Shakib Arsalan’s Why Muslims Lagged Behind and Others Progressed

In the fall of 1928, the Imam of Java, a certain Mohammad Basyuni Imran, had a letter delivered to the Lebanese author and scholar, Shakib Arsalan. In his letter, Basyuni Imran requested Arsalan to explain the reasons for the backwardness of Muslims of the time compared to other nations. Furthermore, Basyuni asked Arsalan to suggest what they need to do to join the ranks of nations that have overtaken them and, in many cases, rule over them.

Arsalan published his response in a series of articles written for the Cairo-based Islamic journal, Al-Manar. Subsequently, these articles were combined and published in a book in 1930 with the title: Why did Muslims lag behind? And why did others progress?

In his response, Arsalan begins with an analysis of what has gone wrong. He addresses the belief of some that Islam is to blame for the backwardness of Muslims. He goes on to give examples of how advanced nations progressed while holding firmly onto their religious beliefs.

In simple, elegant prose, Arsalan takes the reader on a fascinating walk through history. There are references to pre-Islamic times and the early Islamic period, French colonialists in North Africa and their efforts to convert Muslim populations to Christianity, goings on in the British Houses of Parliament on the issue of transubstantiation, and much more.

The latter part of the book has examples of recent (1930s and earlier) achievements of Muslims when they set their minds on doing something.

It is a measure of the merit and excellence of Arsalan’s words that his book has never been out of publication. It remains among Arabic speakers as popular and relevant today as at the time it was first published almost a century ago.

Seasons of Antibes

She walks in the gardens of the Parc Exflora for the first time in three days. The 55 days of the first confinement are over and she cannot believe her eyes. For the first time she imagines, really imagines what it must have been like for Noah and the other seven, to be locked up in an “Ark” for 150 days. Wow! It is only something we read, but now truly we have not only imagined and caught a glimpse of it, but we do actually pray that we may never have to live through it!

Science and God: Enemies or Allies?

Some say, ‘I cannot believe in God because science has disproved it!’ It is now apparent that such reasoning is invalid.

Modern science supports what the Bible teaches, and the Bible supplies what science cannot.

This book demonstrates this unity with many facts and examples, showing how conflicts in the past have been resolved and how this is relevant to how we live today.

Rita's People

‘I am just an ordinary, everyday person who through no fault of my own at the age of forty had an out-of-body experience; from that moment I heard voices. At first I thought I was going mad, but on approaching a spiritual church was told by them that I had a special gift. I went on to learn through knowledge and understanding and joined a circle in the church which brought me to where I am today. I have people coming back to me asking how I do it. The answer I give is what my spiritual guide told me once: that to become a good medium you have either suffered in the life you have been given or illness overtakes you while you are on this earth. Trauma of this spills over into the part of the brain that we use while we are living; this spills onto the soul that we use when we pass over, giving us mediums the chance to communicate with the spirit world. Love is all around.’ Rita Watson

Reflections on Divinity

This book is an original, non-denominational approach to the concept of divinity. The basic underlying philosophy is that, since the existence of God cannot be proven, one can only hypothesize about his/her/its existence. Mystics claim to know God through direct experience. Their views are amply represented. In conclusion, a hypothesis of divinity is formulated, inspired by the mystical view of the omnipresence of the Divine.   

Reflections of a Catholic Altar Boy

The Bible Delusion?

This book takes each of the 66 Bible texts and examines them carefully as a juror would pore over evidence in a trial. The fiction and mythology these ancient scribes penned form the basis of numerous belief systems. Do they hold up to close scrutiny? For too long, the secrets of the Bible have been mostly inaccessible due to the size of the collection of texts but also because of the tedious writing in so many instances. The Bible was designed to be difficult to read. The holy men in black never wanted it read too carefully. It has much to hide.

RAPE – INCEST – TORTURE – DECEPTION – GREED GENOCIDE – BETRAYAL – REVENGE – MURDER
…and that’s only for starters

Is there a God? Is there an afterlife?

The numerous shocks and surprises the author found will challenge what has been taught for many centuries and continues to be preached in churches still. The various belief systems that have their origin in this book will be tested.

Maybe you always wanted to read the Bible but could never find the time or the patience?
This book can make that task easy.

