Discussion 1: "The Pillars of Islam." Please respond to the following:
The first Pillar, the Shahadah, says, "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Since Islam regards Jews and Christians as "people of the book" -
Explain whether or not you believe that Allah, El, and Jehovah (YHWH) are all the same "god" being worshipped by the three religions.
"The Way" (Dao or Tao in Chinese) is an integral part of both Confucianism and Daoism, and the word "Shinto" has "the Way" (do or to in Japanese) as part of its root, since it is "the Way of the Kami." Buddhism has "the Middle Way" and "the Way of the Buddha Dharma." Zoroastrianism has "the Way of Knowledge" and "the Way of (Higher) Life." Jesus identified himself as "the Way," and the apostle Paul said he was a follower of "the Way," meaning the early Christian church. Islam is sometimes referred to as "The Complete Way of Life."
Explain whether or not you think it is possible that "the Way" in all of these religions shares a common origin and surprisingly common truth.