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The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth....

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Religion

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Religion, Children

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Children, Religion

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Children, Religion

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Religion, Children

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Children, Religion

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Religion, Children, Instruction

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Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to the hundred greatest men in Great Britain asking them this question: If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be. The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named The Bible first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)...

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Religion, Children

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“In these days,” writes the renowned Bahá’í scholar, Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, “which are the latter days of 1911, A. D. and the early days of 1330 A. H., I have seen a curious article which astonished me. What did I see? I find that one of the missionaries of the Protestant sect, who accounts himself among the learned men of the twentieth century, a helper of the pure religion of Christ and one of the civilized and cultured occidentals, by name, Peter Z. Easton, has been so provoked by jealousy at the universal spread of the heavenly word of His Holiness Abdul-Baha throughout vast expanses of Europe that he has trespassed the limit of courtesy and humanity and published an article replete with execration and calumny in the magazine “Evangelical Christendom.” …Briefly, as this servant [Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl] carefully perused and weighed the above mentioned article, it was found that Peter Z. Easton, in his own supposition, has clung to “four proofs” in opposing the great Bahai Cause. We will therefore mention these four points and show the falsity of his fanciful ideas in each instance.” A number of works were written in the 19th century to def...

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Religion, Philosophy, Essay/Short nonfiction

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A defense of the Christian faith delivered by St. Justin Martyr to the Roman Senate in the second century AD (Summary by IWYLLPA)

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Religion

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The Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, is an English Protestant account of the persecutions of Protestants, many of whom had died for their beliefs within the decade immediately preceding its first publication. It was first published by John Day, in 1563. Lavishly illustrated with many woodcuts, it was the largest publishing project undertaken in Britain up to that time. Commonly known as, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, the work's full title begins with Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church. There were many subsequent editions, by Day, and by other editors down through the years. Foxe's original work was enormous (the second edition filling two heavy folio volumes with a total of 2,300 pages, estimated to be twice as long as Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This edition is much abridged from Foxe's original. This book was first published shortly after the death of Queen Mary. During Mary's reign, common people of Protestant Christian faith were publicly burned at the stake in an attempt to eliminate dissension from Catholic doctrines. Foxe's account of Mary's reign and its m...

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History, Religion

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The Mysterious Forces of Civilization (Persian: Risálih-i-Madaníyyih) is a work written before 1875 by ‘Abbás Effendí, known as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (the Servant of Bahá) (1844-1921). The Persian text was first lithographed in Bombay in 1882 and printed in Cairo in 1911. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the eldest son and appointed successor of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. The original text of this work was written and published anonymously, and the first English translation (by Johanna Dawud) was published in London in 1910 and Chicago in 1918, under the title ‘Mysterious Forces of Civilization’ written by an Eminent Bahai Philosopher. This audiobook is based on the 1918 edition. Another translation was completed by Marzieh Gail and published in 1957, with an introduction by Horace Holley. The title was re-translated as “The Secret of Divine Civilization”. The book was widely known in its time as an attempt to improve the degraded condition of Persia (Iran). The author frequently references current issues that were being debated, such as whether to modernize and accept Western technology, or to reject Western culture and rely on technolog...

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Religion, Politics

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Esther appears in the Bible as a woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution, combined with resolution; a dutiful daughter to her adopted father, docile and obedient to his counsels, and anxious to share the king’s favour with him for the good of the Jewish people. That she was raised up as an instrument in the hand of God to avert the destruction of the Jewish people, and to afford them protection and forward their wealth and peace in their captivity, is manifest from the Scripture account....

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Religion

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Zechariah’s ministry took place during the reign of Darius the Great (Zechariah 1:1), and was contemporary with Haggai in a post-exilic world after the fall of Jerusalem in 586/7 BC. Ezekiel and Jeremiah wrote prior to the fall of Jerusalem, while continuing to prophesy in the earlier exile period. Scholars believe Ezekiel, with his blending of ceremony and vision, heavily influenced the visionary works of Zechariah 1-8.Zechariah is specific about dating his writing (520-518 BC). During the Exile many Jews were taken to Babylon, where the prophets told them to make their homes (Jeremiah 29), suggesting they would spend a long period of time there. Eventually freedom did come to many Israelites, when Cyrus the Great overtook the Babylonians in 539 BC. In 538 BC, the famous Edict of Cyrus was released, and the first return took place under Shebazzar. After the death of Cyrus in 530 BC, Darius consolidated power and took office in 522 BC. His system divided the different colonies of the empire into easily manageable districts overseen by governors. Zerubbabel comes into the story, appointed by Darius as governor over the district of Ye...

