Our topic, as I understood it is around 'persecution'.
"> Have you personally studied Islam ... outside of the adversarial presentations I mean.
Somewhat. How about you?
Yes of course, from both the devotional perspective and the critique of culture and theology.
"I have yet to hear any theological defense for why the Koran gets more violent in its 2nd half. "
I'm not sure what you mean by theological defense but here is how things went.
Early Islam involved Quranic verses delivered to Mohammad by the Arch Angel Gabrial. Islam is the Arabic word for Salaam, or Peace, it also implies submission to the will of the most high God, the God of Abraham. The verses during the first 13 years contained primarily reverence for God and elements of faith, but not practice. So the message was simply and fairly redundantly calling people to believe in God and clearly no other but the God of Abrahamic reference. It was never proclaimed as a new religion, as far as I know but it did critique the history of jews and Christians and a perspective on the problems they faced. That being Jewish disobedience and the associated struggles they endure and the tendency for Christians to exaggerate the mystery and role of Jesus. This wasn't a big deal at the time since Jews were outspokenly self critical and so were Christians.
Mohammad was mocked and persecuted by Pagans but began to see a following of the poor, the isolated, orphaned and needy. Muslim was simply the Arabic word for Believer. It was applied no differently to Christians or Jews than it was to the followers Mohammad was accumulating, he did not see himself separately from those traditions either but was directed to be a messenger to those who had not had a messenger (The Arab tribes and descendants of Ishmael). Now people take offense when Islam claims Jesus as a Muslim or Moses or any believers, messengers, and prophets from the time of Adam but at that time it was merely common sense for Arab speakers in the region. Many Biblical characters are revered in the Quran, (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mary, Noah, Jobe, Jacob, Joseph, David, Soloman, etc) and Muslims named their kids after these guys... in Arabic though, Yusouf is Joseph, Dawoud is David etc.
The nature, temperament and lifestyle was completely peaceful with the discomfort associated with an increasingly intolerant mainstream of Pagan tribes. The intolerance of Pagan tribal authorities increased to the point of oppression, attacks, and eventually to Mohammad's followers being driven out of the Meccan region under threat of death. Mecca was the center of trade for Caravans representing diverse religious groups, mostly Pagan but also Christian and Jewish. The animus of Pagan authorities increased until they determined to confiscate all Muslim property including trade goods and supplies being sent by carravan. This, I think but am not sure, represented the first violence coming from Muslims, as Mohammad lifted his prohibition on violence and allowed the Muslims to attack the carravan carrying their confiscated goods, in order to recover them. They would have parished otherwise. From this point on the relationship changed between Mohammads followers and the Pagans from the Muslims suffering oppression by an intolerant authority to one of battles of retaliation and a gradual shift of roles until Muslims returned to Mecca as the ruling authority and the growth of Islam now strategically involved in all out war and politics to unite and eventually bring peace to the region. All the while new Surahs were being delivered via Gabrial to Mohammad. The later Surahs of the Quran is reflective of this. Prior to his death Mohammad announced completion of the message from God, the completed Quran.
"I can give you a theological defense for why the Old Testament in the Bible was violent at times."
Feel free but it is not needed by me, I have looked into it and accept the circumstances for what they were. Unlike many Christians, I don't judge God for commandments given to Old testament prophets and messengers. Jesus, of course, did not do that either.
"Either way, you are trying to blur boundaries."
Actually I am trying to clarify so that genuine differences in the religions could be discussed if that's what you want to do. It would require some study on my part because I am no spokesperson for Islam, if you are looking for a scholar or authority on the subject, I am not it. There are some very glaring and popular myths that people love to post as provocations, which are easy to respond to and to correct but that doesn't take a genious or a religious scholar. I find my self in the scope of debate loving Christians when I respond which is not exactly my thing. Lately it seems unavoidable.
Simply attacking Mohammad in some sort of Christian first strike defensiveness is not consistant with that spirit of genuine discussion however, so let's not go there. I see no difference in the beliefs or doctinal principles. Muslims also believe in Jesus's miracles, immaculate conception, sinless nature, and second comming; so that is common between Islam and Christianity but a difference in Judaism. I see nuanced differences of perspective between Muslims and Christians and obviously major conflicts which are largely cultural, which is why I refer to these as artificial rather than based in religion.
I've even heard Muslim scholars explain how the Trinity perspective does make sense but they also point out how Christians exaggerate. This explanation isn't common, however, because Muslims are discouraged from studying comparative religion. It is becoming required as part of most American school curriculum and I haven't seen protests over it.
When discussions turn to Bible stories some of which are contained in the Quran also, there are differences in detail which can and does offend people. The differences in perspectives on the Being of God (trinity or one) can be very divisive. Which also becomes a problem on how people perceive the revelation of God and God's message to human beings. Both religions agree that to over come sinful nature requires merciful intervention from the divine but the issue of salvation is a hot button. There is no go between for a Muslim and God, no priests etc. A scholar is respected but has no power to intervene and is just as prone to sinning as anyone else. There is the message and examples but no savior. |
