About Abrahamic Religions

[jacobs89]

Hello,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. A heathen based norse pantheon religion, as through genealogy research and dna tests i have learned that these are some of the many ancestors I have.

I am writing as to wonder about the abrahamic religions that I am not sure about, I was raised in a christian/baptist environment, although now, 24, started to get into Asatru.

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

 

[Caladan]

Hello,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. A heathen based norse pantheon religion, as through genealogy research and dna tests i have learned that these are some of the many ancestors I have.

I am writing as to wonder about the abrahamic religions that I am not sure about, I was raised in a christian/baptist environment, although now, 24, started to get into Asatru.

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

There are extra Biblical and apocrypha literature to get a better context for the Bible and perhaps its canonization process (I'm taking about the Hebrew Bible ATM). In addition ancient historians such as Josephus may be instrumental. Personally I'm writing an MA dissertation on paganism and Christianity in Late Antiquity in Palestine, and I also cover the relationship with other groups including Jews, Samaritans, Gnostic sects, a myriad of 'pagan' cultures, some of which appropriated each other's religions, and a bit about the Zoroastrians.
Also I'm not sure if you made a typo above, but while Judaism is certainly one of the most potent and instrumental faiths in human history, its not the most widely practiced. In fact, Jews are a small minority of the world's population. A handful of millions actually compared to the billions of Christians and Muslims in the world. Also I am not sure what your Christian past has to do with Judaism or Jewish history, as these are different religions, with different dogmas, and often sharp cultural differences.

As for your passion for the Aesir, as someone who is an avid reader of Norse literature, and who is about to embark on a trip to Iceland in a couple of days I do feel that I have to comment and say that establishing some kind of a genetic link to the old faith of the Norse people has become inclusive of a generic white culture (which is not necessarily Germanic or Nordic), and perhaps exclusive of 'non white' cultures. I see many problems with the way modern reconstructionists of Asatru have modeled a Church-like religion which almost seem like protestantism to me.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. ... I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

Why? What was your source of 'insight' about Asatru?

 

[jacobs89]

First, I would like to thank you all for replying to my post and bringing a little more insight into this question of mine.

Also, That was a typo, i wasn't sure about the census of Judaism, and I guess my insight would be that I just wanted to learn what Asatru was like after learning about my heritage, even though dna tests can change over time, which mine has.

I am curious as to the Abrahamic religions paths, It seems from what is stated above that Islam is a plagiarized version of the bible so to speak, I have no jewish blood in me, and dont even know what the bible of judaism is called.

 

[Katzpur]

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

Well, you could always read the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price (which is also part of the LDS canon).

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

If this is really what you're looking for, both of the books I recommended should be on your list. (I can practically guarantee that they're not going to say what your Baptist teachers told you they said. )

 

[Jaskaran Singh]

Hello,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. A heathen based norse pantheon religion, as through genealogy research and dna tests i have learned that these are some of the many ancestors I have.

I am writing as to wonder about the abrahamic religions that I am not sure about, I was raised in a christian/baptist environment, although now, 24, started to get into Asatru.

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

How is Judaism the most practiced religion in the world if only 0.2% of people in the world are Jewish?

 

[arthra]

First, I would like to thank you all for replying to my post and bringing a little more insight into this question of mine.

Also, That was a typo, i wasn't sure about the census of Judaism, and I guess my insight would be that I just wanted to learn what Asatru was like after learning about my heritage, even though dna tests can change over time, which mine has.

I am curious as to the Abrahamic religions paths, It seems from what is stated above that Islam is a plagiarized version of the bible so to speak, I have no jewish blood in me, and dont even know what the bible of judaism is called.

I would encourage you to study Qur'an because I think you'll find it has it's own perspective on the stories recorded in the Bible...So if you read say the story of Noah there is a significant perspective .. If you read about the sacrifice of Abraham you'll find a distinct message to that.. and so on.

Baha'i Writings also have perspectives that address political, social issues facing people today...

 

[Treks]

It's interesting that Judaism would have a better track record of not killing non-believers or other non-conforming individuals when most of the directives to slaughter homosexuals, witches, etc. are from the Old Testament. Does that mean Christians are interpreting those passages incorrectly or that the Jews don't obey them?

 

[InvestigateTruth]

Hello,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. A heathen based norse pantheon religion, as through genealogy research and dna tests i have learned that these are some of the many ancestors I have.

I am writing as to wonder about the abrahamic religions that I am not sure about, I was raised in a christian/baptist environment, although now, 24, started to get into Asatru.

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

I suggest Some Answered Questions:
Bahá'í Reference Library - Some Answered Questions

 

[Zardoz]

It's interesting that Judaism would have a better track record of not killing non-believers or other non-conforming individuals when most of the directives to slaughter homosexuals, witches, etc. are from the Old Testament. Does that mean Christians are interpreting those passages incorrectly or that the Jews don't obey them?

