This is a time for reflection on our mission as members of, The People
of Abraham.
We see from the news that a great conflagration is raging with
increasing loss of life and displacement of peoples around the region
of the Holy land.
As The People of the Books, we owe our brothers and sisters who are
caught up in this clash of arms, the offer of solace and support no
matter who they are, or what faith they follow.
We as people of peace will face a test in this time of chos and
tumult. That test will be staying true to our course and calling for
peace no matter who may be at fault in this current clash.
Hundreds of years of war MUST BE STOPPED!! The cycle of death MUST
END!!
It is the INNOCENT who pay the greaatest price, for the hatred of
others. The women, children and men, who just want to live, and find
safety, in the homes and countries where they live, suffer the
greatest.
I am sending you, as members, the request, that you take the time and
effort to send to the leaders of Israel the fervent prayer for their
peace, but also to remind them that killing of the innocent, no matter
who does it IS WRONG!!
Also, the leaders of Hamas should be apprised of this fact, There is
no "right" in killing of the innocent, It is a perversion of what ever
faith you follow. This will be followed by other requests of the same
nature. Be strong, pray hard for God to prevail over the foolishness
of men!!
Be well friends,.......Reverend Bruce
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A SHIFT IN FOCUS, AND OUTREACH??
The Nation of Islam, today announced that they are inviting hundreds of religious leaders tomorrow to a rededication of the historic Mosque Maryam, Which is in Chicago Illinois.
Minister Farrakhan is sceduled to speak.
The Nation of Islam purchased the former Greek Orthodox Church, in 1972 and has since been making renovations. The stately 1948 building, with a golden dome and topped with an Islamic crescent moon is alao adorned with Qu'ranic Verses in Arabic on the outside.
This event comes just weeks after the death of Imam W.D. Mohammed, the son of Nation Founder Elijah Muhammad, who broke with the group, bringing thousands of African Americans closer to mainstream Islam.
This is deemed by some, to be a conscious move to open the Mosque to the community and the community, to be reddicated to Islam.
With Malcolm X's Haj and his return to this country years ago, he was awakened to the cross- cultural and multi-racial aspects of Islam which is exclusionary to none.
There is a Latin liason outreach program, firmly in place. Also Minister Ishmael Muhammad a top assisting Minister of the Mosque, and a possible successor to Farrakhan, has talked about unity between ALL people, even at times speaking in spanish.
Farrakhan has tried to slowly bring the Nation of Islam movement closer to the mainstream of Islam. The major impediment being that Elijah Muhammad, was considered by many to be a prophet. Orthodox Islam teaches that there has been no prophet since Muhammad, in the seventh century. Also in the passing of years, he has worked to ameliorate, or remove altogether, some of the facets of the movement that are controversial with other beliefs, and Islam itself.
Tomorrow's address will mark the second major address this year and is expected to outline some of the goals and co-operative efforts toward reconciliation between the nation of Islam, Orthodox Islam, and other faiths represented in the community in which the Mosque, and the Nation, calls it's headquarters
His age of 75 is thought by some, to be the motivating factor in his increasing efforts to establish an aura of peace and reconciliation, between all people.
As one of the co-founders of The People of Abraham I applaud, as does Mr. Robert Salaam, this erstwhile effort of peace, and pray that it will be nurtured by his, and ALL, followers of Islam and all other religious structures around the world.
Copyrighted Oct.18 2008. Free use and disemination is encouraged and welcomed, in the interest of peaceful relations of all, world wide. Rev. Bruce Holzrichter Sr. Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries. Dennisport Ma. 02639
Thursday, October 2, 2008
"Obsession", with hatred
The following article appears at Robert Salaam's blog The American Muslim. As you may know Robert is the co-founder of The People of Abraham, along with my self.
More than 28 million copies of a blatantly biased and anti-Islamic film called “Obsession” were distributed last week through more than 70 conservative newspapers across the nation. These newspapers are owned and operated by those who are identified as supporters of Israel, and Evangelical Christian groups. The funding to the distribution of the documentary has come from Clarion Fund Inc, a New York based group. Majority of donors are either Israelis or pro-Israeli businesses and individuals and right wing Christian evangelical groups.
The DVD was distributed in all those states where the Republican Party is struggling to retain the support of independent voters. The purpose is to create and maintain an environment of fear and hatred against Islam and Muslims. The goal of the distributors seems to ensure that Muslim Americans are seen as fifth columnist and suspect in the eyes of average Americans. This would mean that the doors of public institutions should remain closed to them and unless supported by the pro-Israeli groups and the Republicans, none of them should be trusted.
The documentary is nothing but unashamed propaganda probably compiled from the archives of the Israeli government.
Apparently, major evangelical groups and leaders including Peter Hagee, the guru of the Republican nominee McCain have given their blessings to the movie.
The movie is a major international enterprise, unmatched in the history of Islam and west relations. Not even during the crusades was the propaganda machinery mobilized so swiftly as it has been done now.
There are a few things that Muslim Americans can seriously work on to combat this misinformation.
1. A national summit of Muslim leaders to look at the issue and develop a unified and coordinated strategy. Muslim masses should become active and coordinate with their leaders to be proactive on this issue. (On October 10 and 11, the Las Vegas Islamic Society of Nevada is hosting its sixth annual Quran conference to be attended by many prominent Muslim leaders. This conference can devote a few session on developing a unified strategy.)
2. IslamiCity.com and many other Islamic websites have access to information about Islam and Muslim Americans they should plan to produce a documentary on Islam and Muslim-West Relations citing incidents of hatred against Islam and Muslims in recent times. They should prepare a budget for research and production and present it to the community and proceed with it on an emergency footing.
3. Muslim organizations should approach interfaith groups in their localities to develop a unified response to this challenge. Muslim community in those states where local newspapers distributed the DVDs should buy a full page of ad to introduce them to the general public.
