tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35239743314482712202024-02-06T19:00:35.714-08:00Explore AtheismQuestioning religions.Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-38010072902423926672010-09-26T18:48:00.000-07:002010-09-26T18:48:23.416-07:00Koran: The Family of the Imran, Part 2<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4092174006984368" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.31</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.32</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say: Obey Allah and the Apostle; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.33</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Ibrahim and the descendants of Imran above the nations.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.34</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Offspring one of the other; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Surely we are special because we believe in this story.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.35</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] When a woman of Imran said: My Lord! surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service); accept therefore from me, surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.36</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] So when she brought forth, she said: My Lord! Surely I have brought it forth a female-- and Allah knew best what she brought forth-- and the male is not like the female, and I have named it Marium, and I commend her and her offspring into Thy protection from the accursed Shaitan.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here we have the birth of the Virgin Mary.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[3.37</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] So her Lord accepted her with a good acceptance and made her grow up a good growing, and gave her into the charge of Zakariya; whenever Zakariya entered the sanctuary to (see) her, he found with her food. He said: O Marium! whence comes this to you? She said: It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.38</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] There did Zakariya pray to his Lord; he said: My Lord! grant me from Thee good offspring; surely Thou art the Hearer of prayer.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.39</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Then the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: That Allah gives you the good news of Yahya (John) verifying a Word from Allah, and honorable and chaste and a prophet from among the good ones.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.40</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] He said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to me, and old age has already come upon me, and my wife is barren? He said: even thus does Allah what He pleases.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.41</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] He said: My Lord! appoint a sign for me. Said He: Your sign is that you should not speak to men for three days except by signs; and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and the morning. </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So Mary is entrusted to the care of “Prophet” Zachariah. She receives food magically. And for whatever reason, this makes Zachariah want to ask for a child. Angels respond. He is told he will have a son despite his old age and his wife being barren. Sound familiar? Hints of Abraham, no? What I like the most about this passage is the “sign” that is given to Zachariah: he will not speak for 3 days. Self-fulfilling prophecy much? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.42</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">]. And when the angels said: O Marium! surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of of the world.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.43</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] O Marium! keep to obedience to your Lord and humble yourself, and bow down with those who bow.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.44</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] This is of the announcements relating to the unseen which We reveal to you; and you were not with them when they cast their pens (to decide) which of them should have Marium in his charge, and you were not with them when they contended one with another.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So Allah has chosen Mary for a special role and must decide upon her “guardianship.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.45</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.46</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.47</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And it has been decided that Mary shall bear a son, Jesus. She (rightfully) questions how this is possible, since she has not been with a man. The Angel tells her: “When He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.” This last statement reminds me of the Godfather for some reason. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.48</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Torah) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and the Injeel (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gospel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">). </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah will teach Jesus. And Jesus will perform the following miracles:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.49</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And (make him) an apostle to the children of Israel: That I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with Allah's permission and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead to life with Allah's permission and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses; most surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Reading through these passages it is important to remember the haphazard way in which the Koran is organized. The lack of linear structure is due to: 1) Mohammed supposedly memorizing the pieces as they were revealed to him 2) Others deciding what order to put them down in once it was decided that they should be written down. Unfortunately, this doesn’t explain the lack of common sense. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.50</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And a verifier of that which is before me of the Taurat and that I may allow you part of that which has been forbidden t you, and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah and obey me. </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.51</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From these statement, we are to ascertain that Jesus is speaking to the Jews and telling them to follow Allah.