Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus” – Introduction
Introduction
Over a period of ten years, an extensive questionnaire compiled at Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of World Mission was filled out by some 600 Muslim-background believers (or those who knew them well). The results provided here are drawn from a representative sample of 120 of those surveys. The respondents are drawn from 39 countries and over 50 ethnic groups. They provide a broad window into the hearts and minds of those who have turned from Islam to Christ.
A sure salvation
It is an issue that touches on a longing concern for much of humanity. The question of one’s eternal destiny haunts many who long for the hope of heaven and the sure knowledge that they have been saved from the penalty of their sins. The Qur’an states that salvation belongs to “those that believe and do deeds of righteousness, those are the inhabitants of Paradise, there they shall dwell forever.” (1) Yet it also states that God forgives whom He wills and chastises whom He wills.
In Indonesia
One Indonesian woman was taught in her Islamic family that the bridge to heaven was as thin as a piece of hair. This tradition is found in the canonical collection of the activities and sayings of Muhammad (the hadith). Even good deeds, she was taught, would not assure her of crossing safely into Paradise. This hair-thin bridge was difficult and dangerous to cross. For her, a key factor in coming to faith in Christ was the realization that she could not save herself. Only the blood of Christ could redeem her.
Confidence in Salvation
A West African woman wanted to know for certain at the point of her conversion that her sins had been forgiven and washed away. When a Persian émigré to the United States was asked if Christ had given him freedom from fear, he said, “Oh yes, I feel forgiven, I have the assurance of forgiveness.” For these and others, what they have found in Christ is an eternal, secure refuge. An Egyptian man stated more broadly and unequivocally that the main attraction of Christianity for a Muslim is the assurance of salvation. A Javanese man said simply, “After I received Jesus, I had confidence concerning the end of my life.”
Center Piece is Jesus
According to the survey the center piece for Muslims was always the same. They have (whether one by one or family by family) been drawn to the God-man Jesus Christ. And for their spiritual direction, they have found one book that stands out above all others: the Bible. And more than any other portion of scripture, these believers are attracted to the Sermon on the Mount. One Javanese man who read the whole Bible echoes the thoughts of many about the Sermon on the Mount, saying, “If the life of a Christian is like that, I wanted to become a Christian.”
CBN News: Former Muslims Share Christ
Many former Muslims are now involved in efforts to convert believers in Islam to Christianity.
KETUA PADERI SELURUH SABAH MASUK ISLAM
( Rev.Thomas Laiden — Ust.Tajuddin Othman Abdullah )
Temuramah ekslusif bersama Ustaz Tajuddin Othman Abdullah , bekas Paderi Besar Gereja – gereja seluruh Sabah.
BEKAS Paderi Besar Sabah, TAJUDDIN OTHMAN ABDULLAH, mengupas perbandingan yang cukup ilmiah di antara agama Islam dan Kristian berdasarkan pengkajiannya yang cukup mendalam lagi terperinci selama menjadi Paderi Besar Kristian selama 12 tahun.
Iktibar Buat Mereka Yang Murtad AGAMA Kristian menurut kitab Injil yang asal jika dikaji sedalam-dalamnya maka jawapan akhir yang akan ditemui adalah ISLAM. Hakikat ini telah dibuktikan oleh ramai orang Kristian yang akhirnya mendapat hidayah Allah dan kemudiannya memeluk agama Islam.
Tetapi apa yang paling menakjubkan kali ini, kita berpeluang berkongsi pengalaman hidup yang tiada tolok bandingannya bersama USTAZ TAJUDDIN OTHMAN ABDULLAH, seorang bekas paderi besar di seluruh Sabah, yang belajar sebahagian besar dalam hidupnya untuk menjadi paderi. Beliau yang selama ini berada di tahap paling tinggi dan mulia sekali di Sabah kerana berkedudukan untuk mengampunkan segala dosa yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang Kristian Sabah contohnya orang yang paling berpengaruh ketika itu Pairin Kitingan.
>>> sorry, I had to cut the rest of this comment, it was far too long. The Editor <<<
Syukurlah..
syukur….bgusnyer org yg dpt trima hidayah drpd allah…
Assalamualaikum and good day,
I’m a 28 years old muslim who practise Islam as the way of life. As been thought by Prophet Muhamad, I never condemmed other religion.
Sincerely, I am not the most ‘Alims’ or ‘Ulamak’. I’m just a normal muslim man who perform 5 prays a day, try my best to avoid from doing sin and encourage myself plus others to a better ways toward Allah blessing.
After reading a few article of ‘why i choose jesus…’, I can now understand better to why those authors choose christian over Islam. Lets be honest here. If u ask me – am i sure to go to heaven after my depart from this world? My answer will be “I DONT KNOW”. But then, why i choose Islam even there is no assurance in going to heaven and God is punisher? Why should i pray 5 times a day even when I know that if it is not enough to guarantee my place in heaven? Why???? There is 2 answer to this questions.
1- Those authors of ‘why i choose jesus…’ see God in His most fierce way. But please do understand, even the most strict, fierce, no smile, serious and hardlooking man have feelings towards his sons/doughters/baby or etc. Allah is merciful to mankind. But in order to get Allah’s blessing, we as a human must commit to Allah’s rule, always ask for forgiveness and TRY OUR BEST to serve Allah as a Muslim. Then Allah will look to us with blessing and full of merciful.
2-To the question how can i guarantee a place in heaven??? One lady in the ‘why i choose jesus…’ told us that she was not to sure if she can cross the thin hair towards heaven. She had her point.
In order to claim a place in heaven, a Muslims are required this and that, and even this doesnt guarantee a place. so what will??? To answer I shall say to all of u that, its not the amount of how many times u pray (beside the 5 times), does not matter how much money u spent on Islam or how much u devote yourself to Islam. To me nothing of the above matters. We take this story for example.
A group of bird seems to try ‘their best’ to take down the fire that burn mosses (musa A.H) during the confrantation with Firaun. Those birds with their small size mouth scope as much water as they can and pour it on the fire. One other animal stood up and ask, why do you birds want to trouble yourself, as if that the fire can be affected with your amount of water. The birds then answered bravely that ‘To Allah, it doesn’t matter if the fire was still burning or out, what matter is my contribution towards this event and Allah and I both knows that I had done MY BEST’.