4. Muslim Americans should offer their lives as living examples of peaceful and law abiding citizens. We are proud to say that thousands of Muslim medical professionals in the country are busy saving human lives of fellow Americans day in and day out and never do they deviate from their professional ethics. Thousands of engineers are involved in maintaining the essential infrastructure of the nation with full responsibility. Millions of workers are engaged in running the economy and contributing to its growth. Not only here in America, but all over the world, the Muslim communities are standing up against terror and injustices and for the rights of common people.
5. Muslim Americans should engage in public debates in the upcoming election. They should be visible in walks through neighborhood at precinct levels. They should speak up and take a stand against those who are perpetuating hatred against Islam. Moreover, they should remain alert about the Islamophobic campaigns going on in the country. They should know the background of all those who are hate mongers and they should be willing to expose them.
More than 28 million copies of a blatantly biased and anti-Islamic film called “Obsession” were distributed last week through more than 70 conservative newspapers across the nation. These newspapers are owned and operated by those who are identified as supporters of Israel, and Evangelical Christian groups. The funding to the distribution of the documentary has come from Clarion Fund Inc, a New York based group. Majority of donors are either Israelis or pro-Israeli businesses and individuals and right wing Christian evangelical groups.
The DVD was distributed in all those states where the Republican Party is struggling to retain the support of independent voters. The purpose is to create and maintain an environment of fear and hatred against Islam and Muslims. The goal of the distributors seems to ensure that Muslim Americans are seen as fifth columnist and suspect in the eyes of average Americans. This would mean that the doors of public institutions should remain closed to them and unless supported by the pro-Israeli groups and the Republicans, none of them should be trusted.
The documentary is nothing but unashamed propaganda probably compiled from the archives of the Israeli government.
Apparently, major evangelical groups and leaders including Peter Hagee, the guru of the Republican nominee McCain have given their blessings to the movie.
The movie is a major international enterprise, unmatched in the history of Islam and west relations. Not even during the crusades was the propaganda machinery mobilized so swiftly as it has been done now.
There are a few things that Muslim Americans can seriously work on to combat this misinformation.
1. A national summit of Muslim leaders to look at the issue and develop a unified and coordinated strategy. Muslim masses should become active and coordinate with their leaders to be proactive on this issue. (On October 10 and 11, the Las Vegas Islamic Society of Nevada is hosting its sixth annual Quran conference to be attended by many prominent Muslim leaders. This conference can devote a few session on developing a unified strategy.)
2. IslamiCity.com and many other Islamic websites have access to information about Islam and Muslim Americans they should plan to produce a documentary on Islam and Muslim-West Relations citing incidents of hatred against Islam and Muslims in recent times. They should prepare a budget for research and production and present it to the community and proceed with it on an emergency footing.
3. Muslim organizations should approach interfaith groups in their localities to develop a unified response to this challenge. Muslim community in those states where local newspapers distributed the DVDs should buy a full page of ad to introduce them to the general public.
4. Muslim Americans should offer their lives as living examples of peaceful and law abiding citizens. We are proud to say that thousands of Muslim medical professionals in the country are busy saving human lives of fellow Americans day in and day out and never do they deviate from their professional ethics. Thousands of engineers are involved in maintaining the essential infrastructure of the nation with full responsibility. Millions of workers are engaged in running the economy and contributing to its growth. Not only here in America, but all over the world, the Muslim communities are standing up against terror and injustices and for the rights of common people.
5. Muslim Americans should engage in public debates in the upcoming election. They should be visible in walks through neighborhood at precinct levels. They should speak up and take a stand against those who are perpetuating hatred against Islam. Moreover, they should remain alert about the Islamophobic campaigns going on in the country. They should know the background of all those who are hate mongers and they should be willing to expose them.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
October
Wow ! it's October!! How did that happen?? I guess I've been busy. Oh well I never lost a whole month before!!!! And, I don't even drink!!
Actually it's been pretty qioet here at The peole of Abraham nobody has asked any questions this month and none of the listed contributors have made any posts.....Hmmmmm, gotta do something about that!!
I really think some times that people gather themselves in fits and starts and then that little thing called life intrudes on all of our plans....I know it does on mine.
I did link several new organizations this month and last month and they have been in touch via e mail with me and are following what we do and how we do it as once again we are a little different we're not run by clergy for clergy we are set up for just folks to come top and get information on how we CAN co-exist without killing one another for our different beliefs.
It does help that in the U.S.A. there are no territorial imperatives that have been breached and no real tribalistic influences except those that are brough here to be assimilated into our unique culture, as Americans first everything else second. At least that's how it's supposed to work!!
Be well I am off to go preach today and wish you a happy EID to share with our Muslim brothers and sisters............Rev. Bruce..................Tawodi
Actually it's been pretty qioet here at The peole of Abraham nobody has asked any questions this month and none of the listed contributors have made any posts.....Hmmmmm, gotta do something about that!!
I really think some times that people gather themselves in fits and starts and then that little thing called life intrudes on all of our plans....I know it does on mine.
I did link several new organizations this month and last month and they have been in touch via e mail with me and are following what we do and how we do it as once again we are a little different we're not run by clergy for clergy we are set up for just folks to come top and get information on how we CAN co-exist without killing one another for our different beliefs.
It does help that in the U.S.A. there are no territorial imperatives that have been breached and no real tribalistic influences except those that are brough here to be assimilated into our unique culture, as Americans first everything else second. At least that's how it's supposed to work!!
Be well I am off to go preach today and wish you a happy EID to share with our Muslim brothers and sisters............Rev. Bruce..................Tawodi
Monday, September 1, 2008
Ramadan
Today, or yesterday, depending on where you live in the world and the method of reckoning, it is the beginning of Ramadan.
To our Brothers and Sisters of Islam, Salaam Aliekum!! May this Holy season of rededication to Muslim, be fruitful for you.
May your observance bring you peace as you once again fast and move closer to The One God of Abraham, Lord of ALL, the benificent, The bringer of all things sweet, The bestower of blessings, beyond counting, of all of His creation.
The bringer among us, of all the prophets,(p.b.u.t.) to lead us to submission to His way.
