https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/faith-issues/p30/feed.rss Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:48:36 +0000 Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12031/groups-protest-muslim-prayers-at-toronto-public-school Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:39:01 +0000 kyrollos faheem 12031@/community/discussions
I am posting this in every category so everyone can get a chance to see this and vote!

Recently, there have been groups that protested that Muslim prayers should be held in public schools, beginning with Valley Park Middle School in Toronto, Canada. With your vote, we can stop it in Canada and prevent it from spreading to the United States. Please vote to prevent this from happening and forward it to all of your friends and relatives. The voting option is on the right hand side of the article.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/144877--groups-protest-muslim-prayers-at-toronto-public-school

Thank you very much and take care.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12013/avenging-the-martyrs Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:22:37 +0000 copticuser20 12013@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11957/is-epilespsy-some-form-of-evil-possession Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:34:22 +0000 binC 11957@/community/discussions

  Is epilepsy cured by exorcism?


Thank you]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11975/religious-vs-spiritual Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:52:49 +0000 Angelos7 11975@/community/discussions
I've had a topic that's been on my mind recently that I'd love to get your opinion on..

In conversations with several colleagues and friends recently I've found that a lot of people call themselves spiritual but not religious.. i.e they don't follow a particular religion per se but live by the morals and values they say are shared by all religions. In their view, as long as a person lives a good life and is loving and caring to people around them and treats others like they want to be treated then surely God is not unjust enough to condemn them.

This "politically correct" view is so common that even some of my non-church attending Coptic Orthodox friends can see some merit to it. It is also becoming very popular in the media, with people like Oprah among others supporitng some of these new age philosophies. Even Dr. Magdy Yacoub, the famous "Coptic" heart surgeon from the UK follows this same philosophy.

For me as a Coptic Orthodox Christian its simple- I know that there is no Salvation without faith in the blood of Christ and life within the church and its sacraments. Yet how do I get this across to a non-Christian/Hindu/Bhuddist etc who has no belief in the Bible or Christ whatsoever.. How do you talk to them about the idea of salvation and redemption when they have no basis for this?

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this, in addition if anyone knows of any good books or sermons on this issue please share.

Thanks

Ang
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11959/authorship-of-hebrews Sat, 30 Jul 2011 11:49:33 +0000 George_Mina_Awad 11959@/community/discussions
Looking at the letter, I can see why. All of the letters of St. Paul are introduced with some variation of "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ" followed by St. Paul stating who he is writing to. Hebrews, however, cuts straight to the point"

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds...

It almost seems like there was an introduction that was cut out of the text. Also, the entire letter seems to be much more dry than something that would be written by St. Paul. It just seems...different.

The Coptic church, however, still holds St. Paul to be the author. What evidence do we have to suggest that this was the case?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11876/vegetarianism Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:51:45 +0000 henrik.hank 11876@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11889/why-do-we-pray-for-the-dead Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:03:27 +0000 abrahamf 11889@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11912/bibles-versions Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:45:39 +0000 CoptPride 11912@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11821/why-was-jesus-appearing-to-his-disciples-rather-than-the-commoners Sat, 09 Jul 2011 08:07:05 +0000 Tenacpi esna onkh 11821@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11891/god-give-god-take Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:27:28 +0000 liftmyheart 11891@/community/discussions This could be anything from a job, to a friend, to a relationship, to even a character trait.

Forgive me my ignorance.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11902/disturbes-during-prayer Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:27:08 +0000 sodr2 11902@/community/discussions
What would you do in my case? I don't like migrating rooms :(]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11893/thanksgiving-prayer Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:03:18 +0000 orthodox4ever 11893@/community/discussions
Thank You in advance
Pray for me]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11898/what-happened-after-acts Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:03:47 +0000 servant33 11898@/community/discussions
Thanks!]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11890/religion Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:25:53 +0000 Smirser 11890@/community/discussions Nowdays it is speaking a lot about Doomsday.In May i visited one orthodox country there were advetises very big in the center of the town about it's coming in May.Now they chanched the date for December.
But why they don't speak about the period of Anticrist before Doomsday?
Maybe someone knows it is nessessary for Anticriste to be religious or nor?
Thanks.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11766/church-split Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:32:52 +0000 henrik.hank 11766@/community/discussions When the first church split occurred the Copts (well, at least most of them) chose to become Oriental Orthodoxes instead of being Catholics or Eastern Orthodoxes. Why? ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11883/commentary-on-the-gospel-of-st-mark Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:35:36 +0000 joeg 11883@/community/discussions
Could anyone please tell me where I can find an Orthodox commentary on the Gospel of St. Mark? Does anyone know of any of the Fathers that has written one?

