Monday, November 15, 2010

Translation and Conversion in Bangladesh

The Bengalis of East Pakistan in 1971 rebelled against the dominance of ethnic groups of West Pakistan and created Bangladesh. They also rejected Christianity as Western and rejected the Bengali Bible which used Hindu rather than Muslim terms and even used different names for Bible characters than Muslims used for the same people. When the New Testament was translated using Muslim friendly Bengali terms and was labeled the Injil Sharif (their name for it), it became the best-selling book in the country. What attracted Muslims to Christ was learning that the Injil Sharif identified him as the mediator between God and humans, but it was easier for them to follow him when they learned that they could use the forms of worship with which they were familiar.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Continued from below discussion…
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Dear Robert,

After reading your reply, I would like to comment as following:

Regarding the disciple near the cross, let’s compare the 4 events as mentioned by Mark, Mathew, Luke and John:

1- Mathew 27:

55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

2- Mark 15:

40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

3- Luke 23:

49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar
50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

4- John 19:

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

If you compare the first 3 references, they all agree on the following:

- They were women watching the crucifixion far away, and didn’t come near until he was dead (supposedly).

- There was no mentioning to any disciple standing near the cross, except Joseph who was a good man and came at night to burry Jesus, and he was not among the 12 disciples of Jesus, those who are mentioned in Mathew 10:

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

The story of John contradicts with the 3 (Mark, Mathew, Luke) before:

- The Jesus talked with his mother before his death, which is very strange!!! as all others tales say clearly that he screamed and died before the women came nearby, because there were soldiers and it’s not until Jesus death, earth shaking and the darkness so they left the scene and let the women become close to the cross.

- No mentioning for the name of this disciple clearly, is it Joseph? or someone called John, but unknown if he was John brother of James or a new one??

- John Gospel was the fourth among the all, and the first 3 contradict with him in this detail, which is logically to follow the first story because they were closer to Jesus life and not to consider the one of John.

So regarding the 3rd point that I mentioned in the list and after reviewing deeply all the above facts (not copying from an Islamic site, because it was a summary of a debate on TV show), that really there was no one near the cross and not of his disciples or some of them or someone known among them near the women or near the cross, then the following argument is still correct:

[3- Did the disciples saw him on the cross? The answer NO, they already run away:]
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Anonymous said...

Regarding your 2nd point:

“for how can a man die and be alive? However, since Jesus was God made man, his human agency had died, while is divine agency was still alive. Since God cannot die, Jesus was still alive as God, although his flesh had been killed. By setting out to prove Jesus wasn't God, ironically, you prove just the opposite, as only God made man could have his fleshly body killed, and yet still be truly alive and able to resurrect Himself. ”

I read many times your argument, and “ironically” also discovered that you broke 4 of Jesus words "laws":

1- Jesus explained that Humans after resurrection will be like angles, and not in human bodies, so if I have to believe you or Jesus, I would prefer Jesus (PBUH) for sure.

35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. [Luke 20: 33-36]

2- “as only God made man could have his fleshly body killed, and yet still be truly alive and able to resurrect Himself. ”

You used "being resurrected from death" as proof that the dead body is and ONLY is a God !!, which is a false argument for sure, because it also defeats many miracles for Jesus who brought people from death into life again, and those people are not Gods for sure, so this argument can’t be used to prove the he is a God.

There are many other stories where God had brought back from death people, such as Ezra, and the 70 men with Moses, etc..

3- About “God made man”, I will not argue with you on this, because since 2000 years all Christians were and still debating over this statement, and whether Jesus has resurrected as Human or as spirit or divine, and every time they meet to reach a decision they divided more and new additional groups of Christians show up, I will refer you to the following page, read it when you have time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_theology

4- The most important is Jonas sign, Jesus stressed that this generation will not be given a sign except the same given of Jonas:

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mathew 12: 38-40]

In your explanation:

Jesus was dead on cross, Jesus was dead inside his tomb, and alive later on.

But Jona, was alive on the ship and when they threw him into sea, alive inside the whale, and alive after being thrown out from the whale.

How Jesus says it will be exactly the same SIGN, and with your explanation that God divine was alive but the human has died !!, then there is no similarity between both signs at ALL, so shall I believe you or believe Jesus Prophecy that it will be exactly the same, here also I prefer to believe in Jesus (PBUH).

