Although i am not a Christian but i wish know how many of u here agree with the word Allah use in Catholic mag?

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Prophecy of Crazy Cat!

To all Christians out there, Do you even agree on this matter? Are you willing to pray to your God, for example... "Oh Allah, please bless my meals" or "Oh Allah the Holy Father, please forgive me for my wrong doings". Would you? I doubt you would. Coz for many years, you have been taught by your Bible and Priest to believe in trinity: Holy Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit. Your church has never mentioned about worshipping Allah, as Allah is the Muslims' God. Even in your Bible, there's no word "Allah".
But suddenly, when you read a Christian magazine about "Allah", wouldnt you get extremely confused??? You would probably ask youself, "Am i actually reading an Islamic magazine, or what?". Herald magazine mentions Allah...Allah...but then it talks about TRINITY, which is very contrast to Islamic teachings about ONENESS of God. Now, imagine muslims being given this magazine. They would get very very confused, maybe it would lead them to convert to Christianity? Who knows? *shrug* Who knows if this is what Herald is planning to do? *shrug*. Who knows?

I dont know what Herald is up to. But it seems rather sneaky and weird at the same time. Allah is an arabic term for God. The Romans priests could have used "Allah" when preaching to their followers, hundreds of years ago, but they didnt. They decided to separate "Allah" from Christianity, as to avoid from making their followers confused.

Its the same thing as in islamic teachings that when we address Jesus (PBUH), we dont say Jesus like Christians do...we go by Isa (PBUH).
-------------
TO SHAUN R....confusion could knock on anyone's heart, if they have little faith, i agree.
quoted...
"Saying that muslims will be confused about their own religion is an insult especially to those who have been muslims since birth"
My Question...on what term it is an insult...????
I have heard and seen many non-muslims converted to Islam. so you're saying your used to be fellow christians (with confusion about christianity in their heart), insulting you by converting to Islam?
It is NOT an insult to say it would create confusion! Even Muftis, Imams, religious scholars, also agree...Herald's action would only invite tensions and confusions between these two religions. Ask 1000 Christians out there, how many of them want to pray on Allah's name? Or want to have their Bibles and Church's walls display Allah's name? Even my close American Christian friends do not agree on this. They say, why use "Allah" when there are so many other names to choose from??? God, Jesus, Lord, Holy Father, etc.

jimmy

The purpose of using "Allah" in the magazine and other Christian literature is to translate it to Malay, so that the natives can better understand. So, the only reason I am against its use is that "Allah" is not Malay, but Arabic... If you want to translate to Malay, then use "Tuhan", an accepted Malay word.

This thing has gone on for too far and too long.....the Gods themselves will challenge themselves to a fight in heaven, and that will spell troubles for Muslims and Christians on earth.... So, I propose that we stop this....What say you ?

William

Regarding this issue, the word "allah" is actually used by non-muslims in Arabic reigon before the rise of Islam by Muhammad(pbuh), which is found in the Quran. Thus, it is completely OK to use that. But, it become a sentiment because the government feared that this will allowing confusions between non-religous and religous arabic language. Perhaps the government realize the mistake and retracted the ban. In Malaysia, arabic language terms associated with Islam, are a sensitive issue among the muslims so it is better for the magazine to stop using that word, even that it is clear that the usage of the word is correct.

Nyanaraam K

Yes i agree..

The question is why cant? some places such as west asia dont understand english.. and most of of the bible there writen in arabic so they need to translet God to Allah..

mamat

In America and Europe, Allah is well known as a pagan God worshipped by moon deity followers. And they wondered why Muslims world wide worshipped such a God.

Can't see any Bible there that refer the Holy Father, Lord or God as Allah the One All Powerful God.

Whereas in the Quran being Arabic in nature clearly stated the alphabets "Aliph Lam Lam Ha" over and over and over again referring to only one God while Muhammad is just a humble prophet tasked as one of Allah many messengers.

samsara sanyasi

NO COMMENTS

rozelin t

The purpose of using "Allah" in the magazine and other Christian literature is to translate it to Malay, so that the natives can better understand. Most of christian magazine or book in malay version came from Indonesia . Bibles printed in Bahasa also use the word Allah. They use Allah refer to God. this have been using since Christianity arrive in malaysia especially in Sabah and Sarawak, This thing has gone on for too far and too long. Perhaps we can to stop using that word, but itâ€™ll takes time to change everything. The only problem is not everyone can understand English. There is a way I believed.

jessie99wong

i found out that for Christian the name for God is Jehovah. Why not use His name? Just like every one has a name to avoid confusion.

mohd ismail

i don't agree to use Allah to Christian Magazine. The motive is questionable because it use only in Malay version. i can explain the real intention but it is better to reserve my comment. The point here is why they created unnecessary issue on this subject and the argument of hindering religious freedom is baseless and childish

Kencana

i mean do u agree with the word Allah use in the Harold Magazine?

