Peace Begins Here - Recently Updated Pages

Are We Living In Peace?

heathermoreland — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:04:59 CDT

Many people say we are living in peace together. But, I just want to ask you: Are we truly living in peace with each other?

Is it true peace when we don't even say "Hello," to each other in the grocery store?

Can it truly be peace when we hold no real concern for each other's well being?

We may not have gone so far as to lift our hands against one another. But, haven't we all been guilty of lifting our hearts against one another?

Haven't we all sinned against the one God who created the heavens and the earth? Is it not true that each and everyone of us have fallen short of the glory of God? Which of us could stand before Him in our own power?

Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe there is only one God who created the heavens and the earth. We also agree that He created man. If we love the Creator, how can we not also love what He created?

The same God that created me, created you. We are all beings formed by God for His purpose. Each of us were fearfully and wonderfully made by the same Creator.

There is a world full of people out there who don't even believe God exists! We believe that there is one God who created the heavens and the earth. We ought to be loving each other, not judging each other.

We may want others to convert to our own religious beliefs but the reality is that not everyone will. Should we walk around hating those who don't follow our beliefs or should we walk around showing compassion, love, and mercy to the human beings that were created by the same One who created us?

Truly, let us acknowledge that each one of us have been given the right to choose which way we will go.

So, I say to you: You have your religion and I'll have mine. Let me try to love you, my neighbor, just as I love myself. And, may we treat the stranger who dwells among us as though he were "born" among us, for have not those who went before us been strangers in a strange land also?

Let those who tremble before the one true God, that created the heavens and the earth and all it's fullness, be the first to extend their hands and heart to their neighbor in peace, mercy, and compassion - knowing that one day each of us will give an account for how we have treated the very creation of the fearful and awesome God.

- Heather Moreland

Peace Begins Here Home

heathermoreland — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:03:42 CDT

Peace Begins Here is a simple message to convey the idea that peaceful living begins here, right here in our own communities.

Peace Begins Here is an online site where Christians, Jews, and Muslims can come together to offer suggestions of how we can live together more peacefully on a community level.

Post your ideas for Peaceful Living in our Discussion Forum.

- Heather Moreland

Searching for Writers

heathermoreland — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:56:12 CDT

Peace Begins Here is looking for writers to join the site.

A Jewish viewpoint on this subject would be very helpful.

Anyone who feels they have something to contribute as to how the three Abrahamic religions could live together more peacefully is encouraged to email their writing at: www.hthrmoreland@gmail.com.

Thank you.

- Heather Moreland

A Message About Christianity

heathermoreland — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:51:09 CDT

Christians believe in one God who created the heavens and the earth and all its fullness.

Christianity teaches that the first humans, Adam and Eve, were given extraordinary ease and delight in the Garden of Eden, including a personal companionship with God - so much so that God would even "walk" in the Garden with them.

Even with all the good and ease that God presented them with they both chose to sin, going directly against God's command, not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They chose to believe a lie and temptation of the devil, in the form of a serpent, rather than obey God and keep His command. Because of this falling away, Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. The serpent, Adam, and Eve were cursed for their rebellion.

But, Christians believe that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving. Christianity teaches that God the Heavenly Father had a plan to save His creation from the curses and snares of sin, long before time began.

Christians believe that God the Father would use His Son Jesus, the Christ, as an eternal and just sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world reconciling anyone who would believe on Him to the Father.

Christians believe that Jesus' earthly entrance was performed miraculously through a virgin by the Holy Spirit hovering over her, causing her to conceive the human form of Jesus, the Son of God. Christians do not believe that God is like man that He should have relations in the way men do to bare a Son, but rather that because He is all powerful and His word commands the universe, that all He had to do was will for it to happen, He spoke of it, sent His Holy Spirit to hover over Mary and miraculously she gave birth to Jesus with no earthly father involved.

Christians believe that God the Father planned for Jesus to walk the earth, from before time began, to set an example of perfect submission to God the Father, living as a human being but with no sin whatsoever, teaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God, and finally to suffer even unto death as a holy and perfect sacrifice before the Father; carrying with Him the sins of the world, washing them away white as snow through the crimson flow of His blood which was spilled for many.