The teachers of restoration, of relationship in submission to Allah, The most merciful.Peace be upon them all!
May He attend you in your reflections on how you can relate, May He grant you peace in your life, peace in your family, peace in your countries, peace in your soul, as you move toward rededication contemplating ALLAH (pbuH) in this Holy season for you as you submit once again to Allah.
This from your brothers and sisters of Judaism and your brothers and sisters of Christianity, helpers all.
Wa, Aliekum Salaam
Rev. Bruce Holzrichter Sr. The People of Abraham
To our Brothers and Sisters of Islam, Salaam Aliekum!! May this Holy season of rededication to Muslim, be fruitful for you.
May your observance bring you peace as you once again fast and move closer to The One God of Abraham, Lord of ALL, the benificent, The bringer of all things sweet, The bestower of blessings, beyond counting, of all of His creation.
The bringer among us, of all the prophets,(p.b.u.t.) to lead us to submission to His way.
The teachers of restoration, of relationship in submission to Allah, The most merciful.Peace be upon them all!
May He attend you in your reflections on how you can relate, May He grant you peace in your life, peace in your family, peace in your countries, peace in your soul, as you move toward rededication contemplating ALLAH (pbuH) in this Holy season for you as you submit once again to Allah.
This from your brothers and sisters of Judaism and your brothers and sisters of Christianity, helpers all.
Wa, Aliekum Salaam
Rev. Bruce Holzrichter Sr. The People of Abraham
Friday, August 15, 2008
A Brief Question and Not So Brief Answer
In a discussion of The People of Abraham I was asked this question.
" So, it's God, in the human conscience?"
MY ANSWER.
W.T.;
Very close, very, very, close.
Maybe though, it would be easier to think of it as the humanity of all of us.
All normal humans have a conscience. Some have had it warped by their cultures, that is correct.
But, aside from those, we have people who don't want to see their children burn, their cities reduced to ash, entire populations literally wafting through the stratosphere as radioactive dust.
During the cold war these were possibilities. They are more possible now, because we have some, who have been twisted to believe, their version of God will preserve them, and kill every body else.
Now comes the interesting part!! Some of these are Muslims, some are Jews, some are Christians, And some are unnamed and just as NUTS!!
So is it God, or spirit, in the conscience of human beings? Or is it just the desperate desire to see our children live?? The real promise, of any future at all, our children. We can see them, we can touch them, hear their cries of pain, as they hunger, thirst, suffer from fear, or lie screaming as they die.
Or we can come together in hope. Hope that none of these things need take place. Hope that we can see them grow,in safety. Hope that others can see, that whatever it takes, the insanity MUST stop!! The choice is ours, no matter how much somebody wants to shove away the responsibility, or hand it to somebody else, it is each of us that must stand, and choose.
Do we, and they, live?? Or do we, and they, die??
Sit back in self righteous glee as it all comes apart, and say, SEE I TOLD YOU!!! Or do what you can now, and if the balloon goes up, die, knowing at least you tried!!!
Choose well!!
" So, it's God, in the human conscience?"
MY ANSWER.
W.T.;
Very close, very, very, close.
Maybe though, it would be easier to think of it as the humanity of all of us.
All normal humans have a conscience. Some have had it warped by their cultures, that is correct.
But, aside from those, we have people who don't want to see their children burn, their cities reduced to ash, entire populations literally wafting through the stratosphere as radioactive dust.
During the cold war these were possibilities. They are more possible now, because we have some, who have been twisted to believe, their version of God will preserve them, and kill every body else.
Now comes the interesting part!! Some of these are Muslims, some are Jews, some are Christians, And some are unnamed and just as NUTS!!
So is it God, or spirit, in the conscience of human beings? Or is it just the desperate desire to see our children live?? The real promise, of any future at all, our children. We can see them, we can touch them, hear their cries of pain, as they hunger, thirst, suffer from fear, or lie screaming as they die.
Or we can come together in hope. Hope that none of these things need take place. Hope that we can see them grow,in safety. Hope that others can see, that whatever it takes, the insanity MUST stop!! The choice is ours, no matter how much somebody wants to shove away the responsibility, or hand it to somebody else, it is each of us that must stand, and choose.
Do we, and they, live?? Or do we, and they, die??
Sit back in self righteous glee as it all comes apart, and say, SEE I TOLD YOU!!! Or do what you can now, and if the balloon goes up, die, knowing at least you tried!!!
Choose well!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
AN UNSUNG HERO
All too often in life, the efforts of some people go un-noticed and unsung. I have determined that this shall not be one of them.
The name I would introduce to you is that of William Coleman, a former pastor now retired from the United Methodist Church. Retired does not mean gone! and Bill is living proof of that. For many years he studied Islam and it's people, if I didn't once again mishear something, since 1968!!
For over ten years he has been lecturing at The Eldridge Public Library in Chatham Massachusetts. Various other places around New England as well and, most recently, at the First United Methodist Church of Chatham Ma. ( I Told you he gets around! )
While he did so, I attended the three sessions, since I had not heard him conduct one of his seminars for about eight years.
It has been just as rewarding as those of years ago! In a calm and very adroit manner, Bill leads those with the courage to set aside their fear, on a journey of understanding, into a world that is rich and full of the human drama of culture, politics, religion and hope. That last word more than any other is what Bill deals in, Hope with a capitol "H".
Sometimes in life you, or I, are gifted by knowing someone, even if it is at some degree of remove. I don't know Bill well, but having been in his presence off and on, while he conducts his ministry of understanding, have come to know him well enough to make the statements and pass the judgements that I do.
A learned and compassionate man of great gifts, is among us, people!!
Together with his wife Dr.Roslyn Coleman. The Doctors Coleman still offer pastoral counsel to many people in, and out of, our Church that we share. Kudos to them both for that!
The ministry of understanding another faith system, of the People of Abraham I am sure, has had it's rewards for Bill. Just as I am sure, it has held some not so pretty encounters, as it has for some of us in the group.
Bill is still standing tall through all of it and carrying out his commision to be a bringer of peace, to ALL of God's Children in the world.