I don't agree, the writer are Chinese Christian, while the reader is Native Sarawakians, the sources of literature come from Rome.

- Why didn't they use Shang Ti, Tu, Wu Di, or Pulang Gama, or God the Father,
OR if really want to use Malay, why not Tuhan or Hyang(Malay Highest Parthenon before Islam)?

And for Western Christian, THEY say: Allah is Pagan Arab deity, Moon God, whatever, they try to associate with Paganism.

Why Christian here craving to used this name of Pagan Arab Deity to refer to their God?

======================================...

Why they must use the Allah for God instaead of Lord and Father,what are they fighting for actually?
- Because Herald is really stubborn...

======================================...

Allah ,is the word that Muslim people insist on , so why not use their word when speaking to them ?
- OK, you can use the word Allah to refer to OUR GOD, when speak to us, like in this question
But did the Herald Magazine use it for that? - They refer to "TRINITY"!

======================================...

"I kinda like the name used by the Native peoples of the Americas , , 'The Great Spirit',
when translated into English,
Say that in Bahasa Malayu,,, come on give it a try , , , , "

- Hyang in Malay, or just "Tuhan"
There is another term for that. Dibata Idatas
and Allah is NOT Great Spirit. That is Pantheism concept. If you want to have "Great Spirit" i suggest it would be Malay Deity "Dibata Idatas".

======================================...

I suggest you , loosen up , brother we are all family here, so many colors, so many flavors, so many potential joys, lets have fun and enjoy this Magic, this Diversity, this Dance , in this, our short drama together on earth.

- I'm OK with the diversity, I enjoyed it very much...
Indeed Allah say something like, "I create diversity for you to know each other and have mutual respect"

I tolerate with your practice - Atheism, Shaman, Wicca, etc.

BUT DON'T interfere my faith.

======================================...

=)

why bother, let the christian continue to use the word Allah....we have been using it since Christianity arrive in malaysia especially in Sabah and Sarawak, it was first use to enable natives in Sabah and Sarawak that has started to use malay in their daily communication to pray

ladyv

Most of christian magazine or book in malay version came from indonesia. If not believe me, you all can go and find out. They use Allah refer to God. Even malay version bible also using word Allah. Most of this bible came from indonesia. They thing is Indonesia also muslim country. But why us make this as an issue?

just Malaysian

I have observed that many readers have shared their opinion,but I am
dissapointed because most of you do not have a real understanding
of the whole issue.The Herald weekly wish only to use 'ALLAH' as God
in the Bahasa Malaysia section which is extensively read by East
Malaysian Catholic.There are also a lot of Christian Bible,books and
other christian literature brought in from Indonesia(the worlds most populous muslim nation)which address God as 'ALLAH',so if christians
are not allowed to use "ALLAH',we will be denied access to all these
holy books and good religious reading material.So here I have 2 points
for you all to ponder:-i)The word 'ALLAH' was used to address God in the middle east in ancient times and until today Arabic muslim and christian still uses "ALLAH" in common,ii)Indonesia being the world's
most populous muslim nation can accept "ALLAH' as a common
word to address God,why is Malaysia so different ?

jesper_olsan

It seems that in the "Kamus Dwibahasa" did mentioned that God is "Allah" in Malay word. I think it is a very clear statement. As a Malaysian, we are trying to preserve our language. Indeed the Catholic are trying to do that. They are Malaysian too. Don't you think? Even some churches in Malaysia did subscribe books or related materials from the Indonesia because it may help them to understand. And I observed that the Indonesian used "Allah" in their prayers and books. Even here especially in Sarawak and Sabah, there are multicultural state, with no ethnic majority. I do not understand why Malaysia doing such banning towards the Christian. I thought we are one of the best secured political country in the world. But, it seems it does not. Yet, everything just being ruined by the west Malaysia people.

oieto

Hi all,

for me, it's a good thing to discuss about this kind of matter. no hard words among us, but instead try to open free conversation among both religious.

