Posted on 02/19/2006 10:25:18 AM PST by disraeligears
Mr. Moderator:
I realize this is a vanity, but this is a question that I've never seen really raised here on Free Republic either by article or by vanity and I don't think it should be relegated elsewhere until it is thrashed about on Jim's main board. I've been a Freeper since 2000, so please honor this one request.
What were the Muslims before the Prophet?
Riots everyday against non-muslim institutions because of, primarily, a series of cartoons.
As a nation that was founded upon Judeo-Christian ideals, but one that also founded upon the philosophy of accepting all religions as well as freedom of speech, there are certain to be large number of fellow citizens who are muslims who also believe in both freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
Therefore, is there a concerted effort by the muslim theocracy, both outside the United States, and within, to intimidate our muslim fellow citizens who disagree with this intolerant world view. The silence of those muslims is deafening and if they don't now, eventually, I believe that the clash of cultures will be so divisive that the Crusades will be viewed as a pre-season scrimmage to the upcoming violence between nations.
But hell, if you're guaranteed 70 bazillion virgins, who cares?
But the current geo-politico-religisio quagmire still begs the question. What religion did the ancestors of the followers of the prophet of Muhammad follow before he was born? Judaism? Christianity? Plural-Deism? Buddism? Hindusim? Just what the heck was the belief system of these folks?
disraeligears
"if they don't now" should read "if they don't now speak up"
Also, I've been a registered Freeper since 2000, but a lurker long before.
Regards.
DG
I've wondered the same thing. The best I have ever heard was that they were "moon god" worshippers. Whatever, they went to hell in a handbasket.
Sane, perhaps?
Thought provoking subject! I'm looking forward to the replies. Shirley
Methinks the same as the Mormons before Joseph Smith.
Zoroastrianism was the religion in Persia prior to Islam.
Wherever Allah is...I'll bet he regrets not becoming a Christian.
Freeper "Fred Nerks" knows. But whatever it was, you can bet it involved "Riot, Rape and Pillage."
They practiced lunacy ... funny, they still do.
I'm not sure what religion the Arabs followed or even whether they were united under one in particular. I am sure, however, that turning to islam was the begining of their decivilization. Many great works came out of the middle east, but stopped cold after islam.
Probably secular hedonists like most of western Europe is now.
There were various minor religions, and Judaism was a major influence.
If you want a full background and analysis, you should pick up something like Albert Hourani's 'History of the Arab Peoples', Belknap Press, 1991. He goes into a lot of detail about religious and cultural conditions at the time Islam was founded.
It sold a lot, so you can find a used copy easily.
They were camelhumpers, then and camelhumpers now....I ask, why not another crusades? Our 10 nukes for every one of theirs.
The originals in Arabia demens were pagans. Most of the ones today are descended from Christians and Jews...and in Asia - pagans, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. -for the most part forcefully converted (through child kidnapping, subjugation, mass rapes and executions, etc) over the last 1400 years.
And they are still doing it.
They were polytheistic pagans, and Mecca was not only a trading center, but a situs for the worship of a bunch of those gods, including one represented by the Kabaa' [a meteorite], which is still used in Muslim ceremonies.
Mostly various polytheistic religions. In Persia they were mostly Zoroastrian I believe.
Genesis 25:7 - 18 ...7 Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9 His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10 the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. [b] There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi. Ishmael's Sons 12 This is the account of Abraham's son Ishmael, whom Sarah's maidservant, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. 17 Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. 18 His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward [c] all their brothers.
They believed that the spirit of gods were to be found in certain rocks. The largest of these rocks was called allah, a large piece of black rock, probably hematite.
There is a tremendous amount of detail in the book called 'Prophet of Doom', look for it on amazon, or do a search on the internet to find an electronic version. It's a fascinating read and deeply disturbing.
Try Baal.
Like before the main 3 religions became world wide, every culture had their own gods and goddesses. Often tied to nature's cycles. You do remember the Greek and Roman mythologies, right? The Romans and Greeks were all pre-Christian if you'll remember.The Egyptians deified their Pharaohs you'll recall.
These Gods changed from region to region, so you can't just say that Muslims had a specific religion before Islam. There were many different ones. So, to answer that question you would have to first point out which culture that is now Muslim you are talking about. Persians? Egypt? Parts of the Balkans? Russia? Any of the 'stans?
Know what I mean?
I remember hearing some lunatic say that Jesus and Abraham were Muslims even though they lived before big Mo. (Anyone have a reference on that?) I know it doesn't make sense, but neither does a lot of what they do.
Depends on what ethnic group you're talking about. The Persians that became Muslims were largely Zoroastrians, which is a faith that's still practiced in a few parts of the world - but is dying out all the same.
Arabs were, depending on tribe, animist (spirits in everything), ancestor-worshippers, lunar god worshippers, and a few other things.
The Asians (Indonesia and the like) also had a similar mix, except I don't recall hearing of an ancient lunar cult in that area.
Methinks that prior to Mohammed that they still hated women, loved to rape little boys and girls, loved sheep and camels, loved to pillage, and disliked any advancements in society.
They just happened to find somebody kooky like them so that all their insanity could be justified.
I believe most read the same Bible we read now. Just as Christians believed our savior was Jesus and split from the Jewish beliefs Muslims did the same with their profit Mohammad. Many names/characters from the Koran are the same that are in the Bible we read. Also, I believe most of Africa and the Middle East were originally Jewish or Christian before Muslims converted most of these nations. As they converted more and more people near Jerusalem is when the crusades came about. Although, I could be wrong.
That's easy..camel droppings.
From what I have read, they were polytheists, local peoples worshipping a few hundred different gods. The moon god was the most prominent, so Mohammed destroyed all but that one and thus began Islam. As he conquered, he abolished all other forms of worship and Islam was spread by the sword.
I don't have a reference at hand, but yes, Muslims believe everyone was born a Muslim. That is why, when someone "converts" to Islam, they refer to it as "reverting."
Very interesting point! I don't know, but I'd like to find out!
The Roman Empire didn't seem that interested in spreading its polytheism or later Christianity to the Middle East.
I have to warn you the pictures on here are very graphic images so look at them if you have a strong stomach...muslim cut throats should all be rounded up killed..
http://www.prophetofdoom.net/paul_johnson.html
Well....it took 20 posts, but we finally got an intelligent answer.
Your premise is incorrect.
Believe it or not, religions other than those compatible with Christianity have been declared essentially illegal in the U.S.
(Ref: NYSSC, 1892)
now that's funny...
Mostly polytheistic pagans and assorted variations of Judaism.
"Don't call me Shirley."
If you are referring to the totality of Muslim peoples today I would imagine there were many religions prior to Muhammad including Christianity (Egypt, N. Africa, Syria, Lebanon and the Byzantine Empire), Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and many various local deities.
They should have just stuck to mooning..
I think they were Kiwanas.
"Islam states clearly that everyone is born a Muslim and is therefore monotheistic by nature. We read in the Qur'an that humanity has been created with the natural disposition towards the unity of God. This is to be expected, for Allah, who has breathed His spirit into each of us, is Himself the example of perfect unity. In the words of the Prophet Muhammad: "Every person is born with the innate religious faith (to submit to God Almighty)." Thus when an individual accepts Islam, he is not turning his back on any prior revelation but rather is returning to the original and true revelation of Allah and to his own nature as a creation of Allah. This being the case, Islam is your birthright-other religious or ideological systems are either corruptions our outright denials of Islam."
They worshipped many different false gods, one of which was the moon god.
How that happened is outlined in Romans 1, Verse 21: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 ¶ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
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