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Religion

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While in prison, Paul writes this letter to another Christian, Philemon. Paul has met with and converted a man named Onesimus, probably a runaway slave, and he writes to Philemon, Onesimus's legal owner, to tell him that he is sending him back. Appealing to Philemon's personal debt to him, Paul urges him to welcome Onesimus as though he were Paul himself, and to accept him as a fellow brother in Christ. (Summary by Leon Mire)...

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Religion

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Ignatius of Antioch penned these letters to churches (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, and Smyrnaeans) and Polycarp on his way to martyrdom. Ignatius was an apologist for the Episcopal style of church government (as opposed to sole rule by a council of presbyters) which developed in the late first or early second century. Eager to die in imitation of his Savior, it was Ignatius who wrote this to the Roman church: I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread [of Christ]. (Summary by Sam Stinson)...

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Religion

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O Padre Antônio Vieira foi um religioso português – mas mais do que isso, foi um exímio escritor e elemento influente na política do século XIX. Tendo vivido parte da vida no Brasil e parte em Portugal, Vieira deixou uma obra complexa, em estilo barroco, na qual demonstra familiaridade com a literatura antiga (com influências marcantes de Cícero e Sêneca), com os escritos cristãos e com a filosofia de sua época. Apresentamos aqui uma recolha de alguns de seus sermões mais conhecidos.Padre Antônio Vieira was a Portuguese Jesuit – but more than a clergyman, he was a brilliant writer and an influential character in the politics of the 19th century. He spent part of his life in Brazil and part in Portugal, and left an abundant and complex oeuvre in baroque style. In both his sermons and private letters, he showed mastery of Ancient Literature (with marked influences of Cicero and Seneca), Christian writings and Philosophy. Here we present a collection of some of his most famous sermons. (Summary by Leni)...

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Religion

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This is a book about the reason why Israel was formed and why did the terrorists attacked America on 9/11. This is a book about religion, politics, history and science. It is also about the connection between the formation of Israel and the reason why 9/11 ever happened with the Quran, the Torah & the Bible. It is also a book of religion & science. It will give people an idea of why revenge was the cause of 9/11 rather than Islam. And what does Islam say about terrorism. According to the Torah the Jews believe God gave them Israel so for this reason the world has changed because of so many political and religious actions were taken to establish the world we see today and it has caused many good and bad things for the humans of our world. The tragedy of 9/11 might not have happened if some of the words of the Torah were not been taken into actions by politicians and religious groups. This book will give a different view about the reality of our world with the facts of science and religion + religion and politics. An excellent All in one book on science, religion, politics & the true history of our world....

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When you open this newest issue of Hinduism Today, get ready for some seriously good reading. Those editors in Hawaii have teamed up to create yet another how-do-they-keep-this-up magazine, full of savvy reporting, lucid writing and wowy photographs. Two features provide the tofu and potatoes main course. The first is our Hindu history lesson. Our academic associates tell us that this is tough stuff to research and write, and tougher still to get right. In 16 pages the lesson explores India's history between 1100 and 1850, a time of vicious Muslim attacks and greed-driven British conquest. In response, Hindus embraced heart-transforming bhakti. Talk about reacting to tragedy in the highest possible way. Most historians gloss over the massive slaughters, the brutal reign of outsiders who had no love of Hinduism. Our lesson does the impossible: tells the true story fairly, without demeaning the aggressors. Plus, it focuses on the armed resistance and spiritual resolve that made it possible for India to survive such dark days into modern times, while virtually every other ancient society succumbed to similar forces and disappeared. ...