A fine couple, a very, very, fine man and human being indeed.
No, Bill is not a member of The People of Abraham, would that he were, but he travels his own road doing God's work and for such I salute him, it is deserved and rendered, with honor.
Blessed is this peace bringer, for he IS a child of God!! for William Coleman and his wife Roslyn. Good people in a trying time!
The name I would introduce to you is that of William Coleman, a former pastor now retired from the United Methodist Church. Retired does not mean gone! and Bill is living proof of that. For many years he studied Islam and it's people, if I didn't once again mishear something, since 1968!!
For over ten years he has been lecturing at The Eldridge Public Library in Chatham Massachusetts. Various other places around New England as well and, most recently, at the First United Methodist Church of Chatham Ma. ( I Told you he gets around! )
While he did so, I attended the three sessions, since I had not heard him conduct one of his seminars for about eight years.
It has been just as rewarding as those of years ago! In a calm and very adroit manner, Bill leads those with the courage to set aside their fear, on a journey of understanding, into a world that is rich and full of the human drama of culture, politics, religion and hope. That last word more than any other is what Bill deals in, Hope with a capitol "H".
Sometimes in life you, or I, are gifted by knowing someone, even if it is at some degree of remove. I don't know Bill well, but having been in his presence off and on, while he conducts his ministry of understanding, have come to know him well enough to make the statements and pass the judgements that I do.
A learned and compassionate man of great gifts, is among us, people!!
Together with his wife Dr.Roslyn Coleman. The Doctors Coleman still offer pastoral counsel to many people in, and out of, our Church that we share. Kudos to them both for that!
The ministry of understanding another faith system, of the People of Abraham I am sure, has had it's rewards for Bill. Just as I am sure, it has held some not so pretty encounters, as it has for some of us in the group.
Bill is still standing tall through all of it and carrying out his commision to be a bringer of peace, to ALL of God's Children in the world.
A fine couple, a very, very, fine man and human being indeed.
No, Bill is not a member of The People of Abraham, would that he were, but he travels his own road doing God's work and for such I salute him, it is deserved and rendered, with honor.
Blessed is this peace bringer, for he IS a child of God!! for William Coleman and his wife Roslyn. Good people in a trying time!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A new Contact !!
Today we have the honor of welcoming to our listings of fellow organizations, THREE FAITHS Jewish Christian and Muslims. Located in Wellington New Zealand.
Welcome brothers and sisters!!
We continue to link this way, to show our members and those who visit, that there are people all over the world, that are doing as we are. Working for peace and understanding, between the three major faith systems of the world and all other human beings. No matter what they believe, or even those of no faith. We are all in the human drama that will create, or destroy, our future together.
Welcome to Past president David Moskovitz and his fellow congregation of Progressive Jewish people of the Sinai Temple of Wellington New Zealand, we are honored by your presence
Robert Salaam and Rev. Bruce holzrichter Sr. co-founders and the membership of The People of Abraham, Christians Mulsim and Jews United States of America
Welcome brothers and sisters!!
We continue to link this way, to show our members and those who visit, that there are people all over the world, that are doing as we are. Working for peace and understanding, between the three major faith systems of the world and all other human beings. No matter what they believe, or even those of no faith. We are all in the human drama that will create, or destroy, our future together.
Welcome to Past president David Moskovitz and his fellow congregation of Progressive Jewish people of the Sinai Temple of Wellington New Zealand, we are honored by your presence
Robert Salaam and Rev. Bruce holzrichter Sr. co-founders and the membership of The People of Abraham, Christians Mulsim and Jews United States of America
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Questions and Answers!!
Today I announced, on Tawodi's Hawks Nest, that today the Board of Advisers is open for questions. We have the great honor and good fortune to have as volunteers, Nine people very knowledgable in their religions. Some have Masters and upward degrees in their disciplines and worship practices. Welcome to all of them!!
To take advantage of this service, you can contact them at the following E Mail address....
the-people-of-abraham@googlegroups.com Pose your question in a proper form, your email address WILL NOT be given for any reason to anyone after your question is answered it will be discarded. We will keep the questiion and assign it a file number but your name and any information, will be deleted. SO! don't get angry with us if we don't remember you!! On your answer you will recieve this file number, keep it! Use it to refer to the first question if you want to correlate them for some reason, to us.
The second way to pose a question is to use the comment section on this blog. Yep that's right you can do it right here. We have expanded the comment section to full page size!! This is to give you plenty of room to pose multiple questions and even submit an article!! That's right, you can post here!! It will be moderated, (for obvious reasons) and then, posted if you wish. Or we will simply answer your multiple questions.
You need not be a member of The People of Abraham to use this service, we'd like it if you were, but it is not necessary. This service is open to all. And, more importantly free!! We are all volunteers, everything here is FREE, there is no charge to join, no charge to use the services, no charge for anything you copy and use elsewhere. This is our Calling, take advantage of it!!
The most important thing to remember is this, we will allow NO cross religion debate, NONE!! It is devisive and sometimes destructive and will not be tolerated. If you want to fight, go somewhere else!!
The form to pose a question, is as just that, a question.
Items that are submitted such as "Did you know that such and such religion does/believes thus and such." Any question posed this way will be considered a "challenge question" and will be given a file number and discarded. The second submission of this nature, after the first one has been flagged, will result in your being banned from ALL of our sites, NO EXCEPTIONS!!
This group is kind of unique in one way. Most are for people who are professionals in their faith structure. We are for ANYBODY, blue collar, white collar, any religion, anywhere in the world.
Welcome to all, Be well friends...........Rev. Bruce................Tawodi
To take advantage of this service, you can contact them at the following E Mail address....
the-people-of-abraham@googlegroups.com Pose your question in a proper form, your email address WILL NOT be given for any reason to anyone after your question is answered it will be discarded. We will keep the questiion and assign it a file number but your name and any information, will be deleted. SO! don't get angry with us if we don't remember you!! On your answer you will recieve this file number, keep it! Use it to refer to the first question if you want to correlate them for some reason, to us.