So my friends…just relax, and think with a clear mind. Is God so cruel that He demand us to do the impossible. The answer is NO. It always depend on u yourself. If u pray 5 time daily, fast on the month of Ramadhan and follow all the Muhamad saw teaching, You will enter heaven escorted with Allah’s blessing. Without Allah’s blessing, even if u pray for thousand years, u will still unable to guarantee your place in heaven. In order to gain Allah’s blessing, one must always try to DO THE BEST AS POSSIBLE in praying, fasting and etc. Submit these doings and surrender the rest to Allah because He knows weather yo did your best or not. Insyaallah.
God knew we could not do the impossible, the old testiment clearly indicates a holy, perfect law, that was a burden to men. God gave the law to show man a need for a savior. It is the great love of the father that he has provided a way for us to be with him, because if left up to us there would be no way for us to stand before him, in his presence.
Naz, I am sure I am going to heaven and will see Jesus. That is a huge difference!
salam and good day blackwell,
I have to agree with you that to have the 100% assurance of going to heaven will make a huge difference.
The huge difference is not what u get after your death but the legacy you left behind. if you look at the current situation now, you will understand.
one example is sex before marriage. pre-marital sex was considered a sin in both Islam and Christian. But now christian community freely accept if a couple decide to live together before marriage. some corner condemmed but the church never discourage them instead keep saying that jesus will forgive them on behalf. This sure to heaven concept will only spoil human generation by generation.
If a 8 year old child was to say that “you will pass the examination tomorrow regeardless you study or not. then u ask him to study “. Logically, do you think the child will study for tomorrow exam???
Same concept applies to human. If you want human to dicipline themselves within their lifetime, they must obey certain rules. In Islam one must pray 5 times a day (to remind him of ALLAH & to seek forgiveness), to fast in the month of Ramadhan (to clean heart and soul), to wear cloth that will cover ‘aurat’ (to differentiate human and animals), and to avoid sins (free sex, alcohol drink-You know these consequences).
Church just say that this is wrong and that is right. They never really dare to stood up and say that sinners will be punish if they dont practise the correct way of living. They dare not because truth is always bitter. medicine does not taste like sugar. let them lived in thinking they can achieve heaven rather than they turn to something else.
so, if you want to pass your exam, study hard. If you want to be succesful in life, work hard and if you want to be in heaven, then STOP CHEATING YOURSELF!!!
Naz, as a Christian I look to my legacy in heaven, not what I leave behind me (even as a legacy) on earth.
blackwell,
Thanx for the reply. It seems to me that either u dont understand why we are here or u just dont care about our future generation. Everybody will go to heaven regardless of what they had done. I wish it was that easy but thats not the case for me.
I pray to Allah to show u the truth and the true color of life. Why are we here? Are we here to just simply live our life and to go to heaven after our depart? Think my friend…..Think deeply with an open heart and clear mind….see your Jesus. Look into his face and ask yourself, is it true that u are the son of God? Why only after 300 years after your death that you are to be considered the son of God? Why are the Geneva convention chaired by the constantine King was to pronounce u as God only after so many years of your death? Is the teaching is 100% correct as even the priest of England themselves admit that there are thousands of error in the King George Bible edition? The edition that had been around for hundreds of years……
My friend. May Allah bless you with HIDAYAH and to open your heart to the truth….
thank you…..
If you ever want to know anything about Islam, just ask. Insyaallah (God willing), I can answer your heart and guide you to the correct path.
Salam to you patty,
I’m pleased to help you with what i can.
Regards,
naz
hi Naz
Its interesting to read your post about Islam and your shallow understanding about Jesus. Im no expert but i do believe in who is Jesus and His relation with God as the facts are obviously written in the bible. I am of the opinion that it must be due to the fact that your ignorance of the truth that Jesus is actually the son of God. Your inability to understand the whole truth about what is written in the bible. What you argue is entirely based on the what your understand in Quran. Read the Bible and discuss with those who are knowledgeable in Bible and you will understand and the truth will be opened for you. Here read this link and im sure you will find something interesting about Quran. Just read it with open heart.
http://scottthong.wordpress.com/
Salam Sejahtera
Azman dan Ana
Posting yang saudara dan saudari baca tentang Paderi Besar AKA Ustaz Tajuddin Othman tu satu penipuan belaka. Sampai begitu sekali beliau sanggup membuat cerita untuk kepentingan diri beliau sendiri . dan memalukan Islam.
Hi Naz,
I’m reading your responses back to individuals that have shared their thoughts…I admire the way your talk about Allah, but i cannot agree that they way you present Allah is the same way the Quran presents Allah. You add a very “human” and “caring” twist to Allah.
As a person who believed in Islam for all my life, I realized reading the Quran, their is no possible way that Islam is the true way to Heaven. I’m not going to get into a scripture discussion with you because we will go back and forth. But reading your responses, I can tell you don’t understand the purpose of why Jesus came down 2008 years ago.
More than anything else Jesus wants us to have a relationship with God. Where we look to God as a deity and respect His awesomeness, however at the same time we are called his friends. You see the main difference between in Islam and Christianity can be summed up in one word, Relationship. The relationship is non existence between the God of the Quran and his followers. However, this in contrast to the God of the Bible. Their is a Master and Slave relationship in Islam, where Allah does not care much about those that follow him (Conditionally, you must love Allah, for him to love you). The God of the Bible does not see us that way. John 3:16, For God so loved the world…you see you don’t have to love God, but He loves you regardless.
I’m sure you can come up with a rebuttal, but that wasnt my point. As a Muslim, you need to ask the God of Abraham to reveal himself to you. I’m sure if you seek him with the intent of finding the truth, you’ll find your own answer to heaven.
Oh one more thing, in the world where we live in, it is better not to THINK you have a shot of going to heaven, it is better to know you ARE going. You have only one chance, and no amount of work will deserve you entrance into heaven.
I believed in Islam but the God of the Bible, Jesus Christ came to my rescue when I needed someone the most.
I agree
IKTIBAR KEPADA MEREKA YANG MUDAH TERPEDAYA.
Dalam majalah wanita Islam ‘Muslimah’, Februari 1999, terdapat satu cerita yang menarik berjudul: ‘Iktibar Buat Mereka yang murtad!’ (mukasurat 19-25).
