God is the Light

God is the Light

How great the wonders of the heavens
And the timeless beauty of the night
How great – then how great the Creator?
And its stars like priceless jewels
Far beyond the reach of kings
Bow down for the shepherd guiding him home.

But how many eyes are closed
To the wonder of this night?
Like pearls, hidden, deep beneath a dark
Stream of desires.
But like dreams vanish with the call to prayer
And the dawn extinguishes night – here too are signs.
God is the Light - God is the Light

How great the beauty of the Earth and the creatures
Who dwell on her.
How great – then how great the Creator?
As its mountains pierce the clouds
High above the lives of men
Weeping rivers for thousands of years.

But how many hearts are closed
To the wonders of this sight?
Like birds in a cage, asleep with closed wings
But like work stops with the call to prayer
And the birds reside – here too are signs
God is the Light – God is the Light

How great the works of man and the things he makes
How great – then how great the Creator?
Though he strives to reach the heavens
He can barely survive
The wars of the world he lives in.

Yet, how many times he’s tried,
Himself to immortalise?
Like his parents before him in the Garden of Eden
But like the sun sets with the call to prayer
And surrenders to the night here too are signs

God is the Light Everlasting
God is the Light Everlasting
God is the Light Everlasting
God is the Light Everlasting


-By Yusuf Islam a.k.a. Cat Stevens-

Before knowing who was the writer and singer of the song, does it sounds like a Christian song of praise and worship to God?

The Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) worship the one true God.
As Islam praises the one true God, Allah, doesn't it sound like any Christian worship?

This is because Judaism, Christianity and Islam shares the same faith which was passed down from God through a lineage of Prophets.

The Quran (Final Revelation given by God Almighty) to humankind, urges us to worship the one true God and associate no partners with the most high.

Quran 3:64
Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. That we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will)."

Quran 3:67
Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.

People who bow down truly to the will of God are called Muslims. Islam is being total submissive to God's will. As recorded in the Holy Bible, Jesus PBUH was in Gethsemane. He showed how should one pray (falling on the ground on his face and pray, like how the Muslims do). Jesus PBUH showed an example to his disciples in praying to God.

Matthew 26:36-39 (KJV)
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.


Thus, we should all prostrate ourselves to God and work the will of God by serving him and mankind. As long you are of the Abrahamic faith, you are all brothers and sisters of the same faith line. Praise none but God.

-Proper faith-

Here I attached the video to the song.

God is the Light by Yusuf Islam

Women: Gender equality or inequality

What do you think about gender equality? Does woman has equal rights with man?
This article is written to unveil the truth behind women's right in different religion.


Buddhism

In Buddhism, it is preached of equality. In the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, it is said that all sentient beings are to be Buddha by nature. Attaining enlightenment and becoming a Buddha is merely understanding the way of the nature and universe.

Thus, in Buddhism, man and woman are equal in nature. However, in practical, they are not the same. Down to the fundamentals, physically and emotionally, they are different. The question is, how there can be equality then?

Men are physically stronger, therefore they have the responsibility of hard work and earning for the family. Women on the other hand, are much detailed and caring, therefore they hold the responsibility of taking care of the family. Their status are equal but responsibilities are different.

There is parable in the Lotus Sutra. A 8 year old female dragon (female i.e. woman and in the animal realm), who was wise and sharp, listened to the dhama preached by Buddha. She attained enlightenment and achieve Buddhahood when she presented a jewl to Buddha as an offering there and then. Some attendees of the dharma talk disbelieved and were unhappy about her achievement.

They questioned of her capability of attaining Buddhahood. Being a woman, and being a child, it is impossible to attain Buddhahood at the blink of an eye while Buddha had been through many eons of cultivation before attaining enlightenment. Bodhisattva Manjusri explained the equality of man and woman on the path of Buddhahood as to preach to Sariputta who was having an unequal mind and discrimination on woman. The dragon girl in the end proved her enlightenment by transforming into a boy and left on a lotus to other world.


Christianity

With the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the occidental countries, women are treated equally and given voting rights etc.

However, in the bible, I would say it to be a little male-oriented. I would like to clarify that the bible and teachings might be suitable for the culture during those era while the fundamental of doing good still remains the same (e.g. Worship one God, love your neighbors, honor your parents etc).

Some verse actually suggest that women are inferior to men.

Leviticus 12:1-5
Giving birth of a boy causes the mother to be unclean for seven days while given birth to a girl makes her unclean for two weeks.

1Cor 14:34-35
It is disgraceful for woman to speak in the church.

1Timothy 2:11-14
It calls for women to be submissive to man and put the blame of eating the forbidden fruit on Eve alone.


Islam

However in Islam, we are often mislead by the media with perception of Islam equals terror, abusing women and polygamous.

