Each of the major religions has, at its very core, the fundamental concept of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator that is beyond the understanding of the limited minds of mankind. Since these diverse cultures all agree that there is One Creator, a Creator whom we all honor, and whose ways we all strive to learn to live in harmony with, then isn't that a common bond that we should all share and celebrate?
Who can claim to know the "true" name of the That Which is beyond name and form? Is it even meaningful to try to name That Which is beyond name and form?
God, Khoda, Allah, Alaha, El, Elohim, Elat, Om, YHWH, Jehova, Jah, Yahweh, Brahman, Ram, Krishna, Ahura Mazda, Tao... and many more, have all been used to refer to That Which is beyond name and form.
For Christians who find it difficult to say the name Allah, it may be helpful to note that in the Semitic language of Aramaic that Jesus spoke, the Aramaic name that is translated as God in the European bible was actually Alaha. Indeed, Allah of the Qur'an and Alaha of Jesus are the same One. The name God is a relatively new, and perhaps unfortunate, European invention that has been the source of much misunderstanding. The word "God" can be made plural (as gods) and can be made Godess, which is not proper for Glorious, Holy God who have no partner whatsoever. Because He is selfsufficient and independent of everything. But the word, Alaha or Allah is free from those cons.
Those who are engaged in the worship of demigods enter into the darkest region of ignorance – Isha Upanishad
Compiled from, http://www.wahiduddin.net/views/unity1.htm
This is true! makes sense to me!
ReplyDeleteGoddess is often misunderstood as a plural...she is not seperate...she is part of the whole. It is merely a way of recognizing the feminine side, the nurturing and mothering qualities of our one and only God.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Jules. God has both qualities and that is why when He created Adam, He also created Eve. They both possess two side of His face (Since God created Adam (as well as Eve) in his own image).
ReplyDeleteEven in eastern religion like Hinduism, God is often thought in the Figure of a Divine Mother, which is very nice. Because Mercy and Love are more closer to feminine side. This is another reason, women are respected in Islam so much and encouraged to keep their purity and chastity(which is the reason muslim women dress modestly...out of respect of their motherhood).
There is a saying of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) where he says, "God loves His creation 70 times more than a mother loves her child". And by this saying we understand that Love of God is related to Motherhood. The genuine love that a mother have for her child is divinely inspired from God and it is pure gift. No worldy need motivates that Love inside a mother.
May we all have peace and better understanding.