A I S E H M A N . O R G

not sure if the peddlers are muslim, but you can buy a shelf full of anti christian material in Chow Kit.

kroni2u:

Christianity and Islam are exclusivist religions.

So first of all, define the term "anti-Christian".

I believe what kroni meant was anti-christian literature. Anti-christian literature and making fun of Lord Jesus Christ are in my opinion two matters altogether. Personally, I would not mind reading books which debates upon the the validity of Christ claims as the messiah. It is only through the reading these materials that will challenge me to seek the truth and allows myself better understanding of opposing view on contentious issues of my religion.

Having said that, I would be offended if people make fun of our Lord Jesus. To put it accurately, I will be sad.

Christianity is a religion in name only but in essence it is neither a religion nor a culture. Therefore, it does not matter if there are people who ridicule, insult, make fun or publish anything inappropriate about Jesus Christ. For Jesus died for the sins of the world. The paradox is that those who ridicule or mock him are more loved by him than those who profess to love him.

Until Jesus Christ returns, believers will share with unbelievers in pain and suffering, prejudices and discriminations and poverty and injustice. A believer however should not be anxious about the future for he knows that Jesus Christ will return and set everything right.

In the meantime, a christian is to make it his ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind his own business, to work with his hands so that his daily life may win the respect of outsiders.

The basis of the christian's security, therefore is not in christianity as a religion nor in success or in insurance but in total abandonment to faith in God who is everlasting love.

chicken_feet:

Why I said that Muslims would not and do not make fun of Jesus is because we recognise him as a Prophet of God.

For Muslims, he is not to be depicted in any way (just like Muhammad), let alone made fun of.

That's why I requested clarification from kroni2u.

I disagree that "books which debates upon the the validity of Christ claims as the messiah" should be regarded as anti-Christian.

Jesus is also seen as a Prophet in islam.Is that true?if so, why would anyone from that religion insult him. Insulting christianity is another thing and that does happen in this world. the best is to refrain from insulting any religion.

I understand that our Lord Jesus is a prophet in Islam and will never be ridiculed in any possible way by any muslim.

I quote you...
" I disagree that "books which debates upon the the validity of Christ claims as the messiah" should be regarded as anti-Christian. "

Somehow, I sense that our understanding are fundamentally similar but our expressions of it were not.

To me, the fact that Jesus is the Messiah is central to my religion and anyone/anything that disagree with this is anti-christian. Perhaps I have underestimated the word 'anti' or most probably use it in the wrong context. I should instead classified it as literature with 'opposing views of christian doctrine' and not anti-christian. My apology.

I quote notso....
' In the meantime, a christian is to make it his ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind his own business, to work with his hands so that his daily life may win the respect of outsiders...'

I think this comment is not complete. God has His own unique purpose for each and everyone of us, and by fulfuling this purpose which He has set upon us - glorifies Him. God loves us and we should always take any available oppurtunity to share this love with others. I am no evangelist but IMHO if our life goals is the lead a quiet life and mind our own business then... the love, the grace which God has showered on us will be in vain....

chicken_feet:

I share the same sentiments.

My point was how should a christian conduct himself when some people mock or insult Jesus Christ?

In the words of Apostle Peter, "Conduct yourself honorably among the unbelievers, though they may insult or ridicule your faith, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge."

"For to this you have been called, because Jesus Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. When he was abused, he did not return abuse, when he suffered, he did not threaten but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."

If I am not mistaken, the film version of Dan Brown's best selling novel, The Da Vinci Code will be screened in Malaysian cinemas on May this year.

I wonder why the government would allow the release of the film and what will be the reaction of christians in Malaysia?

I think we are in a way, hijacking aisehman blog space (even as i continue)

Perhaps this could be made to a blog topic?

I have never read the book, but having heard of what it contains, my initial reaction was worried and sad. Worried because there will be more explanation to be made to unbelievers and many Christians are not equipped to do so - at least i am not.

Should I read this book?

chicken_feet:

There is no doubt that The Da Vinci Code is an interesting book because of the alleged marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

The central claim of the novel is that almost everything the early church fathers taught about Jesus Christ is FALSE. Why? Dan Brown srgues that because of a single meeting of bishops in 325AD, at the city of Nicea in modern day Turkey, the church leaders wanted to consolidate their power base created a divine Christ and an infallible scripture both of them novelties NEVER BEFORE EXISTED AMONG CHRISTIANS. In other words, before 325AD, Dan Brown claims that christians did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that the bible was not completed then.

The Council of NIcea in 325 AD is an important date in church history because it was there that the bishops settled the issue of the divinity of Christ which arose because of an Alexandria theologian named Arius who argued that Jesus could not possibly share God the Father's unique divinity.

The allegations of Dan Brown are not original and throughout church history, many theories have appeared and reappeared in a different disguise. What Dan Brown and others conveniently forget is that the Bible was completed before Nicea (325AD) and the early christians have overwhelmingly worshipped Jesus Christ as their risen Saviour and Lord and affirmed that "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ."

So, it is confirmed in the Star today that the film version of the Da Vinci Code subject to censorship will be released in the cinemas here on May 18th.

I just wonder what our DPM would now say since he was previously quoted as declaring that "The Government will not tolerate offensive and inappropriate depictions of Jesus Christ and other religious icons."

Anyway, christians ought to see the movie for this would give them the opportunity to talk about their faith to those who ask them about the film.