“The truth will set you free.”
(John 8:32)

Re-Viewing the Resurrection

The title of this book speaks for itself. The Resurrection is foundational for the Christian faith and an integral element of its doctrine, which is why we need to get as close to the truth as possible. The evidence for the Resurrection is reviewed, seeking to get into and behind the texts of the four gospels, and the minds of those who were there or who wrote about it, with what is believed to be a fresh approach to the events of that third day and whether or not they are an essential part of the original good news of Jesus Christ.

Psalms Together: A Journey of Faith

This book is based on the Psalms which is one of the most well-known parts of the Bible.

It is formed of a number of weekly studies from March 2020 at the beginning of lockdown, to strengthen, encourage and bless those receiving the studies in their Christian faith during that time. The studies continue and there is more to come!

Each chapter title begins with an active verb for everyone to make a response as they consider their individual journeys of faith.

The book is written in an easy conversational style to encourage each reader to be able to respond to the Lord in what they are learning from each section. There are additional Bible references for further study.

It is hoped that the different human emotions, struggles, mind tangles, difficulties and circumstances found in these Psalms will encourage readers to find faith, hope, peace and joy in the Lord as they read and study. May the different emphases reflected in this book bless each reader with a unique experience on their individual journeys of faith.

Pilgrimage to the Heart of God

God the Father is not a distant, angry God but a God who loves us with all His heart and just wants us to come back to Him, to come to know Him, through His son, Jesus. It doesn’t matter where we are at or what we have done on life’s journey, God is waiting with open arms for us to return to Him, just like a prodigal son. He wants to pour out His Holy Spirit on us, to lead us and guide us, and speak to us intimately through the Bible. If we would listen to His call, “Come back to me,” and respond, He will reveal His love for each and every single one of us.

Opening to the Realness of God

Humanness was created and brought to life 75,000 years ago. Every 25,000 years there is a harvesting of souls according to both positive and negative service polarization. At the end of the third cycle, those harvested as the positively polarized begin the process of working towards collective ascension. This is how humanity evolves from third density negative into fourth density positive that then ascends into fifth density, because that density is not physical.

What ascends collectively is the humanness of will, love, light, and consciousness as they pertain to and involve God—Creator or what brought us to life—and the universe. They are our mind, body, spirit, and soul. What they correspond to is the sun, earth, moon, and universe as a human ideal.

God’s will to be and know extends and expands by inversely reversing into a focus. It begins with a consciousness that is then shared with all else. This is true service polarity. There is only the oneness of God, the healing of life, the wholeness of the Christ as the human, and the ascension of that which ascends after service is performed.

We are only here to be kind and get along.

My Christianity

Journey through the Bible’s sacred texts from start to finish, as this panoramic book handpicks pivotal moments from both the Hebrew and Christian faiths. With a commitment to simplifying the text, readers can easily digest and appreciate the highs and lows of these ancient narratives. Delve into the joys of celebration, the sorrows of the Suffering Church, and the stories of persecuted believers worldwide, echoing the lament of the Hebrews by the rivers of Babylon in Psalm 137:1. The book also features extended biographies, powerful Christian quotes, and captivating stories, all designed to inspire and engage readers on their own spiritual path.

Love's Oneing

Grounded in Christian love mysticism, Love’s Oneing gives voice to the luminous consciousness that awakens from within our oneness in God in contemplation. With great sensitivity, the book offers nuanced insight into the marriage of kenosis and desire in contemplation, through the rich tapestry of writings from nine mystics: Julian of Norwich, the Cloud of Unknowing author, Meister Eckhart, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Clare of Assisi, John of the Cross, Teilhard de Chardin, Beatrice Bruteau and Ilia Delio. With the delicate eye of a spiritual director immersed in mystical literature, Kerrie Hide situates these mystical teachings within contemplative prayer, whilst offering a scholarly exploration of contemplative practice to embody the insights. Deeply grounded in traditional and contemporary mystical classics, Hide celebrates how the Christian mystical tradition lays a foundation for the evolutionary growth of communion consciousness and the insights of quantum science, highlighting key moments in contemplation that when surrendered into, open into divine love. Born of intellectual reflection, lived experience and contemplative wisdom, Love’s Oneing makes a unique contribution to the existing literature on contemplation at a time when the recovery of the mystical dimension of life is crucial for the future of our planet in this climate crisis moment.