The second way to pose a question is to use the comment section on this blog. Yep that's right you can do it right here. We have expanded the comment section to full page size!! This is to give you plenty of room to pose multiple questions and even submit an article!! That's right, you can post here!! It will be moderated, (for obvious reasons) and then, posted if you wish. Or we will simply answer your multiple questions.
You need not be a member of The People of Abraham to use this service, we'd like it if you were, but it is not necessary. This service is open to all. And, more importantly free!! We are all volunteers, everything here is FREE, there is no charge to join, no charge to use the services, no charge for anything you copy and use elsewhere. This is our Calling, take advantage of it!!
The most important thing to remember is this, we will allow NO cross religion debate, NONE!! It is devisive and sometimes destructive and will not be tolerated. If you want to fight, go somewhere else!!
The form to pose a question, is as just that, a question.
Items that are submitted such as "Did you know that such and such religion does/believes thus and such." Any question posed this way will be considered a "challenge question" and will be given a file number and discarded. The second submission of this nature, after the first one has been flagged, will result in your being banned from ALL of our sites, NO EXCEPTIONS!!
This group is kind of unique in one way. Most are for people who are professionals in their faith structure. We are for ANYBODY, blue collar, white collar, any religion, anywhere in the world.
Welcome to all, Be well friends...........Rev. Bruce................Tawodi
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
WHY WE MUST WORK TOGETHER, THE PEOPLE OF ABRAHAM
Over a year ago a good friend of mine Rev. Bruce of Tawodi’s Hawk Nest and I came together to discuss what Muslims, Christians, and Jews can do together to bring about peace within and outside our communities. We were compelled to come together on those things we agree rather than the things we disagree. What we found out and which should be obvious, is that we agree on more things than we disagree. One principle agreement was that all of our respective religions look to Abraham (as) as the father of our religions. As such, if we have a central origin while our paths may vary and disperse in many different directions, if we go backward toward the beginning we find that we all started together. So why not come together in peace?
The Qur’an states:
41:34 But since good and evil cannot be equal, repel evil with something that is better (41,31)and lo! between whom thyself was enmity may then become as though he had always been close unto thee a true friend!
Basically, as Muslims we are told that if we strive toward good and shun evil even those who we disagree with or are our enemies may become close friends.
So what is the People of Abraham about?
The purpose is to capture the spirit of that Qur’anic verse. If we can come together in peace using our shared origin we can come together in peace and produce good works together.
We are not saying anyone is right or wrong in matters of theology. We are not trying to create a new religion. In fact, we are not even trying to discuss dogma only in the context of how we each use our own beliefs as a catalyst in peace.
We are realists. We understand that once you strip away our differences what is left are people who desire peace, freedom, and justice. We want our children to grow up in secure environments, we want to be safe, and we want to live in a better world.
Why not come together with those of similar wants and needs? If Peace is the ideal, then that means we should be able to respectfully disagree without being disagreeable. We should be able to live amongst and with one another in respect. We should be able to understand that no child deserves to grow up in a world were their peace and security in rests on what their religion is.
If we are all the creation and children of God, then that means we all have value. Abraham (as) was the friend of God and as his children, we should be friends with one another in our combined and shared desire to emulate that example.
We have to realize that peace is better than war, that good is better than evil, and that the peacemakers are the children of God.
We need to work together not just for our sake but the sake of future generations.
Either we come together, or we perish apart.
Author; ROBERT SALAAM published on Salaam's blog here on our link list. published here at his request,as co-founder of T.P.O.A.
The Qur’an states:
41:34 But since good and evil cannot be equal, repel evil with something that is better (41,31)and lo! between whom thyself was enmity may then become as though he had always been close unto thee a true friend!
Basically, as Muslims we are told that if we strive toward good and shun evil even those who we disagree with or are our enemies may become close friends.
So what is the People of Abraham about?
The purpose is to capture the spirit of that Qur’anic verse. If we can come together in peace using our shared origin we can come together in peace and produce good works together.
We are not saying anyone is right or wrong in matters of theology. We are not trying to create a new religion. In fact, we are not even trying to discuss dogma only in the context of how we each use our own beliefs as a catalyst in peace.
We are realists. We understand that once you strip away our differences what is left are people who desire peace, freedom, and justice. We want our children to grow up in secure environments, we want to be safe, and we want to live in a better world.
Why not come together with those of similar wants and needs? If Peace is the ideal, then that means we should be able to respectfully disagree without being disagreeable. We should be able to live amongst and with one another in respect. We should be able to understand that no child deserves to grow up in a world were their peace and security in rests on what their religion is.
If we are all the creation and children of God, then that means we all have value. Abraham (as) was the friend of God and as his children, we should be friends with one another in our combined and shared desire to emulate that example.
We have to realize that peace is better than war, that good is better than evil, and that the peacemakers are the children of God.
We need to work together not just for our sake but the sake of future generations.
Either we come together, or we perish apart.
Author; ROBERT SALAAM published on Salaam's blog here on our link list. published here at his request,as co-founder of T.P.O.A.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Updates on Activities
Today is the fifth of July, there have been a few changes and additions, for this blog site and, other places on the net, concerning The People of Abraham.
The first order of business is the inclusion of this site in The Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries, Web site. On this site is an index of links and organizations. Look on the right, you will see a widget that contains the link to get there it is a short web page with full support used to promote various aspects of our, and others, work in interfaith efforts. It is run and maintained by me and others, of these ministries. A short word is in order here as another change is going to take place. It is important to not give the impression of the new Ministries link being a “doorway” to the People of Abraham or any other site. The Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries is a local church, visitation and Bible study conducted by me and other people whose calling is to homebound people and those in nursing homes and Hospice care. Since I am one of the founders I don’t mind, but encourage to some degree, the group. T.P.O.A. but, the work I do locally for it, is recruitment and organizational in nature. There are people who do participate in one place only. They have their own churches, or places of worship, but help in our efforts toward peace. The other thing to realize is that neither I, nor anyone else in this ministry, takes one red cent for anything we do…ever. Donations, sometimes offered, are referred to nursing home, resident moral funds, or gifts to Ronald McDonald House, or other charities in the name of the person donating it, or they may do so in our name. We accept no fees whatsoever, and never will. The same can be said for membership in, or affiliation to, The People of Abraham. I felt it important at this time to clear the air on that issue, thank you for your forbearance. It is also for what ever search engines are looking at us!!! They don’t like “doorways” !! And now, back to the point!
