Christianity Vs. Islam

I converted to Islam in November 2011 and immediately began to measure the differences in how each group shows their faith. I searched my own heart for what it is I truly believe in and why am I here. Reaching to the bottom of my soul, I returned a single answer: I love God and want to live for Him.

I asked several Pastors, Chaplains, Imam's and the like for the difference (in their opinion) between Islam and Christianity. The most eloquent answer was "Christians go to heaven for their faith, where Muslims go to heaven for their deeds." The person who said this meant that Christians believe that their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for their sins, accepting him as their personal Lord and Savior permits them to everlasting life. Muslims however believe that nothing besides God's mercy on the day of judgement will permit someone to Jannah or heaven and by our deeds we will be judged.

Christian belief references: Romans 10:9; John 3:16; Romans 6:23
Muslim belief references: Surah An-Nisaa 4:57; Al-Hajj 22:14


So, I ask myself, what does this mean to the everyday person? What does this mean for the guy working at the grocery store or the single mom working the double shift? In modern times, here and now, what does this mean for us?

Example 1, Helping others:
Helping others and giving out of charity is important in both Religions and each has a lot of information about your responsibilities on the topic. Real world examples are endless but more often than not, this is something that is forgotten as if it were irrelevant. For instance, if you see a homeless person on the street, it is your "Christian walk" that may lead you to help him in some way. But a Muslim would feel a need to help out of charity or Zakat, one of the "5 Pillars of Islam."

Christian Reference: Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 25:35-40; Luke 6:38
Muslim Reference: Al-Maidah 5:2; Al-Baqarah 2:215

Example 2, Sin and Repentance:
In Islam a sin is something you know is wrong, but you still do it anyway. Therefore a person can not sin until they can consiously make this decision (which starts usually around puberty). For most Christians this is also held true, but the difference is daily life. A muslim feels no guarantee to enter heaven, where most Christians repent in Jesus' name and immediately understand that they are forgiven. So a daily life example, would be binge drinking every saturday night for a young person or secretly longing for a married coworker for an older person (both sins). But it's ok, because I go to church on Sunday and sing the loudest and put five bucks in the offering dish. "Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life." Ezekiel 18:27 The catch to this verse is the turning away part. If you have a friday night tradition of going to the clubs or strip clubs to take part in debauchery, then your repentance for those sins was not in earnest. You never turned away from that sin like a child that says sorry and then reaches to make the same mistake. Christians will say "we all fall short of perfection" or "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." But what about personal accountability. Reflection on your sins in order to prevent making the same mistakes. Would YOU forgive you?

Christian Reference: Acts 2:38; Romans 3:23; Mark 16:16
Muslim Reference: Al-Zumer 39:53; An-Nisa 4:146; Al Furqan 25:70

A love poem for my wife...

"I Could"

I could say it in a million words,

that you turned around my little world. 

Struggled with the pain and strife, 

and even gave us brand new life. 

I could show my love in things I do, 

or in just the way I look at you. 

I said it on a bended knee, 

when I asked you to marry me. 

I could yell it out across the land, 

or show it just by holding hands. 

Run your bath or rub your feet, 

just to show what you mean to me. 

I could look like a fool for you, 

in front of friends if you want me to. 

Stand on tables in front of them, 

and talk about my Karicim. 

I could hold you when you need to cry, 

and grow old together by your side. 

A million words or just a few... 

I say it all with "I love you." 

by Marc LeMere, For Funda LeMere

My Karicim (kah-rih-jim, turkish for wifey) 

Facebook Relationship Rules

The 15 Official Rules for Facebook and Relationships

1. Keep The Past Hidden: With social networks, we tend to over-flaunt relationships with others and when beginning a new one, it's best to delete photos albums featuring old flames to prevent jealousy and move on from the past.


2. Clean Up Your Image: We all have those photos where an innocent party really looks unprofessional to the naked eye. To present a clear image for your new relationship, spend an afternoon deleting/cleaning up your Facebook profile.


3. Manage Your "Friendship Boundaries": Just because you've added a special someone to your Facebook profile as "a special someone" doesn't mean you should immediately add all of their friends as a way of introducing yourself. Let public meets do the talking and not an obsession with social media.


4. Stay Away From Exes: To the Facebook world, an end to a relationship also holds the second meaning that those involved are "finally single". Constant interactions with new singles will be seen by others and it's best to be seen as supportive, not desperate.


5. Refrain From Bullying: Bullying an ex is the same as a bully tormenting another kid their age on the playground. It's unnecessary and this case, should be avoided as its considered a juvenile action that can create issues and insecurity within your current relationship.


6. Re-evaluate Your Profile Picture: Is your profile picture a bit too racy or unprofessional to be respected? Being in a relationship now means that you have to maintain an image in front of your partner's friends and maintaining a positive one can help build a connection long-term.


7. Practice Self-Control: Facebook can be a rumor mill that slowly launches fights among social groups and some are bound to brew because of your new relationship. Know when to pick your battles and when to shy away from social drama as most conversations of this nature are not needed.


8. Limit Your Profile: Want to keep a safe relationship on Facebook without any interferences or attacks? Try limiting your profile to the point that tagged photos don't show up at the wrong times and exes or jealous friends don't post hurtful messages on your wall.


9. Don't Take Social Media Too Seriously: There are social media addicts everywhere but it doesn't mean you have to be one too. Trying to control every little aspect of your Facebook profile or others is a bit much and will make it seem like you're a bit out of touch with your actual social life.


10. Keep It Natural: On an daily basis, there isn't a need to bombard your Facebook wall or the homepage of others with numerous posts about your day. This can make you appear lonely and bored which can alter a relationship and your friendships significantly.