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.52</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] But when Isa perceived unbelief on their part, he said Who will be my helpers in Allah's way? The disciples said: We are helpers (in the way) of Allah: We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are submitting ones.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.53</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed and we follow the apostle, so write us down with those who bear witness.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.54</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And they planned and Allah (also) planned, and Allah is the best of planners.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus has found his disciples.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.55</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so l will decide between you concerning that in which you differed.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.56</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Then as to those who disbelieve, I will chastise them with severe chastisement in this world and the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.57</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards; and Allah does not love the unjust.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.58</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] This We recite to you of the communications and the wise reminder.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah decides to cute Jesus’ stay on earth short. Belief in Jesus will be another measuring stick for entrance into heaven and hell. </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.59</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely the likeness of Isa is with Allah as the likeness of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.60</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of the disputers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.61</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.62</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Most surely this is the true explanation, and there is no god but Allah; and most surely Allah-- He is the Mighty, the Wise.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.63</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] But if they turn back, then surely Allah knows the mischief-makers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Every story in the Koran seems to focus on pointing out some aspect of Allah and how, of course it is all true, because Allah said so. In “The Cow” there was some discussion regarding moral behavior, however this chapter has yet to focus on anything beyond believers vs. disbelievers. There are about 200 more lines to go so we will see if this changes.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-19604452092136298452010-09-25T18:32:00.001-07:002010-09-25T18:32:53.603-07:00Koran: The Family of Imran, Part 1<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8039731674450779" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8039731674450779" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.1</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Alif Lam Mim.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.2</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Allah, (there is) no god but He, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all things subsist</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] He has revealed to you the Book with truth, verifying that which is before it, and He revealed the Tavrat and the Injeel aforetime, a guidance for the people, and He sent the Furqan.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah, through divine revelation (of course), authored the Torah (tavrat), the Gospel, and the Koran.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.4</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely they who disbelieve in the communications of Allah they shall have a severe chastisement; and Allah is Mighty, the Lord of retribution.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lest one forget, Allah "the lord of retribution" will punish those disbelievers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.5</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Allah-- surely nothing is hidden from Him in the earth or in the heaven.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.6</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He likes; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve grown so weary of the notion that God created man in his image or that Allah crafted us each personally in the womb. We won’t even get into what that means for those born with deformities, heart conditions, disabilities, etc; the idea itself is so egotistical and patently ridiculous. </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.7</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, if Allah is the only one who knows the interpretation of the Koran, what is the point of reading it and trying to understand? Are we to believe that Allah illuminates some with the knowledge to understand? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.8</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Our Lord! make not our hearts to deviate after Thou hast guided us aright, and grant us from Thee mercy; surely Thou art the most liberal Giver. </span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.9</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Our Lord! surely Thou art the Gatherer of men on a day about which there is no doubt; surely Allah will not fail (His) promise.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How does one trust a text that continually offers praise and plentiful adjectives for a supposed creator/being who supposedly authored it? Allah/God- the original narcissist. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.10</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] (As for) those who disbelieve, surely neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them in the least against Allah, and these it is who are the fuel of the fire.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.11</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Like the striving of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected Our communications, so Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; and Allah is severe in requiting (evil).</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.12</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say to those who disbelieve: You shall be vanquished, and driven together to hell; and evil is the resting-place.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nothing can save one from the wrath of Allah; he taught Pharaoh a lesson and he will vanquish disbelievers to hell. I feel that sura 3.10 is especially interesting: “and these it is who are the fuel of the fire.” That is much more disturbing imagery than what is typically authored. I can just see limbs and bodies as the kindling in this mythical place. Certainly an image worthy of Goya.