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The Teaching that was brought to Earth from God-the-Father by Jesus Christ came to us in the form of Jesus’ conversations with His disciples and other people, His appeals to the Heavenly Father and descriptions of His deeds and miracles that He performed, which were described in Gospels. There are also writings of His disciples which contain information obtained from Jesus, prophecies received from the Holy Spirit and God-the-Father, as well as personal opinions of the authors. Such writings are many, but not all of them got included into the New Testament. It is obvious that the work on making an integral compilation of the Jesus’ Teaching could have been successfully performed only by that person who has himself fulfilled everything that Jesus taught, who has encompassed His Love and cognized God-the-Father. Only this could serve as the criterion for the compiler’s competence. The author of this book has succeeded in reaching the end of the Path to God-the-Father having studied the methodology of advancing along this Path and having built with the help and guidance of God “a stairway” of methods-stairs leading to the Summit. He st...

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God-the-Father.......3 His Evolution and Us.......5 The Process of Creation.Multidimensionality of Space.......7 The Holy Spirit.......8 Sky — versus Heaven......9 Hell and Paradise.......11 Repentance......14 Jesus Christ.....17 Jesus — about Himself.....22 Spreading of Christianity.....23 Freedom of Will.......27 Destiny......29 Intellectual Self-Perfection.....30 About Alcoholism.....32 Work or Parasitism?......32 People.......34 Patriotism.....35 What Is Man......37 Getting Rid of Diseases.....39 Morals and Ethics.......42 Love to God.....43 Do Not Steal, Do Not Lie, Help Others.....44 Love.......45 Love and Sex......48 Marriage and Divorce.......50 Nudism......51 Man and Woman on Spiritual Path.......52 “Minorities”.......55 Compassion.....56 Struggling with Lower “Self”.......57 Monasticism.......60 Meditative Work.......61 Bibliography......64...

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Under The Thelián Sky: Beyond the Great Unknown (updated cover)As everyone knows, God created mankind to his image (Genesis 01:27). What mankind does not know is that God did not create man on Earth, but rather on MARS! When Mars could not sustain life anymore, mankind had to escape the planet and colonized Earth. Many years later, a study was written about the survival of mankind in Sol Four (Mars) and its struggle in Sol Three (Earth). We proved to be a species that has survived wars, slavery and other forms of abuse — always holding on to our faith in God. Doctor Ajidán Edejèm, after finding out that his world was going to die, embarks in the dangerous mission to rescue as many people as possible and search for a new world. All the while, the government wants to keep everything quiet and even kill him for telling others about the unavoidable doom. “We discovered that the seismic activity is increasing and becoming more frequent causing volcanic eruptions, which increase the volume of sulfates in the atmosphere and break down Ozone. In other words, the atmosphere of this planet is bleeding into space. At the rate these p...

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This book may be downloaded from: http://www.islamicinformationcenter.info/understandingislam.pdf . This book enables its reader to thoroughly understand what Islam is. It makes strong analysis along with relevant knowledge and hundreds of quotations from the Quran, the main source of Islam. It gives answers to FAQ such as those about Islam and violence, men and women in Islam....

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1 Introduction 19 2 The General Features of Islam 20 2.1 Islam Is Based on Logic 20 2.2 Islam Is Based on Loving Allah and Being Careful of Him 22 2.3 Islam Is Comprehensive 25 2.4 Islam Is Universal 26 2.5 Islam Is Based on Peace 28 3 Belief Essentials of Islam 29 3.1 Allah -The One Real God- 30 3.1.1 Belief in God as a General Concept 30 3.1.1.1 The Concept of Belief in General 30 3.1.1.2 Islam and the Other Main Approaches Regarding God 33 3.1.1.2.1 Islam and the Atheist Approach 34 3.1.1.2.2 Islam and the Agnostic Approach 40 3.1.1.2.3 Islam and Beliefs Largely Based on Communication 41 3.1.1.3 Everyone Believes in One or More Gods, Or in Things That Correspond to the Concept of God 44 3.1.2 There Is No God But Allah: This Universe and Its Parts Are Not Absolute, There Is Only One Absolute Power 45 3.1.3 The Methodology to Understand Who Allah Is and Some Key Facts Relating to Him That We Observe in Our Universe 48 3.1.3.1 General Methodology 48 3.1.3.2 Examples 49 3.1.3.2.1 Many Similar Things 49 3.1.3.2.2 Things -Including Causality- Are Parts of Systems 50 3.1.3.2.3 The Sequential Unity 53 3.1.3.3 Thing...