Amat menarik sekali apabila kita mengkaji cerita ‘pemelukan agama Islam’ (dari Kristian ke Islam) si Ustaz Tajuddin Othman Abdullah itu. Kerana, apabila ceritanya diperiksa dengan lebih terperinci dan mendalam lagi, kami mendapati banyak perkara-perkara yang bercanggah dan ada banyak lagi yang tidak tepat mengenai peranan mahupun pegangannya yang kononnya “sebagai paderi besar di seluruh Sabah.”
Rujukan telah dibuat kepada umat Roman Katolik dan orang-orang Sabah untuk mengesahkan cerita dan tuntutan-tuntutan serta tuduhan di dalam artikel polemik Majalah Muslimah (Februari 1999) ini, untuk menentukan kesahihan serta kebenarannya.
Kami akan memberi, sebagai contoh sahaja, segelintir daripada hakikat-hakikat itu yang membuktikan bahawa ‘penukaran ugama’ ini bukan sahaja satu pemalsuan, malah satu pembohongan yang telah sengaja direka untuk dijaja dan dijual kepada mereka yang kononnya ingin meninggalkan ajaran-ajaran Islam dan memeluk ajaran Kristian yang terkandung di dalam Injil dan Al-Kitab, yakni kononnya sebagai suatu ‘iktibar’ bagi mereka.
Contoh-contoh percanggahan di dalam cerita polemik ustaz Tajuddin :
1) menurut ustaz Tajuddin, ‘untuk menjadi seorang Kristian, seseorang perlu menjalani “Ekaristi Pembaptisan’ iaitu MEMINUM air ini’ – iaitu air suci atau lebih dikenali sebagai ‘Holy Water’,” (muka surat 20).
Ini adalah satu KESILAPAN BESAR yang telah diucap oleh si ustaz Tajuddin! Kerana apa yang diucapnya itu tidak ada sokongan langsung daripada Kitab Injil Atau Al-Kitab atau pun mana-mana ajaran Hazrat Isa Al-Masih yang ada. Cubalah En.Tajuddin berikan rujukan daripada Kitab Injil atau Al-Kitab (Bible) ayat-ayatnya yang menunjukkan Pembaptisan itu melibatkan “meminum air ‘Holy Water’ itu” kepada kami, wahai bekas ‘paderi’ Tajuddin. Kalaulah dia betul-betul seorang ‘Paderi Kristian’ mestilah dia tahu semua itu. Kesilapan ini menunjukkan bahawa dia tidak pernah sekalipun memahami apa dia ‘Ekaristi Pembaptisan’ itu. Dan kesimpulan daripada kajian kami ialah: orang ini tidak pernah menjadi paderi, yang kecil mahupun yang besar, di mana-mana pun.
Upacara Pembaptisan itu adalah sesuatu perkara yang begitu DASAR SEKALI bagi akidah umat Katolik sehingga ia diajar kepada semua penganut Katolik dari bangku sekolah rendah lagi. Sebenarnya, Upacara Pembaptisan ini ialah di mana air yang telah didoakan oleh seorang Paderi Katolik akan dituang ke atas kepala seorang kanak-kanak Katolik sahaja. Tidak sekalipun dia dimestikan MEMINUM air tersebut! Dan untuk meminum air tersebut semasa Pembaptisan adapun bercanggah dengan pengajaran Injil dan dengan akidah agama Katolik sama sekali. Kami ingin tanya En.Tajuddin, “Sila beri rujukan ayat-ayat Injil atau mana-mana nas Al-Kitab Kristian yang lain yang membawa ajaran di atas atau seperti terkandung di dalam karangannya di dalam Muslimah itu kepada kami pembaca-pembaca.”
Jadi, ini menunjukkan dan MEMBUKTIKAN bahawa fahaman si ‘ustaz’ Tajuddin mengenai amalan Katolik ini adalah salah dan kesilapannya menunjukkan dia tidak mungkin sekali pun menjadi seorang Paderi – paderi besar mahupun paderi kecil biasa! Sebab semua penganut Katolik biasa tahu dan akur yang apa yang disebutkan ‘Pembaptisan’ itu tidak melibatkan ‘Meminum air suci’ sama sekali. Kamu tidak payah menjadi seorang “Paderi” untuk mengetahui hakikat ini. SETIAP orang Katolik yang muda dan yang tua mengetahuinya, dan ini menjadi satu amalan yang lazim dipraktikkan oleh mereka. Apatah lagi seorang yang telah mengelarkan dirinya sebagai ‘Paderi’ kononnya, yang berperanan untuk menjadi ‘Pemimpin’ umat Katolik TETAPI berpegang kepada fahaman yang serong dan salah sama sekali! Sebenarnya, ustaz Tajuddin ini tidak pernah menjadi seorang ‘Paderi’ Kristian mahupun Katolik. Jika dia sendiri tidak tahu atau memegang kepada suatu amalan dan ajaran yang begitu ‘basic’ dan mendasar bagi setiap orang Katolik ini, sampai bila dia boleh mencapai dan menyandang peranan ‘Pemimpin’ atau ‘paderi’ bagi umat itu?
Lagi pun di muka surat 21 dia menuntut bahawa ‘Holy Water’ dibuat di suatu biara di ‘Vantiken’ – ini adalah KARUT SEMATA-MATA! Kalaulah En.Tajuddin masih berdegil tak mahu berganjak dari pendustaan ini maka kami memintakannya untuk sila memberi alamat penuh tempat ‘Biara’ ini. Dia membuat satu lagi kenyataan yang palsu apabila menuntut ‘air suci’ ini dibuat ‘dari proses uzlah yang dijalani sebelum menjadi paderi’. Ini adalah pendustaan semata-mata dan jauh sama sekali dari kebenaran (Muslimah Februari 1999, m.s. 20).
Sebenarnya ‘Air suci’ atau ‘Holy water’ adalah air paip biasa yang diperolehi daripada mana-mana paip, yang didoakan oleh seorang paderi sahaja. Ia tidak pernah ‘dibuat’ di mana-mana tempat, di Melaka, Kota Kinabalu, London mahupun di ‘Vatican’ – ejaan dan sebutan ‘Vantiken’nya pun salah dan silap.
