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Malaysian court rules use of 'Allah' exclusive to Muslims

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and so brotherly love and understanding continues to make progress in the world of religion.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

“God is an integral part of every religion.”

So is killing

6 ( +10 / -4 )

“God is an integral part of every religion.”

Except for Buddhism!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Sigh... it's a shame. Malaysia was a model nation for ethnic and religious harmony, and now it looks like it's going to fall apart.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

So does that mean Muslims can't say "oh my God"? Or even OMG?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Yes, does that mean Muslim newspapers in Malaysia can't use the word 'God'?

What a stupid situation. Another example of Islam's lack of tolerance of other religions.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

That First Amendment is looking pretty good right now.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Now Malaysia became a very racist country.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

the government argued that the word Allah is specific to Muslims

Allah means God in Arabic. This is obviously a political ruling and only meant to suppress non-muslims.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Take it as 'Patent Law" - All Rights Reserved (!) move on.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

So much for me thinking about going to Malaysia.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

So much for me thinking about going to Malaysia.

You'll be alright. Just don't say, "I'll go a la (Allah)carte" when visiting a restaurant. They will misunderstand you and shoot you in the name of religion.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

"Malaysia was a model nation for ethnic and religious harmony,"

If your definition of "harmony" involves the harsh suppression of minorities. Islam has long been legally enforced in Malaysia. Every Malay is born a Muslim, whether they like it or not. Conversion means a loss of constitutional privileges. Malaysia, you see, has affirmative action...for its majority!! Yeah, a real "model."

Mind you, by Islamic country standards, Malaysia is considered liberal and progressive. The other countries are even worse.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Stone age stuff

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Religion, in all its myriad forms, continues to dazzle in its unwavering ability to highlight the worst and most petty aspects of humanity.

Way to go, Malaysia, for dragging your country kicking and screaming back to the Middle Ages.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Allah is the Muslim god had has no connection with the Christian God of the Bible.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

@realist

You're completely wrong. They are the same (albeit imaginary) deity.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Religion doing its usual job of creating division where none need exist. What name could this newspaper use? Allah simply means 'The God' ( Al - the, Lah - God ). Perhaps they could call him/her/it 'That God'. Any better? How about Bob? This ridiculous nonsense deserves ridicule.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

There is no god but God.

Let the clerics fight over the 'correct' name for the eternal intelligent spark and miraculous gift of life.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Everyone, in the name of all that is holy, please don't try to pin this stupidity on all Muslims. These are three idiot judges from one country; Malaysia.

I wonder if they had any inkling what a quandary they just threw all potential converts in Malaysia. Morons.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

taiko666 is correct. The name "God" for christians, "Yehowah" or "Yahweh". for the Jewish religion and Allah for Islam are in fact the same God of Abraham....from which all three religions originate.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

ethnic Malays, who are Muslim by law

Wow. To any enlightened human, adherence to a religion by jurisprudence is quite a contradiction of terms.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

taiko666 is partly correct.

To state however that the central deity of three major religions is 'imaginary' is an equal but opposite statement of faith to saying that such a deity is 'real'. Neither can be proved.

I would hope that people might keep their minds open, without prejudging presence or absence.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

JeffLee: "If your definition of "harmony" involves the harsh suppression of minorities."

Relax! You cannot deny that until recently people of various ethnic backgrounds have been living together in Malaysia without any major terrorism or fighting, etc., no? It is much unlike a nation like the US where, while baptized as Christian (much like Malays are 'born Muslim') and you can change later, you have open fighting on the streets based on religion -- or just plain hatred and intolerance.

This ruling is a major step back for Malaysia, for sure, but you still cannot deny the facts. I mean, just look at your own anger as an example.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

More institutional intolerance.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

'Stone Age stuff' That's a bit insulting. Bronze Age, please.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Jimizo, I tend to agree with Stone Age, a time before much human evolution. Why do you prefer the technically advanced Bronze Age?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Malaysia was a model nation for ethnic and religious harmony,

I have one word in response: Bumiputera. Check out that word, and all the privileges that come with being one, or lack of rights for those who aren't born the right ethnicity. Thank Allah Singapore has no concept of Boomies

1 ( +3 / -2 )

realist

Allah is the Muslim god had has no connection with the Christian God of the Bible.

It's the same God Tiger. Absolutely the same God.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@naka Sorry, a lame attempt at humour. The Abrahamic religions are Bronze Age religions ( Islam right at the end ) and carry with them all the ignorance, superstition and barbarism you'd expect from men living at that time. They were of course more sophisticated than their ancestors but it is dangerous, divisive and insulting to have supposedly educated people, judges no less, stating these words in the 21st Century. These books are entertaining ( some more than others - reading the Koran was a real slog for me ) but this decision highlights how taking these books seriously causes problems.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jimizo: "They were of course more sophisticated than their ancestors but it is dangerous, divisive and insulting to have supposedly educated people, judges no less, stating these words in the 21st Century. These books are entertaining..."