It means that we have not a questionable translation but the actual meaning of the laws.

For example, forget 'witch' read instead 'poisoner'.

In addition, capital punishment is never judged lightly, there are conditions that make it a very rare sentence.

 

[DawudTalut]

Hello,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been practicing Asatru. A heathen based norse pantheon religion, as through genealogy research and dna tests i have learned that these are some of the many ancestors I have.

I am writing as to wonder about the abrahamic religions that I am not sure about, I was raised in a christian/baptist environment, although now, 24, started to get into Asatru.

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

Peace be on you. Please study through various sections in IslamAhmadiyya - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Al Islam Online - Official Website and The Review of Religions » Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Very good wishes.

 

[Treks]

I thought the argument was that yes, the God is the same, but the Jews, like the Christians, corrupted their religions. Im not sure how exactly. This is the impression you get when you read the Quran.

 

[Treks]

I guess the other thing to be kept in mind is that what is often the ideal within a religion is disregarded in favour of cultural practices. So although the Elohim and Allah might be the same, and the core of the religion the same, perhaps the Jewish people at the time of Muhammad weren't following their own religion as they ought to have been? I mean, we see it all the time today, how many Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, etc do you see calling themselves such whilst engaging in behaviour completely contrary to their scripture?

Maybe that's what they mean. I dunno. I'm just speculating.

 

[arthra]

The Qur'an does give due recognition of the previous covenants..and scriptures in my view.

See:

And when we entered into covenant with the children of Israel, we said,
"Worship none but God, and be good to your parents and kindred, and to orphans,
and to the poor, and speak with men what is right, and observe prayer, and pay
the stated alms."

(The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 2 - The Cow)

When God entered into covenant with the prophets, he said, "This is the
Book and the Wisdom which I give you. Hereafter shall a prophet come unto you
to confirm the Scriptures already with you.

(The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 3 - The Family of Imran)

3 He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.

(The Qur'an (Pickthall tr), Sura 3 - The Family Of Imran)

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I recommend that you look up books on the writings of the Church Fathers and the Desert Fathers. Also, look up books on the history of Catholicism and Orthodoxy. There are many out there, if you Google. Penguin Classics and Oxford Press have lovely collections of classics at low prices. You can stock up at the library, as well.

 

[idea]

Are there any good resources for learning about the Abrahamic Religions, besides the bible, i mean can i learn through maybe books that give insight into what happened thousands of years ago to see from a different perspective?

I did order a copy of the Quran and am thinking about reading it, although not sure if Islam is for me or not, I do not really know a whole lot about Judaism except that it is the most practiced religion in the world, and like i said I was raised christian/baptist so i am kind of burnt out on it, but not to the point of neglecting. I still believe that jesus did die on the cross for us.

I guess what I am looking for is better insight into the abrahamic religions to keep it short.

Mormon's give a new perspective on it
You can get a free book here: Free Book of Mormon | Mormon.org

and there are tons of resources online:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

and sounds like you enjoy family history research... we do too
https://familysearch.org/

 

[arthra]

Repox..

I don't happen to agree with you that there is plagiarism...

The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic.. Although it is a sister language of Hebrew and Aramaic and shares many root words the composition of the Qur'an is more along the lines of a series of revelations over say twenty some years or so.

You will find many characters in common with the Bible..that is between the Bible and the Qur'an..but the stories in the Qur'an usually have a unique circumstance in them that is not recorded in the Bible..

In order to prove plagiarism you'll have to show copying occurred...

 

[Tumah]

I think that there are two issues here that Christian mentality commonly links together as one idea.
The question of whether the Islamic All-ah is the same as the Jewish G-d can be answered like this:
In Judaism, G-d is One G-d without any parts or subdivisions. He created the whole world. He revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In Islam, G-d is One G-d without any parts or subdivisions. He created the whole world. he revealed Himself to Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub.
In terms of G-d Himself both religions maintain the same beliefs therefore He is the same G-d. The name Arabic All-ah is synonymous with the Hebrew/Aramaic Elo-ha. They both just mean G-d and Arabic speaking Jews uses the words interchangeably. In terms of Jewish Law, it is permissible to pray in a Mosque (as opposed to a Church) for this reason.

The question only starts about what it is that G-d said and did. Did He give the Torah or the Qur'an? In that the Jews claim that Islam followed in the footsteps of Christianity, taking what they want and changing what they liked. Muslims claim that Jews have had it wrong for so long now, they wouldn't know what was right if it smacked them on the nose.

The point being, the religions are opposing, but the belief about G-d is the same.

 

[Badran]

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[roger1440]

How is Judaism the most practiced religion in the world if only 0.2% of people in the world are Jewish?

Yeah, what he said.
If this is a eye test, I think I failed. Can you change the color of your font please?