snapchamp

I am far from being an expert on Islam, so I could be completely wrong here...

But, it seems to me most Muslims know how to pray (meaning they are taught early on) and can answer tough philosophical questions easier than most Christians. Many Christians I know have to consult their priest before answering some of my questions. Also, Muslims pray 5 times a day facing Mecca and have most of the rituals down, whereas most Christians need to attend Church and ask what it is they are supposed to say (i.e. hail marys, etc.).

Is this one of the strategies of the Church to maintain the ignorance of its followers? To keep them coming in on Sundays and collecting the money. Do most Muslims (excluding the extremists-let's leave them out of this thread) seem to develop a more personal one-on-one relationship with god?

(I'm an atheist, just a simple observation)

any merit here?...

espritch

The Catholic Church traditionally held masses in Latin, a language that most uneducated parishioners didn't understand. They also (if I recall correctly) discouraged translation of the Bible into the native languages of parishioners so as to discourage them from reading it themselves. So I would guess that the Catholic version of Christianity did intentionally foster ignorance in their followers to maintain a monopoly on their "truth".

Protestant sects tended to push their followers to read the Bible and translated it into native languages to better enable them to do so. Modern ignorance of the Bible among protestants in more a result of them preferring to listen to their preacher than to actually read it for themselves. It's just intellectual laziness (and maybe too much television).

snapchamp

You make a good point...But, is it possible that the Christians just want the easy way out, the Macdonalds so to speak, while the Muslims are more eager to learn and really try to develop a personal relationship with god? I was trying to compare the two...

Christians--Listen to the preacher, say my prayers, get out in an hour, off to heaven i go

Muslims--Read the Koran, pray 5 times every single day, make a trip to Mecca once, off to heaven I go (maybe some virgins too)

premjan

Islam is just more straightforward and less confused than Christianity. That's it.

KDB

muslims get brainwashed early on in their lives. christians not anymore. i really can do without that "closeness to god", who knows what they are really close to?

sbaii

What I've read of Islam:
Most prayers are taught in Arabic no matter what the native language is.
Most muslims cannot read Arabic but are taught to memorize the Koran in Arabic at the madrasas. They are also dependent on their imam for their knowledge of the Koran.

Spaam

Well it does seem that religion takes up a much bigger part of your life if you're a moslem than if you're a christian. Praying 5 times a day is definately a major factor. Also a lot of moslems practise dress code, which is a reminder of their religious status.

topgun12

Pray or die, Somali sheikh tells Muslims

"He who does not perform prayer will be considered as infidel and our sharia law orders that person to be killed,"

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=994672006

i think i wud be closer to god too...

www.faithfreedom.org/forum

hinduwoman

Turn Christian countires into strict theocracies and Christians would be as godly as Muslims.

kheeze

Fuck the moslems. If they dont like our way of life in the western world, why dont they go home and get back to blowing each other up. Fucking pussies in pajamas!