We are just about ready to field our Board of Advisors. These are people who possess degrees in various fields of religious study, some Masters degrees, others baccalaureates, two with DR. after their name. The purpose of these people is to answer questions from members and non members alike. Too much dissention occurs between people of different faith systems of belief, especially when a person makes a statement about someone's faith and they don't even have a firm grasp of their own!!
How anyone can tell me what I believe, when they do not worship in my faith, is a mystery to me, as it is to almost everybody else! Cross religion debate, is not allowed on any of The People of Abraham sites. It too rapidly becomes contentious and destructive and our purpose is to bring people together. Not foster dissention and enmity!!
So, the existence of a board of advisors. If you are engaged in discussion on another site and someone raises a question you would like the REAL answer to, from a scholar trained in that discipline, well, come to one of our sites, pose your question and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person and you will recieve your answer via e mail, ( you must leave an address) If perchance, you do not mind an open posting on this forum here, we will answer it openly, but will not use your name and no information about you will be divulged.
The open posting of questions can take place in the comment section, available after any post. These have been expanded in size, so that an entire page is available to insure you have room to be as thorough as possible, or may have more than one question.
Also if you would like to post an article you have written or present material from you or somewhere else you can use this feature as there is a whole page available, and if you need it, you can simply fill a page, stop, file it by clicking send or submit, and then logging back in and finishing what you are writing and completing your submission. PLEASE! Be aware of copywrite laws and credit material from other sources, as we cannot control access and /or dissemination of material once you post it, we do not want to face copywrite infringment lawsuits!!( niether do YOU!!!)
How do I become a member of The People of Abraham?? EASY, go to the face book site via hyper link, and sign up!! OR do so right here, click on "the google help group site for us, and sign in there, it is more secure as we control access, your information will not be shared. We make no money from these efforts, so there is no reason, at all, for us to give your info to anyone!! We are setting up a directory of benifits and/or activities. You will be asked for opinions, on chat sessions, or maybe even occasional guest appearances on talk shows, if you want to address certain aspects of faith or the group's outside activities for gatherings and rallies, that sort of thing, to increase the group's size and scope that you may participate in, or even organise yourself!
Printed materials, to bring to your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque, to share with your congregations to invite people to join us in this effort. We will be making downloadable forms you can download your self and disseminate that way, there is no cost except for the paper, no postage, no printing, etc. etc. This way we can operate with no dues, no membership fees, and each in his, or her own way, can participate for pennies and we can reach so many more people this way.
Print this page if you wish, it is a blue print for all the things that are taking place, or are on the horizon for The People of Abraham. We need you!! Please join in this important work toward peace. So many say they want it, but so few are willing to do anything for it. We are setting this up so most can be of vast benefit to the work right from their office or living room, it doesn't get easier, or cheaper, than that!!!
Be well all, Rev. Bruce......................................Tawodi
The first order of business is the inclusion of this site in The Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries, Web site. On this site is an index of links and organizations. Look on the right, you will see a widget that contains the link to get there it is a short web page with full support used to promote various aspects of our, and others, work in interfaith efforts. It is run and maintained by me and others, of these ministries. A short word is in order here as another change is going to take place. It is important to not give the impression of the new Ministries link being a “doorway” to the People of Abraham or any other site. The Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries is a local church, visitation and Bible study conducted by me and other people whose calling is to homebound people and those in nursing homes and Hospice care. Since I am one of the founders I don’t mind, but encourage to some degree, the group. T.P.O.A. but, the work I do locally for it, is recruitment and organizational in nature. There are people who do participate in one place only. They have their own churches, or places of worship, but help in our efforts toward peace. The other thing to realize is that neither I, nor anyone else in this ministry, takes one red cent for anything we do…ever. Donations, sometimes offered, are referred to nursing home, resident moral funds, or gifts to Ronald McDonald House, or other charities in the name of the person donating it, or they may do so in our name. We accept no fees whatsoever, and never will. The same can be said for membership in, or affiliation to, The People of Abraham. I felt it important at this time to clear the air on that issue, thank you for your forbearance. It is also for what ever search engines are looking at us!!! They don’t like “doorways” !! And now, back to the point!
We are just about ready to field our Board of Advisors. These are people who possess degrees in various fields of religious study, some Masters degrees, others baccalaureates, two with DR. after their name. The purpose of these people is to answer questions from members and non members alike. Too much dissention occurs between people of different faith systems of belief, especially when a person makes a statement about someone's faith and they don't even have a firm grasp of their own!!
How anyone can tell me what I believe, when they do not worship in my faith, is a mystery to me, as it is to almost everybody else! Cross religion debate, is not allowed on any of The People of Abraham sites. It too rapidly becomes contentious and destructive and our purpose is to bring people together. Not foster dissention and enmity!!
So, the existence of a board of advisors. If you are engaged in discussion on another site and someone raises a question you would like the REAL answer to, from a scholar trained in that discipline, well, come to one of our sites, pose your question and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person and you will recieve your answer via e mail, ( you must leave an address) If perchance, you do not mind an open posting on this forum here, we will answer it openly, but will not use your name and no information about you will be divulged.
The open posting of questions can take place in the comment section, available after any post. These have been expanded in size, so that an entire page is available to insure you have room to be as thorough as possible, or may have more than one question.
Also if you would like to post an article you have written or present material from you or somewhere else you can use this feature as there is a whole page available, and if you need it, you can simply fill a page, stop, file it by clicking send or submit, and then logging back in and finishing what you are writing and completing your submission. PLEASE! Be aware of copywrite laws and credit material from other sources, as we cannot control access and /or dissemination of material once you post it, we do not want to face copywrite infringment lawsuits!!( niether do YOU!!!)
