Site Web Get a free search engine for your site

As a mystic and Unity minister, I know my work is to see oneness and to be a channel for love and understanding in the world. So, how do I reconcile this with all that is going on in Iraq?

I began to explore the religion of Islam, its prophet and holy book––the Qu’ran.

Life in Arabia was brutal before the Prophet Muhammad came with his teachings. People lived in tribes roaming the desert in a life and death struggle over trade routes and water.

About 500 years after Jesus lived, Mohammad, a successful trader, began having spiritual experiences in which he was given words of wisdom to recite.  These messages from the angel Gabriel and God were combined to make the holy book of the Qu’ran. By the time of his death, twenty-three years later, Muhammad’s teachings had unified the tribes and transformed the conditions of his people, giving them pride in a new identity.

Author Karen Armstrong in her book Muhammad, a Biography of the Prophet, writes: “The very word islam, which denotes the existential ‘surrender’ to God, which Muslims are required to make, is related to salam––peace. Muhammad pursued a daring, inspired policy of non-violence…[he] was a peacemaker.”

What wisdom did God reveal to Muhammad that caused this transformation of a people? The Qu’ran demands Muslims work with the followers of Moses and Jesus to identify common ground and promote cooperation for doing good and preventing harm.

Some similarities between Christians and Muslims include:

• Both claim there is one  God.

• Both teach spiritual openness to others.

• Stories of Jesus & Mary are in the Qu’ran.

• Muhammad revered Jesus as a prophet.

Parallels found between Jesus & Muhammad in  the book Jesus and Muhammad by Joey Green

• Both had core values of love, compassion, peace, forgiveness, and repentance.

• Both charismatic leaders taught lessons they claimed came from God.

• Both faced rejection from their people.

• Both stood up against the status quo and preached against social injustice and

struggled to bring people closer to God.

• Both insisted that their spiritually enriching messages were for all humanity.

Parallels between Islam & Christian scriptures.

On “Love”

•Matthew: 5:39: If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

•Koran: The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only he who controls himself when he is angry.

 On “God”

•John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says.

•Koran 13:11 God does not change what is in people until they change what is in themselves.

Five times each day Muslims are called to prayer––one quarter of the population of the world faces east (representing Mecca, and the heart of Allah, found within their own heart) as they pray. Prayer in Islam about attaining an attitude of praise that leads one to an experience of God that is beyond words.

Muhammad said this about prayer: “God is peace. So when...you pray, say, ‘All benedictions are for God; and so are all prayers...Peace upon you, O God.

Peace upon us, and upon all genuine servants of God,’ For if you say this, it will reach out to every true servant of God in the heavens and the earth...”

We are all servants and messengers of God, all here to love God and each other. Let us not allow the actions of a few color our attitude about the many. Let us not allow a media, focused on the negative in the world, to hide the truth of the beautiful, sacred connections that we have with the people of Islam throughout the world. Our sacred work is to come together in love. In this season of darkness, we can be the light that dispels the darkness of prejudice, fear and narrow-mindedness by opening our minds and hearts to our unity in and as love. Blessings, Jan

 

JAN CHASE is the minister at Unity Church

of Pomona.

 

•CELESTIAL CHRISTMAS AUCTION

silent & live auctions, raffles & divine food

Sat, Nov 13, 6-9pm

Magnolia Pk, North Hall, 651 W 15th St, Upland Call for $15 Tickets

 

• CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION SERVICE

Sun, Dec 19, 10:30am

 

• CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Fri, Dec 24, 7pm

 

• RADICAL FORGIVENESS WORKSHOP 

Rev. Marsha Starr Wolf

Sat, Dec 4, 10am-noon

 

Unity Church

of Truth

www.unityofpomona.org

524 E. Pasadena, Pomona

Please Call to Register for Classes: 909-629-3035

• Tai Chi Mondays, 4 - 5pm thru Nov 15

• A Course in Miracles Study Group ~ Fri, 1pm thru Dec 17

• Sufi Dancing  Fri, 11/12 & 12/10, 7:30pm

• Holistic Series Continues thru November

     Explore the World of Aroma Therapy ~ 11/3, 7pm

     Shamanic Journey to the Upper World to Find

         a Master  Teacher ~ 11/10, 7pm

     Weave Your Life Story with Yarn ~ 11/17, 7pm

• All Ages Thanksgiving Service ~ Wed, 11/24,  7pm 

• “Decorate Your Own Yule Log” Party ~ Wed, 12/8, 7pm

     Call to reserve space!

• You are the Light of the World Meditation Sat, 12/11, 11-noon

• Joyous Sounds of Christmas Concert ~ Wed, 12/15, 7pm

• Here We Come a Caroling w/refreshments Wed, 12/22, 7pm

Sunday Mornings: Mastermind 9:30 am

 Prayer & Silence 10 am • Service 10:30 am

Food & Fellowship every Sunday following 10:30 am Service