This is confusing…

While reading the latest about the life of Muhammad, the Prophet was talking about what it meant to be a Muslim, including what to do and what not to do. One of the things that he said was that they should not steal. Later on however, he tells them that they should steal from the caravans going to and from Mecca. Is the Prophet contradicting himself or is there some reason for this change in philosophies?

On top of that, God seems to be portrayed as having a lot of anger towards the people of Mecca. God even sanctions the people of Medina to kill their captives. Doesn’t this seem contradictory to the idea that God is all merciful, even with those that don’t believe in him?

Islam More Accepting of Other Religions?

As I read Muhammed by Lings, I notice a continuance throughout the book. Other religions and religious figures pop up from time to time. I’ve seen Jesus, Moses, Jews, etc. mentioned on numerous occassions without any negative connotation attached to them. Compared to any Christian readings one is likely to encounter, you never here about any other religions or figures contrary to Christianity, except in a negative context. Does this mean Islam is more accepting of other religions than other religions in general? Or does Islam also have it’s prejudices against other religions as well, and aren’t as outspoken about them?

Response to “Turkey strives for 21st century form of Islam”

I find it interesting that countries like Turkey are attempting to bring the practices of Islam into the modern age, attempting to update practices based around the treatment of women and punishments associated with certain crimes. But what I think is even more interesting is what possible implications this has for the unity of the greater Muslim world. When the Catholic Church updated its beliefs in the Second Vatican Council, it caused a great deal of dissent in the church, and many of these rifts continue to this day. The Anglican Church is currently undergoing a split over the role of women and homosexuals in the priesthood. Although I personally think that it is great when a religion decides to re-evaluate what they practice, it will be interesting to see what, if any, kind of split this causes within the Muslim community if this trend continues with other countries beside Turkey.

Islam recognizes homosexuality

Religious leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia have recognize homosexuality under the logic that homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam. Moderate Muslim scholars declared that there was no reason to reject homosexuality in Islam, and that condemnation of homosexuals and homosexuality by main stream Islam is based on the narrow-minded interpretations of Islamic readings. I think that this is a huge step for Islam, and I am wondering how the reaction of other Muslim Religious leaders in different part of the world would be since there are places were it seems that this recognition would never be possible.

Turkey strives for 21st century form of Islam

Turkey tries to rewrite basis for Islamic sharia law while officially reinterpreting Quran for the modern age. The campaign is underway to establish a 21st century Islam,  while fusing Muslim belief and tradition with European and wester philosophical methods and principles. This would diminish discrimination against women, reduce strict penalties associated with Islam, and also it would help Turkey get closer to joining European Union. In my opinion, this is nothing striking because times change and so the interpretation of the sacred text have to mold into the ever changing  world.

Another response to “So.. about that ISNA video”

I really enjoyed the speech also. It was the first time I had heard anyone actually talk about the issue with some truth. If people talk about Islam or Muslims on the news, usually they talk about a specific group (such as suicide bombers) and how they are doing this in the name of God which may lead (and has led) to people misinterpreting the entire religion. In fact, last week while I was searching “Islam” on Google, one of the results was a blog in which these women were asking for evidence in the Qur’an that God does not command people to kill and hate others. It was quite sad and is a clear indication that we need to become more educated about the world (and especially religions). So anyway, it was nice to hear someone talk about this issue and tell the truth. If more people watched this video, we would be one step closer to ending the confusion and prejudices held against Muslims.