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.13</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Indeed there was a sign for you in the two hosts (which) met together in encounter; one party fighting in the way of Allah and the other unbelieving, whom they saw twice as.many as themselves with the sight of the eye and Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Well, if you are going to tell one group of people that they are better than another, you have to give them ammunition and Allah does it in spades. Not only is Allah so merciful, beneficent, powerful, all-knowing, etc, but his followers are quite special, too, wink wink. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.14</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] The love of desires, of women and sons and hoarded treasures of gold and silver and well bred horses and cattle and tilth, is made to seem fair to men; this is the provision of the life of this world; and Allah is He with Whom is the good goal (of life).</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Religion loves to pander to the poor; I wonder if there are any passages in the Koran that would allow for a “Mosque of Affluence” similar to the Christian “Churches of Affluence.” If you haven’t heard about them, basically the message is that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">God </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">wants you to be rich, so be happy. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.15</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say:Shall I tell you what is better than these? For those who guard (against evil) are gardens with their Lord, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and pure mates and Allah's pleasure; and Allah sees the servants.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ahh, yes, I’d rather have the pleasure of Allah over worldly comfort any day!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.16</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Those who say: Our Lord! surely we believe, therefore forgive us our faults and save us from the chastisement of the fire.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.17</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] The patient, and the truthful, and the obedient, and those who spend (benevolently) and those who ask forgiveness in the morning times.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.18</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.19</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam, and those to whom the Book had been given did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah has already boasted through Mohammed about his amazing allegories and how us common folk are unable to understand them. So far it seems he is refraining from using them and is clearly stating the same old argument that he reiterated throughout the previous chapter: “believers go to heaven, non-believers go to hell” and “it is true because I said so!”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.20</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] But if they dispute with you, say: I have submitted myself entirely to Allah and (so) every one who follows me; and say to those who have been given the Book and the unlearned people: Do you submit yourselves? So if they submit then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, then upon you is only the delivery of the message and Allah sees the servants.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah is for proselytizing; spread the faith. Especially to the Jews and Christians.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.21</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Surely (as for) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and slay the prophets unjustly and slay those among men who enjoin justice, announce to them a painful chastisement.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.22</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Those are they whose works shall become null in this world as well as the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And if they don’t believe you, tell them they are going to hell! Their lives mean nothing! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.23</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Have you not considered those (Jews) who are given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah that it might decide between them, then a part of them turn back and they withdraw.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.24</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] This is because they say: The fire shall not touch us but for a few days; and what they have forged deceives them in the matter of their religion.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.25</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Then how will it be when We shall gather them together on a day about which there is no doubt, and every soul shall be fully paid what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly?</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And those silly Jews think they will only burn in hell for a few days, little do they know what Allah had planned for them. I’m sure passages like these have nothing to do with the vitriolic conflicts in the middle east. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.26</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surety, Thou hast power over all things.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.27</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Thou makest the night to pass into the day and Thou makest the day to pass into the night, and Thou bringest forth the living from the dead and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living, and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Let me hear you sing my praises. Really, though, I’m Allah and I can’t get enough.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wow, don’t even be friends with non-Muslims. Does this also mean that there should not be business dealings between believers and non-believers?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.29</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and Allah has power over all things.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.30</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">] On the day that every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil, it shall wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long duration of time; and Allah makes you to be cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and Allah is Compassionate to the servants.