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Everything that exists is an outcome of interaction between two forces--giving and receiving. When they work in harmony, life flows peacefully in its course. When they collide, we must deal with calamities and crises of great magnitude, says Prof. Michael Laitman. These forces are at work in every aspect of life: family, economy, politics, ecology, and health. Bail Yourself Out: How You Can Emerge Strong from the World Crisis is a guide to mastering these forces on the personal, national, and global levels. With this knowledge, we hold the key to success by harnessing them to our benefit....

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The material on these pages was compiled over many years and is the result of one person’s desire to figure out whether there is anything in our actions that must be ‘absolute’ or if all concepts of everything really are relative, based entirely on each person’s individual beliefs. A uniquely different kind of ‘trip’ took place after the compiler of this ‘stuff’ had a very heated argument with someone else when one of them yelled, “...well, your truth isn’t my truth!” What an amazing ‘trip’ it was......

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1) FŌGIE/FRŌGIE comparison 2) ‘Garden Scene’ comparisons of certain commands 3) “Do it!” commands 4) dictionary command – D words 5) ‘Daniel’ details - ISLAM - CHRISTIANITY - JUDAISM 6) Imagery - oil rigs - stock markets 7) Procrastinating with LIBERTY 8) Finger-walking ‘assignment’ and MESSAGE given using numbers: - 379 - 213 - 383 and books: - Bible - Qur’ân - others 9) Symbolism development - circles - triangles - colors - cross - pyramid 10) Fruit... 11) Another Age 12) So what!!! or So what??? 13) Quotes/Media Events - “Restoring Honor” Rally - “One Nation Working Together” Rally - Comedy Rally - 9-11 14) “IMAGINE – THE FŌGIE WAY” 15) Developing another Word Picture: a Muslim and a Mormon 16) ‘RELIGION RAILS’ 17) 10 Cannots by Abraham Lincoln 18) ‘THE PROTESTER’ categories 19) ‘GOOD’ standards 20) Pledge of Allegiance change and TRUE REPUBLIC concept 21) TOUGH LOVE – WE, THE PEOPLE 22) Commander-in-Chief 22) Politics 23) Changes in Government (Federal) - Term Limits - Taxes - Government Reorganization/Balanced Budget - Social Security - Federal Assistance - Education - Health Ca...

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Unlike about 30 previous books of this author that were dedicated to methodology of spiritual self-perfection of man this one covers not only methodological but also political issues. This book will be useful for spiritual leaders as well as for those people, who are professionally involved in the development of state policy towards various religious groups and organizations....

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Declaration on Fundamentals of the Common Religion....4 1. General Statements....4 2. How One Should Understand the Word “God”....5 3. What Is Man....7 4. Methodological Principles of Spiritual Self-Perfection....8 5. What Religious Associations Should Do....12 6. Conclusion....13 Russia Is Dying....14 President Putin — Is He Going to Save Russia?....15 Space, God, Man, Evolution....16 Hell, Paradise, the Holy Spirit, the Abode of the Creator — What to Choose and How to Attain?....18 God Can Be Cognized....22 About “The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”....22 About the Methods of Spiritual Work....24 Divine Teachers — Known and Unknown....25 Paths May Be Many but the Goal Is Only One....28 The “Nam” Meditation....32 The Flute....35 Unanswered Letters to President Putin....36 Letter 1:....36 Letter 2....38 Letter 3. God Needs Sound Russia....38 1. Differences Between People....38 2. Several Principles of Educating Masses....39 3.The Future of Russia Depends on Your Decisions....41 Letter 4 43 From Conversations with Divine Teachers — Representatives of God-the- Father....45 Jesus Christ Speaking to a Ne...

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Since the first edition of Inquiries about Shia Islam was published in the summer of 1999, four-thousand English copies have been distributed and sold to Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States of America and abroad. The book was also published in various languages. The need still exists for a better understanding about the traditions and followers of the Ahlul Bayt, and thus a revised second edition of the book was made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sister Fatma Saleh for her generous contributions in editing and revising this edition. Special thanks are also due to the Khaki family of Seattle, Washington for making this book come to print. May Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate reward all those who work sincerely to serve His cause....