With an open mind, if we look into the message brought by Prophet Muhammad and the prophets conduct as role model, Islam is a religion of peace and treats women with high respect and gave them equal rights.

In the 114 books of the holy Quran, there is book named "Women" (Surah 4- An-Nisa). A chapter in the book dedicated to women!

In this book, it tells the men to respect women as they are created equal in the eyes of God.
Rather than blaming Eve for the deceit (Genesis 3:12) and God punished the Eve first (Genesis 3:16), the Quran (Surah 7:23) tells us that both Adam and Eve repented and asked for forgiveness from God. They are equally responsible for disobeying God.

In Islam, women shares equal rights as men. They are to inherit an equal share of properties left by their parents, sharing among sons and daughters. Men are made to be the protectors and maintainers of women (Surah 4:34).

Contrary to the bible saying women should be silent, women opinions are as important as men. Surah 4:19 tells us that men are forbidden to inherit women against their will (meaning women have a say!) and should not treat them with harshness.

About the Mother of Jesus, Islam had given the highest utmost respect to women. Surah 3:42 says that Allah has chosen Mary, purified Mary, and chosen her above the women of all nation. Such great respect was not mentioned in the bible. Furthermore, a chapter in the Quran (Surah 19- Maryam) was named after the mother of Jesus, dedicating it to the mother of a powerful messenger of God.

Many claims that Islam is a religion where polygamy is allowed. Yes it is.
Surah 4:3 says that men can marry women of their choice, two or three, or four.
However, the revelation given is not because of lust of men, but the responsibility given to men to take care of women who are of the weaker sex. Furthermore, Islam is the only religion, in its holy book, stating that if a man are not able to deal justly between his wives, he should only marry ONE.

It is argued that Prophet Muhammad had 13 wives and suing him to be lustful. However, Prophet Muhammad had only ONE wife and the married again after the death of his first wife (Khadijah) and had taken other wives for political reason to spread the gospel. Before Islam was spreaded, polygamy was normal and women are treated as items. If the Prophet really was lustful, he could had married more at his younger age, but he was faithful to his wife.

Abu Hurairah(RAA) reported that a man asked: "Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of friendly care from me?" He replied: "Your mother" He asked who came next and he (the Prophet) replied: "Your mother." He asked who came next and he replied: "Your mother." He asked who came next and he replied: "Your father" (Bukhari and Muslim). Thus the Prophet(SAW) gave three times as much weight to the mother as to the father when it comes to good treatment from a child.

Mother (woman) is given so much respect in Islam.



As a conclusion, I would like to say that man and woman are EQUAL in the eye of God but DIFFERENT only in responsibility.

-Proper faith-

Arise and Step Up!

Guess this is my first time writing a post on Properfaith. :D

I am from Christian Fellowship of Segi College Subang Jaya. Recently we had a joint CF Camp consisting of students from 3 of our campuses, namely Segi Kota Damansara, Segi KL and also Segi Subang at PeaceHaven Genting Highlands. Our theme was Arise and Step Up. We invited Pastors Alex and Shaun from Eagle Point Church to deliver the message during camp.

What I would like to share here today was the message that was delivered.


The Lord always has a plan for our lives. No matter how you plan, if its not according to the Lord's plan, things will never go well. Eventhough this is said, we must never sit around, idle. God never uses an idle mind. He uses an active mind and the people that we least expect it. The Lord works mysteriously in every one of us and in every way. We may be guided away from our plans gently by His hands and we wont know it at all. The Lord always has a Bigger plan for us and it will lead us to something similiar or something even better than that of our original plan.

People always have fears. They fear of being laughed at. They fear of being left out. They always have the thought of 'I am so small, what can I do?' All these are factors that are keeping people from rising and stepping up for the Lord.
It does not matter if we start small. No matter how small, it has the capability to make a difference. As the Lord had said, ''if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you alone can move mountains'' A mustard seed is extremely tiny. We as an individual have the capability to make a difference. As long as we do not give up trying, as long as we ourselves do not let our fire for God die down, we can continue to make a difference no matter how much time it takes us.

There are 3 main principles to keep in heart.
Conviction not Convenience
Its never about convenience but about conviction. Do not have a don't care attitude about things. Doing things out of convenience sake is never a good thing.

Truth not Trends
Make your decisions based on the truth and not by following trends. By following trends, means that you are following the trends set by others not the truth that is set before you.

Purpose not Popularity
Decisions that brings us closer or further away from God. Also, the Lord tells us to respect and honor other people.

Besides this, there were also a testimony from a friend of the Pastors, who stated that how broken his life was after a certain incident and it slowly began to piece back together after he accepted Christ. Now he is serving in the Campus Ministry, helping others to see that they too can make a difference. They too can Arise and Step Up for the Lord, just as he has done.

It is never too late, or too early or too small to Arise and Step Up.