Anonymous said...

In conclusion, don’t you see that are too many gaps in this story that can’t fit with basic logic, such as:

- Pilate, the Roman governor was happy to see Jesus, and tried many times to set him free because he didn’t see that he's done anything wrong.

- If this is the case, why he would kill him by whipping him hardly, (as exaggerated in Passion of Christ movie), knowing that in Luke it’s mentioned that he was hit by hands only.

- How a young man could die after 3 hours on the cross only, while the others didn’t die although they were in prison before him and tortured severely more than him.

- They didn’t break his leg, if he is still alive, he would scream for sure, but they didn’t test it.

- How blood and water will come out from a dead body if there is no pulse, the heart was still working, biologically he was alive for sure ...

- Why Mary Magdalene was in hurry to see him although the 3 days was not passed yet, unless she was sure that he was alive and didn’t die, and why they buried him in big room above and not beneath Earth, so he still have Oxygen enough to breath..

- Why he asked for food the first thing, because he was hungry since Friday, there is no other explanation….

Anonymous said...

The most important thing, that don’t you think that all explanation of Jesus birth or death has no solid platform and there are only guesses in Christianity, and don’t you think that if Jesus was really sent by God that God will not send someone else to settle all these arguments, that last for centuries and misled a huge number of people??
Of course he did, he sent Muhammad (PBUH) and allocated a chapter in the holy Quran in the name of Marry, please read the below story of Jesus birth very carefully:

And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân, O Muhammad SAW , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east (16)
She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibril (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. (17)
She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh." (18)
(The angel) said: "I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." (19)
She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" (20)
He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allâh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).' " (21)
So she conceived him[], and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). (22)
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" (23)
Then [the babe 'Īsā (Jesus) or Jibril (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; (24)
"And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." (25)
"So eat and drink and be glad, And if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allâh) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'" (26)
Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing). (Tafsir At-Tabari) (27)
"O sister (i.e. the like) of Hârûn (Aaron) []! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman." (28)
Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?[]" (29)
"He ['Īsā (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allâh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;[]" (30)
"And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salât (prayer), and Zakât, as long as I live." (31)
"And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. (32)
"And Salâm (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! [Day of Judgment]" (33)
Such is 'Īsā (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute) (34)

Anonymous said...

It befits not (the Majesty of) Allâh that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allâh, by saying that 'Īsā (Jesus) is the son of Allâh]. Glorified (and Exalted is He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is (35)
['Īsā (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allâh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allâh's religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." (36)
Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about 'Īsā (Jesus) A.S.], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that 'Īsā (Jesus) is the son of Allâh] from the Meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire). (37)
How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error (38)
And warn them (O Muhammad SAW) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not (39)
Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned, (40)

Anonymous said...

Dear abdullah
I have been reading some of your's posts on this blog; you seems to be a passinate defender of Islam and your's prophet Muhammad. I'm not an expert on religions but i have read several articles about Islam as well some books. From what i have read i come to the conclusion that Muhammad was not a man of God. I would like to suggest you good websites on the subject but please take a look at http://staringattheview.blogspot.com/, from an americain who lived 15 years in the MiddleEast. The blog is worthy reading; search on that articles on Muhammad.
I don't dislike muslims, on the contrary, i wish them good luck and hope they can found hapiness and peace in their lifes.
Sincerely

Anonymous said...

Dear Luis,

Anything you read about Islam or Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that don’t show him as the most holy Apostle from God, and doing the best and only the best thing whatever it’s, then make sure you are not reading the correct book about Islam, it is certainly written by non-muslims and mostly ignorant people or Islam haters, even if their names were like Arabs’.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not for me or for Muslims only, he is for you and for all humankind, and since you heard “even once before” that there is a prophet who came after Jesus (PBUH) and believing in him and Jesus has already prophesized about him (spirit of truth), then you have to search for him, read the correct writings about him and eventually follow him, since there is no other way for your salvation.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most holy, the perfect human ever, the best teacher, the best leader, the wisest, the best father, the best husband, the best friend, and, and, and, …. and the most merciful for all human kind.