11. Keep Intimate Messages Private: There isn't a need for your whole network - which may include teachers, bosses and parents - to see your private messages to the person you're currently dating. Keep them private or keep them off Facebook.


12. Enjoy The Real World: Instead of keeping your relationship to a status on a social network, further your connection with someone in the real world, going on dates and adventures that can bring the two of you closer together.


13. Don't Pretend To Be Single: If you're in a serious relationship, you shouldn't be looking to keep options open because if things get too personal, you could hurt those that are actually single and looking for love.


14. Don't Make A Status Official Until It Is: There have been numerous horror stories about couples finding out that their relationship status changed without caution thanks to Facebook. If you are ready to start a new beginning or end another chapter, make sure it's official.


15. Display Creative Affection: Some relationships do undergo difficulty because a lack of public affection and smaller creative actions such as regularly holding hands and leaving little sincere love notes can counter that for the better.

The Man Rules

Top 20 Things Wives need to hear:

~WE ALWAYS HEAR 'THE RULES' FROM THE FEMALE SIDE;
NOW HERE ARE THE RULES FROM THE MALE SIDE.

THESE ARE OUR RULES!

1. MEN ARE NOT MIND READERS.

2. LEARN TO WORK THE TOILET SEAT. YOU'RE A BIG GIRL. IF IT'S UP, PUT IT DOWN. WE NEED IT UP, YOU NEED IT DOWN. YOU DON'T HEAR US COMPLAINING ABOUT YOU LEAVING IT DOWN.

3. CRYING IS BLACKMAIL.

4. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS ONE:

SUBTLE HINTS DO NOT WORK!
STRONG HINTS DO NOT WORK!
OBVIOUS HINTS DO NOT WORK!
JUST SAY IT!

5. YES AND NO ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS TO ALMOST EVERY QUESTION.

6. COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM ONLY IF YOU WANT HELP SOLVING IT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO. SYMPATHY IS WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOR.

7. ANYTHING WE SAID 6 MONTHS AGO IS INADMISSIBLE IN AN ARGUMENT. IN FACT, ALL COMMENTS BECOME NULL AND VOID AFTER 7 DAYS.

8. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FAT, YOU PROBABLY ARE. DON'T ASK US.

9. IF SOMETHING WE SAID CAN BE INTERPRETED TWO WAYS AND ONE OF THE WAYS MAKES YOU SAD OR ANGRY, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE.

10. YOU CAN EITHER ASK US TO DO SOMETHING OR TELL US HOW YOU WANT IT DONE. NOT BOTH.
IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BEST HOW TO DO IT, JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

11. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLEASE SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING COMMERCIALS.

12. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DID NOT NEED DIRECTIONS AND NEITHER DO WE...

13. ALL MEN SEE IN ONLY 16 COLORS, LIKE WINDOWS DEFAULT SETTINGS..
PEACH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A FRUIT, NOT A COLOR. PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MAUVE IS.

14. IF WE ASK WHAT IS WRONG AND YOU SAY 'NOTHING,' WE WILL ACT LIKE NOTHING'S WRONG. WE KNOW YOU ARE LYING, BUT IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE HASSLE.

15. IF YOU ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT AN ANSWER TO, EXPECT AN ANSWER YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR..

16. WHEN WE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WEAR IS FINE...REALLY.

17. DON'T ASK US WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS SUCH TOPICS AS FOOTBALL OR MOTOR SPORTS.

18. YOU HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES.

19. YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES.

20. I AM IN SHAPE. ROUND IS A SHAPE!


THANK YOU FOR READING THIS. YES, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.. BUT DID YOU KNOW MEN REALLY DON'T MIND THAT? IT'S LIKE CAMPING...

Thou shall not gather...

As a Soldier, I have gotten to see a new side of the military as a Muslim. Soldiers, just like normal Americans, are authorized to believe and pray how they want. Army Chaplains provide services or facilities so that we can do just that. The Chaplain Corp for the United States Army has been around since 1918 and serves with the motto "For God and Country." Our Chaplains are bound to a specific denomination or religion and often serve their Units as counselors, advisers and coordinators for religious events. So with this information and in accordance with the Regulation (AR 165-1), a Chaplain regardless of denomination serves the soldiers of his units religious needs in general, but only holds services for his specific denomination. Checkout these sites for more information:
 http://www.chapnet.army.mil/pdf/activities.pdf and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplain_Corps_(United_States_Army)

As it was instructed to me by a senior ranking Chaplain, "you will not hold any prayer groups, bible studies or religious meetings until you are an approved DFGL." This conversation was one of many where I was trying to establish regular meetings of fellow Muslims for the purpose of strengthening our faith and increasing our knowledge through fellowship and prayer. The Chaplain talked about a DFGL status or Distinctive Faith Group Leader (formerly known as a lay leader.) The role is given to an applicant who volunteers from among our ranks to help lead a faith that otherwise has no Chaplain or leader. The application process and further explanation of the position is explained in Paragraph 5-5 of Army Regulation 165-1. My only problem with this process is that biases may interfere with the intent of the Regulation being carried out. For example, if you are on a remote base overseas and there are no Chaplains for your faith, then you can apply to become a DFGL and lead that faith. But a Chaplain must sponsor you and scrutiny of your application may take several months. During which time, it is not authorized to gather. If soldiers are not already in a DFGL status when they deploy, they may not have the ability to attend or hold a single service during their deployment. The senior ranking Chaplain who quoted this to me let me know that he did everything he is suppose to within the letter of the regulation by providing a facility for me to pray and worship as an individual. This is the spirit of a man who has no desire to see a particular faith flourish and grow.

For any other Muslim Soldiers who may find this, be advised that if you are preparing to deploy and know of others in your unit who would like to pray with you or read the Book together, then you will need to apply for this status before you leave.