-Proper faith would like to thank this post by Ms Jigoku Shoujo-

Ghost? Christianity vs. Buddhism (Part 6)

Ghost? A dialog among Buddhist, Catholic and Christian (Christian and Catholic point of view, author's comment)

-This would be last post of the dialog-

Throughout the talk, Pastor Enoch and Father Huang had kept their speeches easy-to-understand for the non-Christian faith followers.

Pastor Enoch had pointed out that it is important to understand between medical condition and paranormal activities.

#1 Ghost. Angel or Demon?

According to Pastor Enoch and Father Huang, ghost can be either be good or evil. Good ghost is called an Angel while evil ghost is called a Demon. Demons are fallen angels. Lucifer rebelled against God and was casted down to hell. He purpose is to lead man astray and away from God, using either fear or delusion.

Angels were created to serve man (Genesis 24:40) and not to be worshipped . He who is worthy of praise and worship is God alone (Deuteronomy 4:19). In the Quran 3:64 and Mark 12:28-31 emphasized that there is no commandment greater than worshipping God and only God. Worship no angel, no man, no idol but God alone.

Fear. Fearing demon possession and paranormal attacks, people starts to give offerings to the demon. Indirectly fear is bringing us to him, worshipping the rebel of God.

Delusion. Delusion is the biggest problem we will ever face. Satan will deceive us using wondrous miracles, powers and authority. In 2 Cor 4:4, it is said that the Satan blinded us to be astray from God.

How do we identify God? Have you ever seen faith healing, praying in the name of Jesus Christ heals many sickness and done wondrous miracles in transforming people's life? Even false gods, false prophets, false Christ are able to perform miracles, how are we to be spared.

With strong faith, even without the blessing from God, miracles can happen. Jesus said in Mark 5:34, faith has healed the bleeding woman (Story can be found in Mark 5:25-34). Faith alone can do miracles, thus the devil misuses the name of Jesus (Matthew 7:22) to perform miracles and disguise themselves as the living Christ (Matthew 24:24). Satan is the master of deception, therefore, beware even if they claim that they are the loyal followers of Christ and prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. Not all churches are the true follower of Jesus Christ. We were warned.


#2 Avoiding contacting the spirits

Pastor Enoch Lam warn us about contacting the spiritual realm. People who provokes the spiritual realm are prone to be possessed or encounter paranormal activities. Why should we, rather than inviting the righteousness in to our life, we invite the devil?

Even Confucius said in Analects, 敬鬼神而远之, respect the gods and supernatural but do not befriend with them.



#3 Attitude towards ghost

Pastor Enoch Lam also expressed that as Man, we should not be the servant of devils (ghosts/fallen angels).

He gave a very earthly example. Before entering the hotel room, most superstitious act done was to knock and to "inform" the ghost in the room that you will be sharing a room with them and plead for forgiveness for intruding. THIS IS WRONG! Why should we be afraid of them? In earthly view, we PAID for the room. The ghost is the one should leave the room and let the rightful owner to reside in it.

Amazing story told yet spoken with authority. We should be awaken. We are created with the breath of the Lord. We are the blessed creation on earth.



afterword by the author
I would like to thank all the readers who had followed all the post regarding this little dialog I attended. I hope I was able convey the message brought by the two venerable monks who represented Buddhism, Pastor Enoch Lam representing Christianity and Father Huang representing Catholicism.

I hope my humble comment and addon were able to bring you to a better understanding towards Buddhism and Christianity. If you have futher questions about Buddhism and Christianity, please send them to properfaith@gmail.com. I will try my very best to find the answers to your questions.

Ghost? Christianity vs. Buddhism (Part 3)

Ghost? A dialog among Buddhist, Catholic and Christian (Buddhist point of view as heard by the author)

-As posted in my previous updates, I attended the talk about "ghost" hosted at Sin Chew Jit Poh-

(I will try my best to recall the whole talk with the help of notes taken)

The dialog started with Venerable Hui Xuan

Ghost. In the Buddhism view, ghosts are one of the sentient beings in the Preta Realm. We treat all sentient beings with compassion, especially those who fell into the three lower realm. Rather than exorcising them, as a Buddhist, we try to spread the gospel of Buddha to them, guiding them to the path of enlightenment. By preaching to ghost, with a compassionate heart, we are able to help them to lighten their suffering and encourage them to leave their current state to be reborn to a higher realm.

Thus, we should not discriminate ghost for they are just like us. Due to their sins and bad karma, they are reborn into the lower realm.

However, in most cases, your encounter what you think. Everything is from your preception and thinking. With evil thoughts and cultivation, we attract evil spirits. We shall practice the noble path (修行) in order to avoid interference from the evil spirits.