Huraian di atas hanya adalah beberapa contoh-contoh percanggahan dan pengajaran-pengajaran palsu yang didakwa sebagai amalan-amalan umat Kristian yang dianjurkan oleh En.Tajuddin Othman Abdullah itu. Jika dia gagal membuktikan semua dakwaan-dakwaannya itu dengan tidak membawa ayat-ayat daripada Injil ataupun Al-Kitab (Bible) bagi menyokong apa yang dituntutnya sebagai ‘amalan-amalan Kristian’ seperti terkandung di dalam karangannya dalam Muslimah Februari 1999, maka sesungguhnya dia telah cuba memperdayakan pembaca-pembacanya dengan dakyah berasaskan pendustaan belaka.
Pusat Penyelidikan Katolik di Kuala Lumpur pun telah mengkaji tuntutan dan dakwaan beliau yang terkandung di dalam karangannya itu, kerana ada disebut nama Geraja Katolik di negeri Sabah, persatuan tertentu dan gelaran-gelaran serta butiran-butiran lain di dalamnya. Setelah memeriksa segala maklumat dan dakwaan dalam karangan itu dengan rapi, Catholic Research Centre atau Pusat Penyelidikan Katolik yang berpusat di Kuala Lumpur, telah memberi jawapan rasmi bagi pihak umat Katolik di Malaysia kepada Pengarang majalah Muslimah dalam sepucuk surat rasmi bertarikh Mac 26, 1999.
Di sini disertakan salinan jawaban tersebut supaya pembaca-pembaca dapat dimaklumkan apakah sebenarnya hasil pengkajian dan pemeriksaan Pusat Penyelidikan Katolik Malaysia ke atas dakwaan-dakwaan En.Tajuddin itu.
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Maklumbalas daripada CRC: “Surat Terbuka Catholic Research Centre”
Berdasarkan kepada apa yang telah didakwa, kami ingin meminta dari Encik Tajuddin Othman Abdullah ini supaya :
1) Berilah kepada pembaca-pembaca, rujukan daripada Injil Hazrat Isa Al-Masih ataupun Al-Kitab Kristian/Katolik di mana umat Katolik diarahkan supaya mereka meminum air Pembaptisan. Kami tuntut daripada Encik Tajuddin ini – i) sila berikan bab dan ayatnya daripada Injil/Al-Kitab Kristian di manakah ajaran ini dijumpai? dan, ii) sila berikan rujukan daripada Al-Kitab di mana ‘air Holy Water’ ini dibuat di ‘Vantiken’ dan Kristian diarahkan meminumnya.
2) Di mukasurat 24 pula, si ustaz ini pun menuntut bahwa ‘Di Vantiken, orang Kristian yang keluar agama kemudian masuk ke negara tersebut, mereka akan bunuh.’ Ini adalah muslihat belaka. Gereja Katolik hari ini tidak membunuh mereka yang menukar agama mereka. Keputusan untuk memilih mana-mana agama adalah terserah kepada setiap individu Katolik. Mereka ada kebebasan untuk memilih agama mereka tanpa apa-apa tekanan dari luar. Jadi ini adalah satu lagi kenyataan palsu dan pendustaan yang dibuat oleh ustaz Tajuddin.
3) Di mukasurat 21 pula, Encik Tajuddin mendakwa bahawa:
“di Romawi ia (Kristian) dinamakan Kristianisasi. Jika kita meneliti di dalam Kitab Nabi Isa (Injil) tidak ada disebut ‘Kristian’.”
Inilah satu lagi contoh yang terang benderang mengenai kekosongan kata-kata En.Tajuddin ini. Malah ini bukan sahaja kata-kata kosong tetapi satu lagi dalil pendustaannya! Istilah “Kristian” ADA DISEBUT di dalam Injil mahupun di dalam Al-Kitab:
“Di Antiokhia, untuk kali pertama pengikut-pengikut Isa disebut orang Kristian.” (Kisah Rasul-Rasul 11 ayat 26)
Jadi, segala yang dituntut oleh “paderi” terpesong ini tidak mempunyai asas di dalam Kitab yang konon telah dipelajarinya.
Jadi, kita dapat melihat ada banyak yang tidak logik dengan apa yang diceritakan dan dituntut oleh En.Tajuddin ini. Ada banyak juga lagi yang tidak benar dan merupakan muslihat dan pembohongan-pembohongan belaka dan pendustaan-pendustaan ini cuba digunakan oleh ustaz Tajuddin bagi ‘mengubati’ umat Islam di sini.
Kami kemukakan tuntutan kami dan memohon ustaz ini memberikan rujukan ayat-ayat Al-Kitab yang mengajar ‘amalan-amalan Kristian’ yang dianjurkannya di dalam perkara (1) di atas dan juga ada di dalam ceritanya di dalam Majalah Muslimah Februari 1999 yang lalu. Jika ustaz Tajuddin ini tidak dapat memenuhi permohonan yang dihurai diatas maka sudah terbuktilah yang dia dan ceritanya tidak memihak kebenaran. Kalau ustaz Tajuddin ini tidak dapat buktikan ajaran dan amalan “Kristian/Katolik”nya seperti terkandung di dalam ceritanya terdapat di dalam Al-Kitab Bible dan disokong pula oleh rujukan-rujukan dan ayat-ayat relevan yang terang dan jelas, maka dia:
1. seharusnya menarik balik ceritanya di dalam majalah Muslimah Februari 1999 dan,
2. memohon maaf daripada umat Kristian/Katolik kerana dia telah membohongi mengenai amalan-amalan dan ajaran-ajaran mereka. Dia juga,
3. seharusnya memohon maaf daripada umat Islam yang telah membaca ceritanya kerana dia telah cuba mengunakan dakyahnya yang palsu bagi menjual ide yang berlandaskan pembohongan mengenai umat Kristian/Katolik untuk memperdayakan mereka.
Ini adalah tindakan yang wajar dan mulia bagi En.Tajuddin Othman sebagai seorang yang, mengikut tuntutannya, menyandang tugas ’seorang ustaz.’
Daripada Injil kami mendapat ajaran supaya jangan membangunkan ibadat dan kerohanian kami berlandaskan kepada kepalsuan dan pendustaan, tetapi untuk sentiasa membangunkan keimanan kami berdasarkan kebenaran dan berwaspada akan pembohongan yang mencurigakan.