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I ask all who read this book to read it objectively, with openmindedness and without sectarian biases, and I welcome any suggestions, criticisms, or inquiries. We ask Allah for guidance and enlightenment in our search for the truth. May Allah open our hearts and minds to it, and may He guide and extend His mercy upon us, for He is the one who grants all things. “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You; truly, You are the Bestower.”Noble Quran, 3:8 We ask Allah for His mercy, grace, and blessings in this endeavor, and I ask the readers for their prayers that we all continue to be humble servants of the religion of Allah on the Earth....

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Table of Contents Introduction Introduction to Second Edition Who are the Shi‘a? The Five Schools of Islamic Thought Ja‘fari Hanafi Maliki Shafi;i Hanbali Imamah Quranic Evidence for the Divine Ordination of the Imam Seven Categories of Verses of Allah’s Government in Quran (1) The Verses of Kingdom: (2) The Verses of Government: (3) The Verses of Command: (4) The Verses of Guardianship: (5) The Verses of Following: (6) The Verse of Choosing: (7) The Verse of Judgment: Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Ghadir Khum The Verse of Warning (Indhar) The Verse of Bowing (Ruku) The Verse of Guardianship Prophetic Narrations Appointing Imam Ali as Successor Twelve Leaders to Succeed the Prophet. Who are the Twelve Leaders? The Ahlul Bayt The Verse of Purity (Taharah) The Verse of Affection (Muwaddah) The Verse of Malediction (Mubahilah) The Verse of Prayer (Salat) The Verse of Feeding The Verse of Guardianship The Hadith of the Two Weighty Things (Thaqalayn) Similar Narrations from the Prophet Muhammad about his Ahlul Bayt Infallibility Intercession (Shafa‘ah) Calling Upon the Prophet and ...

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The Compleat Psychic is a self-help book about the meaning of life, the destiny of the human race, and how to lose the weight and keep it off. How can I presume to write about such exalted subjects? That's easy. I'm psychic. So are you. So is everyone. Just because you have never tried to intuitively interpret a situation or peek into the future doesn't mean that you cannot do it. Don't forget that when you start practicing something over and over, you get better at it, and this is what will happen when you start working with your psychic abilities. My book is a training manual in practical psychic techniques which actually work. Have you ever wished you could pick up on what are usually non-perceptible energies? Or find a way to tell if someone is lying to you? Or stop using guesswork when you make decisions about raising children, running a business, preserving your equity, or creating a successful relationship? This book will help you do all this and more: you will be able to go through your days feeling harmony and grace instead of the crap you're probably dealing with at the moment. There is a free and universal cure-all ene...

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Chapter 1. How Not to Be a Stupid Idiot Chapter 2. Quantum Cussedness. Chapter 3. Welcome to Dragsville USA. Chapter 4. Tarot and Pamela Colman Smith. Chapter 5. Adventures with the Mussolinis. Chapter 6. Question Preliminaries. Chapter 7. Self-Examination Questions. Chapter 8. It's Not Just You: It's Those Damn Newtonians! Chapter 9. Questions About Externals. Chapter 10. In Search of the Flash. Chapter 11. But You've Got to Tell Me What the Cards Mean! Chapter 12. In Search of the Thought. Chapter 13. Fighting the Answer/Accepting the Answer. Chapter 14. Bye Bye Blackbird. Chapter 15. Water: From Turmoil to Harmony. Chapter 16. Earth: From Stuff to Ecstasy. Chapter 17. Air: From Inner Demons to Divine Companions. Chapter 18. Fire: From Chaos to Creation. Chapter 19. Aether: From Ego to Net. Chapter 20. After the Quantum Leap. Footnotes. Bibliography. ...

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The Pope receives a vision that includes the names of four men: a U.S. Senator, a covert military intelligence agent, a priest from a small parish, and the head of the Italian mafia. These men form an alliance to eliminate the drug cartels of the world to save the children of the future against the backdrop of political power struggle. ...

