The Purpose of Life - Jeffrey Lang

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Jeffrey Lang shares his experiences as a young man struggling to find meaning in a world full of turmoil. He recounts his time growing up in San Francisco when his discovery of the Holy Qur'an compelled him to reconsider his scepticism of religion. He explains how within the Qur'an he found the practical answers to his most pressing philosophical questions of why evil exists, who is God and the purpose of life. Follow his heartfelt, rational exploration of the Qur'an as he "connects the dots" to figure out what God truly wants from the human being. Dr. Lang, a professor of mathematics at the University of Kansas, also discusses the human as an intellectual and moral being, the fall of the first human to Earth, the essential elements of faith, how to get closer to God, and how the Qur'an emphasizes reason in the spiritual quest. An engaging lecture providing insight into the thought process of one finding himself on a spiritual quest from atheism to Islam. (Duration: 1 hour, 32 min) Jeffrey Lang is an American convert to Islam and author of the best selling works "Struggling to Surrender: Some Impressions of an American Convert to Islam", "Even Angels Ask: A Journey to Islam in America" and "Losing My Religion: A Call For Help". He also co-founded Generation Islam, a networking group serving the needs of North American born Muslims.

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[fabulousgerro661]

Do you think God likes to see a train wreck? Of course not. Man is in control. Man makes choices that have bad consequences or benefits.

[IslamOnDemand]

@fabulousgerro661 "Do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, 'When is the help of God?' Unquestionably, the help of God is near." Qur'an 2:214

From the believer's perspective this temporary life is a stepping stone to the eternal life. Hardship is a purification to make us worthy of it.

[fabulousgerro661]

@IslamOnDemand You dont know the trials I've seen. So let"s get that clear. God our Father wants us to have the Peace He promised us. He is my guide.

[IslamOnDemand]

@fabulousgerro661 If God is your guide then how is man in control? (as you said before). Your initial comment made it seem like you are an atheist. Please clarify.

[fabulousgerro661]

@IslamOnDemand I have faith in God. I have little faith in man. Man goes his own way and opposes God. I am no saint and realise the attraction of Sin but i keep trying to follow my God my guide.

[IslamOnDemand]

@fabulousgerro661 Your viewpoint is very consistent with the Islamic viewpoint. So we are in agreement. But why then did you say in your first comment "Man is in control"? Wouldn't you agree that GOD IS IN CONTROL, but he allows bad things to happen (even to good people) because He is All-Knowing and understands the wisdom of things far beyond our human perception?

[IslamOnDemand]

@MrPieterWittenberg This verse applies only in the case of a JUST war against the INITIAL aggressors. If you read the verse in CONTEXT you will discover exactly who this verse is referring to... Verse 9 Chapter 13 says: "Will you not fight people who have BROKEN THEIR OATHS and purposed to drive out the messenger and ATTACKED YOU FIRST?"

[iwantyou9944]

mrpieterwittenberg thats all you learned of this video lol

[fabulousgerro661]

@AskaMuslim21 I hang with Jesus a good teacher. What you say is correct Wehave Free will.

[ukzane]

@bunabeans YES I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT JESUS HAD TO SAY

DO YOU HAVE THE GOSPELS THAT JESUS USED TO GO AND PREACH OR DID JESUS PEACE BE UPON HIM GO AND PREAK MATTHEW MARK LUKE AND JOHN?

YOU DONT HAVE THE GOSPEL THAT WAS REVEALED TO JESUS YOUR PREDECESSORS DESTROYED AND DISTORTED IT SO DONT SAY WHY DONT YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT JESUS PBUH HAD TO SAY

[ukzane]

@moqutpar NO YOU HAVE MISCONSTRUED BECAUSE WE MUSLIMS ARE NOT COMMANDED TO REACT TO VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE BUT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO DEFEND OURSELF FROM AGRESSION AND OPRESSION AND UNJUSTNESS BUT TO FORGIVE IS BETTER IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS WHAT THE VERSE SAYS I CANT REMEMBER THE EXACT REFERENCE

[RodjNajm]

The difference between the two traditions is in OUR understandings, for 'Ali was fighting an idolworshiper and knocked his sword awaw. About to kill the idolator, the idolator spit in Ali's face. Then, Ali said he couldn't kill him because before it was for God's sake, but NOW he he was personally angry. Also, Jesus STOOD UP and changed wrongs WITH HIS BLESSED HANDS, flipping tables in the temple. Jesus taught sincerity, purity of faith, One Lord, One intention. Jesus = Islam. SAME

[AskaMuslim21]

@fabulousgerro661 Secondly of course is belief in Its (God's) messengers.

[AskaMuslim21]

@fabulousgerro661 Just for the record and to add to this conversation, there is a group of Muslims, called the Mu'tazilites. They hardly exist today but were the majority 1000 years ago.. And a part of their doctrine was that God does not create bad or evil instead it is humans who do so and God gave them the ability to create their own actions.

Basically, you can be a Muslim and believe that.

The key for being a Muslim is belief in a divine entity (Allah) who is One, like no other.

[fabulousgerro661]

@IslamOnDemand I am in agreement with you friend. Humans have choices as you clearly say. Good choices or bad choices. God has given man control over his choices. To do good or evil.