for the 1st time i heard this news i'm felt very weird, ya words such as WHY, for WHAT?it seems so very awkward and funny to say, hey since when the Christians have the ALLAH vocabulary in their dictionary. Are they changing their minds to obey to ALLAH the ONE and single god instead of 3 gods they got?
Are actually the Harold Magazine try to say that ALLAH is the Real God instead of their TRINITY?
or to be positive, did they try to voice out to all christians and tell them that there actually a god name ALLAH that usually used by muslim?and after all,they have pray to ALLAH instead JESUS?
Yeah man, im confuse...if im a christians,why mixing my faith and my religious with other religious?christian are the true religion and the only truth one not the Moslem's religion, why and what the hack im praying for moslem god if im a christ.

What is their point?
it seems pointless..
what are they try to show us?
the truth about moslem or what?
and to show our religious weakness?
man, harold is not the true christ JESUS..for GOD sake!!

malayman

'ALLAH' is not translate for 'GOD' in 'BAHASA'.The real translate is 'TUHAN'.'ALLAH' refers to a muslims god and it officially take from Arab.

William F

Why we have to make this issue such a big things. It's not the end of everything, we still can use other words. Such as ' TUHAN " for GOD, ' ROH ALKUDUS ' for HOLY SPIRIT. At least the word with use is Universally none. Forget about ' ALLAH ', the muslim can keep that word plus their are the first religion to used that word refering to their GOD.

So we can control the cases of our young daughter or son from converted to muslim. We have to remind them all the time that our Christian GOD is TUHAN, our LORD SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST not ALLAH. We can't let our Christian population be reduce due to their married to a Muslim and their have to converted. This problem have to stop. To all young generation out there, i'm begging you all, stop converted to muslim because it can't get you any specialty treatment coz OUR GOD IS TUHAN, OUR LORD SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

thomas d

To me I prepare to use the words God the almighty and I really agreed
thats Christian should not using the word Allah.

BOY

what i know is............ malaysia have many of kind languages. so what their want to fight for get the same status with all muslim in malaysia. any thing malaysia government just wanna make a different between Muslim and christian. so i not agree if word Allah use in Harold Magazine. It will make all people confused either christian and islam. this what i say not because i muslim but as a MALAYSIAN. Think about it......

WMNN

"The fight is not about setting things up so the Malays will get confused and become Christians nor is it about infringing on Islam or spreading Christianity to Moslems.

Its about the constitutionally guaranteed right to practice religion. Bibles printed in Bahasa use the word Allah. So if you publish an article in Bahasa, the proper name to use when refering to God is Allah. Please remember that the highest court in the Malaysia presided over by Malay Moslem judges agreed.

This is the norm in the Arab world. Why should anyone in Malaysia a tiny pimple on the world map need to fear such a small thing when its not even an issue in places like Saudi Arabia?

But to your question, do I agree? In obedience to my church, I agree. But frankly, its no big deal either way. However, the fundamental motive here is to force maturity upon mainstream Malaysian society. If we want to stop the demolition of temples and the witholding of building permits for churches, temples and other places of worship we need to bring this out in the open. There is only ONE God. So if you demolish a temple, you are depriving someone the right to worship the God you worship in their own way.

This use of a common name for God will ultimately bring down a lot of barriers and serve to unite Malaysian society. You can see the underlying sensitivity expressed even here to appreciate why we need to move forward in this very sensitive area if we are to succeed as a nation."

I do not know where you are from, Colin, but there is a question tat I would like to ask you. If temples are built anywhere by anyone in your country, would you allow this? Even the Muslims, that you are condeming, built mosques or suraus only when they are given consent by the authorities. There are suraus demolished, and mosques demolished to make way for road-building or any other develpment, the Muslims do not make noise like the Hindus. With only 7% of the population, their temples are more than the mosques by comparing the percentage of the people here. If you do not believe me, you are welcome here to see for yourself.

The reason why the word "ALLAH" cannot be used by the Christians:

NAMES OF CHRISTIAN GOD

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
El Elyon (The Most High God)
Adonai (Lord, Master)
Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
El Olam (The Everlasting God)
Elohim (God)
Qanna (Jealous)
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

SO YOU CAN SEE THAT THE WORD "ALLAH" IS NOT USED IN THE BIBLE. WHY NOT USE THE NAMES OF THE CHRISTIANS' GOD THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE AS NOT TO CONFUSE MUSLIMS LIKE ME?

uni-verse

Allah ,is the word that Muslim people insist on , so why not use their word when speaking to them ?
God has been referred to by many names , by many people for many years , , , a name is just a name , significant to that particular human language.
I kinda like the name used by the Native peoples of the Americas , , 'The Great Spirit',
when translated into English,
Say that in Bahasa Malayu,,, come on give it a try , , , ,

I suggest you , loosen up , brother we are all family here, so many colors, so many flavors, so many potential joys, lets have fun and enjoy this Magic, this Diversity, this Dance , in this, our short drama together on earth.

