Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elroy who wrote (222499)	3/5/2007 11:04:34 AM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Koran, like most religious texts, is an ink blot test; you read in it what is in your heart. There are many passages in Koran that instruct to tolerance and freedom of choice. There are also others that would support war. Which one a person chooses to follow says more about them than the religion. For example: "Let there be no compulsion in Religion." (Sura 2:257). Or "If they shall dispute with thee, then say: I have surrendered myself to God, as have they who follow me. Say to those who have received the Book, and to the common folk, Do ye surrender yourselves unto God? If they become Muslims, then are they guided aright: but if they turn away -- thy duty is only preaching; and God's eye is on His servants." ,(Sura 3:18-19). Then again, there are other passages that would support religious war: "Only, the recompense of those who war against God and his Apostle, and go about to commit disorders on the earth, shall be that they shall be slain or crucified, or have their alternate hands and feet cut off, or be banished the land: This their disgrace in this world, and in the next a great torment shall be theirs -- Except those who, ere you have them in your power, shall repent; for know that God is Forgiving, Merciful." (Sura 5:37-38). "O Prophet! make war on the infidels and hypocrites, and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their abode! and wretched the passage to it!" (Sura 66:9). Then there is the Sura 2:212 that says, *"War is prescribed to you: but from this ye are averse."* It seems to indicate that you don't have to wage war even if you think God has instructed you to do so. The "faithful" have debated the contradictions in such passages by looking at them from different angles, e.g. timeline or relative position of the Muslims or the particular actions of the opposing parties or even to say that it was specific instructions for a specific time and does not apply to other situations. Invariably, one chooses the interpretation that is most comforting to one's own disposition. See Message 23340595 for more. ST