Quote:
Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer
Having recently done some additional reading on the topic, I am convinced that anyone who strictly follows the Koran is probably a threat. The question is whether there are groups of muslims who don't follow the literal requirements of the religion.
There are many examples of religious commandments that are not followed by adherents to a religion. Most Jews, for example, do not keep kosher or follow various other laws set forth in the Torah. There is some pretty over-the-top stuff in the Torah IIRC (it's been quite a while), but most Jews just ignore that stuff and focus on other things. Contrary as it may be to what the religious writings say, many people take a "modern" or reformed view of their religion and pick which parts of it they want to practice, ignoring the rest.
I am curious if anyone has any views on the foregoing. AF Chic?
|
Good points. That is one of my problems with many of the fundamentalist Christian Churches, or heck any church for that matter. They pick and choose the texts from the Bible they are going to follow, and ignore the ones that don't conform to their way of thinking. For instance, and I am paraphrasing obviously, In the same verse of Timothy that homosexuality is discussed as being a sin, it also discusses the wearing of mixed fabrics as a sin. It also discusses how women cutting their hair is a sin, etc etc. Many only focus on the homosexuality piece, and ignore the rest.
For those that follow their church's teaching to the letter of the law, on one hand I say good on you, you have faith and I applaud that. On the other hand I find it to be unrealistic, and for those that stumble, I have to wonder what kind of guilt comes from that, and how does that effect the individual, their family, their community. None of us are perfect, and God expects us to stumble, but I have been raised with a kind and compassionate God, not a spiteful, wrathful one. There is a difference, I believe, in guilt factor that comes with that, and how you go about redeeming yourself.
I have taken a lot of classes on other religions, and I have found there is much to admire about many of them. There are many teachings out there, that regardless of the fact that I am Catholic, doesn't mean I can't take a Hindu teaching, or a Buddhist teaching, or a Jewish teaching into my life. Does that make me a bad Catholic? Many would say yes. But does it make me a better person, some would say maybe so. Which is more important.
I think the main problem with any religion, is the belief that they are right and everyone else is wrong. The belief that only a certain group are going to make it to heaven. The belief that if one strays they are going to hell.
I think the questions we should all be asking ourselves is: "Can't we all just get along?"
