What is Reddit's opinion of Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World??

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

>No, I was not disrespectful in the least. >But I don't think he does, hence I have a difficult time accepting it. >What I said was not at all about sex. It was about the relationship itself, which is forbidden in his religion.

• Alright, I believe you.
• Understandable.
• Oh you mean his parents didn't approve of him dating a non-Muslim girl? That's tough and I feel for you. I also understand where her parents are coming from though.

>Curious, do you agree with macroevolution? Because the science for that is compelling.

Yes. Like most Catholics (and most of Christianity), I am an evolutionist. You'll be surprised to find out that the Church is firmly pro-science (check these out -- one [read atheist Tim O Neil's write up, it's the second one], two and three) and never had a problem with evolution.

It's unfortunate that people think of fundamentalist Protestant Christianity when they think of Christianity (these are the Christians who deny evolution). Then again, what do you expect, they are prominent in the United States which is basically the media center of the world. Ever wonder why "Evolution vs. Creationism" debates only happen there?

>So in terms of universal religious experience, I think it's a placebo effect. You would say you feel Jesus, while a Muslim would say they feel Allah, etc. etc. Not all religious people are praying to the same god, not all of them can be right, so I don't think this is a good metric.

There is a lot to be said on the subject of religious experiences so I'll just mention a few points on my end.

1. I agree with you that religious experiences are the result of natural processes (chemicals). I disagree with you in that I believe that they ultimately find their cause in God, who works through the natural world (while you believe that they were caused by believer's expectations or some other natural cause).
2. I think when you look into the matter of religious experiences, explaining it all away via placebo is convenient and does not do justice to the details/nuances of a number of cases.
3. As a Christian, I believe that God does not reveal himself exclusively to us Christians (through religious experiences) but to all of humanity, because he loves all of us. However, I also believe that he reveals himself to us Christians, through religious experiences and miracles, explicitly (in a way that is clearly Christian) and much much more than in other religions -- and you would expect this if He really did reveal himself in the Christian religion, if Christianity is true and if God really did become man in the person of Jesus 2,000 years ago.

The interesting thing is that when you look at history, you would see that Christianity has a clear and impressive advantage in the miracles department (in comparison to other religions) and really, it isn't even close.

Historically, in Christianity, there have been numerous cases of Eucharistic miracles, Marian apparitions, miraculous healings (take note, for this, I'm just listing Lourdes) and spiritual gifts and religious experiences of countless Christian saints -- men and women of great virtue whose admirable character only add to the credibility of their testimony. Examples of these men and women include Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Anthony of Padua, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri, Catherine Emmerich, John Vianney, Don Bosco, Gemma Galgani and Padre Pio. We also have a pretty awesome relic.

These miracles and religious experiences are clearly Christian -- they are not general religious experiences that can be shared by all faiths (like a devout Christian/Hindu/Muslim feeling blanketed by love).

It's also worth mentioning that there is an interesting phenomena happening right now in the Muslim world, many Muslims are claiming to have visions of Jesus and Mary telling them to convert to Christianity. See here, here, and here

>I haven't come across any peer reviewed studies that strongly indicate the reality of a soul and life after death.

I'm sure you've heard of out of body experiences? Cases of patients who were close to death claiming to have had "out of body experiences" wherein they were conscious, capable of seeing, hearing, moving, etc? Cases wherein these patients would even describe to the amazement of doctors what they saw (e.g. their own bodies, what the doctors were doing to them, what was on this shelf, etc) while they were practically dead. Yes, we have peer reviewed studies for those.

>And even if the soul existed, this doesn't prove an afterlife, nor does it prove any specific religion.

It does prove an afterlife but yes it doesn't prove the truth of a particular religion.

>The true religion could be one we have never heard of because a revelation hasn't been sent yet. There are far too many religions in the world, denominations, sects, for me to think the possible existence of a soul is suggestive of one specific religion.

Are you sure? Looking at history, Christianity earnestly stands out when it comes to historical evidence. I am primarily Christian because I believe that the evidence for the historicity of the Resurrection is compelling (Jesus was legit). Add in the Christian argument from miracles and religious experiences I mentioned earlier and I'd say you have a strong case.

As for which Christian denomination is right (if Christianity is right), a good look at history will tell you that the Church that Christ founded, the first Christian Church, is the Catholic Church -- which can trace itself back to St. Peter and the apostles.

>I'm glad your Christianity doesn't stop you, but that doesn't mean there aren't MILLIONS of other people in the world who aren't as privileged.

What do you mean?

>Frankly, I'm very insulted that you'd go straight to immoral wants.

I didn't mean to be insulting. When I discuss, I assume a good and open discussion. You can even criticize the Church and I'll be alright with it, we're just discussing things honestly and frankly.

In any case, what else was I to think of? Christianity does not stop anyone from pursuing his "wants" or dreams" unless they are immoral. But if I'm missing something, just point it out.

>What are your thoughts on LGBT?

I love them of course. I have gay friends and I also struggle from same sex attraction myself (I'm bi but am much more attracted towards the same sex). But if they're going to ask me about my opinion on their lifestyle, I'll say that it's wrong. And the same goes for my other straight friends who engage in pre-marital sex.

>This is absolutely false. Most people who leave religion do it because they don't agree with the moralities dictated by the religious scripture, or they feel that it is untrue.

I said nothing about people leaving religion.

>For you to say that someone is more likely to live a good life JUST BECAUSE they are religious is incredibly shortsighted.

It's true though. I am not talking about people who merely adhere to a religion but people who take their faith seriously -- who actively live and practice their faith. Look at history, and in all honesty, has non-belief ever produced a group of individuals that could match saints of Christianity -- men and women of great virtue who lived lives of service to others? See Francis of Assisi for example or Therese of Liseux. Being grounded in Christianity is different. Having Christ as the center of your life is different. Being propelled by a Christian vision of the world is different. I also know this because I wasn't always this religious, and I see the difference.

I am not saying that non-belief cannot produce virtuous people. What I am saying is that Christianity moves people towards truth and goodness in a way that non-belief cannot.

Anyway, it's finals week over so this will be my last post in this thread. Cheers!

This is only one such book: http://www.amazon.com.au/DREAMS-AND-VISIONS-Awakening-Muslim-ebook/dp/B0078FAA3M It's rather amazing.

Here are a bunch of videos about it too: https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/muslims-claim-hundreds-of-thousands-are-converting-in-middle-east-after-jesus-appear-in-visions-and-dreams/

Good luck in your searching!