And yet many Christians are pretty Old Testament -- one of the funniest books on the planet. Intolerance is not a one-way street. More like a roundabout, I'd say -- we keep making the same mistakes for the same stupid reasons and try to fob off the blame on everyone but ourselves.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My comment above that "there is no god but God'"got a minus three as of this moment. People here may have mistaken my meaning, and if so, apologies.

It is my translation of the Islamic phrase, "there is no god but Allah". There is no supreme being outside the supreme being. If the being is supreme, there can only be one, because the other would not be supreme any more.

Many Muslims quote this but break it in almost in the same breath by thinking that the God of Christianity or Judaism is a different being. If you read the Koran/Qu'ran, it is crystal clear. This means that it is impossible for there to be two supreme deities. To suggest such may be considered blasphemy in Islam, but it is also illogical. So, whether you call the object of your calling Yahweh, Allah, Dieu, Gott, God or whatever, it is what is behind the wording that has to be important, of which there can only be one.

A BBC article today says: "People of all faiths use the word Allah in Malay to refer to their Gods", but that reporter also has the same misunderstanding. They are not different 'Gods'.

Without this argument, the absurdity of the whole ruling in Malaysia cannot be understood. The three judges made a purely political, secular decision.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This is fine, no problem. But may I kindly suggest you allow those born Muslim who want to convert to other religions, say Christianity, to do so without being afraid of execution? Just a little request, you know.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The God of the Bible is the Creator God of the Universe. Allah, the God of Islam, is an entirely different entity. The God of the Bible is the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God. Since the Father and the Son are One, and since Islam does not recognise Jesus as the Son of God, their Allah is a completely different entity. I have no problems with Malaysia's decision to regard Allah as a completely different entity from the God of the Bible, for so he is.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

I am a Malaysian Chinese now living in Japan. I can never understand them (Muslim ).. and I don't want and need to coz' GOD teaches us to do the right thing, it's the problem with human being ...life is given to us and short..why make a fuss of it...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Let's not get caught up in words, lest we fall into the same trap.

The God of Abraham is, was and always will be the same for Muslims, Jews and Christians. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Most subsequent decorative interpretations we (of different faiths, races and colour/color) have placed around about end up giving a distinctly different flavour/flavor to our rituals and practice. Then you can even begin to imagine such things as architecturally different quarters in heaven. The moment anyone puts their religion first over perceived others and loses sight of the inner truth, the path to war opens up. By creating two Gods, you immediately get into a shouting match over which one is greater, and the stupid and unnecessary fighting begins all over again.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Hmm... I wonder how many countries I can break laws in with the following sentence:

"In the monotheistic religions, the supreme deity is referred to using various names, with "God", "Yahweh", and "Allah" as examples of the names used by Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, respectively, for said being."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Just don't say, "I'll go a la (Allah)carte" when...

Or "Well al ah be dammed"....

Fadamor, you forgot Jehovah. Don't want to leave the JWs out of the fight.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Those who are unable to understand the difference between the Judaic and Christian god (which are considered the same) and Arabic god (which originally did not come from Abrahamic beliefs but followed the same path of consolidating many Arabic gods into a single entity.) do not comprehend the consistant crescent moon and star that Islam shows as one of it's mostly used religious symbols and obviously doesn't understand the history behind it. It was easy for those who don't really care to know anything beyond what they want to believe due to their personal non-religious to just paint a wide brush and call it a day.

Personally I could care less what other people think whether they're religious or non-religious. I've got my own beliefs and experiences to consider and I have the freedom to believe what I want to and I don't have to force it on others whether they are religious or non-religious. I can however debate as I see fit and am allowed to voice my opinions on the matter same with those who are both religious and non-religious.

The issue here is that the evangelical/missionary type Christians have been attempting to convert (not by force like some religions) muslims by changing the name God/Yaweh in their "bibles" to Allah in an attempt to have muslims view their idea of God more "understandable" to muslims.

Malaysia's Islamic government doesn't like that because Islam is so stubborn and stuck to their guns trying to convince the rest of the world that Islamic doctrine is "perfect" and so "undeniably true" that they will do anything to make themselves (and others when given the chance) believe regardless and try to convince others that their version of 1+1=2 is the "right" way.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Riiight.

"All ethnic Malays are considered Muslim by law of the Constitution"

http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/southeast_asia/malaysia/religion.htm

Nice country they've got there...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Law is right. Many people misuse or misunderstand the meaning of allah, which should just be god in language. So it can easily be said god of muslims. Jihad is also misunderstood and abused words so it should be outlawed too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Malaysia's Islamic government doesn't like that because Islam is so stubborn and stuck to their guns trying to convince the rest of the world that Islamic doctrine is "perfect" and so "undeniably true" that they will do anything to make themselves (and others when given the chance) believe regardless and try to convince others that their version of 1+1=2 is the "right" way.

While I don't agree with Malaysia's new ruling, I can't really single them out for the actions you're accusing them of. The series of Christian Crusades in the Middle Ages and the Spanish Inquisition were aimed at doing the exact same thing.