Thanks  :)]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11827/faith-vs-religion Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:20:26 +0000 abrahamf 11827@/community/discussions
Jesus clearly rebukes the scribes and pharisees as in Mark 7:8-9, 13. Then in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through empty philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" and again 1 Peter 1:18. Romans 1:17 "For in it the righteous of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith"

Now another argument was that religion is 'man-made' and while it's a means to an end, it may lead one to become like the pharisees! E.g. an over zealous deacon, stops the service to correct the tune because one hazza was missed or rebukes another deacon for not following the exact church tradition. And then it all becomes about who 'knows the most' or has a higher rank.

While in 1 Corinthians 11:2 "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions of my fathers." and similarly, in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6

St Paul clearly tells us to walk in our churches traditions! And i am sure that not every single thing that Jesus preached, during his ministry,  was written down. Some things where just handed down from generation to generation-  some argue that this is very dangerous and can become like Chinese Whispers, i.e everyone just adds on something they like.

Our canons, traditions, doctrines,.., are all based on the Holy Scripture and Apostolic teaching.

Whats your opinon?

PPFM

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11814/for-in-sin-my-mother-conceived-me Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:36:21 +0000 Meena_Ameen 11814@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11809/how-to-calm-the-mind Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:44:18 +0000 binC 11809@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11806/causing-to-stumble-matthew-18-5-7 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:37:45 +0000 Hezekiel 11806@/community/discussions
I have a question that is related to salvation.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Our Lord says :

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

Suppose I am an adulterer and have caused some people to stumble and they sin because my bad morals corrupted their good nature. But later on ,I repent and they do not. Moreover,I would always see the terrible consequences of my bad influence taking its toll on them. Would my repentance be acceptable before the Lord and be forgiven or do I bear the burden of their sin and lose my salvation??

What exactly is the Lord saying in the verse?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11816/orthodox-ebooks Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:18:31 +0000 geomike 11816@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11784/the-transfiguration-luke-9-28-36 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:25:17 +0000 Hezekiel 11784@/community/discussions
I am stuck with this verse in the gospel of St Luke :

"And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.."

The Mount of Transfiguration has both Elijah and Moses  appearing in the presence of God the Father and God the Son in glory. Moses died and Elias was translated.The righteous believers are going to receive the glorified body in the life to come,that is, after the resurrection.

The verse above seems to imply that Moses and Elias did appear with a glorified body, before Christ rose from the dead. If my understanding is correct,How could this be explained theologically?
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11687/did-adam-really-understand-what-death-is Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:41:21 +0000 Hezekiel 11687@/community/discussions  
There is a question that circulates in my mind every now and then.It is from Genesis.

In Genesis 2:17,God commands Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for if he eats from it he will certainly die.The warning is only one phrase and ends there.

Comparing it with the warnings that Jesus gave us in the NT, in Matthew 24 :23-28,the same God commanded us not only to love one another but also gave us detailed warning of false prophets that would appear in the form of the same serpent - "At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.   “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

I wonder if Adam really understood what death is, since he has not seen anyone dying before . Maybe he thought death was not such a horrible thing. Maybe he did not really know how miserable and destructive the world would be after he sinned. Most of the time, when doctors tell us to avoid certain things or else we would die as a result of those things, we do not give much attention to their advice. Perhaps, if God had told him,that his children would be in grave danger, Adam would have been more careful,for no parent would want to see his own child suffer.

