Posted by CB on December 14, 2010 at 08:04:06
In Reply to: Re: Compare with the teachings of Jesus posted by Pastor Don on December 14, 2010 at 05:44:57:
Carl Cantrell makes some logical arguments, but I have a problem with the type of scholarship he practices. He doesn't submit his work for review and criticism by other scholars, particularly Islamic scholars who are not Muslims.
I am no Islamic scholar, but I do know one thing through what I've read in several different sources, and that is the Koranic injuction to "make war against infidels" or to do "jihad" can be interpreted two ways--literally and metaphorically.
What if we were to literally interpret Jesus' teacing to "hate" our parents? Or literally interpret his teaching to "cut out" our eye if it causes us to sin against God? Jesus' teachings and those of the Koran are both grounded in a Middle Eastern teaching culture where hyperbole is commonly used to make an emphatic point about spiritual life.
Cantrell's analysis of the Koran seems to be that of a literalist. I think that's a problem for anyone in our culture and historical era who interprets the teachings of Moses or Jesus or Mohommed.
By the way, my general opinion of Islam is that it's not an especially peaceful religion. Not as peaceful as Buddhism in general or certain sects of Christianity. Certainly, Islam is at least as violent & bloodthirsty as Judaism. Still, there are peaceful sects within Islam such as the Sufis. No doubt the crack-pot Imams of Asswipe Pakistan will tell you that their Sufi brothers and sisters are infidels deserving death.