"Out there"

[Nezni]

I stumbled across this article (Malay court hearing 'allah' case) that I thought some of you may find interesting....

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065597.stm

While I never use the word "Allah" to describe God, I don't see a problem referring to God as "Allah" if you live in an area where Arabic is spoken or where in the culture the term is used to describe God. I dunno why the Muslims there are complaining about it - I don't complain when they refer to their god as "god" in Oz. If a Muslim is too naive or too stupid to see the difference between Islam and Christianity, then its fairly obvious that they weren't Muslims to begin with.

I guess I'm curious as to whether any Christians here refer to God as "Allah" and if not whether you would consider it wrong to use that term both where you live and overseas.
While I never use the word "Allah" to describe God, I don't see a problem referring to God as "Allah" if you live in an area where Arabic is spoken or where in the culture the term is used to describe God. I dunno why the Muslims there are complaining about it - I don't complain when they refer to their god as "god" in Oz. If a Muslim is too naive or too stupid to see the difference between Islam and Christianity, then its fairly obvious that they weren't Muslims to begin with.

I guess I'm curious as to whether any Christians here refer to God as "Allah" and if not whether you would consider it wrong to use that term both where you live and overseas.

 

[BigNorsk]

Language is a strange thing sometimes. You can see a flip side of your question when you see people complain of the use of words like Easter due to the origin of the word.

Of course the word 'god' is pagan in origin too. And it's certainly not been used exclusively for God. Most people are familiar with a different form with the same origins, 'Odin'.

Many Muslims have taken Allah as a personal name, they don't realize the pagan origins of the word, nor do they even realize that parts of what the Quran teach about Allah are directly from the Moon God, for instance his daughters. They of course would never use the Jewish forms of the name of God due to their feelings towards them.

In any case, they are right, it can cause some confusion.

We see that in the history of the US too, where lots of people have used the word god or God, and people assume because of it that they were Christians, but if you study those people, they were often not Christians, but deists. People assume that their speaking of God means they are speaking of God as the Bible reveals him whereas they were speaking of god as they decided themselves.

And it's become almost standard fair in the US. People use the words, but if you ask them what they believe, it isn't what the Bible teaches. I saw a recent survey that concluded some 3/4 of people calling themselves Christian don't hold to the fundamentals of Christianity.

And I do somewhat agree with the Muslims. For instance Mormons more and more are calling themselves Christians. Yet the Jesus they teach and believe in is not the Jesus I believe in, he is not the Jesus of the Bible, but a creation of Joseph Smith. I see it as confusing, and misleading for them to take the name Christian. I don't really see filing a lawsuit over it though, using the left handed kingdom to try and control the right handed kingdom really doesn't work.

Marv

 

[jamiel]

Let me preface my comments by saying I plead ignorance to the whole Allah-Islam-Christian divide. It's just not a topic I've looked into in depth, thought about a whole, whole lot or even prayed about very much. Having said that I have some thoughts based on what I do know.


I believe regarding this specific issue what was commented at the site you linked to (and in the video there) pretty much says it: this is an issue of freedom of religion in Malaysia and indeed the Muslims there are fearful (my word, not there's) that this "confusion" over using the name "Allah" for God will lead to Christian conversions. Without looking it's probably fair to say Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country or has a significant Muslim population.

I'd call myself of the ecumenical type, but I must say I personally would never refer to God as "Allah".

However, I wouldn't be surprised if in several if not many Muslim countries referring to God as "Allah" would be required, not an option (although here we see an opposite example of that).

While I believe it is possible for non-Christians to know God, that's not the same thing as knowing the Judeo-Christian God, Yahweh, Jehovah, God Almighty, the LORD, etc. Muslims are not Jews nor are they Christians.

I didn't realize the linguistic Odin-God connection. There are also some very rudimentary similarities between the pagan god Baal and God, and then there are the other sky gods too of various cultures, but of course there are many important differences as well. Nevertheless, it's something to keep in mind when we speak of "Allah" who apparently has roots in the often mention moon god of the region.

And likewise, there are many important differences between Allah and God. Allah is not part of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Did Allah ever have a Son who died for our sins? Totally different.

But really, those in Malaysia who are using "Allah" for God are being shrewd about this (Matt. 10:16, 1 Cor. 9:20). I cannot help but think it's for conversion reasons (or that is one reason for using the name in addition to another). It makes it easier.

ITA with BigNorsk about those in US history who used the name "God" but were in fact deists. More than a few (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin I believe were deists). With all the talk about how the US was founded as a Christian nation -- deists certainly didn't believe in a personal relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus to them was only a good teacher. Have you heard of the Jefferson Bible? He cut out all the parts of Jesus performing miracles!

The Protestant Reformation was a great thing, don't get me wrong (I'm a protestant and in fact I think we need a second Reformation even!). But the downside of such freedom of religion is the utter explosion of so many denomination-creations (I've read five new denominations are being created in the world somewhere every week) away from the core belief of our faith at times. Mormonism, Christian Scientists, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. I'd put in this category.

And interestingly, it probably is due to an over-emphasis of the Biblical text. I disagree with you over this Scripture -- so hey, I'm gonna go out and start up yet another denomination. Maybe working it out together (which requires time, patience, and prayer) would've been better.



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[Nezni]

Thank you both for your interesting insights. I'm just so glad that we live in the free world and that religion hasn't screwed things up like it has over there - may that day never come for us.

If "allah" is simply Arabic for "god" then any one referring to any god should be able to use it - if you are an Arab speaking person or addressing an Arab audience. To say that the word "allah" can only apply to Islam is laughable and ridiculous. The Christian version of God is easily differentiated from the Muslim view of god when one preaches Christ-crucified. To the Muslim, like the Jew, god becoming flesh and dying on a cross would be the greatest heresey and insult to god.

Though I know that many Arab Christians use the phrase "Allah al-'Ab" when referring to God the Father (and similarly for the Son and Holy Spirit) to make the distinction known, I'll be interested to see the outcome of the case and see if common sense or religious nonsense prevails.