See Frank, it is this, that we, as thinking people, have to speak out against. There is no such a thing as terrorism being sanctioned by Islam. So the heading of this post is already problematic. The Quraan is clear: There is no compulsion in faith. History attests to this. During the time of the Prophet Muhammed no one was ever forced to convert of face torture/death. His instructions were implicit. No church, synagogue or temple was ever to be destroyed. People who act in this (as the article allludes) way may claim that they are doing so in the name of Islam, but their behaviour is anything but Islamic.
Yes, Andrew, we could have. We do progress, in fits and starts, here and there. My own principal stumbling block to the faith is of course the official church. The people at early Mass during the week are my strongest encouragement to remain faithful. And of course, Saaleha, you are right, too. These people do a grave disservice to your faith - and, in my view, are not representative of it. You are reprsentative of it.
My feeling regarding the torturers and burners of heretics and the like, Frank, is contained within the parable of the tares: "the children of the wicked one", or "the false prophets in sheep clothing but are ravenous wolves." I find it almost impossible to equate the cold-blooded inclination to indulge in what can justly be called satanic acts such as torture and murder, with much besides a satanic or evil ideology or awareness. I think that this life is itself a spiritual arena in which things are far subtler, stranger and yet simpler than we imagine.
Anyway, I've added a bit on the Pelevin stuff to this thread: http://booksinq.blogspot.com/2007/04/todays-inquirer-reviews.html
Somehow in the rush to portray Islam as a religion for bloodthirsty savages, the voices of the many millions of Muslims around the world who condemn the terrorism are lost. Funny, when I commented, I thought of the Inquisition and the Moors (infidels/heretics to the Christians at the time) who suffered because of it. I didn't mention this, since I did not want to start something nasty.
I thought of South Afrcan and the forefathers of apartheid who implemented a system that they belived had the blessings of the Church. Religion will always be twisted to suit the ends of certain individuals. But to turn this into a constant attack on a faith (which, is honestly how i feel sometimes) is just not fair. No one seems to want to hear that Muslims/Islam does not equal terrorism.
See Frank, it is this, that we, as thinking people, have to speak out against. There is no such a thing as terrorism being sanctioned by Islam. So the heading of this post is already problematic. The Quraan is clear: There is no compulsion in faith.
ReplyDeleteHistory attests to this. During the time of the Prophet Muhammed no one was ever forced to convert of face torture/death. His instructions were implicit. No church, synagogue or temple was ever to be destroyed. People who act in this (as the article allludes) way may claim that they are doing so in the name of Islam, but their behaviour is anything but Islamic.
If we lived in the time of the Inquisitions we could have repeated mentions to Religion of Peace strikes again...
ReplyDeleteYes, Andrew, we could have. We do progress, in fits and starts, here and there. My own principal stumbling block to the faith is of course the official church. The people at early Mass during the week are my strongest encouragement to remain faithful.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, Saaleha, you are right, too. These people do a grave disservice to your faith - and, in my view, are not representative of it. You are reprsentative of it.
My feeling regarding the torturers and burners of heretics and the like, Frank, is contained within the parable of the tares: "the children of the wicked one", or "the false prophets in sheep clothing but are ravenous wolves." I find it almost impossible to equate the cold-blooded inclination to indulge in what can justly be called satanic acts such as torture and murder, with much besides a satanic or evil ideology or awareness. I think that this life is itself a spiritual arena in which things are far subtler, stranger and yet simpler than we imagine.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've added a bit on the Pelevin stuff to this thread:
http://booksinq.blogspot.com/2007/04/todays-inquirer-reviews.html
Somehow in the rush to portray Islam as a religion for bloodthirsty savages, the voices of the many millions of Muslims around the world who condemn the terrorism are lost. Funny, when I commented, I thought of the Inquisition and the Moors (infidels/heretics to the Christians at the time) who suffered because of it. I didn't mention this, since I did not want to start something nasty.
ReplyDeleteI thought of South Afrcan and the forefathers of apartheid who implemented a system that they belived had the blessings of the Church. Religion will always be twisted to suit the ends of certain individuals. But to turn this into a constant attack on a faith (which, is honestly how i feel sometimes) is just not fair. No one seems to want to hear that Muslims/Islam does not equal terrorism.