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Pope Francis lithely entered into the small chapel next to his private quarters. The dark chapel was dimly lit by a row of flickering votive candles that cast a soothing splay of shadows across the ancient altar. The Pope knelt his thin, angular body before it; his white cassock cascaded across the red, soft cushion. He gently entwined the ebony rosary beads between his fingers, crossed himself in the supplicant tradition, and kissed the crucifix as he closed his eyes and began to recite out-loud the Five Holy Mysteries of the Rosary. His nightly reverie, before bed, calmed him and connected his soul to the sublime obedience of God. During these moments of prayer, he put the chaos of his Office into perspective: the business of running the Vatican, the spiritual responsibility of guiding over one-billion Catholics in the area of faith and morals. This was his time to commune with his own spirituality, to harmonize his soul with the peace of his Father in Heaven. He rolled the rosary beads, one by one, through his fingers as he chanted the Ave Maria. His voice rose into a cadence of a Gregorian chant, the beauty of the allit...

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In our present era, it is most disturbing for many Muslims and non- Muslims alike to witness the escalating rise in sectarian violence between the Shia and Sunni followers of Islam, particularly in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Some people, including Muslims, ask why the Shia and Sunni are violently murdering each other; is there something in the history of the Muslims that continues to spark such hatred and violence today; why does one sect accuse the other of heresy; and why is one sect of the Muslims considered as “mainstream,” while the other wing is branded unconventional and literally pacified? Unquestionably, seeded in the history of Islam is the answer - in particular, the political course that was taken following the death of the Prologue ii Holy Prophet and the way in which the early history of Islam was written. They say that history is bound to repeat itself and this is much more apparent today because the remnants and unconsciousness of Muslims in regards to their own history is affecting Muslims today. The account of the Muslims is not the classical historical case of not knowing th...

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Understanding that the historical and political aspects covered throughout this book may be delicate for some; nonetheless, never is it meant to be as a means to jostle sectarian division - this is far from my intention. I have maintained judicious care in the manner of presenting this work, but it is my belief that in order for Islam and Muslims to go forward in harmony and solidarity, we have to have the courage to recognize the truth of our past and rationally discuss the matter in a dignified and scholarly fashion. When an injustice is done in the past against others, then it becomes incumbent upon the people of the present to acknowledge it and make amends. This needs to happen so that the Muslims can truly practice what Allah has intended for them - a religion of brotherhood, peace, and justice. Until the end of time, even the most sincere Muslims will disagree upon what they truly believe is the most correct path. However, while accepting that there will be disagreement, it is important to represent each school of thought accurately - as it represents itself, and as reliable and mutually agreed-upon historical...

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Contents PROLOGUE ........................................................................................................................... I DEDICATION ..................................................................................................................... XI CHAPTER 1 SMASHING THE IDOLS OF TRIBALISM ............................................ 1 CHAPTER 2 QURAYSH GROUP ................................................................................... 5 Development of the Quraysh Group............................................................................................................... 5 Objective of the Quraysh Group ....................................................................................................................... 6 Emergence of the Quraysh Group .................................................................................................................... 7 Quraysh Group Appears on the Scene .........................................................................................................10 “Calamity of Thursday” ......................................................

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Like a good psychotherapy session, WHO ARE YOU? poses essential questions - about the psychology of human behavior, politics, science, metaphysics, and the mysteries of God - without imposing dogmatic answers. It can be used as a meditation companion, a catalyst for group discussion, a personal mirror for honest glimpses at the soul and tool for self-growth....

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In Zen circles it is often said that a teacher’s finger, pointing at the moon, should not be confused with the moon itself. The implication is that no lesson on Truth, no matter how profound, could ever be a suitable substitute for Truth itself. Zen is a tradition that prioritizes personal experience above all else – hence, the emphasis on meditation as a teacher par excellence. As such, students are cautioned to be wary of lessons taught by another, regardless of how wise or respected the teacher. This does not mean that didactic lessons have little value in the Zen tradition. Rather, it means that the best a teacher’s lesson can provide is a fingertip’s point in the direction of an educational experience for which a student is ripe. It is from this perspective that I deliver this book, in hope that the passages within can point you in the direction of introspective experiences for which you may be ripe. The passages of this book are the residuals of a particular type of recurring, sublime experience that I have had many times in my life. These experiences would usually occur at random moments – sometimes during a meditat...

