepted me just the same. "

One word...

Wow!

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
I just cannot get over the sincerity, candor, frankness, and honesty of this woman. She was a bona fide New Ager and yet as deep as she was into that stuff Jesus (Love Personified) reached out to her from Heaven and pulled her out of satan's hands.

Guy at bus-stop: My, what a lovely sunny day it is.

Me: ? Actually its overcast.

Guy at bus stop: Yep. Lovely sun. Don't get many days this sunny.

Me: Ummm. Cloudy. Dark - not sunny.

Guy at Bus stop: Yes sir-ee, this day is special for its sun.

Me: Ok... I think I'll just stand over here, and there isn't really any sun.

Guy at Bus stop: I just can't get over how sunny it is...

Sorry, but it seems a bit like that. You must be seeing something I'm not. I've seen things like this before, with every faith on the planet - usually not being particularly nice to the faith they are leaving. I don't see anything especially amazing about it. As I pointed out before there are some things that make me question such claims (what I like to call features that only pop up in stories such as this.)

Yet you just keep posting it again and again and saying how amazing and amazing and orgasmic it is (ok, maybe not orgasmic, but it seems to be making you very happy.)

Hey Jesus Boy, I have a question. Do you ever actually read anybody's replies to you? Because I'm not seeing much evidence of it if you are.

Originally posted by Gregory
Hey Jesus Boy, I have a question. Do you ever actually read anybody's replies to you? Because I'm not seeing much evidence of it if you are.

He never replies to mine and I have tried to get his attention.

Originally posted by Gregory
You are the only one. You are not going to converty anyone. Get over it.

Spotism... I'm working on Imperial Samura and Shaky too... they'll crack eventually...

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
That's not entirely true.. I converted debbiejo to my religion...

Spotism... I'm working on Imperial Samura and Shaky too... they'll crack eventually...

😆

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
Storm, I read everything that you wrote. I understand where you are coming from. But...how can a HUMAN mind produce a MIRACLE? How can someone who is terminally ill be healed from that condition by the human mind? How can someone who is blind all of a sudden see by virture of the human mind? How can a person who was dead (clinically dead: no heartbeat no brain waves. I think this constitutes clinical death.) be raised from the dead by the mind?

Yet NONE of the aforementioned events were effected by the mind; they were done by God's power.

Furthermore, if the mind is so great then how come the mind has not overcome crime, sickness and disease, poverty and all of humankind's other problems? Things are just getting worse: read your daily newspaper. In conclusion, how come the human mind CANNOT OVERCOME DEATH?

I leave you with those final words...

i have known people with PERSONAL mental powres strong enough to turn a person on the other end of the earth into a vegetable. see clearly into the future and rescue people from a falling 14 storey building seconds before its falls to the ground in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. ive also seen people wipe clean the mind of an individual and read his mind and his deepest darkest secrets. survive stron venoms, disable humans and destroy rooms when theyr angry. all done by THEIR human mind{doesnt matter if u believe it or not, i know that i have not given any proof other than my own word and u SHUDT believe me on that but thats not the point im trying to make} some of them are muslims, others atheists. none{that i know though surely the exceptions must exist} have been christian. what im saying is there MIGHT be miraculous things in this world and its ONE thing to question whether hard science and mathematics is ALL there is to the world but QUITE another to say that they are completely WRONG and a baseless relegion which has been PROVEN wrong on countless different topics is RIGHT and SHOULD be accepted. try looking at EVIDENCE without a bias. science might not be ALL there is in the world but it rules it for the most part and even IF there is anything mytical in the world other than science{although i doubt VERY MUCH whether any of those PROCLAIMED events of healing are anything but bullshit. fact is these things dont work like that form what ive seen. unless u have very VERY factual, repeatable and TESTED facts about things like these happening INFRONT OF YOU and you logically looking at the person,history,enviornment etc with a sceptic professional or such u should NEVER believe such things as over 99% of them are fake} that doesnt mean that it automatically proves YOUR very SPECIFIC claim of mysticism true. there are many other claims by many other beliefs.