Kalaulah ustaz Tajuddin ini benar-benar mengutamakan kebenaran dan inginkan cahaya kebenaran bagi dirinya dan umatnya, kami menasihatinya supaya janganlah menggunakan pendustaan-pendustaannya itu sebagai satu cara memajukan dan membangunkan ’syiar’ Islam. Kerana ‘kemajuan syiar’ itu berlandaskan kepada sesuatu yang sudah terbukti sebagai pendustaan belaka dan malangnya ini ialah kegelapan yang amat mencurigakan.
Adalah diharap supaya pembaca-pembaca sedar selalu akan kewujudan banyak pendustaan dan pembohongan yang telah digunakan untuk mengelirukan dan memesongkan ajaran-ajaran Kristian yang sebenar. Kami dengan ikhlasnya ingin menasihati semua pembaca-pembaca berwaspada terhadap dakyah-dakyah yang tidak berasas ini supaya mengkaji dan memeriksa dengan cara terbuka semua dakwaan dan tuntutan terlebih dahulu dan janganlah senang diperdayakan, supaya segala dakyah-dakyah yang tidak berasas ini janganlah ditelan dengan bulat-bulat sahaja!
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Catholic Research Centre (Pusat Penyelidikan Katholik) Kuala Lumpur
‘Catholic Research Centre’ MENJAWAB MUSLIMAH Mei 1999
SAYA merujuk kepada rencana tersebut di atas dan ingin menyatakan bahawa Gereja Katolik di Sabah tiada dan pada bila masa pun tidak mempunyai seorang paderi atau bekas paderi yang bernama “Fr. Thomas Laiden”. Tidak ada juga orang dengan gelaran sedemikian di Keuskupan Sabah atau di Gereja St Mary.
Gereja Katolik tidak mempunyai kini ataupun dahulu “Persatuan Kristian Sabah” ataupun “Persatuan Gereja Roman Catholic Sabah” seperti yang temyata dalam rencana tersebut. Tajuddin Othman Abdullah yang dirujuk dalam rencana tersebut tidak ada kena-mengena dengan Gereja Katolik sepertimana yang didakwa oleh beliau. Sesungguhnya, jika beliau mempunyai pengetahuan yang asas atau cetek pun mengenai agarna Katolik, beliau tentu akan tahu:
a. bahawa seorang Katolik tidak akan mendakwa dirinya tidak berdosa dan bahawa seorang paderi sendiri perlu mengaku dosanya kepada seorang paderi yang lain yang akan
mengabsolusikan dia daripada dosanya demi nama Allah dan bukan atas kuasa sendiri.
b. bahawa pembaptisan bukanlah melalui “meminum air suci”, dan air suci itu bukan “dibuat” di sebuah biara di Vatikan. Air hanya diberkati. Dan pembaptisan dilakukan tidak semestinya dengan air suci ini. Air dicurah pada dahi seseorang atau orang itu dibenamkan ke dalam air, kesemuanya bagi menandakan bahawa orang itu dibersihkan daripada dosanya apabila dia memulakan hidup baru sebagai seorang Kristian.
c. bahawa “hosti kudus” untuk penjamuan suci tidak diimpot dari Itali. Hosti suci itu dikonsekrasi dalam Misa (sembahyang agung Gereja) dan di mana sahaja misa(‘mass’) dirayakan.
d. bahawa “Kristian” disebut dalam Alkitab. “Di Antiokha, untuk kali pertama pengikut-pengikut Yesus disebut orang Kristian”. (Kisah 11:26)
e. bahawa Tuhan hanya satu sahaja: Bapa, Putera dan Roh Kudus. Tuhan itu Tritunggal, keesaan dari tiga wujud Tuhan
f. bahawa orang Kristian yang murtad tidak dibunuh.
g. bahawa orang Kristian tidak berkomplot “untuk memusnahkan Islam”. Malah kita menghormati orang Islam dan kepercayaan mereka, lagi rnengasihani mereka.
Di dalam rencana tersebut ada banyak dakwaan palsu dan jika kami memberi komen terhadapnya kami akan hanya menguatkan lagi kepalsuannya… Rencana tersebut mengandungi fitnah dan rnenjadikan orang Kristian terbuka kepada pandangan hina, kebencian dan kejijikan oleh rakyat umum khasnya saudara-saudara Muslimin dan Muslimat kita.
Dalam keadaan begini dan atas nama keadilan dan kesaksamaan, saya menuntut bahawa puan menerbitkan dengan ketaranya suatu penarikan balik rencana tersebut di dalam keluaran Muslimah akan datang serta menyatakan kebenaran seperti terkandung dalam surat ini.
Yang benar,
Father O. C. Lim, sj
Pengarah Pusat Penyelidikan Katholik
\s.k. Uskup Agung Kuala Lumpur
Kementerian Dalam Negeri
thanks jai…im respect you…
Dear Tajuddin Othman Abdullah,
I feel sorry for you. Tuan tidak mengetahui dan gagal memahami erti keselamatan sebenar. Ramai orang memikirkan kristian hanya sebagai agama semata-mata sepertinya agama-agama lain tanpa hubungan dengan Allah. Cenderung memahaminya dengan logik akal budi semata-mata dengan membelakangi hasrat Allah. Kristian bukan agama semata-mata tetapi hubungan dengan Allah. Cari hubungan itu dan tuan akan mengerti. Saya percaya tangan Yesus masih terbuka untuk kamu sehingga nafus tuan yang terakhir.
To Mr Tajuddin Othman Abdullah.
Saya melihat saudara hanya menjadikan agama kristian itu sebagai kehidupan rutin sahaja. Dan kalau benar saudara bekas Paderi, itu pun kerana saudara menjadikan ianya sebagai pekerjaan tetapi bukan sebagai SATU PANGGILAN DARI TUHAN YESUS. Saya melihat itu begitu karekator itu nayata dalam diri saudara, maka sebab itu saudara telah tewas dalam peperangan rohani. Kegagalan saudara menjadi seorang paderi adalah kerana:
1. Saudara mmenjadi paderi bukan atas sebab panggilan, atau rasa terbeban kepada bangsa-bangsa yang terhilang, tetapi menjadikan paderi itu satu pekerjaan.
