This article looks at Sharia Law with an eye to its effect on all societies. Interdependence may define the times. If you are in a rush, just read the underlined parts.
The article above seems to be a brutal attack on Muslims as well as the governments of the middle east. The piece takes exerts from the Quran that seem to legitimize the actions of religious terrorist groups like the Taliban or Al-queda. There are a lot of truths in the article about the warrish behaviors of Mohammed but I find the article a closed view of the religion. Islam is still growing and is one of the largest world religions, this means that there has to be an some sort of appeal to people and I highly doubt that it is the violence that is in the Quran. But the violence is only created through a literal interpretation of the book. The problem of literal interpretations is prevalent in almost all the religions of the world, a good example of this would be in Christianity were in multiple parts of the Bible it states that all people that are not Christian will be sent to hell, but there are other parts that directly contradict this opinion. Our Bible has issues, like the interpretation of the Quran we're addressing here. Through this example I am sure that the Quran not only preaches the domination of Islam over other religions, but also of peace and some level of equality. If it does not, then it blows my mind that it is the second largest religion on earth.
In response to the comment that Islam cannot be all that bad because so many people follow it, I would like to point out that most Muslims follow the philosophy "convert or die." Many would find this a major incentive to adopt the Muslim faith. Those who would convert to another religion could be put to death in an "honor killing." This is evidenced in the rather recent story of Rifqa Bary, who fled from her parents in Ohio to Florida because her father threatened to kill her for converting to Christianity. You can hear her story on CNN- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKV8hBGV8fU
Her Testimony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne0MdUyJ1GU
Her website http://rifqabary.com/
I would also like to respectfully address the comments concerning the Bible. I believe that the Bible is the infallible, inspired, perfect, preserved Word of God.
When some people use a verse out of context, or pull a verse here and pull a verse there and twist them, it may indeed seem that the Bible contradicts itself. However, God cannot contradict Himself. The Bible says in Titus 1:2 that God "cannot lie." It is essential that one compare Scripture with Scripture, and read them in their context.
As to the more specific example mentioned in the previous post, I would claim that God is perfectly clear concerning man's eternal destiny. We are all sinners in need of salvation. God says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." We do not deserve to go to God's perfect heaven, but He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment for our sins. He says in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth (proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." All that we then have to do is accept what Christ did for us on the cross and trust Him to take us to heaven. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Isn't our God amazing!
One last thought: God says in John 3:18, "He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." God is clear as to man's destiny. He will either go to heaven or hell, depending on what he does with Jesus Christ.
I am so glad that God is faithful and true, loving and just. He never contridicts Himself, and He is always the same.
I appreciate the thoughtful responses to the Sharia Law post. I think that it is important to understand the social effects of religious ideas. It is also critical that we not return to our own echo chambers. What I mean is that when we live in such an information drenched society, confusion can result.
As a result of information overload we humans tend to cling to ideology and this affects the Law. The Law in turn affects the way society deals with conflict.
Although I appreciate the posts that looked at this idea as a discussion on: Is Islam the way to God, is it a valid religious idea... I truly posted it because I thought the perspective of the relationship of Sharia Law, which is derived from the tradition and scriptures of Islam to the legal systems of the world was really interesting. I agree with Kalo that the site has a Judeo-christian/Western civilization bias. I myself did not think the writer him/herself was offering much bias. But, then, this may show my own bias. I think the Muslim would answer John of Guants query with the response that it is the true way. I think the Christian responses would be varied. I am as a practicing Christian, not as your teacher, giving you my personal reason that I believe Islam is gaining popularity in the US.
For me it seems that the most probably reason is that in the United States we have many people looking for structure and order. Ours is a chaotic time. We are no longer a Christian nation if I use definition of Christianity as the faith populated by believers in Jesus Christ as the Way Truth and Life. Islam is a very structured faith and if you are wandering around lost, it seems like it might offer structure and relief from the disorder. Also, we in the church must own I think abandoning the instruction in the Bible witin our churches as well as a less than adequate response to our social challenges. There is a spiritual dimension to this question of course but in this post I think I will stop here.
The article above seems to be a brutal attack on Muslims as well as the governments of the middle east. The piece takes exerts from the
ReplyDeleteQuran that seem to legitimize the actions of religious terrorist groups like the Taliban or Al-queda. There are a lot of truths in the article about the warrish behaviors of Mohammed but I find the article a closed view of the religion.
Islam is still growing and is one of the largest world religions, this means that there has to be an some sort of appeal to people and I highly doubt that it is the violence that is in the Quran. But the violence is only created through a literal interpretation of the book. The problem of literal interpretations is prevalent in almost all the religions of the world, a good example of this would be in Christianity were in multiple parts of the Bible it states that all people that are not Christian will be sent to hell, but there are other parts that directly contradict this opinion. Our Bible has issues, like the interpretation of the Quran we're addressing here. Through this example I am sure that the Quran not only preaches the domination of Islam over other religions, but also of peace and some level of equality. If it does not, then it blows my mind that it is the second largest religion on earth.
Kalo
I actually really liked this article. It was great information. I was glad to have read it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteKalo
In response to the comment that Islam cannot be all that bad because so many people follow it, I would like to point out that most Muslims follow the philosophy "convert or die." Many would find this a major incentive to adopt the Muslim faith. Those who would convert to another religion could be put to death in an "honor killing." This is evidenced in the rather recent story of Rifqa Bary, who fled from her parents in Ohio to Florida because her father threatened to kill her for converting to Christianity. You can hear her story on
ReplyDeleteCNN- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKV8hBGV8fU
Her Testimony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne0MdUyJ1GU
Her website
http://rifqabary.com/
I would also like to respectfully address the comments concerning the Bible. I believe that the Bible is the infallible, inspired, perfect, preserved Word of God.
When some people use a verse out of context, or pull a verse here and pull a verse there and twist them, it may indeed seem that the Bible contradicts itself. However, God cannot contradict Himself. The Bible says in Titus 1:2 that God "cannot lie." It is essential that one compare Scripture with Scripture, and read them in their context.
As to the more specific example mentioned in the previous post, I would claim that God is perfectly clear concerning man's eternal destiny. We are all sinners in need of salvation. God says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." We do not deserve to go to God's perfect heaven, but He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment for our sins. He says in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth (proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." All that we then have to do is accept what Christ did for us on the cross and trust Him to take us to heaven. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Isn't our God amazing!
One last thought: God says in John 3:18, "He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." God is clear as to man's destiny. He will either go to heaven or hell, depending on what he does with Jesus Christ.
I am so glad that God is faithful and true, loving and just. He never contridicts Himself, and He is always the same.
I wonder why islam is gaining popularity in the U.S. and other countries?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the thoughtful responses to the Sharia Law post. I think that it is important to understand the social effects of religious ideas. It is also critical that we not return to our own echo chambers. What I mean is that when we live in such an information drenched society, confusion can result.
ReplyDeleteAs a result of information overload we humans tend to cling to ideology and this affects the Law. The Law in turn affects the way society deals with conflict.
Although I appreciate the posts that looked at this idea as a discussion on:
Is Islam the way to God, is it a valid religious idea... I truly posted it because I thought the perspective of the relationship of Sharia Law, which is derived from the tradition and scriptures of Islam to the legal systems of the world was really interesting. I agree with Kalo that the site has a Judeo-christian/Western civilization bias. I myself did not think the writer him/herself was offering much bias. But, then, this may show my own bias.
I think the Muslim would answer John of Guants query with the response that it is the true way. I think the Christian responses would be varied. I am as a practicing Christian, not as your teacher, giving you my personal reason that I believe Islam is gaining popularity in the US.
For me it seems that the most probably reason is that in the United States we have many people looking for structure and order. Ours is a chaotic time. We are no longer a Christian nation if I use definition of Christianity as the faith populated by believers in Jesus Christ as the Way Truth and Life. Islam is a very structured faith and if you are wandering around lost, it seems like it might offer structure and relief from the disorder. Also, we in the church must own I think abandoning the instruction in the Bible witin our churches as well as a less than adequate response to our social challenges. There is a spiritual dimension to this question of course but in this post I think I will stop here.
Just a note, my identity was stolen once again, and my mother posted on my account. But anyways, great thoughts everyone!
ReplyDelete