[Closed] Visit My Mosque Day, Sunday

accepted. So whether one person has that concept, or a billion people have (broadly) the same concept, once someone has the concept then it exists.

You may think they're wrong in believing it, but that's another question.

If that concept doesn't harm other people (dangerous territory now) and provides mental comfort and security in times of need, who cares actually if you think they're deluded or not, let them get their comfort in whatever form works.

As i said (for the third time now and then I will drop it) - I wish I had faith, if it helped me make sense of stuff sometimes. Because the physical aspect of life frequently sucks balls.

Okay, I am still waiting to hear some suggestion.

What topic(s) do you intend to chat about when visiting the mosque?

😛

If I turn up to a mosque on Sunday and start a debate about their religion, that might be seen as a bit disrespectful, don't you think so?

But it's not about whether their religion is "right or wrong". It's about understanding more about their religion, and understanding that at the end of the day they are just human beings like you, however big the differences might appear.

Of course it would be disrespectful to start an argument with them, can't you just accept that some people have very different beliefs to yours? They won't have a problem with you not being a Muslim.

Is Chewkw of the singletrack forum a human or renegade Spambot / rogue AI? That's my opening conversation.

Cougar - Moderator

Incidentally,

Does the Quran have anything to say about the Earth &c? What's their take on it?

How about asking them on Sunday? 🙂

But it's not about whether their religion is "right or wrong". It's about understanding more about their religion, and understanding that at the end of the day they are just human beings like you, however big the differences might appear.

I am not a fan of religion, but couldn't agree more with this. Regardless of what deity you may choose or not choose to worship any attempts at cultural integration or understanding should be embraced. You don't have to visit a mosque and even if you do religion need not play a part in it. At the very least you might meet some interesting people and gain insight in to another culture you may not know as well as you think.

Does the Quran have anything to say about the Earth &c? What's their take on it?

Basically it's the same early story for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The stories of creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses are all the same for all.

The problems start when some people are claimed to be a Messiah or a Prophet and others disagree.

I'll bite.

The architecture? The art?

@neilwheel: must try harder to be provocative - you would be a t*t to accept the invitation and then attempt to start a discussion about the muslim faith; as ernie explained to you in little words for you to understand that is not the purpose of the event.
Yawn.

There have been some intelligent and grown-up contributions to this thread but too many can be categorised as boll**ks.

Let's see how long it takes to derail a new thread which will probably start on Sunday evening where those who visited a mosque can comment about the experience.

Frank, I understand it's my problem, I was expelled from Sunday School too.

On the other hand, I've spent some time in the Middle East, lived in Israel, spent some time Jerusalem, worked for both Jews and Muslims when I was there.

I have seen quite a lot to do with various religions, I'm probably not the man you think I am.

funkmasterp - Member
Is Chewkw of the singletrack forum a human or renegade Spambot / rogue AI? That's my opening conversation.

theotherjonv - Member
I'll bite.

The architecture?

The art?

as ernie explained to you in little words

So you think I use little words do you? I resent that.

I'll let you know that I bought the Guardian today and there were lots of big words in it, some of which I might be using later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Jahan_Mosque,_Woking

http://www.shahjahanmosque.org.uk/

[img] ?itok=5O9x4Qfa[/img]

Do they allow art inside the place of worship? I mean art as in like painting and not calligraphy.

I don't know, another thing to find out? Christian churches are full of it.

chewkw - Member

C'mon ... do you intend to walk into a place of worship to talk nonsense?

Why, are you selective about where you talk nonsense?

I find that hard to believe.

"Do they allow art inside the place of worship? I mean art as in like painting and not calligraphy."

I don't know, another thing to find out? Christian churches are full of it.

No, not really, images of sentient beings are forbidden in Islam.

theotherjonv - Member
Shah_Jahan_Mosque,_Woking

The only one resembling a mosque is the one in Brighton ... apparently it is not but I thought it was when I saw for the first time. 😆

These are from my hometown.

Picture 1 & 2 same mosque that was built in the last 30 years or so.
[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

The state mosque that I saw them built piece by piece in the early 70s.

[img] [/img]

Then there are thousands more micro ones dotted all over with loud speakers so loud you hear them 5 times a day everyday ...

C'mon ... do you intend to walk into a place to talk nonsense?

Fixed it so it applies to you 😉

chewkw - Member

These are from my hometown.

I've never been but there seems to be more palm trees in Newcastle than I expected.

Ernie - ha, that's not what I meant.
Sometimes it's necessary to use little words in explaining - for the benefit of the other party and that's what I think you did.

that's what I think you did.

Not knowingly. Thanks for rubbing it in btw.

I think you've both got Selective Reading Disorder.

ernie_lynch - Member
Why, are you selective about where you talk nonsense?

I find that hard to believe.

Yes, especially in their place of worship coz back at my hometown if they deem someone to be disrespectful then the whole situation will degenerate in ethic fights ... literary punching the daylight out of each other. This is Borneo.

However, once we have left the holy compound we are all the same ... I offer them pork they reject on the ground that that is evil but will happily go clubbing with me ... pork taste good ...

So I only use small words and can't read?

Nice chewkw. I've been to the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam that I'm sure you also know well:

[img] [/img]

Impressive building. Sadly we couldn't go in at that time as my missus was on the blob. 😕

As for topics of conversation: do you often plan in advance what conversations you'll have with strangers? Think I'd probably just chat.

neilwheel - Member
No, not really, images of sentient beings are forbidden in Islam.

What do you mean by sentient beings? Human? Manimal? What?

