Who or what is killing Christianity?

Salam Alaikoam Patty sorry to hear about the passing of your father.  I lost mine when I was 11 and could not cry for the loss for ten years after that.

People may be going to church less but then all religions are experiencing a decline of attendence.

Salam

Anne Marie

Patty,

Perhaps you misunderstood me. I wasn't talking about the Catholic Church or Pope at all.

I have heard that people belonging to a local church in any US city or it's suburbs must remain members of the church they visit. The local priests do not like their church members poached by other nearby churches.

Perhaps, you are not aware of this. For example, I can go to nay mosque and offer my prayers, while Christians belonging to a certain church in their neighbourhood will only go to their local pastor's church.

How is dear Dad? May God ease his pain and suffering. Ameen.

eliyahu,

The Arab & the Camel

It was a story that I read when I was a child. The story goes something like this in my own words, from recollection:

An Arab makes a stop in the desert. It is chilling cold in the winter night and he erects a tent for himself. After a while his camel pushes his face into the tent and tells the Arab that his mouth and nose feel cold and if he could keep his face in the tent, to keep it warm. The Arab agrees.

A little while later, the camel complains that his neck is feeling numb from the cold and if he could keep the neck in the tent. The Arab agrees and moves to the tent corner.

A little while later, the camel complains that his forelegs are feeling the cold and if he could put the legs in the tent. The Arab, being too kind, accomodates his request and further squeezes himself in the corner.

A little later, the camel complains that his backbody is almost freezing. The Arab understands and agrees to the camel's request and as the camel takes up the entire tent, out goes the Arab from the tent.  Now you know who the camel is?   

eliyahu1,

From you: "I was not aware of that about the Qur'aan's teachings about that. Where does it say that (I have an English copy)? Do the Hadith state anything about that?"

Please read Verses 22 to 26 of Surah 5 AlMaedah (The Table) Verse 21 is the verse that you are looking for. While you are at it, please read Verse 17 also.  We don't have to look for any hadith as Qur'aan is already specific and clear.

From you: "Also, my understanding is that many Muslims believe that once a geographic area is ruled by Islam, it must remain under Islam's rule forever and is "holy" in that respect."

I don't agree with that as Muslims have not put any claims for India and Spain.  

From you: "This is part of the reason for the desire of many to uproot and/or destroy the nation of Israel in its location which was once ruled by the religion of Islam. That land is forever banned from the rule of any other religion or people other than the "house of peace" which is Islam. Is that true?"

The Jews lived for centuries in that land with Muslims. The modern nation of Israel is destroying itself like a lemming, in my humble opinion. It is not a religious issue but a political one. If one wants to live in peace, one should also let others live in in peace and respect  their life, rights and ownership of properties. You have already seen the respect of life shown by Israel when  for two men it has killed over four hundred innocent civilians.

How the Jews were treated in non-Muslim lands is well-known. You can look at other "houses of love and peace" and their records are not admirable at all. I will leave the politics out here.

From you: "Is there any teaching which clarifies which specific land(s) are counted as set apart for the Jews or "holy" for some reason? What makes the land "holy?" Do some Muslims still deny that certain lands were or are given to Jews by God in the middle east in spite of the Qur'aan?"

No, there is no such teaching. The teaching is already evident by what I quoted above. Muslims are angry at the land grab by Israel, do you approve of it?

Have you read that short fable "The Arab and the Camel"?  It fits Israel very well.