This post is in response to an earlier post by another member who recalled visiting Speakers corner in Hyde Park, London and coming across a situation where a couple of speakers got challenged on the existence of God.

That debate was shut down by populist rhetorical devices which speakers will often use to close debate when they are not knowledgeable or confident in debating a topic.

I will not suggest that I am knowledgeable enough or have the eloquence to do the topic justice, but there were a couple of topics I wanted to reply on.

Can you Prove that God exists?

I remember having a trip to Sodom [sorry London] I paid my usual visit to Hyde Park. It was a nice day and I had taken the opportunity to buy a Gregg’s meal deal [very good value, but I am not sure if it is Halal or Haram?]

After lunch I took a walk to the Speakers Corner, it is well worth a visit to listen to people expressing their personal opinions. Maybe join in, for more info check out the link below.

http://www.speakerscornertrust.org/guidance/guidance-notes/conducting-ev...

Umrah is one of the pilgrimages that Muslims perform by visiting the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. The major pilgrimage and one of the five pillars of Islam is Hajj, which is accomplished in Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar. When compared to it, Umrah is called the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage'. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year by Muslims who are physically and financially capable for making the journey. Unlike Hajj, which is an obligation for all Muslims, Umrah is not compulsory. However, it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and carries immense spiritual rewards for the pilgrim who performs it.

Part Twelve. Jesus’s teaching continues. Prayer

Jesus was asked by his disciples how should we pray? Here is two of his replies,

Luke chapter 11 verses 1 to 4

Instructions on Prayer

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, may your name be honoured; may your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,

As we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And do not lead us into temptation.”

He did not say to prostrate your self on the ground. Indeed he his often-portrayed standing with arms outstretched looking up.

Part Eleven. The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

After the feeding of the 5000, Jesus warned his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were the Political and Religious leaders at that time. Was he both warning his disciples and foretelling how he would be arrested and killed? He could also have been giving us advice about our leaders today?

Matthew chapter 16 verses 5 to 12

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Mary Magdalene; a film

There is a film released this week for viewing at main cinemas, it depicts the life of Mary Magdalene. I have only seen the trailer, but I do intend to watch the film. I am always interested how MSM portray the Bible and Christianity.

Mary Magdalene Trailer (2018) Rooney Mara Jesus Movie

https://youtu.be/YOzyzRrgDAQ

It as already started some opposition, in the fact that it appears to portray a romantic [more then just a platonic] relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. This in itself is not unusual; there have been many film, and book portrayals concerning this alleged relationship.

Part Ten. Jesus Teaching continues. Breaking with traditions and defilement.

There was a blog about Walkers crisps being Haram or not. There are lots of dietary laws that Muslims share with Jewish tradition. Both traditions regard Christians who follow no such laws as being wrong, unclean, or we do not care to follow laws laid down and simply do our own thing.

Why is this? I agree some Christians read the Old Testament and simply choose to ignore them, [or indeed some Christians pick and choose which laws to follow] Some Christians follow Jesus’s example. Mark in chapter 7 gives an example of this.

Mark chapter 7 verse 1 to 23

Breaking Human Traditions

Part Nine. Jesus Teaching continues, Feeding of the five thousand

It is said that Jesus travelled round Galilee, preaching, healing the sick and doing many miracles.

But what is a miracle?

Miracle | Definition of miracle in English by Oxford Dictionaries

An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency....'People with traditional religious beliefs may view psychic phenomena as miracles or divine interventions by God.

One of Jesus’s miracles is the feeding of the five thousand. This is mentioned in all four gospels

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Part Eight. Jesus Teaching continues, Conversation with Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin [the Jewish council] he is to appear later and play a large part in Jesus’s trial and eventual execution and in doing so fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy.

John chapter three verse 1 to 21

Conversation with Nicodemus