In general, theocracies only lead to oppression and bloodshed. Woe be to you who doesn't conform to the religion in power. At best, you will be rendered a second-class citizen with no hope of improving your status. At worst, you and your family will be murdered in a spate of religious "righteousness" intended to purge the unbelievers from the community.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If "Allah" is being used respectfully, then what is the problem? It makes not sense when it is said out of respect, even if a person does not know the Quran or much of anything about Islam.

When hostages were being held in the middle east, their captors brought a cake and sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" on Christmas Day. While they were international criminals, singing "Happy Birthday Jesus" and having a cake was certainly not meant to blaspheme anyone or anything. Or was it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While I don't agree with Malaysia's new ruling, I can't really single them out for the actions you're accusing them of. The series of Christian Crusades in the Middle Ages and the Spanish Inquisition were aimed at doing the exact same thing.

Exactly, the concern is that The Crusades and the Inquisition happened many centuries ago. Lessons were learned, ideas and interpretations were sorted out which led to the eventual conclusion that it was the wrong thing to do. People love to bring that up forgetting that it happened long ago as well as the fact that the rise and expansion of the Ottoman empire brought about the resulting Crusades.

Present day Islamists which exist in every Islamic society are doing the exact same thing now though. Politically through their own countries if they have enough power to attempt to control what and how the people of their country believe. Quite disgusting in this supposedly advanced age.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Muslim by LAW? I'll pass on that one, Thank God ! I'm afraid I just Can't" Tolerate" that idea one bit1

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What I would like to see is a ban on the use of the name "Allah" by murdering militant extremists who only misuse Islam to trick people into becoming recruits. You know who I mean, those guys who blow themselves up in the marketplace killing innocent Muslim kids and others. If any Muslim wants to make issue of the name "Allah", its those idiots who should be running afoul of the law for shouting "Allahu akbar!" after their buddy suicide bombs a bunch of people who did nothing to anybody.

Peace to and for all real Muslims, but let us be clear who the real enemies to Islam are. Its not Malaysian newspapers of any faith using the name "Allah", not even the secular ones.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Jefflee >If your definition of "harmony" involves the harsh suppression of minorities. Islam has long been legally enforced in Malaysia. Every Malay is born a Muslim, whether they like it or not. Conversion means a loss of constitutional privileges. Malaysia, you see, has affirmative action...for its majority!! Yeah, a real "model."

Mind you, by Islamic country standards, Malaysia is considered liberal and progressive. The other countries are even worse.<

Please do your research before saying conversion will make you lose privileges.

It is worse than that, you will be shun by everyone, and make to take Islamic class again and again, if that doesn't work threat of death. do a search of malay converting to other religions and the hardship they face.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Honest Dictator

" he issue here is that the evangelical/missionary type Christians have been attempting to convert (not by force like some religions) muslims by changing the name God/Yaweh in their "bibles" to Allah in an attempt to have muslims view their idea of God more "understandable" to muslims. "

Hardly any "missionary type Christians" in Malaysia --- they would be dead or in jail anyway, because by Malaysian law, prosytelizing muslims is apostecy and severely punishable. (The other way around is OK, unsurprisingly....)

Fact is, Malay Christians have used the word Allah for their god even before islam was introduced in Malaysia.

This is simply islamic supremacism, no matter how else you try to call it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think it's time these judges were stoned to death for blasphemy. If they say christians cannot use the word "allah" for "god" it's tantamount to admitting that there is more than one god. But, as muslims, they are required to believe that there is only one god. If they don't believe this, and their judgement proves that they don't, they have committed blasphemy. This outrage cannot be tolerated and the bearded nutters should be sent in forthwith.

Perhaps both sides should come up with a new name to describe their deity. My suggestion is "nothing".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Well, if they are going to take something away from one community, what will they give in return?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Realist

The God of the Bible is the Creator God of the Universe. Allah, the God of Islam, is an entirely different entity.

See, the problem you have is that you are EXACTLY the same as the Malaysian Muslims referred to in this article, you just have a different coloured team shirt on. Your attitude is the same.

So is your God. You both worship the same imaginary being.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Please do your research before saying conversion will make you lose privileges"

I did do my research. I always do:

(WIKI) "As defined by the constitution of Malaysia, Malays must be Muslim, regardless of their ethnic heritage; otherwise, legally, they are not Malay. Consequently, apostate Malays would have to forfeit all their constitutional privileges, including their Bumiputra status, which entitles them to affirmative action policies in university admissions, discounts on purchases of vehicles or real estate, etc. "

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Allah is specifically the name of the moon god, Sin, in the polytheistic Egyptian religion which was latter monotheized to create Islam of today. So, let Muslims keep the name "Allah" exclusively because it is certainly theirs and no one else's. The history is obscure, so many people do not understand this.

Their faith is that Allah is God and Jesus only his apostle. As for me, YHWH/Elohim is God from whom Jesus came as the Christ as He claimed of Himself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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