Shaun. R

I don't see any problems for Christians to use the word "Allah", since muslims and christians do share a fundamental belief of similar origin. As for muslims being confused, I don't think anyone can be confused about their own religion, unless they have little faith and in that case, they do not belong to that religion. Saying that muslims will be confused about their own religion is an insult especially to those who have been muslims since birth.

Colin

The fight is not about setting things up so the Malays will get confused and become Christians nor is it about infringing on Islam or spreading Christianity to Moslems.

Its about the constitutionally guaranteed right to practice religion. Bibles printed in Bahasa use the word Allah. So if you publish an article in Bahasa, the proper name to use when refering to God is Allah. Please remember that the highest court in the Malaysia presided over by Malay Moslem judges agreed.

This is the norm in the Arab world. Why should anyone in Malaysia a tiny pimple on the world map need to fear such a small thing when its not even an issue in places like Saudi Arabia?

But to your question, do I agree? In obedience to my church, I agree. But frankly, its no big deal either way. However, the fundamental motive here is to force maturity upon mainstream Malaysian society. If we want to stop the demolition of temples and the witholding of building permits for churches, temples and other places of worship we need to bring this out in the open. There is only ONE God. So if you demolish a temple, you are depriving someone the right to worship the God you worship in their own way.

This use of a common name for God will ultimately bring down a lot of barriers and serve to unite Malaysian society. You can see the underlying sensitivity expressed even here to appreciate why we need to move forward in this very sensitive area if we are to succeed as a nation

kiddo

The word "Allah" is not just a replacement for the word "God". Besides being God's holy name, it carries along with it the concept of god in Islam i.e. the "oneness of God, with no sons nor ancestors, nor does he changes his form". This therefore contradicts with the christians trinity concept.

And due to this understanding and acceptance that Muslims recite that "there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messanger" in their prayers and in their daily lives.

There are other arabic words which translates the word God, such as "rabb".

Due to the fundamental difference, it would be inappropriate to substitute the word Allah in christianity. And it will not be true to say that Allah has a son.

To make things simple, let us take someone's name as an example, say, Michael Jackson (MJ). We all know that he is thin. Therefore, to say that MJ is fat would be a blatant lie. But for those who do not know MJ but believes and accepts that MJ is fat would mean that he is living a lie.

I hope these statements above does not offend anyone from whichever religion as it does not intend to do so.

Let us all gather more knowledge and facts from various sources and have an open mind to find out the truth.

med

fundamental understanding of respect......

that is what you should do a research about..

it's just to avoid confusion, not a problem actually but to maintain this fragile peace that we have in Malaysia..

p/s: "War are started over missunderstanding, and we cannot stop war if we keeps making people missunderstood"

The word Allah carries the meaning of "The one God". It is an Arabic word and has been in use by Jewish and Christians alike for thousands of years. It is a word, not an copyright-reserved invention and thus all should be allowed to use it as per their intention, as long as no harm is being done unto others. If the reason of banning the use of the word by non-Muslims is to avoid confusion of any sort, then perhaps the government should be looking at Islamic education as to how can anyone be confused about their own religion and faith. I doubt that Islam is that fragile and can be easily shaken. In order to truly know the meaning of a religion, one has to truly understand and interpret it by himself/herself, not blindly follow what is said or done by others. Guidance can be set in order to give believers a good start, however the steps taken further down the road of discovery has to be made by individuals so that they realize the true meaning of their believe and life.

One needs to see and learn, as merely looking will not bring him/her any closer to God.

ramlan S

cant used word Allah in others accept for muslim.

goreng pisang

Yes, I do agree with you.

R.Louis

Yes. I agree, we are Malaysian practised "Kebebasan Beragama" (Freedom of Religion), Malaysia Gov has not right to ban the "Word" for the others religious. For many Christians, the ban symbolizes their eroding religious freedom under the Muslim-Malay dominated government, while for many Muslims, a lifting of the ban would be seen as a blow to Malay supremacy in the country.

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