Very traditional asian inlaws getting on my XXXXX

EdInvestor

Elaine, you say you are English and Muslim. I cannot understand why an Englishwoman would volunteer to join such a foreign religion. As I understand it, you say your prayers in Arabic, am I right? Arabic is a Middle- Eastern language.

Not quite sure that I see what the conflict is here.It wasn't very long ago (Margaret will remember) that the language of the Roman Catholic religion (which used to be the main English religion before Henry V111 started having woman trouble) was Latin.

I think we're back to the Romans again. :rolleyes:

An of course the language of Jesus was Aramaic, which is another Middle Eastern language.

margaretclare

Yes, EdInvestor, but nowadays we all speak English, not Aramaic, not Latin. I have never seen the need to learn another language in order to talk to God. I've always assumed that He understands all languages. As Christians in other lands pray to Him in their own language, as we do.

Aunty Margaret

EdInvestor

I'm not quite sure about this, but you remember the big fuss about switching from Latin to English services years ago?

Well, I believe I've read that a similar fuss is going on in some Muslim countries where they don't speak Arabic now (SE Asia maybe?) - with some clerics wanting to use the local language and others saying this is heresy.Just as before.

Maybe the old saying "there's nothing new under the sun" is a bit extreme, but there's a lot of truth in it IMHO....

black-saturn

The main religion in SE Asia is Buddhism.

black-saturn

elaine373 wrote:

Well as far as when in Rome etc etc, I am a muslim and this is my country. I have the right to follow my religion.( As do other religions.) Thats a very narrow point of view. I live very happily, amongst christians,hindu`s, Seikhs,etc, and non religious people. I am english , so i dont have a country to return to. I have met many narrow minded people and have heard the expression when in rome do as the romans do, but there are aspects of my religion which i am not going to abandon just because people dont understand it. I FIND THAT POSTING VERY INSULTING. where is it written that we should all be the same. Get over it, this country is multi racial and multi religious.Thats a fact.

OK but dont expect us to lose all our customs to accomodate you.

elaine373

black-saturn wrote:

OK but dont expect us to lose all our customs to accomodate you.

Obviously there is some resentment here. You dont own this country just because you may be a typical brit, and i am not.
When did i say that i expected any-one to change to accomodate me. The point i was trying to make is that it would be nice if each individual could go about their business without it interfering with each other. Maybe thats unrealistic.
Magaretclare, supplication can be made in any language. Islam is a religion not a race or a language, although main prayers are in arabic.
I am truly hurt by some of the comments made here and it confirms the prejudice and lack of understanding.
Lets please get back to the main topic of in-laws.

meheraltaf

margaretclare wrote:

I know I am setting myself up to be flamed here, but....Elaine, you say you are English and Muslim. I cannot understand why an Englishwoman would volunteer to join such a foreign religion. As I understand it, you say your prayers in Arabic, am I right? Arabic is a Middle- Eastern language. Don't you think that God understands all languages? Won't He hear your prayers, as He hears mine, if you pray in your native tongue?

I had a bit of a discussion with B this morning when we were talking about Christmas, Advent etc. He said: 'The bottom line is, I believe in God'. I said: 'But you could have believed in God and stayed with the religion you were brought up in - you deliberately chose to become a Christian' (he was baptised in his 70th year). He said: 'Oh no no, I didn't want to stick with them and maybe become another one like Kirk Douglas'. 'Well then, you could have become a Muslim, they believe in God'. 'No, no, no!' And he made that point that I've made, that he prefers to pray in his own language and he has every belief that God hears him.

(Retreats putting tin hat on). BTW it's Advent Sunday - a happy and blessed season of Advent to everyone.

Aunty Margaret

Reminds me of this saying:
'Tis better to be thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt

It is not anyone's business or concern the language or God of Elaine's prayers. And in any case, you have got everything wrong, these are sensitive issues, a person's God, religion and faith is intimate and exclusive to them and not one for others to question, influence or comment on.

black-saturn wrote:

The main religion in SE Asia is Buddhism.

It is diverse, mostly Buddhism and Islam, there is a difference too-Buddhism is not a world religion whereas Islam is.

jellyhead

meher what makes you so nasty to aunty margaret? (she's called that because she's been kind and given good advice to members on this site who wanted to regard her as an honorary aunt by the way). such bile and vitriol is disrespectful and immodest. i'm guessing you're unmarried! could we have a discussion without getting personal? surely you can disagree with margaret without insulting her.

elona

Well said jellyhead.

I have always considered "Aunty Margaret" as one of the nicest people on the site and she is the very opposite of a fool.

You are right - she does not deserve this.

The vitriol and spite have not only been directed at her but at anyone meher believes to be "brainless" which is presumably the worst insult conceivable.

We presumably show ourselves as such if we dare post personal experiences or problems in order to try to help others or to show that they are not alone.

If mehers "Brains" mean insulting an elderly lady in bad health and in pain is acceptable behaviour than I am ashamed of my high I.Q.!

meheraltaf

Ok, I have edited. This lady has been hostile to my very first post on this thread, not that I want to stoop to her levels, but if she is wrong about something, I dont have to be so obliging and accept it. Also I think her posts on this thread are not particularly genuine, as if to mock a religion or race and I am unable to appreciate that.