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I really can’t imagine growing up with the Koran as “my book.” I was raised Catholic and while I know there are plenty of passages in the Bible dealing with praying to God and how to offer sacrifices, I feel the Koran calls for so much adulation and trust. How do people raised under its umbrella not question its veracity? Is it simply because the book tells them not to? Isn’t that more reason to ask questions? As I work my way through the Bible, I’ll be sure to pay attention to the Judeo-Christian God’s need for praise. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-74452313638102717392010-09-25T18:32:00.000-07:002010-09-25T18:32:46.439-07:00Break<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sorry for the long break. I'm back at it, albeit more slowly. I'm 7 months pregnant and have my hands full with a young child as well. I feel it is important to read these religious books to better understand believers, so I will posting when I can.</span></span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-31450227549652132062010-07-14T12:11:00.000-07:002010-07-14T12:11:00.437-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 8<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sorry for the delay! Let's finish this sura- the longest in the Koran.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.243</b>] Have you not considered those who went forth from their homes, for fear of death, and they were thousands, then Allah said to them, Die; again He gave them life; most surely Allah is Gracious to people, but most people are not grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">I didn't realize that killing someone should make them grateful. Hooray! You killed me and brought me back, thanks.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.244</b>] And fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearing, Knowing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.245</b>] Who is it that will offer of Allah a goodly gift, so He will multiply it to him manifold, and Allah straitens and amplifies, and you shall be returned to Him.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.246</b>] Have you not considered the chiefs of the children of Israel after Musa, when they said to a prophet of theirs: Raise up for us a king, (that) we may fight in the way of Allah. He said: May it not be that you would not fight if fighting is ordained for you? They said: And what reason have we that we should not fight in the way of Allah, and we have indeed been compelled to abandon our homes and our children. But when fighting was ordained for them, they turned back, except a few of them, and Allah knows the unjust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Why is this notion that people would readily fight for religion introduced? It seems to imply that followers cannot live up to their word, or to rile up followers to by calling them out on their own inaction. If something is so pure as the notion of a benevolent supreme creator and leader, would he really need to utilize scare tactics and hatred?</i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.247</b>] And their prophet said to them: Surely Allah has raised Talut to be a king over you. They said: How can he hold kingship over us while we have a greater right to kingship than he, and he has not been granted an abundance of wealth? He said: Surely Allah has chosen him in preference to you, and He has increased him abundantly in knowledge and physique, and Allah grants His kingdom to whom He pleases, and Allah is Amplegiving, Knowing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Religion and politics, what bed fellows.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.248</b>] And the prophet said to them: Surely the sign of His kingdom is, that there shall come to you the chest in which there is tranquillity from your Lord and residue of the relics of what the children of Musa and the children of Haroun have left, the angels bearing it; most surely there is a sign in this for those who believe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Well I can't imagine anyone else would actually understand what Allah plans.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.249</b>] So when Talut departed with the forces, he said: Surely Allah will try you with a river; whoever then drinks from it, he is not of me, and whoever does not taste of it, he is surely of me, except he who takes with his hand as much of it as fills the hand; but with the exception of a few of them they drank from it. So when he had crossed it, he and those who believed with him, they said: We have today no power against Jalut and his forces. Those who were sure that they would meet their Lord said: How often has a small party vanquished a numerous host by Allah's permission, and Allah is with the patient.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Talut= Saul, Jalut = Goliath. I imagine these lines about Saul's kingship and Goliath's army would make more sense if I knew more about the Old Testament stories. The gist of this, however, is that a small band of believers think they can vanquish their oppressors because they have Allah on their side. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.250</b>] And when they went out against Jalut and his forces they said: Our Lord, pour down upon us patience, and make our steps firm and assist us against the unbelieving people.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.251</b>] So they put them to flight by Allah's permission. And Dawood slew Jalut, and Allah gave him kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of what He pleased. And were it not for Allah's repelling some men with others, the earth would certainly be in a state of disorder; but Allah is Gracious to the creatures.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">And David slew Goliath! Those that trust in the Lord will conquer over all! Hallelujah. Oh wait, different religion. The last line is also pretty telling regarding the state of the earth and Allah "repelling" some men. It seems to me that Allah has gotten pretty lazy considering the human traffickers, pedophiles, etc that still do the face of the earth.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.252</b>] These are the communications of Allah: We recite them to you with truth; and most surely you are (one) of the apostles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">This is being said to Mohammad. Surely, I am not one of the apostles.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.253</b>] We have made some of these apostles to excel the others among them are they to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted by (many degrees of) rank; and We gave clear miracles to Isa son of Marium, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. And if Allah had pleased, those after them would not have fought one with another after clear arguments had come to them, but they disagreed; so there were some of them who believed and others who denied; and if Allah had pleased they would not have fought one with another, but Allah brings about what He intends.