GrahamS - Member
Nice chewkw. I've been to the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam that I'm sure you also know well:

Good loudspeakers so no need to have alarm clock ... 😛

That region can be rather strict in their religious rules. 🙂

Impressive building. Sadly we couldn't go in at that time as my missus was on the blob.

As for topics of conversation: do you often plan in advance what conversations you'll have with strangers? Think I'd probably just chat.

No, just the religious grounds as you do not know what might offend or not.

That area of Shah Alam different ethic groups stay out of each others religious affairs or each others way. They don't mix. They Do Not want to know about each others affairs coz they don't like each others. Same country many different people.

That blue mosque looks a bit Vegas.

The ones thing I can really appreciate about religion is the architecture of some places of worship. There is a compound in my home town called The House of the Resurrection and I used to love visiting on open days. Truly beautiful building with a stunning copper roof and lovely landscaped grounds. As a foil to this the church next door looks like a 1980's bus depot.

No, not really, images of sentient beings are forbidden in Islam.

Still plenty of "art" though, if you are a fan of intricate geometric patterns etc

Good loudspeakers so no need to have alarm clock ...

Yeah we were in the hotel right next to it. Luckily not for too many nights! 😯

Yes, Graham, I have seen it with my own eyes.

For Chewkw, [url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniconism_in_Islam ]Aniconism in Islam[/url]

Neil - thanks for posting some background.
That exposure to other cultures and religions wasn't evident in your earlier posts.
So, moving on - I'll be visiting a mosque on sunday and will post about it.
RC by birth and education; exercised 'free will' at 16 and decided it wasn't for me.
Since then I have been regular visitor to RC & CoE churches - usually for contemplation and reflection but sometimes for services.
I have a belief and faith which is a personal belief system; I keep it to myself.
I respect others beliefs and that includes the absence of belief so it covers agnosticism and atheism.
What is unacceptable to me are insults, derogatory words,
vacuous and sneering comments about a subject which matters to a huge number of people.

That blue mosque looks a bit Vegas.

Pic doesn't really do it justice to be honest. It's quite impressive. Largest religious dome in the world (51 metre diameter) and 142 metre high minarets (with some beefy amps hidden in them!).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Salahuddin_Abdul_Aziz_Mosque

(For comparison the dome on St Pauls is a 34 metre diameter).

funkmasterp - Member
That blue mosque looks a bit Vegas.

😆 If you make that comment there, while being guided by some rather religious person, I would make a rather quick exit if the person guiding you suddenly gives you a nervous smile/grin ...

I can assure you that is highly offensive to them and if we (the locals) say that the whole bloody country will be in riot ... 😆

neilwheel - Member
For Chewkw, Aniconism in Islam

That's very nice with all the scriptures but if you follow that link to scroll down to the page below you will see the Persian painting with the Prophet on the flying horse ...

I prefer to see those angles, flying horse, etc sort of paintings rather than scriptures to be honest.

The question is why do all those angels look Chinese/Mongol? 😆

GrahamS - Member
Yeah we were in the hotel right next to it. Luckily not for too many nights!

C'mon ... do you intend to walk into a place of worship to talk nonsense?

Seems to be your default, would you?

The only one resembling a mosque is the one in Brighton ...

Next time I'm passing I'll take a pic of the one in Blackburn (near me) - it's pretty impressive.

if they deem someone to be disrespectful then the whole situation will degenerate in ethic fights ..

Doesn't (shouldn't) their religion prohibit that sort of thing?

Chewkw, maybe you should go down to the mosque with your question?

neilwheel - Member
Maybe you should go down to the mosque on Sunday?

Not interested in their religion to be honest coz I was bombarded 5 times a day every day since I was kid in my hometown ... on the street (call to prayers), on telly, on radio, on TV programmes ... sort of religious talk show ... going on and on and on ... I kid you not ... religious songs, religious dance (this is fine if they have nice looking female dancers) ... religious foods ... the whole life revolving around them. But I ain't in their religion but we cope with each other ... 😀

neilwheel - Member
Chewkw, maybe you should go down to the mosque with your question?

Well this has turned out to be an interesting thread, and fairly free of bigotry too. Perhaps there is hope for humanity after all 🙂

I love the idea that there's a forum for British muslims somewhere where there's an equivalent bunch of bored middle-aged men having the exact same debate but the other way round:

"Why do we have to let those dog-owning, alcohol-drinking, fornicating bastards into our place of worship on Sunday?"

"It's for community relations. Stop being such a bigot and open your mind."

"But what are we going to talk to them about?"

"Just keep giving them cakes and maybe they won't talk to us"

etc

I love the idea that there's a forum for British muslims somewhere where there's an equivalent bunch of bored middle-aged men having the exact same debate but the other way round:

See, I read that and wondered if they were all bicycle-curious.

I suggest once you get over the formality when everyone is relax ...

Start the topic on the "distorted" topic like angles, demon, giants, satan etc ... Trust me it will sound like some of the LOTR characters.

A strict religious scholar will dismiss that outright calling them nonsense but if you talk to the real people i.e. perhaps a humble old kind person, he might talk about the stories but try not to ask that in front some religious "know-it-all" person.

I usually start a conversation at Friday prayers about the weather.

esselgruntfuttock - Member
I usually start a conversation at Friday prayers about the weather.

I struggle to understand the logic of some on here who purport to stand against misogamy, homophobia, etc and who are only too willing to denounce Christianity at any given chance, yet are willing to go visit a mosque.

What is 'Friday Prayers' ?

I struggle to understand.....

Who are these mosque-friendly anti-Christians that you are struggling to understand?