2. Saudara tidak memiliki hubungan yang akrab dengan Tuhan Yesus.
3. Pekara ketiga ialah secara tidak lansung, saudara telah menyalibkan Tuhan Yesus kali kedua.
Maaf, bukan niat untuk menyingung saudara. Tetapi saudara harus bertobat.
God Bless You
To Mr Tajuddin Othman Abdullah.
Saya melihat saudara hanya menjadikan agama kristian itu sebagai kehidupan rutin sahaja. Dan kalau benar saudara bekas Paderi, itu pun kerana saudara menjadikan ianya sebagai pekerjaan tetapi bukan sebagai SATU PANGGILAN DARI TUHAN YESUS. Saya melihat karekator itu nayata dalam diri saudara, maka sebab itu saudara telah tewas dalam peperangan rohani. Kegagalan saudara menjadi seorang paderi adalah kerana:
1. Saudara mmenjadi paderi bukan atas sebab panggilan, atau rasa terbeban kepada bangsa-bangsa yang terhilang, tetapi menjadikan paderi itu satu pekerjaan.
2. Saudara tidak memiliki hubungan yang akrab dengan Tuhan Yesus.
3. Pekara ketiga ialah secara tidak lansung, saudara telah menyalibkan Tuhan Yesus kali kedua.
Maaf, bukan niat untuk menyingung saudara. Tetapi saudara harus bertobat.
God Bless You
Jesus is the only way, and the truth, I found happiness with Him and love Him so much I would die for Him, would you die for Allah? But I just pray that everyone who hasn’t believed in Jesus would and that they would read His Word and find the answer that they have been looking all their life! God bless you and lead you on the right path!
” For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life.” If you would like to talk to me… my e-mail is n.vecherinskaya
If I remember correctly, Thomas Laiden is a kampung evangelist. He was not a Roman Catholic follower but a self-appointed leader of an independent small group of Christians that he managed to recruit. He called his group ‘Persatuan Orang Kristian Sabah. He was quite a well known controversial figure in the 80’s due to his fanatic approaches but he gradually faded as his teaching was a deviation from the biblical truth. He did not have any formal theological studies. Hence, it is not surprising that there were so many distortions of the real facts about the Christianity practices.
I never heard his name thereafter not until I read his conversion to Islam in this blog. It is sad that due to his disappointment as eventually he was rejected by his group as a leader, he chose to betray the Lord. Anyway, that was his choice and God would not prohibit him from betraying his faith. Due to his failure to be a leader of a Christian group, he was then trying to make a place in the Muslim community by selling himself as a former High Priest in Sabah. The Paderi Besar di Sabah is called the Bishop. There are only three churches in Sabah who have a Bishop as their Head. The Roman Catholic, The Angelican and the Basel Church. I did not hear any of their bishop converted to Islam so this Thomas Laiden’s claim of being a Paderi Besar Gereja Seluruh Sabah is a blatant lie to enhance his prospect to get more attention from the Muslim community. What a shame.
God so love the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believe in him would not perish but has eternal life – Allah begitu mengasihi dunia ini sehingga Ia sanggup mengutus Anak-Nya yang tunggal dan barangsiapa yang percaya kepada-Nya tidak akan binasa melainkan ia akan memperoleh hidup yang kekal (Injil Yohanis 3:16).
Bila Alkitab berbicara tentang Yesus sebagai Anak Allah, itu tidak bererti bahawa Allah berkahwin dengan Maria lalu lahirlah Yesus. Sama juga apabila kita berbicara tentang anak bulan ia tidak pernah bererti bahawa bulan yang besar dan bulat itu ada anak. Namun orang Islam pun berbicara tentang anak bulan Ramadan.
Maria hanyalah sebagai ’surrogate mother’ sahaja sebab Yesus perlu lahir sebagai bayi walaupun sebenarnya Yesus sudah ada sebelum dunia diciptakan sebab semua ciptaan adalah diciptakan melalui Yesus. Dalam kitab Kejadian dikatakan bahawa Allah berfirman…….! Firman adalah Yesus.
Walau bagaimana orang2 Kristian menjelaskan kepada orang2 bukan Kristian tentang Allah Bapa, Anak dan Roh Kudus, mereka tidak akan pernah memahaminya kerana hanya mereka yang memiliki Roh Kudus yang akan mengerti konsep Tritunggal.
Hello all, good day !
Believing without studying the Bible or Quran is ‘unfortunate’. Why follow blindly the inherited believe ? We say ‘yes’ because others say ‘yes’ and ‘No’ because others said so? Everybody needs to read and learn more about the teaching of their faith/ believe, i think. Kena terus belajar, jangan simply ikut datuk nenek kita. For those who wants to study more about Christianity, I sincerely would like to suggest that they listen to some critics by prominent and world-known scholars. Among other, please listen Prof. Bart Ehrman’s “misquoting Jesus” on You tube; listen also to Ahmed Deedat debate with Dr. Anis Shorrosh, Jimmy Swaggard and many more priests – on Youtube; or Dr. Yusus Estes (fomerly Christian priest). Try to read also testemonies by former priets and well known figure.. just type ” list of Muslims convert ” , you will know many priests converted to Islam. Yeah, we also have “list of Muslims converts to Christianity” but they were laymen, men in the streets that converted, rarely an imam mufti of ustaz, that converted. Peoples in the street could easily be preyed, because of lack of knowledge in ther conviction, in dire need of jobs, food or money perhaps.. Do not forget, please visit those websites, listen to them first. Dr. Gary Miller, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Dr. Jeremiah McAuliffe, Dr Jefrry Lang and many many more former Christians converted to Islam. Their ex[perience can be read and visited on internet, then ponder.. think. Ask yourself also if have read and understand the whole Bible ? Quran ? Good luck !
Dear Nasaei Ahmad, The Bible says, that faith/belief comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of God. So you are on the right track.
As I open the Bible many things become to me more clearer, so i began to understand many things that God reveals to me through His Word. He is God of love and care for His creation, and so He wants to reveal Himself to us so that we will believe in Him, and not die (spiritually).
I agree with you that blind faith is not faith, you have to know God and accept Him personally no matter what others say.
People can be good at influencing or persuading others. BUT ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE HEARTS AND LIVES!
I encourage you to read the Bible, and may God reveal to you the truth, God bless you!
