Ok Joe, let us go with that. You think that is interfaith, and that is not "i am right and you are wrong".... Ok we'll take your analogy as accurate...except...
except Islam is the dirt path that never leads you out..or Islam is the side street with all the back roads, one way streets and dead ends...you'll get there...but whoever you are discussing things with...they are the highway...the freeway without the tolls and bridges...
That isn't interfaith my brother....that is still I am right and you are wrong. Discussing how others have it all wrong is not interfaith.
The analogy could be used for anyone's view if they don't believe there is only 1 path to their destination. Also if they believe they are right in their belief. That is the point. IMO my view is correct. It would be illogical for me to believe otherwise. I'm sure you believe your path is THE CORRECT one (the interstate), Thomas will probably say Catholicism is the Interstate. This doesn't change the fact that the analogy does get across CLEARLY that I believe there are paths that are not direct, and there are paths that are incorrect, and then there's the direct interstate.
You are correct thou... I have issues with this...most of us do... and then the Bahai or NJ come by and say we all have similarities we all have the same core elements...well that pisses us off too doesn't it? We don't like that at all...how could polytheism and those that pray to Mary, or Jesus, or Shiva, or Thor have similarities to my beautiful Road??
Once again clear misrepresentation of what I wrote. Lets take one as far out from Islam as Thor. One of the Norweigen Gods. Thor is unimaginably Strong, controls that which Humans cannot (lightening and thunder) and is in constant battle with the Gods who create/instill evil. There are many parallels to Allah, which as I have stated would make sense since it is my belief Islam was around since the beginning. There are principles common throughout almost all religions. The fact that I can acknowledge this and use sense and logic to affirm what others have said, shows I listen to what others believe and make sense of it among my religious views. IMO is someone who believes in Thor, or any Polytheist system wrong, absolutely. Are there commonalities between them which we can agree, yes. Can we live next door to one another, yes. Does that mean I'm praying to Thor anytime soon? NO!
Just because you are willing to listen and learn about other religions isn't interfaith....it is embracing that they have a way, and a belief that is equal to yours, as beneficial to them as yours is to you, and that would include the secular humanist, the atheist?
Again you are describing interfaith as a conglomerate religion that I must accept all views as equal to mine to be productive. Nowhere has any Interfaith organization ascribed that as a precursor to an interfaith discussion. I believe I am right. OK. I am not saying anyone is wrong, but rather comparing your belief with mine. So that I can be at ease with anyone's beliefs. It is not my place to judge in my religion (As I understand your view, it is not yours either). I have learned much from Atheists and Secular Humanists. Am I saying they are on the interstate with me, no. That doesn't have anything to do with my ability to learn their views.
How about this analogy, similar to yours....there are many paths up the mountain... How about further....there are many mountains? or further yet, you don't have to climb the mountain at all...some use gondolas....others paraplanes....others astral travel...
Now what if on the other side of that path, at the top of the mountains....we ascend, transcend and are suddenly in a sea of consciousness each a molecule of thought....working as one...and none of us can differentiate ourcellves from each other but we are working together holding a vision of a peaceful universe.....while below we see others of us....all each individuals not knowing they are one, not knowing all paths lead to the same place...and arguing about menial bull crap instead of simply working on improving ourcellves?
Perfectly fine, as I would expect someone who believes a certain way to assert that their way is correct. Again it would not make sense otherwise.
As you know.... my fingers just made all that up...from bits and pieces of various things I've heard in the past that have accumulated in my psyche...is any of it true? I doubt it. But what if we lived as if? What if we lived respecting others paths... I have no problem with Islam, I admire your dedication of ritual cleansing and praying five times a day. I admire the five pillars and working towards accomplishing them. I admire the fasting on Ramadan... Do I admire it all? No. I don't admire the Islamist (I believe you and I say claimed Islamist) that straps a bomb to his back, or convinces others to. And I don't admire the one that says 'I am interfaith, but Islam is the only logical way'.
In the above you can 'insert any religion here' on the ones I admire... and "insert any hateful, intolerant belief here" for the ones I have issues with.
So you don't believe your view is logical? I agree anyone can make the claim. And I assume everyone does. Otherwise why believe it? Admiration, acceptance, peace, and understanding are all goals of interfaith which is what I strive for in topics that I comment on. Why would I come in here and say, 'You are correct there must be multiple Gods' If I don't believe it. Why would I say that person is correct? Am I going to say 'You are an idiot for believing that'? No, but I might ask 'Why do you believe there are multiple Gods'? This question is a legitimate interfaith question. I might read a statement that someone believes there are multiple Gods, and I might respond with "In Islam we believe in 1 God because..." which doesn't mean I am degrading or taking away from his/her belief, but rather comparing.
hell brother I am far from perfect. I can't make a great cake from scratch....I can't tell you how to make a great cake from scratch....but I can taste it...and tell you if I like it or not.
But your whole point here was that If I made the cake and said it was good you should accept it, embrace it and like it. If you don't like it or it is not pleasant to you, would I expect you to eat it all? No. If you looked at the top and saw spinach on it and you hated spinach, would I expect you to have to try it? No. But you can acknowledge that I do like it, and that it is ok... Hence why I do not understand your contention with my saying I use logic to fortify my belief.
I want you to note that I am not trying to start conflict but rather to negate this useless banter over what should or should not be included. IMHO it should be implied until otherwise stated that a response is to include, 'I acknowledge your view, and this is mine.' And that it is open for discussion.
As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu
Wa alaykumu s-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh