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things are nort as they seem Naut
When Muslims acted according to their faith they spread civilization, established a humane system that tended to the needs of all citizens Muslims and non Muslims. the impression of a bloody faith comes from our inability to understand that these were different times, were the Crusaders any different, the Moguls, the Aztecs???
What is being committed in the name of Islam stems from misinterpretation and/or from political motivations ( this applies today and in centuries past). the verses of the Koran that urge Muslims to fight were intended for the early days of Islam , but militants took them out of context. Do you blame all whites for the KKK's criminal acts!!!! Koran is a complex text in a complex language and you can read into it in any way you like. Artists, scientists and humanists found in it inspiration, why forget that and only speak of the fanatics who have hijacked it and given it a stigma of violence.
posted by
lindo
on December 26, 2007 at 9:39 AM
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Re: Naut
Lindo, as always, thanks for your extensive comment. The history of Christianity is drenched in blood, as is the history of Islam. Indeed, the Inquisition belongs to the many dark chapters of the faith. It can be explained, as long as we don't confuse
explaining with
excusing what is explained, which I certainly don't. And it is also undoubtedly true that Christianity was not
only spread by the word.
The Pope, I am certain, would concede all that. But I think he would also point out, as I do and have done before, that Christians often have acted contrary to their faith, whereas Muslims have acted in accordance with theirs. And whereas, beginning with the Renaissance, Christianity gradually acquired a 'humanistic' face, that cannot be said of Islam.
Today, no Christians commit atrocities in the name of the NT. But many Muslims commit atrocities sanctioned and even demanded by the Koran! And what is most striking is that the many hundreds of millions of Muslims of the world, who just want to lead a normal life, nonetheless do not rise in protest against the spread of that malignancy...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 25, 2007 at 1:47 PM
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Naut
We have agreed a long time ago that we will not fall into the trap of faith bashing, and yet i cannot help but wonder how the Pope would explain the atrocities by the Inquisiton against the Muslims of Spain after the defeat of the Moors. History speaks of torture and terror inflicted on those who had not converted to Christianity, the suspicion extended to those who were deemed to have converted but were still practicing Islam secretly.
the Bible may not advocate spreading the word of God by the sword and yet Christianity did not spread in the New world by gentle persuasion. The verses that speak of converting the unfaithful by the sword refer to those who do not believe in one God. Christians, Jews and th Sabbi'a were guaranteed the freedom of worship which is more than can be said for other conquerors in history.
The most important point to bear in mind is that the Koran does not include anything is because it never claimed to bring anything new. Mohammad said "I came to COMPLETE the best of ethics", he did not say wanted to institute a new ethics code, Islam is merely a more elaborate decendant of the Christo-Judaic faith, in that content the similarities and deviations make sense, an unusual approach perhaps, but I guarantee you that it is a more fruitful one.
posted by
lindo
on December 25, 2007 at 2:01 AM
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Re: Naut on Religion...XXIV (Islam)
Thanks, Wavy. You're right, there are many parts open to different interpretations. However, there are many others that are not, and we shall get to those...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 24, 2007 at 7:59 PM
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Naut on Religion...XXIV (Islam)
Nautikos: Regarding Islam or any religion, it's how the reader
interprets the Koran or Bible. Many people interpret the readings differently which leads to conflicts. Look at how the Sunnis and Shiites interpret the Koran not to mention Al-Qaaeda. Even religious scholars have different interpretations of various passages. It's just a shame to me that these disagreements can't end in college classrooms or libraries without resorting to violence.
posted by
WavyDavy
on December 24, 2007 at 12:46 PM
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Re: Very enlightening
Thanks, Kayz! You've come to the right place...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 24, 2007 at 9:56 AM
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TAPS
I have absolutely no problem with that! But
that's the difference between
knowing and
believing...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 24, 2007 at 9:56 AM
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Very enlightening
Though born into Islamic tradition, I do not know much about Islam...
posted by
Kayzzaman
on December 24, 2007 at 8:46 AM
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Nautikos
The things you say sound right--to my head. But, God still speaks to my heart.
posted by
TAPS.
on December 24, 2007 at 8:39 AM
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