Salam sejahtera buat nasaei ahmad,
I admire your thought and dedication. May Allah blessed your life and reward you in the hereafter. awak orang malaysia ke atau orang indonesia/singapore?
anyway, keep up the goodwork and i pray to Allah to provide you with patient and strength to suceed the Dakwah.
Salam/ Dear all.
Specifically for Naz – thanks for your compliment n response. I am a Malaysian from Kelantan, currently working in Kedah. I believe ‘proselytizing’ or make dakwah is anoble thing to do. It is what all prophets were doing, they were sent to us not for other tasks,
but to ‘proselytize’ and teach all human race the religion of Almighty God. Now, it is the duty of every Muslim, even though we are not a scholar. To our Christians brothers and sisters, I think it is good if they take time to ponder. Our common enemy is not Jews, Christians or Muslims but ignorance, prejudice and attitude, egoistic etc. First, I would say, as ‘peoples of the book’ (Abrahamic religions i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Muslim) anything we believe, should be, and MUST be from the scripture – from Torah, Bible, Quran. (as for Muslim, from the ‘canonical’ or sahih hadiths as well). Anything NOT from the book is a deviation, wrong. Perhaps heresays, inherited or even ‘cult’ wrong believe ! So, I am asking my Chriatians brothers, where does Jesus says “I am God, worship me” in the Bible ?. If you read the Bible, 83 times Jesus was referred to as “son of man”, and 13 times as “son of God” according to the late world renowned scholar Sheikh Ahmed Deedat. On the other hand, devil were also refered to as “god” as well, and many men were called “son of God” too. So please ponder why Jesus alone is regarded as the “Son of God ” after all ?. I am NOT provocating anyone, but sincerely, honestly I hope you all to think again. Secondly, the whole world already known that so many contradictions found in the Bible – thousand of contradictions, and unacceptable to modern science principles ! Then the book we called “Bible” is actually the TRANSLATION of the Bible, not the original. The actual Bible was in Hebrew (or Aramaic ?). For sure it was not in English or else. In the process of transliterations, over thousand of years, didn’t it expose to mistransliterations or human errors ?? We Muslim never called “Quran” to those transliterations. Kita katakan itu ‘ terjemahan Quran, atau ‘tafsir’. Thse tafsirs are made by man, not God. So it is open for critisms, doesn,t matter. Scholars or ulamaks can verify them. As for the Bible, of many versions (King James version, International Version, Standard Revised Versions (who revised, God or man did it?). Quran is the one and only – in Arabic. It was memorized by thousands of pious and righteous Muslims from the prophet time, till today. Today, we find million of peoples who are called ‘hafiz’ who memorized by heart the whole Quran (no joke, it is real ’stuff’ !). If you come to them and your text is different from what is memorized by my heart, they will know immediately your text is corrupted and wrong. It cannot be used and must be burned (as ordered by Khalifah Othman Al-Affan after Muhammad (pbuh) time. You see, not that easy to wipe Quran from the face of the earth. In fact, Allah himself promised to safeguard the Holy Quran from any tamperings, corruptions or interpolation as stated in one of the verses. And God (Allah) challenged those who doubts, and their helpers to create a surah (chapter) comparable to Quran. For 1400 yrs, no one capable of doing it, including million of Arab Christians in Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Egypt). This is not boasting, it is real thing that no one capable of doing it. If anyone says no one also capable to imitate the Bible, I think they are incorrect, because the book you called ‘Bible’ at hand is ALREADY been corrupted, interpolated, meaning that it is already been imitated. You inherited it from your churches, from your forefathers. I know, wild allegations come from every corner claiming Quran also contains many contradictions. I have read many of them. Mostly invalid accusations, due to ignorance (lack od knowledge in Quranic studies, without proper checks etc.). I notice that some of our Christians friends said over and over, he or she is “dead sure” (100% sure) they will enter paradise when they die as Blackwell said, above. This is because your cripture said so. And you are sure. If I say I am 101% sure I wll become prime minister of my country later, does it mean reality ?? You can be 1000% sure, but WHO KNOWS FOR SURE you will be getting it ? Just ’sure’. In Islam, no one can claim it for sure. Our duty is to abide, follow. It is God ‘prerogative’ or ‘privilege’ to bestow anyone He wishes. Not even close companions of the prophets (except many believe, the prophets themselves and the ‘big 4′ companions). The real thing is no one can be sure since those who died never returned.
It is good we honestly exchange views with our friends of other faiths without prejudice.
Thanks.
Nasaei Ahmad, Kedah, Malaysia
thanx to nasaie amad.
komen anda penuh dengan isi dan maklumat yg sangat berguna. terima kasih
Subhanallah..
“We will show them Our signs in all the regions of the earth and in their own souls, until they clearly see that this is the truth …” (Surah Fussilat, 41:53)
Islam came with real PROVES. Without real proves, no matter what religion it is, it will be meaningless. So to our Christians brothers and sisters, show to me and to others about your proves? We shall tell you our real proves.
Jeus died on a cross, he was laid to rest in a timb and on the third day he rose again. He appeared to over 500 people in the course of a month. He rose from the dead. Those people who saw him again gave thier lives for him. His diciples and followers when confronted with a choice to die or recant christ, chose death. Not just a fast instant death, but a horrible, painful death. When watergate exploded in the u.s .with president nixon, many people talked and told everything they knew within a matter of weeks when they were given the choice of a prison term.
But when the people were confronted of painful death, they still held fast to thier beloved savior.
They placed those people in boiling oil, sawed thier bodies in two, they nailedthem to cross and lit them on fire. They fed them to wild beast for sport. Those are only a few of the sufferings to name. yet these people, in the face of death, would not let go of their belief in Christ.
They tried to wipe out Christianity and it became illigal in rome to be a christian, yet inspite of this Christianity grew and grew. People knew if they were caught as a christian Death lay instore for them.
Perhaps the most miraculous sign is that Christ rose from the grave and because of we have life everlasting in the face of death. We have the assurance that when we die, we cross over to our beloved savior. In losing our life we actually gain it.
Greetings one and all!
Many years ago I was dying and felt myself travelling along a narrow tunnel. Someone was walking beside me holding a candle. I could not see who it was.I wondered if I was dying. Then I cried out to God and asked, ‘ Am I dying ? What shall I do to be saved?.
