Doesnt religion seem a little strange?

[aallya]

I come from a Muslim family, and lately have had to deal with several issues regarding whether or not religion of any kind makes sense, and whether God exists at all. While pondering, it occured to me that Muslims (to the best of my knowledge) claim that they belong to the correct religion by virtue of the fact that Mohammed completed religion/the message that God was trying to convey to mankind. First there was Jewdaism, then Christianity, then Islam, after two previous failed attempts.

To me, this seems like a contradiction to our very perception of attributes Muslims give God. It is said he is all knowing and all powerful etc. Surely, if that were the case, and hes has power and supremity that we cannot even fathom, then this whole 'completing the message' scenario, would never have existed because he would have known exactly what to do first time around?

I dont think that saying anything related to how mankind was at fault would truly answer that question because if God is all knowing then he would know what was needed to get through to mankind if he wanted the message to be delivered.

Anybody have any insight on this question?

[Arnold Yasin]

Peace,

I know exactly what you mean, many answers I found in this book:

http://www.tolueislam.com/Parwez/ICR/ICR.htm

[salgan]

Peace Aallya

Religion was invented by men/women to control other men/women.  while we uphold any religion we will never truly be free as it is there to control and manipulate us it takes our freewill and shackles it .Do you really need religion to no what is right or wrong  .


Peace Salim
May The Force be with you

[/*JM*/]

Hello,

Here is a good read for you, I think :
http://www.tolueislam.com/Parwez/kt/KT.htm

Especially chapter 2.

Peace

[/*JM*/]

Intersting too is the exposition of verses 5:40 to 48 by parwez here :
http://www.tolueislam.com/Parwez/expo/expo_005.htm

[zenje]

Peace aallya,

First there was Jewdaism, then Christianity, then Islam, after two previous failed attempts.

With that reasoning, then "Islam" failed as well. It's important to remember non of the messengers of God preached these religions.

3:67.   Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a monotheist who submitted; he was not of those who set up partners.

[aallya]

I see your point, I know that they were trying to preach Islam, but the message was not delivered properly. Or something along those lines. That is what I mean, each time they were meant to complete the message but that wasnt the case.

Also, whats up with the verses about alcohol, there were three, the first warned against its dangers, the second asked us to stay away from mosques/praying and the third one supposedly forbade it. Why wasnt that just the case in the first place? Everyone says that the reason it came down in three separate revelations was because after the first one came down, it was realised that such a revaltion wasnt enough and that there needed to be more stricter guidelines. If my information is correct, then that doesnt make a whole lot of sense does it? God should be all knowing!

[OPF]

Not forbidden, apparently.

Let's get this straight:

God sends down the first revelation to Muhammad, to read. This is in a period of time where Arabs were dominated by materialism and paganism, worshipping hundreds of idols.

Muhammad completely transforms their lifestyles. No more paganism (i.e. their old religion is gone), no more murdering little girls, no more female violence/mistreatment. Vast improvements in character all round.


Yet God, the all-powerful had to slowly tame these Arabs by revealing the "prohibition" in small succeeding steps over several years? 

[zenje]

Peace aallya,

I see your point, I know that they were trying to preach Islam, but the message was not delivered properly. Or something along those lines. That is what I mean, each time they were meant to complete the message but that wasnt the case.

The message was delivered properly and completely, at all times. What the people did with the message is the question. And that's why I said, if that's the criteria, then "Islam" failed too. Look what they did with God's message after.

As for the alcohol question, search the forum, there's active threads going on right now on that subject.

Peace

[Navid]

The message was delivered properly and completely, at all times. What the people did with the message is the question. And that's why I said, if that's the criteria, then "Islam" failed too. Look what they did with God's message after.

Thank you zenje! All the other prophets didn't fail to give the message of God at all. It was after their death that the message was altered.

Peace