How am I contradicting myself? I have not deconstructed my original point that “Allah” is not the god of Christianity and Judaism, which has nothing to do with “Allah” referring to some other unrelated deity.
And no, the author would not conflate Arabs and Muslims. Mahomet himself expounded the Koran being in Arabic as some sort of virtue, and thought of Islam as being an Arab-centric religion either way, no matter what other Arabs believed.
With all due respect, you seem to be a bit overly attached to this.
“you seem to be a bit overly attached to this”
I am attached to what is true. You seem pretty lackadaisical about it, as evidenced by avoiding the issue.
“the author would not conflate Arabs and Muslims”
I just pointed out how the author cited the prohibition of Muslims from using “Allah” toward any other deity but their own as if it was some sort of evidence that Allah is NOT a general term for God.
“Mahomet himself expounded the Koran being in Arabic as some sort of virtue, and thought of Islam as being an Arab-centric religion either way, no matter what other Arabs believed.”
I agree that Islam and its founder treated the Arab ethnicity as superior to others. That mentality invades that culture today. And it is part of the reason that Islam has made “Allah” the universal name for God. They want everyone else to recognize their uniquely Arabic deity. But the question is, do YOU think Allah is strictly Arab-centric? Or more particularly, do you think there is one true God over ALL mankind, or is He the God only of English speaking people? Must Arabic speakers learn English in order to be saved?
Again, what name should Arabic speakers call on to be saved? Is it Issa? That is the Arabic name for Jesus (which is not how Jesus of Nazareth was addressed by His disciples or family because they did not speak English).
You seem very evasive about the germane issue. Do you think there is no title for God in Arabic? If not, what is that title? I have asked this question now 3 times, several different ways. And you have ignored every one of them. I do not understand your reason for posting an article, engaging in discussion, arguing a point of disagreement, and yet being either unwilling or unable to answer one very simple question.
If you or someone else can show me what title for God in Arabic should be used by Christians and Jews, and why it is valid historically rather than Allah, I will admit my error and change my position. However, I used to believe what you believe on the subject when I was totally ignorant and merely did a cursory exploration of the topic. When I examined the evidence more thoroughly, I realized I was wrong. God intends for the message of salvation to be proclaimed to all people in their own language. This requires translating the Bible. People were burned at the stake to give us the Bible in our language. For that I am grateful. The Bible was translated into Arabic long before it was in English. And God is called “Allah” in both the Jewish and Christian translations of their scriptures into Arabic.
It is quite easy to be an armchair quarterback like our friends at “Let Us Reason” when it comes to translating the Bible. It is easy to critique those doing the work. It is another to actually do the work. And if “Allah” is the wrong word to use in these translations, you and they need to answer, what is the correct term for God in Arabic?