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Preface..4 Chapter 1: Ethics, Leadership & Governance..14 Chapter 2: Religion & The Scriptures..26 Chapter 3: Science & Nature..38 Chapter 4: Psychology..44 Chapter 5: Metaphysics, Meditation & Spirituality.. 74 Chapter 6: God..108 Chapter 7: Truth..116 Appendix A: The Lost Sayings of Guru Sakshat..118 Appendix B: Song List..120 Appendix C: Notable Reflections of Others..122 Appendix D: Rides for Hitchhikers..135...

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This Novel has been written in the context of present day fast changing political scenario of the world. Most important international burning issues have been touched in this novel in the most skilful and careful manner. Shall this peace seeking world ever reach the lasting peace..? There is destruction of all anti peace world forces in attempt to convert this world into peaceful world. All nations live peacefully in the long run. People respect each other’s religious, territorial limits and social taboo. This Novel is an action and adventure based fiction and an attempt to make this world as joint peaceful global village free of discriminations of caste and racial and Islamic and non Islamic likes and dislikes. Author seems to stress upon the fact that discriminations of this sort are very fatal for the restoration of world peace. Unless this discrimination is not completely finished it is almost impossible to convert this world into one peaceful global Village. From the time this universe came into being to this time the world face perils of different hues everywhere and every time. A few super powers have divided co...

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The Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, is an English Protestant account of the persecutions of Protestants, many of whom had died for their beliefs within the decade immediately preceding its first publication. It was first published by John Day, in 1563. Lavishly illustrated with many woodcuts, it was the largest publishing project undertaken in Britain up to that time. Commonly known as, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, the work's full title begins with Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church. There were many subsequent editions, by Day, and by other editors down through the years. Foxe's original work was enormous (the second edition filling two heavy folio volumes with a total of 2,300 pages, estimated to be twice as long as Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This edition is much abridged from Foxe's original. This book was first published shortly after the death of Queen Mary. During Mary's reign, common people of Protestent Christian faith were publicly burned at the stake in an attempt to eliminate dissension from Catholic doctrines. Foxe's account of Mary's reign and its m...

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Religion, History

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Pantheisticon: or, the Form Of Celebrating the Socratic-Society. Divided into Three Parts. Which Contain, I. The Morals and Axioms of the Pantheists; or the Brotherhood. II. Their Deity and Philosophy. III. Their Liberty, and a Law, neither deceiving, nor to be deceived. To which is prefix'd a Discourse upon the Antient and Modern Societies of the Learned, as also upon the Infinite and Eternal Universe. And subjoined, a short dissertation upon a Two-fold Philosophy of the Pantheists, that is to be followed; together with an Idea of the best and most accomplished Man. Written Originally in Latin, by the Ingenious Mr. John Toland. And now, for the first Time, faithfully rendered into English. (Summary from frontispiece.)...

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Philosophy, Religion

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The Age of Reason: Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology, a deistic treatise written by eighteenth-century British radical and American revolutionary Thomas Paine, critiques institutionalized religion and challenges the inerrancy of the Bible. Published in three parts in 1794, 1795, and 1807, it was a bestseller in America, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival. British audiences, however, fearing increased political radicalism as a result of the French revolution, received it with more hostility. The Age of Reason presents common deistic arguments; for example, it highlights the corruption of the Christian Church and criticizes its efforts to acquire political power. Paine advocates reason in the place of revelation, leading him to reject miracles and to view the Bible as an ordinary piece of literature rather than as a divinely-inspired text. Yet, The Age of Reason is not atheistic: it promotes natural religion and argues for a creator-God....