How do I become a member of The People of Abraham?? EASY, go to the face book site via hyper link, and sign up!! OR do so right here, click on "the google help group site for us, and sign in there, it is more secure as we control access, your information will not be shared. We make no money from these efforts, so there is no reason, at all, for us to give your info to anyone!! We are setting up a directory of benifits and/or activities. You will be asked for opinions, on chat sessions, or maybe even occasional guest appearances on talk shows, if you want to address certain aspects of faith or the group's outside activities for gatherings and rallies, that sort of thing, to increase the group's size and scope that you may participate in, or even organise yourself!
Printed materials, to bring to your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque, to share with your congregations to invite people to join us in this effort. We will be making downloadable forms you can download your self and disseminate that way, there is no cost except for the paper, no postage, no printing, etc. etc. This way we can operate with no dues, no membership fees, and each in his, or her own way, can participate for pennies and we can reach so many more people this way.
Print this page if you wish, it is a blue print for all the things that are taking place, or are on the horizon for The People of Abraham. We need you!! Please join in this important work toward peace. So many say they want it, but so few are willing to do anything for it. We are setting this up so most can be of vast benefit to the work right from their office or living room, it doesn't get easier, or cheaper, than that!!!
Be well all, Rev. Bruce......................................Tawodi
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Beginning of Resolving a Conflict
I am with this post trying to clear up two great misconceptions between the world of Islam and Judaism and Christianity.
The devide has existed for hundreds of years and with the presentation of the first accounts of Ismael in the Old Testament, or the Torah, you will see that this story is far older than the formation of Islam.
And when Sara had seen the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with Isaac her son, she said to Abraham:
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:10 Cast out this bondwoman, and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:11 Abraham took this grievously for his son.
EBD NTB SBD
Ge 21:12 And God said to him: Let it not seem grievous to thee for the boy, and for thy bondwoman: in all that Sara hath said to thee, hearken to her voice: for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:13 But I will make the son also of the bondwoman a great nation, because he is thy seed.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:14 So Abraham rose up in the morning, and taking bread and a bottle of water, put it upon her shoulder, and delivered the boy, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Bersabee.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:15 And when the water in the bottle was spent, she cast the boy under one of the trees that were there.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:16 And she went her way, and sat over against him a great way off as far as a bow can carry, for she said: I will not see the boy die: and sitting over against, she lifted up her voice and wept.
EBD NTB SBD
Ge 21:17 And God heard the voice of the boy: and an angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, saying: What art thou doing, Hagar? fear not: for God hath heard the voice of the boy, from the place wherein he is.
EBD NTB SCO SBD
Ge 21:18 Arise, take up the boy, and hold him by the hand: for I will make him a great nation.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:19 And God opened her eyes: and she saw a well of water, and went and filled the bottle, and gave the boy to drink.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:20 And God was with him: and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became a young man, an archer.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Pharan, and his mother took a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
EBD NTB SBD
As you can see the Masoretic texts are represented here and show that niether God, nor Abraham, discarded, or “threw away” Ishmael. The mighty that is God, while maintaining His covenant with Abraham made sure, that even in his iniquity, (Abraham) this was not used as punishment for the child, who was innocent. All merciful God provided for him and produced another great nation of him (Ishmael)
There, you now have the Biblical account, we will now go to the exigitical basis for the names of God, or Allah, as can be proved by diligent study of facts on the ground so to speak. Instead of speculation of a faith you don’t understand, or have never studied, as to do so you have been told, will corrupt your understandings of your own faith. If such is possible, how deep was your faith??
Once again the question has been raised as to the name of God, in relation to Islam and Christianity and Judaism.
Once again it is Christian fundamentalists, and others, who make spurious accusations about the word Allah. Here for all of you is the truth where the name comes from, who the father of Islam is and, what the name, Allah, means and why it means it. There are not ninty nine “names for God In the religion of Islam. There is one name and, one name only. The rest, that many would have you believe are names, are nothing more than descriptions of attributes, just the same as Jews and Christians have over thirty five such descriptions of the attributes of God.
I have engaged in this battle for years and when it is put down in one location once more, it pops up again in another location. Apparently these people think, like Geoseph Geobbels of W.W. 2, if you repeat a lie long enough, loud enough, it will become the truth. this is not so!! A lie, is a lie, no matter how many times you repeat it!! Receive the truth!
I get so tired of stating the truth of things, only to have the very same people come back and speak the same lie, all over again.
TRUE STATEMENT;
The Hebrew EL, was also the Cannaanite EL, or transcendant Chief God. The word is the root of thirty five Attributes of God linguistically for Jews and Christians alike.
ILLAH……pronounced ILL “Yach” ( “ach,” gutteral, glottal stop, implied by “ah” in the semitic languages.) Shortened to AL (prefix word -the-) apposed (attached) to Illah to make the compound word,ALLAH. Phonetic pronunciation Al- ach or The God Taken to mean, litterally, the ONE God of Ishmael, Older brother of Issach, by fourteen years, who, the Bible tells us, that God was with as he grew, to be the father of his own people, to whom would be descended twelve more tribes of people.
Their father???? Abraham !! The Father of the two semitic tribes, Hebrews and Arabs.
Read your Bible people!!!! The Arabs didn’t make this up. We did!!!!!
K.J.V. Biblical,
Citations, Genesis 21: V.9: -21.
Descendants of Ishmael: Genesis 25: V.12:- 18.
These Verses come after the discription of Abraham’s children by Keturah, their names and the dispersal of Abraham’s estate to Issach only, as the child of the covenant between Abraham and God born of Sarah, as God promised. Now for the life of me, I fail to see how you can blame Muhammad for what is in Our own Bible!!! If you figure out how he did that, maybe you can tell the rest of us!!!
Read and learn, I didn’t write this, or invent it, it is in OUR Bible…….