After Venerable Hui Xuan, Father Huang DaHua continued, follwed by Pastor Enoch Lam and then Venerable Chang Hui
(Christian and Catholic point of view will be posted in the next post)

Venerable Chang Hui expressed that she felt pressured after a very interesting yet informative speech given by Pastor Enoch Lam. She added on to the speech given by Venerable Xuan Hui, emphasizing on the quality of compassion. She stated that the compassionate intention of relieve suffering beings will able to touch the heart the ghost and enable them to repent their sin and return the proper path, thus leaving the Preta Realm.

She mentioned that in the engraved memories (Alaya- eight consciousnesses) of the deceased, the souls which are not able to be reborn will linger in our living dimension as ghost, retaining their living habits.

Before continuing, she apologized if there are any Malays attending the talk. She expressed that during Ullambana** (she actually meant the Chinese Ghost Festival), during the feeding of the hungry ghost ceremony, those who has gifted eyes are able to see that the ghosts rushed to fight for the food. She also pointed out that, those ghosts do not consist of only Chinese but also other races. Those who are Malay, in cases of the fasting month clashes with the Chinese Ghost Festival, they will refrain themselves from eating while observing their fellow "ghost-friends" enjoying the food. Even as ghost, they carry the habit that they practiced in the past.

(Comments by the Proper faith will be given in the next post)

-Proper faith-

False Prophet

Tantalizing and mesmerizing it may seems,
All these miracles which they possess,
From the righteous way they are not,
Innocent sheep astray they lead.

"After my Nirvana, in the Dharma-ending Age, these evil and deviant entities will abound, spreading like wildfire as they surreptitiously cheat others. Calling themselves good knowing advisors, they will each claim that they have attained the Unsurpassed Dharma. Enticing and deceiving the ignorant, or frightening people out of their wits, they disrupt and lay waste to households wherever they go."
-Shurangama Sutra Chapter 6-

Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
-Jeremiah 14:14 (KJV)

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
-Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

And they say: "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord? Say: " The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner." Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (Quran) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder for a people who believe.
-Surah 29:50-51-

For the devil to sent his minions into the world, clothing themselves in preaching robes (priest, pastor, monks), their ultimate aim is to lead us away from the path of the righteousness, down to the pit of fire.

Most of these "preachers" posseses prohetic knowledge and able to perform certain miracles. Their miracles are not of the righteous but the black power of the devil. They preach to capture your heart and then lead it astray. With miracles they possess, it is not hard for any lost sheep who is dying for miraculous cure and relieve to fall into in.

Sheep we are and sheep are we. Naive and innocent we can be. As one sheep is lead astray by the evil shepard, the rest will surely follow from behind.

Let me relate to you the story of Buddha when he attained Bodhi.

Mara (the devil) tried to tempt and seduce Buddha with wealth, power and his three beautiful daughters. Failing to do so, Mara sent his horde of army to charge against Buddha. The arrows of his monsters lost their sharp points and spontaneously were covered with flowers.

Mara, unable to prevent Buddha from attaining enlightenment, demand Buddha for the his proof to Buddhahood. The Buddha touched the earth with his left hand, and called the earth to be his witness of his Buddhahood. The earth gave a trembling response. Evil may never have victory against Good.

Mara threaten Buddha that he would destroy his Dharma. Buddha claimed that the Dharma he preaches are of the righteousness and will stand strong again the test of evil. Mara admited that he is no match of the Buddha's way of truth.

However, Mara prophesized. "When you have passed on and your Dharma is not firmly upheld by your disciples, I will send my minions to infiltrate into your sanga. They will put on your robe, take your form and preach my evil ways."

Buddha wept.


-Proper faith-

Interest of the Church? Or was it God's will?

Let's define being a Christian:
(Merely Proper faith's opinion, please feel free to correct me)
1. Believe in God
2. Believe in Christ the redeemer
3. Follow Christ's teaching

What do not define a Christian:
1. Going to church
2. Following the pastor/priest/elders

Attending Sunday service, praise God and listening to sermons... Don't all Christian do that?

A story about Gandhi:

Once when the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Ghandi he asked him, "Mr. Ghandi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?"

Ghandi replied, "Oh, I don't reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Something similar I found in Matthew 7:21~23.
Jesus was preaching on the mountain top and said:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ' I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!"

So, when we speak about priest/pastors/elders, are we sure that they are not false prophets who misinterpret or preach for their own benefits?
As Jesus said: (Matthew 7:15)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

So, the bible is the best reference to fall back. Proper faith suggests that Christ's sermons on the mount is the best reference you can get.

For those who claims that their teaching is "PROPER" and emphasize people should follow their teaching but not others etc, who are they to judge?
For Christ said: (Matthew 7:1~2)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

They might be people claiming that they heard God spoke to them. Are you sure not that it is not Satan who had spoken? For Satan is very well skilled in the art of deceiving.

Do churches speak on behalf of God, or they speak for their own benefits?

-Proper faith-