Usury (Apr 2, 2009)
The main moral argument is that usury creates excessive profit and gain without "labor" which is deemed "work" in the Biblical context. Profits from usury are argued not to arise from any substantial labor or work but from mere avarice, greed, trickery and manipulation. In addition, usury is said to create a divide between people due to obsession with monetary gain. Most importantly, usury is the derivation of profit from biological time, which is linked to life, considered sacred, God-given and divine, leading to excessive worrying about money instead of God, thus subjugating a God-given sanctity of life to man-made artificial notions of material wealth.

Interest of any kind is forbidden in Islam. As such, specialized codes of banking have developed to cater to investors wishing to obey Qur'anic law.
"God has blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. God does not love the impious and guilty."
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(2 replies, Latest reply: Dec 6, 2009)

Equality of Sexes (Dec 25, 2008)
This is an awkward topic, these days, as society has become 'more secular' in approach.
As 'a Believer', I don't think that God is either male or female. As He created both, why should he favour one over the other.
The references to 'He', 'Father', etc. is to my understanding, a language issue. Calling God 'it', is not considered respectful.

God has certainly created men and women with different characteristics.
ie. shape, build, hormones etc. It is clear that women are 'designed' to bear children, and the corresponding weaknesses lead to more mercy being shown to them, overall.

He has also put "love & mercy" between man & wife which has great benefit to society with strong family relations.
Any belief ( or non-belief ) or action which 'undermines' this blessing, is highly undesirable, and will have a detrimental effect on the whole of society.

Concluding, God's mercy does not 'discriminate', but we are ourselves, our own worst enemies, when we refuse to accept God's wisdom & blessings.
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(10 replies, Latest reply: Dec 6, 2009)

Strong drink and Gambling (Dec 22, 2008)
Although there is some benefit for us in 'alcoholic beverages', ie. relaxation and socialising, many people are unable to 'control' their consumption leading to problems for themselves and others. It is therefore better to limit ourselves say, according to 'medical opinion'.

For those of us who can't do that, it would be better for them and the rest of society if they abstain.

An extreme example, is in those 'Western-cowboy' movies, where men are drinking a lot of 'whisky' etc. and possibly playing cards or 'buying women', and gun-fight and injury or death ensues.
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(1 reply, Latest reply: Dec 6, 2009)



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