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Really? Because earlier Allah said that none of the prophets were any better than the others. Now we are being told that he exalted some more than others. Clearly Jesus did miracles and was strengthened by the holy spirit. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.254</b>] O you who believe! spend out of what We have given you before the day comes in which there is no bargaining, neither any friendship nor intercession, and the unbelievers-- they are the unjust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">How random is this? Seriously... Give to charity...the unbelievers are unjust. No reason, just unjust cause I said so. Cause they don't believe me. But yeah, give to charity.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.255</b>] Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Can you just see Allah, or Gabriel as it were, giving this information to Mohammad? Mohammad wasn't writing it done, he was memorizing it. I imagine he had to repeat it a great many times to get it fixed in his memory just right, Gabriel leaning over his shoulder correcting him and spewing on about the greatness of Allah, a god that does not tire of telling his believers how great he is.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.256</b>] There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.257</b>] Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the light; and (as to) those who disbelieve, their guardians are Shaitans who take them out of the light into the darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">There is no compulsion in religion... just fear-mongering and hatred.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.258</b>] Have you not considered him (Namrud) who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim said: My Lord is He who gives life and causes to die, he said: I give life and cause death. Ibrahim said: So surely Allah causes the sun to rise from the east, then make it rise from the west; thus he who disbelieved was confounded; and Allah does not guide aright the unjust people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.259</b>] Or the like of him (Uzair) who passed by a town, and it had fallen down upon its roofs; he said: When will Allah give it life after its death? So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him to life. He said: How long have you tarried? He said: I have tarried a day, or a part of a day. Said He: Nay! you have tarried a hundred years; then look at your food and drink-- years have not passed over it; and look at your ass; and that We may make you a sign to men, and look at the bones, how We set them together, then clothed them with flesh; so when it became clear to him, he said: I know that Allah has power over all things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Religion and faith are also the main peddlers of BS and anti-scientific rhetoric.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.260</b>] And when Ibrahim said: My Lord! show me how Thou givest life to the dead, He said: What! and do you not believe? He said: Yes, but that my heart may be at ease. He said: Then take four of the birds, then train them to follow you, then place on every mountain a part of them, then call them, they will come to you flying; and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">I imagine his time would have been better spent populating the earth or taking care of the many animals he amassed through dishonesty.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.261</b>] The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears (with) a hundred grains in every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">What does this imply for believers who are downtrodden?</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.262</b>] (As for) those who spend their property in the way.of Allah, then do not follow up what they have spent with reproach or injury, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Ah yes, they shall receive their reward later. When they are dead. Good luck with that.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.263</b>] Kind speech and forgiveness is better than charity followed by injury; and Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Ok, no disagreement here.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.264</b>] O you who believe! do not make your charity worthless by reproach and injury, like him who spends his property to be seen of men and does not believe in Allah and the last day; so his parable is as the parable of a smooth rock with earth upon it, then a heavy rain falls upon it, so it leaves it bare; they shall not be able to gain anything of what they have earned; and Allah does not guide the unbelieving people. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.265</b>] And the parable of those who spend their property to seek the pleasure of Allah and for the certainty 'of their souls is as the parable of a garden on an elevated ground, upon which heavy rain falls so it brings forth its fruit twofold but if heavy rain does not fall upon it, then light rain (is sufficient); and Allah sees what you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">This idea comes from the bible: if you are giving, if you are fasting, etc, it is between you and God and no one need know about it. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.266</b>] Does one of you like that he should have a garden of palms and vines with streams flowing beneath it; he has in it all kinds of fruits; and old age has overtaken him and he has weak offspring, when, (lo!) a whirlwind with fire in it smites it so it becomes blasted; thus Allah makes the communications clear to you, that you may reflect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Wow, that was so clear. I totally get it. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.267</b>] O you who believe! spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and or what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at what is bad that you may spend (in alms) of it, while you would not take it yourselves unless you have its price lowered, and know that Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Though this supposedly speaks of charity, it really seems to speak to a spendthrift attitude.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.268</b>] Shaitan threatens you with poverty and enjoins you to be niggardly, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and abundance; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.269</b>] He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding mind.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.270</b>] And whatever alms you give or (whatever) vow you vow, surely Allah knows it; and the unjust shall have no helpers.