Why  hasn't God, given Adam and Eve a more stern and detailed warning, such as "..the devil will try to tempt you into eating from the tree, but don't listen to him". God knew the serpent would tempt them, but He never warned them in advance as He did warn us in the gospel of Matthew. Any views on this will be appreciated.
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11526/who-is-this-prophet Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:10:08 +0000 Hezekiel 11526@/community/discussions
In John 1:19-21, the bible says [i]And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?" [/i]

Muslims use this verse to claim that the Bible had fortold the coming of their 9/11 messenger.Whatever they think, I have no idea who this prophet is supposed to be other then the Messiah.But the verse above makes a distinction between Christ and the Prophet.Can someone explain what this passage is taking about? Thanks
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11065/feeling-the-passion-of-the-christ-hating-sin-and-benefiting-from-lent-how Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:41:41 +0000 11065@/community/discussions
This topic/question exists of 3 parts:

1. How can u feel the passion of the Christ when he suffered on the cross?
2. How can u really hate sin?
3. How could we truly benefit from the fast and Good Friday?

I think 1 and 2 connect with each other, but lets take a look at it step by step.

1. Feeling the passion of the Christ.
How could u really feel his pain? I often see pictures, video's, from Christ suffering, but I don't always feel his pain. I want to feel it, not just feeling it, I want to realize his crucifixion..that he died on the  cross for me. I can't imagine it. Forgive me, but sometimes it feel like, it happened years ago and he is now alive, so he doesn't feel pain now. I know that we say that each time if we sin, we hit a nail in his body..but i cant imagine! Even if I see it.. often i listen taraneem.. i love it and sometimes it really does help..but after the hymn..i get back to real life.. i don't know how to feel it??

2. Hating sin
And how could someone hate sin?? Sometimes i feel very weak and repeat the sin time after time.. now i heard 100x times that this is normal and we must fall, rise, and repent. But it isn't that easy. I want truly repent. I want to remove the love of sin of my heart. I want to HATE sin. Every sin. I want to realize how worse sinning is. I want to realize the consequences. I saw a lot video's of pope Shenouda (come back to God, etc). They are touching..but it's still not everything.
I want to pray with my heart,,with the idea that God listen to me.. I want to know that he hears me... that he answers me..that ..

3. Benefiting from the Lent and Good Friday
I want to benefit from Lent. Problem is, my dad dont wants me to fast now, but next week. Parents..
I want really at least ONE time feel the spirit of the fast. I want to LIFE the fast. Living For Christ. I want to stop being lazy, !! I want to make my plans true. I even made a spiritual diary which i am supposed to write the days i prayed, read the bible, etc, but unfortunately i don't use it..ya know, study, forgetting..laziness.  I want to benefit from y sundayschool service in church. I am feeling like i am not coming any further. I am stuck.
I want on GOOD FRIDAY to LIFE that day. I love Good friday. But sometimes i intend and hope to enjoy that day a lot and pray a lot, but then on the day it doesn't happened. I want to pray with perseverance and tears and to repent.
Oh! And how to benefit from the Resurrection? How to feel the goal of it and the joooy?


]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11746/jacob-wrestling-with-god Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:38:58 +0000 Meena_Ameen 11746@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11761/did-adam-really-understand-what-death-is Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:30:15 +0000 imikhail 11761@/community/discussions
It can be accessed here

http://tasbeha.org/content/community/index.php/topic,11687.0.html
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11693/wednesday-friday-fast Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:08:23 +0000 kyrollos faheem 11693@/community/discussions
I heard H.H. Pope Shenouda III stated that we should not eat any fish on Wednesday or Friday even if they are during a fast that allows fish (e.g. Nativity or Apostle's fast). Is this true or is this one of those things that someone just thought of and decided to put the pope's name behind his ideas?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11721/is-pope-archelaus-18th-pope-of-alexandria-saint-or-not Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:07:25 +0000 Alexrus77 11721@/community/discussions In his biography is written that he accepted Arius in the church against the command of his predecessor Pope Peter the Seal of Martyrs. Because of this he did not remain on the Chair longer than 6 months, then departed.

At the end of his biography is written: " May his prayers be with us. Amen."

It is not mentioned that he repented from this sin. Can you clarify me is he saint or not? And how did he right a wrong?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/11665/bells-on-the-censer Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:34:16 +0000 manasr 11665@/community/discussions