Christians believe that after Jesus' death, He rose again as He had stated beforehand to His followers and others. Christianity teaches that Jesus rose back to life on the third day in victory over Satan, death, and sin - having conquered the world and all that opposes God. The resurrection of Jesus' slain body exemplified His victory and reign.

Christians also believe that He walked around the earth for forty days and then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the power of God.

Christians believe that Jesus the Son and God the Father are one, just as Jesus proclaimed while on earth. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit of God is also with and part of God. Christians believe the Spirit is a Helper to those who believe; giving them supernatural powers whether it be the speaking of tongues,prophecy,healing the sick,or showing outstanding displays of God's mercy,love, and forgiveness to people who have severely offended or even harmed them in some way.

Christianity teaches that no one can come to the Father except through the Son, Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one can have eternal life without accepting Him.

Christians believe that Jesus will return to earth one day to defeat the Antichrist, the incarnation of Satan, and all that opposes God in a final battle of good and evil.

Christianity teaches that there will be a Day of Judgment for all mankind in which everyone will give an account for their lives. Because no man is perfect for his entire life, and even if one becomes able to restrain his physical body- there still remains the sins of the heart that lie deep within us- Christians recognize their need for a Saviour to save them and ransom them from God's hot wrath and eternal judgment. Because we believe that God provided this salvation for us through His Son, Jesus the Christ we believe on Jesus' sacrifice and work at the cross throwing ourselves on the mercy of God-pleading in the name of His Son's blood to be saved from eternal damnation for the wretched state of our souls.

Christians believe that once someone has accepted Jesus as the Son of God and Christ believing that He is the truth, the way, and the life that they will be made new and "born again" with a new heart and a new mind - constantly being changed into the holiness that the LORD expects of us; but not in our own power but through the power of the Son who was made to be sin for us that we might be saved from sin.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
-Heather Moreland

A Message About Islam

heathermoreland — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:25:55 CST

Islam means submission to God's will of Peace.

Muslims are commanded to live in peace with themselves and their neighbors. Neighbors includes everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

We believe in the One God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in between. He created mankind and therefore all people are brothers and sisters. In the Qur'an it states that : "O Mankind, surely we have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that yo may know one another (49:13). Thus we are commanded to respect one another. It is the duty of each Muslim to explain Islam to our non-Muslim neighbors. The Qur'an states that only God makes Muslims. That is it is our duty as Muslims to explain Islam and it is up to God who will believe it and who will not. It is NOT the duty of any Muslim to covert anyone. We are only to explain what Islam is. The Qur'an states in 109:2-6 "I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I shall not be worshipping that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me be my religion." We are taught to repent of all our sins. In a recent sermon we were taught that any Muslim who says that his non-Muslim neighbor is going to hell that he (the Muslim) must repent for this statement. That it is our duty to be neighborly to our non-Muslim neighbors. How else can the non-Muslim neighbors learn about Islam. They learn as much from our behavior as by what we say. It is only by being good neighbors to our non-Muslim neighbors can the non-Muslim learn what Islam truly teaches.

Islam teaches that God sent one message to all mankind beginning with Adam and ending with Muhammad. That each prophet came with the same message which is to worship the one God and to live in peace with our fellow human beings. The Qur'an speaks specifically about the people of the book (Christians and Jews) and says that there are many believers among them.

Jesus is mentions by name in the Qur'an more times that is Muhammad. As Muslims we believe that Jesus was the son of Mary who was a righteous woman. Jesus was created in Mary's womb by the word of God. God said be and it was. Thus Jesus had no earthly father. We do not refer to Jesus as a son of God because God does not procreate. Procreation is for God's creatures. God creates by saying BE and it is.

Muslims are taught to respect all of God's creation. We are to be kind to all of God's creatures. This includes the was an animal is killed for food. He must be killed in a kind humane way. He must be kept calm and then his throat is slit with a very sharp knife so as to not cause the animal pain. The slaughter may not be done within sight of another animal of the same kind. Tis is done so that the animal does not see his relative being killed. In all things we are to be kind and gentle. This is the peaceful Muslim way of life.

Martha Scott

founding member of The Concerned Muslims of Annapolis, Inc.