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.271</b>] If you give alms openly, it is well, and if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better for you; and this will do away with some of your evil deeds; and Allah is aware of what you do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">So you can buy repentance by giving to charity?</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.272</b>] To make them walk in the right way is not incumbent on you, but Allah guides aright whom He pleases; and whatever good thing you spend, it is to your own good; and you do not spend but to seek Allah's pleasure; and whatever good things you spend shall be paid back to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.273</b>] (Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah-- they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognise them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.274</b>] (As for) those who spend their property by night and by day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward from their Lord and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.275</b>] Those who swallow down usury cannot arise except as one whom Shaitan has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. That is because they say, trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury. To whomsoever then the admonition has come from his Lord, then he desists, he shall have what has already passed, and his affair is in the hands of Allah; and whoever returns (to it)-- these arc the inmates of the fire; they shall abide in it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.276</b>] Allah does not bless usury, and He causes charitable deeds to prosper, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">I feel like Mohammad must have gotten burned by a high interest loan or something. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.277</b>] Surely they who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.278</b>] O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and relinquish what remains (due) from usury, if you are believers.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.279</b>] But if you do (it) not, then be apprised of war from Allah and His Apostle; and if you repent, then you shall have your capital; neither shall you make (the debtor) suffer loss, nor shall you be made to suffer loss.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Yeah, really burned. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.280</b>] And if (the debtor) is in straitness, then let there be postponement until (he is in) ease; and that you remit (it) as alms is better for you, if you knew.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.281</b>] And guard yourselves against a day in which you shall be returned to Allah; then every soul shall be paid back in full what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">By the way, jerk who gave me the bad loan, you are going to hell! My new God said so!</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.282</b>] O you who believe! when you deal with each other in contracting a debt for a fixed time, then write it down; and let a scribe write it down between you with fairness; and the scribe should not refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so he should write; and let him who owes the debt dictate, and he should be careful of (his duty to) Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything from it; but if he who owes the debt is unsound in understanding, or weak, or (if) he is not able to dictate himself, let his guardian dictate with fairness; and call in to witness from among your men two witnesses; but if there are not two men, then one man and two women from among those whom you choose to be witnesses, so that if one of the two errs, the second of the two may remind the other; and the witnesses should not refuse when they are summoned; and be not averse to writing it (whether it is) small or large, with the time of its falling due; this is more equitable in the sight of Allah and assures greater accuracy in testimony, and the nearest (way) that you may not entertain doubts (afterwards), except when it is ready merchandise which you give and take among yourselves from hand to hand, then there is no blame on you in not writing it down; and have witnesses when you barter with one another, and let no harm be done to the scribe or to the witness; and if you do (it) then surely it will be a transgression in you, and be careful of (your duty) to Allah, Allah teaches you, and Allah knows all things.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Should Allah really be wasting his time with this? </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.283</b>] And if you are upon a journey and you do not find a scribe, then (there may be) a security taken into possession; but if one of you trusts another, then he who is trusted should deliver his trust, and let him be careful (of his duty to) Allah, his Lord; and do not conceal testimony, and whoever conceals it, his heart is surely sinful; and Allah knows what you do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Way too much specificity on loans. I think this shows Mohammad's own weakness, just as the orphan bits did.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.284</b>] Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and whether you manifest what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will call you to account according to it; then He will forgive whom He pleases and chastise whom He pleases, and Allah has power over all things.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Yes, yes, you have complete dominion and can punish whom you please.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.285</b>] The apostle believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His apostles; We make no difference between any of His apostles; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to Thee is the eventual course.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Of course Mohammad is a believer.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.286</b>] Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability; for it is (the benefit of) what it has earned and upon it (the evil of) what it has wrought: Our Lord! do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake; Our Lord! do not lay on us a burden as Thou didst lay on those before us, Our Lord do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us, Thou art our Patron, so help us against the unbelieving people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Why is there such a focus on unbelievers? The Koran vilifies them, calls them oppressors, sanctions their murders, and sends them to hell. It goes so far beyond the idea that if one leads a good life one will go to heaven. It locks children into a cycle of belief, fear, and hatred. It justifies misogyny. It creates such a regimented view of what a believer should be and do, while still remaining vague. </i></span> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-8739290458459671362010-07-08T13:28:00.001-07:002010-07-08T13:28:38.846-07:00Understanding the Koran<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'm a bit overwhelmed with life right now, so here is an article from Bill Warner on <a href="http://www.newenglishreview.org/custpage.cfm/frm/20959/sec_id/20959">Understanding the Koran</a>. Hopefully I will have the last edition of the Cow up on Monday.