Pagans...

[cabdirazzaq]

I admire the prophets, not merely because of their patience and rightousness, their motivation and their humbleness but because of their endurance when talking to pagans.

Anyone here felt that discussing God with polytheists is extremly difficult (rationally speaking)?

Consider the conversation;
- Hey, whats that?
- Oh, this is my food God, he supplies me with food.
- Ehh, are you sure, it sure looks more like a blue piece of rock
- Are you teasing my God, don't anger him. He pleads to God for me.
- Well why not ask God directly without this partner
- Becase this is also god, but a lesser one.
- Puhhhhh, I truly admire the prophets for standing firm when hearing this.

I guess by the some token, I admire the Rabbis living during the time of the early Israeli prophets for standing firm against this irrationality.

And of Moses' folk there is a community who lead with truth and establish justice therewith [Quran 7.159 - interpretation of the meaning]

[the dauer]

I think the prophets were really making straw men out of the pagans. I forget the verses, but there are a few where they recognize the pagans as having a more sophisticated religion than just that.

[Zoomie]

Anyone here felt that discussing God with polytheists is extremly difficult (rationally speaking)?

Consider the conversation;
- Hey, whats that?
- Oh, this is my food God, he supplies me with food.
- Ehh, are you sure, it sure looks more like a blue piece of rock
- Are you teasing my God, don't anger him. He pleads to God for me.
- Well why not ask God directly without this partner
- Becase this is also god, but a lesser one.
- Puhhhhh, I truly admire the prophets for standing firm when hearing this.

I guess by the some token, I admire the Rabbis living during the time of the early Israeli prophets for standing firm against this irrationality.I've had little problem understanding Christians (having been one most of my life) Jews (having been born one) and Muslims (having been educated in the midst of several nephews of Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, notably Seyed Ali Seyedin, a first son. We had many late nights in the library debating religious law. When I was 15.

If you're talking to a Pagan who claims he holds a deity in his pocket, you're not talking to a Pagan. You're talking to someone making a fashion statement. Of course, conversely, I could say that the average shiite suicide bomber on the streets of Tel Aviv or Baghdad represents all of Islam, but I wouldn't dare because I know better. Islam is a way of life, a way of love, of light, a way of tolerance for all. As is neo-Paganism, yet you clearly know nothing of polytheism to repeat these statements.

14 year old girls wearing black lace and velvet do not make a religion. They make a fashion statement. Paganism is not a religion. Much like Islam, it is a way of life.

Perhaps you expect me to insult the Prophet now?

[cabdirazzaq]

Zoomie, it feels like you are defending something which I haven't attacked. I posted this thread in the jewish section for one reason, I do admire the prophets(may peace be upon them all) and I wanted to see if there where people agreeing with me on this point. I didn't post it at the christianity section because I think they are influenced by polytheism which dates back to the greeks. But if I insulted you I'm sorry because that wasn't the goal nor do I know anything about paganism - and I do hate to speak about things I know nothing about (If you wish you may teach me about your religion). So therfor I used the word polytheism when saying : "when discussing with polytheists (acually I used the word hindu first then deleted it thinking that Bhaskar would start admonishing me for doing that).

Why would you insult the prophets anyway, I do not go around insulting other faiths or deites because I'm forbidden from doing so in the Quran.

Perhaps the thread should of read poltheists instead of paganism, once again I'm sorry if I insulted you.

[Zoomie]

Consider the conversation;
- Hey, whats that?
- Oh, this is my food God, he supplies me with food.
- Ehh, are you sure, it sure looks more like a blue piece of rock
- Are you teasing my God, don't anger him. He pleads to God for me.
- Well why not ask God directly without this partner
- Becase this is also god, but a lesser one.
- Puhhhhh, I truly admire the prophets for standing firm when hearing this.
This was a little insulting, but no more than say, sending my dog after a Jehovah's Witness and then laughing about it.

Apology accepted, I apologize for being caustic.If you meant polytheists, then you should have said that and left the word "Pagan" out.

[feministhippy]

I don't see what the big deal is. Why would I need to discuss G-d with Pagans? Just in a casual discussion of philosophy? Well, I can't really make a big deal about that, because I can discuss religious philosophy with other Jews and still get a lot of conflicting ideas. Converting people? I'm not a Christian. (no disrespect intended) It's not a major part of my religious practice convert people. Trying to learn about Paganism? For me, that's the most likely choice, because I love to learn about culture and religion. But why would I get frustrated with them? When your learning about other people's beliefs, you need to learn to put your beliefs aside and recognize that just because your beliefs are different does not mean that they are superior.

[Zoomie]

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.