Judaism,Christianity,Islam/Derrick Baker

What is the human condition? I think this is similar in all three religions. All have a creator of God, a sacred text (the Torah, Bible, or Koran), a founder (Moses, Jesus, Muhammad) and some sort of creedal statement. It then comes down to what you believe. A liberal might say it's chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Its all ice cream, it's just a matter of what flavor you prefer. I would be one of the people who would have to say I know, that I know, that I know my ice cream is better than yours. And of course they would argue back. I would finally have to break the truth to them and tell them what their eating maybe a form of ice cream, but it's sugar free and more along the lines of sherbet. While my actual ice cream is better than Ben and Jerry's. In all seriousness these religions understand that there is a higher power at work. Another example is the one used in class, about the mountains coming out of the ocean. On the surface all we can see it the mountains coming out of the water, (The mountains symbolizing religions) but underneath they are all connected. The condition would be what actions you take to get you to this final goal. (Mountain peak) The final goal depending on what religion you believe.
What is the solution to this condition, and how do we reach this final goal? In Judaism you get to God by following the commandments and in study, but also deals with love and compassion. Jewish mission statement: Free yourself from all conditions. They believe they are the chosen people and follow the Torah, which was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and includes Jewish instructions: ethical, political, social and ritual. Of these instructions you have the Mitzvot. Which are 613 commandments in the five books of Moses or Torah. The commandments are divided into threee main categories. Logical commandments like not killing, another called Eidus or the testimonies in Judaism, and a final called Chukim or decrees. There are different types of Jews: Biblical, Prophetic, Temple or Priestly, and Rabbinic. The Rabbinic is what is thought of as the Jews of today, and can be further broken down into Reform, Constructionist, Orthodox, Renewal, Kabbalistic,etc. Jews don't take the Bible literally, but do borrow from it and transform and rework the text. In Christianity its accepting that Jesus died for you, and allowing the Holy Ghost to come inside your heart, knowing that you once was a sinner but through the shedding of his blood your sins are washed away. I think the foundation to Christianity is the birth, death, and resurrection. Many people claim to be Christian, but when you say that I'm a Christian you enter a broad field. It's like saying I'm a leaf. Are you a green leaf, yellow leaf, brown leaf? And where did you originally come from, as in what type of tree? For example I could say that I'm Christian and Baptist. Just that could be even further broken down and say that I'm Christian and Independent Baptist, Primitive Baptist, etc. This also goes for the Church of Christ, Methodists, etc. Again I focus on the foundation, that there was truly a man called Jesus Christ who was born from a virgin and lived a sinless, holy life. Who was nailed to a cross to die for the sins of everyone, and placed in a borrowed tomb, then resurrected on the third day. What happens after Jesus's death? We are give the Holy Ghost, which is part of the Trinity or three in one. (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Shifting gears, Islam believes that Jesus was a prophet, but Muhammad was the last prophet and was given the Koran by Gabriel. Islam counsels people to "Walk the straight path." This phrase comes from the opening surah of the Koran and has been called the heartbeat of the Muslims response to God. The straight path spells out human duties. Muslims know where they stand, and claim that this is one of their religion's strengths. As in Judaism it is about keeping commandments and in study. There are five pillars in Islam first the Shahdah. La ilaha illa llah or There is no God but God. At least once during his or her lifetime a Muslim must say the Shahadah correctly, slowly, thoughtfully, aloud, with full understanding, and with heartfelt conviction. Next is prayer, and the Koran considers this the most difficult lesson people must learn. Although Muslims first prayed in the direction of Jerusalem, a Koranic revelation later instructed them to pray in the direction of Mecca. The third pillar is charity. They are supposed to give two and a half percent of their wealth to those in immediate need, to slaves in the process of buying their freedom, to debtors unable to meet their obligations, to strangers and wayfarers, and to those who collect and distribute the alms. The fourth is the observance of Ramadan. This is the holy month in the Islamic calendar when Muslim's fast from food and drink from sun up to sun down. The fifth is pilgrimage or Hajj. Once during his or her lifetime every Muslim who is physically and economically in a position to do so is expected to journey to Mecca.
How is it best to live the solution in our own lives? It depends on which religion you believe. Judaism and Islam believe that it's following the commandments and being in study. While Christianity focuses on Jesus. How would I suggest people "Live the solution?" Get to know Jesus. Read and study the Bible. Being a Christian I can say through personal experiences that it has changed my life. On May 27th of this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I went to the doctor for what I thought was a pulled muscle in my back, instead I found out I had cancer and it had already spread throughout my body. As other things in my life began to crumble around me I felt like Job. Still I decied to push forward and take classes along with chemotherapy. God has given me the strength to keep fighting, and everyday I wake up I owe it to him. I have learned not to take things for granted, and God is still good and in control. Also to be careful of what you pray for. I didn't pray to get cancer, but did pray for God to allow me to set an example for other people. God is there in good times and bad. Having been at what seemed like the bottom of the bucket its good to know you always have Jesus to fall back on. "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Psalms 18:2. In knowing that I'm saved I have peace about the matter. A long story short I was able to come off from chemo about 2 weeks ago, and my oncologist believes that the cancer is totally gone! This has been a huge point in my life, the greater point being that through God all things are possible. I know that this is real; I know this is truth; I have tested it and would without thinking give my life for what I believe.