Do you know that even you is blessed because of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once before and once to come:

- The first one, because of all civilization that we are enjoying now owes to Islamic civilization, but how?
Through Andalusia, thousands of European students traveled there to get the most advanced education in the world at that time, which caused the human civilization to progress in 1000 years only, more than what it did during 100,000 years before, and we owe all this to one person only: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the holy Quran, which it’s first word is: “Read”..
To be a good Muslim, you have to learn how to read and write, whether being master or slave, woman or man, young or old, and this what really launched the entire development cycle.

- The second one which will be coming is on the day of Judgment, when all people are gathered, standing and waiting for the day of judgment to start, a day of 50,000 years long!!! and who will ask God to start the, he is only the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), read the rest of the story in the below Hadiths:

My Advice to you my friend, is to stop wasting your time, life is too short, and start looking for right information about your prophet from right resources (good and authentic Muslim resources), and when you are totally convinced turn to the right direction the soonest possible before it’s too late.

Good luck,

Note, Thanks for the site and I preparing some replies to them soon, but you will keep me more busy for some time !!!

Anonymous said...

1- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

"On the Day of Resurrection the Believers will assemble and say, 'Let us ask somebody to intercede for us with our Lord.' So they will go to Adam and say:

- 'You are the father of all the people, and Allah created you with His Own Hands, and ordered the angels to prostrate to you, and taught you the names of all things; so please intercede for us with your Lord, so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.'

- Adam will say, 'I am not fit for this (i.e. intercession for you).' Then Adam will remember his sin and feel ashamed thereof. He will say, 'Go to Noah, for he was the first Apostle, Allah sent to the inhabitants of the earth.'
They will go to him and Noah will say:

- 'I am not fit for this undertaking.' He will remember his appeal to his Lord to do what he had no knowledge of, then he will feel ashamed thereof and will say, 'Go to the Khalil--r-Rahman (i.e. Abraham).'

They will go to him and he will say, 'I am not fit for this undertaking. Go to Moses, the slave to whom Allah spoke (directly) and gave him the Torah .'

So they will go to him and he will say,

- 'I am not fit for this undertaking.' and he will mention (his) killing a person who was not a killer, and so he will feel ashamed thereof before his Lord, and he will say, 'Go to Jesus, Allah's Slave, His Apostle and Allah's Word and a Spirit coming from Him.

Jesus will say, 'I am not fit for this undertaking, go to Muhammad the Slave of Allah whose past and future sins were forgiven by Allah.'

So they will come to me and I will proceed till I will ask my Lord's Permission and I will be given permission. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in Prostration and He will let me remain in that state as long as He wishes and then I will be addressed.'

- (Muhammad!) Raise your head. Ask, and your request will be granted; say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.'

- I will raise my head and praise Allah with a saying (i.e. invocation) He will teach me, and then I will intercede. He will fix a limit for me (to intercede for) whom I will admit into Paradise. Then I will come back again to Allah, and when I see my Lord, the same thing will happen to me. And then I will intercede and Allah will fix a limit for me to intercede whom I will let into Paradise, then I will come back for the third time; and then I will come back for the fourth time, and will say, 'None remains in Hell but those whom the Quran has imprisoned (in Hell) and who have been destined to an eternal stay in Hell.' " (The compiler) Abu 'Abdullah said: 'But those whom the Qur'an has imprisoned in Hell,' refers to the Statement of Allah:

"They will dwell therein forever." (16.29)

Anonymous said...

2- The Prophet said,

- "Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection), 'O Adam.'

- Adam will reply, 'Labbaik wa Sa'daik', and all the good is in Your Hand.'

- Allah will say: 'Bring out the people of the fire.'

- Adam will say: 'O Allah! How many are the people of the Fire?'

- Allah will reply: 'From every one thousand, take out nine-hundred-and ninety-nine.'

At that time children will become hoary headed, every pregnant female will have a miscarriage, and one will see mankind as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah."

The companions of the Prophet asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is that (excepted) one?" He said, "Rejoice with glad tidings; one person will be from you and one-thousand will be from Gog and Magog."

The Prophet further said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise." We shouted, "Allahu Akbar!"
He added, "I hope that you will be one-third of the people of Paradise." We shouted, "Allahu Akbar!"
He said, "I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise." We shouted, "Allahu Akbar!"

He further said, "You (Muslims) (compared with non Muslims) are like a black hair in the skin of a white ox or like a white hair in the skin of a black ox (i.e. your number is very small as compared with theirs )."