It is very important that you understand that I am a DEVOUT Christian Minister of many years service. The people of Islam have a different understanding of their worship of God. Is it necessary for me to accept it?? No, it is necessary for me to accept that they do. Nothing more is required of a Christian or Jew, other than that. Respect the fact that these things are what they believe and, leave it alone!!! You arenot required, to convert them, attack them, or abuse them for their faith, because you don’t agree with it. Jesus tells us, state your case and walk away, be as harmless as doves. Why as Christians, must we always forget those admonishments, that we were given by the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we profess to follow?? Keep your heart at peace and walk your own path to God, as others walk theirs, you are but human beings, you are NOT to judge, it is written……..
To all my Brothers and sisters of The People of Abraham and for those tired of being afraid.
Rev. Bruce………………………….Tawodi
The devide has existed for hundreds of years and with the presentation of the first accounts of Ismael in the Old Testament, or the Torah, you will see that this story is far older than the formation of Islam.
And when Sara had seen the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with Isaac her son, she said to Abraham:
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:10 Cast out this bondwoman, and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:11 Abraham took this grievously for his son.
EBD NTB SBD
Ge 21:12 And God said to him: Let it not seem grievous to thee for the boy, and for thy bondwoman: in all that Sara hath said to thee, hearken to her voice: for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:13 But I will make the son also of the bondwoman a great nation, because he is thy seed.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:14 So Abraham rose up in the morning, and taking bread and a bottle of water, put it upon her shoulder, and delivered the boy, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Bersabee.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:15 And when the water in the bottle was spent, she cast the boy under one of the trees that were there.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:16 And she went her way, and sat over against him a great way off as far as a bow can carry, for she said: I will not see the boy die: and sitting over against, she lifted up her voice and wept.
EBD NTB SBD
Ge 21:17 And God heard the voice of the boy: and an angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, saying: What art thou doing, Hagar? fear not: for God hath heard the voice of the boy, from the place wherein he is.
EBD NTB SCO SBD
Ge 21:18 Arise, take up the boy, and hold him by the hand: for I will make him a great nation.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:19 And God opened her eyes: and she saw a well of water, and went and filled the bottle, and gave the boy to drink.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:20 And God was with him: and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became a young man, an archer.
EBD NTB SBD TTT
Ge 21:21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Pharan, and his mother took a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
EBD NTB SBD
As you can see the Masoretic texts are represented here and show that niether God, nor Abraham, discarded, or “threw away” Ishmael. The mighty that is God, while maintaining His covenant with Abraham made sure, that even in his iniquity, (Abraham) this was not used as punishment for the child, who was innocent. All merciful God provided for him and produced another great nation of him (Ishmael)
There, you now have the Biblical account, we will now go to the exigitical basis for the names of God, or Allah, as can be proved by diligent study of facts on the ground so to speak. Instead of speculation of a faith you don’t understand, or have never studied, as to do so you have been told, will corrupt your understandings of your own faith. If such is possible, how deep was your faith??
Once again the question has been raised as to the name of God, in relation to Islam and Christianity and Judaism.
Once again it is Christian fundamentalists, and others, who make spurious accusations about the word Allah. Here for all of you is the truth where the name comes from, who the father of Islam is and, what the name, Allah, means and why it means it. There are not ninty nine “names for God In the religion of Islam. There is one name and, one name only. The rest, that many would have you believe are names, are nothing more than descriptions of attributes, just the same as Jews and Christians have over thirty five such descriptions of the attributes of God.
I have engaged in this battle for years and when it is put down in one location once more, it pops up again in another location. Apparently these people think, like Geoseph Geobbels of W.W. 2, if you repeat a lie long enough, loud enough, it will become the truth. this is not so!! A lie, is a lie, no matter how many times you repeat it!! Receive the truth!
I get so tired of stating the truth of things, only to have the very same people come back and speak the same lie, all over again.
TRUE STATEMENT;
The Hebrew EL, was also the Cannaanite EL, or transcendant Chief God. The word is the root of thirty five Attributes of God linguistically for Jews and Christians alike.
ILLAH……pronounced ILL “Yach” ( “ach,” gutteral, glottal stop, implied by “ah” in the semitic languages.) Shortened to AL (prefix word -the-) apposed (attached) to Illah to make the compound word,ALLAH. Phonetic pronunciation Al- ach or The God Taken to mean, litterally, the ONE God of Ishmael, Older brother of Issach, by fourteen years, who, the Bible tells us, that God was with as he grew, to be the father of his own people, to whom would be descended twelve more tribes of people.
Their father???? Abraham !! The Father of the two semitic tribes, Hebrews and Arabs.
Read your Bible people!!!! The Arabs didn’t make this up. We did!!!!!
K.J.V. Biblical,
Citations, Genesis 21: V.9: -21.
Descendants of Ishmael: Genesis 25: V.12:- 18.
These Verses come after the discription of Abraham’s children by Keturah, their names and the dispersal of Abraham’s estate to Issach only, as the child of the covenant between Abraham and God born of Sarah, as God promised. Now for the life of me, I fail to see how you can blame Muhammad for what is in Our own Bible!!! If you figure out how he did that, maybe you can tell the rest of us!!!
Read and learn, I didn’t write this, or invent it, it is in OUR Bible…….
It is very important that you understand that I am a DEVOUT Christian Minister of many years service. The people of Islam have a different understanding of their worship of God. Is it necessary for me to accept it?? No, it is necessary for me to accept that they do. Nothing more is required of a Christian or Jew, other than that. Respect the fact that these things are what they believe and, leave it alone!!! You arenot required, to convert them, attack them, or abuse them for their faith, because you don’t agree with it. Jesus tells us, state your case and walk away, be as harmless as doves. Why as Christians, must we always forget those admonishments, that we were given by the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we profess to follow?? Keep your heart at peace and walk your own path to God, as others walk theirs, you are but human beings, you are NOT to judge, it is written……..
To all my Brothers and sisters of The People of Abraham and for those tired of being afraid.
Rev. Bruce………………………….Tawodi
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