</span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-60885031967152876412010-07-08T11:45:00.000-07:002010-07-08T11:45:00.298-07:00Genesis 14<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 14</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>[That these] made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which [is] by the wilderness.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>War ensues in the area which Lot has chosen to call home and all his goods are taken. He is also captured.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these [were] confederate with Abram.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Wow! That is a lot of "servants." I imagine that is a euphemism for slaves. I also imagine they had no choice in the decision to attempt to save Lot.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which [is] on the left hand of Damascus.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king's dale.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>So God's reputation has gotten around. Who did the spreading? Is God cheating on his prophets with other prophets? </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 23</sup>That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 24</sup>Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.</span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-88727731239061541762010-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:002010-07-07T11:45:00.882-07:00Genesis 13<span style="font-size: small;"></span><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The Promised Land...</span> </span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 13</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>"Cheaters never prosper," unless God loves them.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Back to the promised land.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we [be] brethren.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>[Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>How anticlimatic! Now we know that he destroys Sodom and Gomorrah...jeesh. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Was the Lord even talking to them? It seems he likes to keep it to one person at a time.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>And yet, he forgot the deed.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>Then Abram removed [his] tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which [is] in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>So Abraham is not preaching, just supposedly being spoken to. He isn't spreading the love of God, there is no bible, nothing. Why is he favored? So far he seems pretty worthless. He is a pretty underwhelming man to have for the base of 3 religions.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-66437953104826757662010-07-06T11:44:00.000-07:002010-07-06T11:44:00.280-07:00Genesis 12<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Sarai and Abram travel to Egypt.</span> </span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 12</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.</span><br />
<div style="color: #76a5af;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>And Abraham had noooo reason to create this story and pass it around the block.</i></span> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Hey everyone, the magical voice that talks only to me said this land is mine.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, [having] Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>What? Was the land God gave him not good enough? Is it a better story if he moves into a Egypt and the Jews are enslaved? </i></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair woman to look upon:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>He didn't have faith that God would protect him from evil-doers? </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she [was] very fair.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>And Abram has no issue with this.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Because he was paid kindly.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>Ah, but someone takes issue!</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What [is] this [that] thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she [was] thy wife?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>Why saidst thou, She [is] my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take [her], and go thy way.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><i>So, God punishes Pharaoh for believing Abram, however Abram is rewarded for lying by gaining in wealth. That doesn't seem like a good moral to pass along. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-30059022899279984452010-07-05T12:09:00.000-07:002010-07-05T12:09:00.443-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 7<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two more parts to go! Woo-hoo! We left off with some info about the pilgrimage, this part starts with an ayah concerning it as well.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.203</b>] And laud Allah during the numbered days; then whoever hastens off in two days, there is no blame on him, and whoever remains behind, there is no blame on him, (this is) for him who guards (against evil), and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you shall be gathered together to Him.</span><br />