I heard a voice saying, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…’ I answered,’But I have always known about Jesus.’ Then I thought, if the devil knows what I know and that doesn;t save him what saves me or anyone else? I got scared!! ‘What saves anyone’? I asked God. One word came to me and it was TRUST. I wept. ‘Lord Jesus I always knew you were there but I never really trusted you with my life; please forgive me and give me an opportunity to live to be a witness to my family and to others. Then the Lord appeared to me behind a veil type of curtain. He put the candle down and turned a corner and was out of sight . I cried for him to come back . The candle was smoldering. I was afraid. After this vision, I worried about the smoldering candle and what it meant. Some time later, a Christian said to me. Have you never read the scripture that says. ‘ a broken reed he will not break nor a smouldering flax he will not snuff until he has brought judgement unto truth’. I was encouraged by this word from Isaiah 42 verse 3 . My life was like a broken reed but I had a little bit of faith, just like the smoldering candle. When the Holy Spirit of God filled my heart , it was awesome! I felt light , joy, hope , peace and much more than words can ever describe. Our God is not dead but very much alive!
Jesus is alive and he is returning to take those who trust him to heaven.
That was over thirty years ago and I have been encouraged by Jesus ever since. I believe that Jesus came in the flesh to die for my sins because he loves me and wants me to go to heaven.. No matter how good we are, or think we are nothing can bring about rightenousness that would ever be good enough to appease a Holy God. Your ways are not my ways , nor your thoughts my thoughts. God tells us this , so we can realize that He alone is Holy and it is only through His mercy, Love and Grace that we are accepted in his sight. Jesus was the sacrifical lamb who sacrificed himself for each one of us , Jew , Gentile or Muslim… he loves us all the same. He knows you and he knows me. We are all on this planet for a purpose. if you don’t believe me just pray and ask God to show you the truth and to make himself known to you. He will create in you a clean heart and take away the guilt of sin from you. All you have to do is trust him and then abide in him. Blessings to you whoever you are.
I think it is extremely difficult to verify the truth or veracity of faith as to what had happened to Joan above. I have heard many times before that the same pattern of the sort and incidents experienced by some other Christians as well. Some described that “Jesus Christ” apperared in white robe accosted, extended his hand and offered a prayed or advices. From Muslim point of view, God does not and never spoke to man directly, and no ones in Abrahamic religion history or saw God in person, or His substance, with the exception of Moses (peace be upon him) who listened to God’s voice without any intermediary. I myself experienced a kind of hallucination while in hospital bed many years ago while my mental stability was at a very low level. Though I remember exactly what had happened till today, now I realized that it was a mere mental wander due to very weak state of health (sick). And Muslims were told that some of the dreams (for instance) were nothing, not true and cannot be considered as a guidance. Muslims also told that at time we face death, satan would come to our side in the form of man, with all canvassing promises to listen or follow his advice. And as we know, satan capable of “incarnating” in the form of our mother, father, respected guru (or even “jesus” I think). I don’t know the Christian point of view. So we (muslims) are advice do not take it as truth or guidance. It could be illusion, sub concious ‘dream’ or whatever. Only God knows best.
Correct, there is nothing in this world to verify faith – hence the definition of the word. Nor are we able to verify the super-natural, but it does exist. Joan is just one of many who have experienced faith and the super-natural. Can I prove that? Nope, but what I have seen over and over again are changed lives. There is nothing in our natural world which can explain how a person is changed. It doesn’t happen. But when folk have the miracle of God reaching into their lives, they are changed. That is the “proof” that they need. It is not proof to anyone else, nor will it be. God alone judges the hearts, some things are out of reach for us as the created.
Blessings, TDI
Dear Nasaei,
I cannot say that my experience was an illusion. I was not mentally unstable nor was I on drugs. Just to check everything out I visited a psychiatrist at that time who told me I was as ‘normal as normal’ can be. Besides that I know in my heart that Jesus is alive and very real no matter who else disputs the matter. Why? because over the past thirty years Jesus has proved to me that he really is my Saviour. The bible came alive to me and God provided all my needs in sooo many ways.I could write reams of books on the subject and tell you of wonderful experiences that happened not only to me but also to my family. We experienced miracles. Real miracles.
I went into psychiatric nursing and am very aware of what illusions are etc…believe me you need to know the Saviour. So much(not all) of mental illness is caused by spiritual oppression from satan. Happiness and contentment comes from knowing that your sins are forgiven ,otherwise, you are always under pressure and stressed out trying to achieve unobtainable goals. Let me explain what true Christians believe..
There is only one God not three. Just an example:Think of a shamrock. It has three parts but is one leaf. Each part makes up one shamrock. Hope you catch what I am saying. We do not worship idols nor graven images.Nor do we see Mary as being God’s wife.
God is awesome and to be revered; yet God wants us to love and trust him with all of our heart. That means to obey Him and to live a Holy life through the power of his Holy Spirit. We cannot live a holy life by keeping rituals or being religious. We cannot obtain holiness by ourselves , our flesh is too corrupt.We are saved by grace, not of ourselves.
Because God is love we must love him and our neighbour as ourselves. That means we do no harm to anyone in any way. True Christians follow Jesus through the power and guidance of his Holy Spirit.. Jesus is alive .He is coming back. I think humanity is feeling the birth pangs of what is yet to come. May God have mercy on us all. I sincerely hope you find peace for your soul on your journey through life. Blessings ,Joan
Hi everybody,
Let us ‘activate’ our views and ‘exchange of opinion on this blog. Quite interesting. I am sorry if some of my comments did offended you anyhow. Of course we all are different in faith, believe etc due to our personal convictions, background, education, surrounding etc. That should not stop us from communicating, so that we could hear to what others have to say.
Naz, where are you ? Pls allow me to write in Malay a few words, to say hello to Naz. Bole crita sikit Naz asal mana, kerja d mana dan hometown Naz kat mana ? Apa-apa lah yg boleh di kongsi dengan saya. Thanks.
to nasaei,
saya ada. selalu ikut perkembangan web ni. my email
mohd. nazrein @ gmail. com
Greetings ,
It would be rather nice if we could converse in English, otherwise, how can we understand one another if you speak in a different language?
Blessings, Joan