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Politics, Religion, Philosophy

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“Bahaism is not a new religion,” writes Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, “It is religion renewed… it does not pretend to represent the whole Truth; on the contrary, it recognises Truth in fundamental principles which are the basis of all former dispensations, and which for that very reason form the standpoint of concord too long lost sight of. And it requires people to renounce ancient superstitions, to abandon the dead letter in order to be penetrated by the living and vivifying spirit, then by that very means it confirms the original purity of their religion, whilst helping them to know and love everything profoundly beautiful in the others… it will suffice for me to indicate that the Bahais believe that from all eternity God has raised up among human creatures higher beings who have inculcated mankind with the great moral principles on which societies are founded, and have thus been the supreme guides of its evolution.” Hippolyte Dreyfus earned his doctorate in law in February 1898 and became the first French Bahá’í in 1901. In 1903 he gave up his legal career to devote himself to oriental studies. He enrolled at the École pratique des ...

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Religion, Politics

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“With the Greek civilisation beauty perished from the world. Never again has it been possible for man to believe that harmony is in fact the truth of all existence.” This elegantly-written work provides a splendid introduction to the Greeks of the classic period: how they thought, wrote, and organised their lives and loves. Although it dates from the 1890s, there is very little about it that has dated. To its author’s credit, the subject of “Greek love” is dealt with in a sane and factual context - despite the judicial assassination of Oscar Wilde going on in the background. A Cambridge don much admired by his students (including E. M. Forster), Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson belonged to the Apostles, a secret society with a strong ethic of male friendship. Alfred Tennyson and his beloved Arthur Hallam were early members. Dickinson is chiefly remembered as a historian and pacifist who played a significant part in the founding of the League of Nations. Inevitably, given his interests and intellectual background, he became a close associate of the Bloomsbury Group. The Greek View of Life is no dry academic tome. It is a popularizing work...

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Essay/Short nonfiction, Religion, Politics, Philosophy, Art

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The Profits of Religion: An Essay in Economic Interpretation is a non-fiction book, first published in 1917, by the American novelist and muckraking journalist Upton Sinclair. It is a snapshot of the religious movements in the U.S. before its entry into World War I. In this book, Sinclair attacks institutionalized religion as a source of income to parasites, and the natural ally of every form of oppression and exploitation. (Summary from Wikipedia)...

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Religion, Politics

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As Russia goes to war against Japan, Tolstoy urges those at all levels of society, from the Tsar down to the common soldier, to consider their actions in the light of Christ's teaching. However strange this may appear, the most effective and certain deliverance of men from all the calamities which they inflict upon themselves and from the most dreadful of all—war—is attainable, not by any external general measures, but merely by that simple appeal to the consciousness of each separate man which, nineteen hundred years ago, was proposed by Jesus—that every man bethink himself, and ask himself, who is he, why he lives, and what he should and should not do. (Introduction by David Barnes, and extract from Chapter VI)...

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Instruction, Religion, Philosophy, Politics

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The Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, a Judean exile at the court of Nebuchadnezzar II (605 to 562 BC), the ruler of Babylon, becomes a high government official and delivers various visions. The earliest manuscripts discovered, like the traditional Jewish version, are written partly in Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, and consist of a series of six third-person narratives (chapters one to six) followed by four apocalyptic visions in the first person (chapters seven to twelve). The narratives take the form of court tales which focus on tests of religious fidelity involving Daniel and his friends (chapters one, three and six), and Daniel's interpretation of royal dreams and visions (chapters two, four and five). In the second part of the book, Daniel recounts his own reception of dreams, visions and angelic interpretations....

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History, Religion

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Edward Granville Browne (1862 – 1926), born in Stouts Hill, Uley, Gloucestershire, England, was a British orientalist who published numerous articles and books of academic value, mainly in the areas of history and literature. His works are respected for their scholarship, uniqueness, and style. He published in areas which few other Western scholars had explored to any sufficient degree. He used a language and style that showed high respect for everybody, even toward those he personally did not view in positive light. In A Year Amongst the Persians (1893) he wrote a sympathetic portrayal of a Persian society which few Westerners had ever seen, including a frank account of the effects of opium. It did not attract the attention it deserved at the time of its initial publication, but after his death in 1926 it was reprinted and became a classic in English travel literature. A Year Amongst the Persians includes moving accounts of the Bahá’í community in Iran. Concerning his meetings with the Bahá’ís of Iran, Browne writes: “The memory of those assemblies can never fade from my mind; the recollection of those faces and those tones no time...

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Travel, Religion, Philosophy