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<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.204</b>] And among men is he whose speech about the life of this world causes you to wonder, and he calls on Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the most violent of adversaries.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.205</b>] And when he turn,s back, he runs along in the land that he may cause mischief in it and destroy the tilth and the stock, and Allah does not love mischief-making.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.206</b>] And when it is said to him, guard against (the punish ment of) Allah; pride carries him off to sin, therefore hell is sufficient for him; and certainly it is an evil resting place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">A warning to believers to not get caught up by those who may use the name of Allah for their own purposes. Such a person will go to hell (of course).</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.207</b>] And among men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Affectionate to the servants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">What a kind master, Allah! I appreciate the wording of this translation: "he who sells himself." It is true that he who follows Allah probably doesn't know himself and has given up on some level of rational thinking. Another translation is: "he who would give away his life." This ayah may be referring to martyrdom.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.208</b>] O you who believe! enter into submission one and all and do not follow the footsteps of Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Watch out! Even though Allah knows all and created all, he will test you and threaten you with Satan. So kind. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">The following two ayahs are not interpreted with the previous one. I fell that if you read them together it seems that they refer to the trickery of Satan, however according to Allah.com's translation they are for apostates.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.209</b>] But if you slip after clear arguments have come to you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.210</b>] They do not wait aught but that Allah should come to them in the shadows of the clouds along with the angels, and the matter has (already) been decided; and (all) matters are returned to Allah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">It's humorous to think that if one were Muslim they would interpret the "clear arguments" as arguments for Allah. If such a "clear argument" exists in the Koran, it will in fact be a miracle. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">So basically, if you stop believing (even after all those amazing lucid arguments for the existence and omnipotence of Allah), well know that he is wise and that he already decided that you would stop believing. I'm actually surprised that hell isn't mentioned here. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.211</b>] Ask the Israelites how many a clear sign have We given them; and whoever changes the favor of Allah after it has come to him, then surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Spoke too soon! </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.212</b>] The life of this world is made to seem fair to those who disbelieve, and they mock those who believe, and those who guard (against evil) shall be above them on the day of resurrection; and Allah gives means of subsistence to whom he pleases without measure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Here the term fair does not denote some idea of justice, but more of an aesthetic. I admit that the universe does seem a fair place. It is majestic and amazing- and achieves it's awesomeness without any kind of magic or duplicitous interference by pesky deities. Ah, but only a disbeliever would think such a thing and those believers will go to heaven for pleasing Allah while I burn with my fellow "disbelievers." </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.213</b>] (All) people are a single nation; so Allah raised prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He revealed with them the Book with truth, that it might judge between people in that in which they differed; and none but the very people who were given it differed about it after clear arguments had come to them, revolting among themselves; so Allah has guided by His will those who believe to the truth about which they differed and Allah guides whom He pleases to the right path.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So the purpose of the Bible is to be divisive and decide who is bad and good? Of course those Jews and Christians didn't get "it." Let's blame them for their misinterpretations even though Allah didn't guide them to "the right path."</i></span></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.214</b>] Or do you think that you would enter the garden while yet the state of those who have passed away before you has not come upon you; distress and affliction befell them and they were shaken violently, so that the Apostle and those who believed with him said: When will the help of Allah come? Now surely the help of Allah is nigh!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Oh, the trials and tribulations will be many because Allah will test us all. Only then will he know whether we truly believe, even though He has told us repeatedly that He is all knowing and all seeing and the creator of the disbelievers. Oh, Allah, you are a paradox wrapped in a mystery.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.215</b>] They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.216</b>] Fighting is enjoined on you, and h is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">The like how the last segment of the second ayah states " and Allah knows, while you do not know." Ain't that the truth? Isn't it always that "God knows best" and "it's in God's hands." And we can't forget, "God willing." Us poor humans are not responsible for ourselves! We are at the mercy of some paternalistic patron who will decide our fates. Praise him and give him your money.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.217</b>] They ask you concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is a grave matter, and hindering (men) from Allah's way and denying Him, and (hindering men from) the Sacred Mosque and turning its people out of it, are still graver with Allah, and persecution is graver than slaughter; and they will not cease fighting with you until they turn you back from your religion, if they can; and whoever of you turns back from his religion, then he dies while an unbeliever-- these it is whose works shall go for nothing in this world and the hereafter, and they are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall abide.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Persecution is greater than slaughter? Providing a hindrance to the path to Allah is a greater sin than killing someone? Really? Allah (Mohammad?) really has it all worked out. He created a religion in which it is completely normal to be paranoid that people are working against your eternal reward. He made persecution of Muslims a graver sin than killing in his name. What a guy. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.218</b>] Surely those who believed and those who fled (their home) and strove hard in the way of Allah these hope for the mercy of Allah and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Of course.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.219</b>] They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Drinking and gambling is not permitted. Me, I like my wine more than any deity. Maybe I should follow Jesus, since he was all about turning water to wine. That's something I can get behind. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.220</b>] On this world and the hereafter. And they ask you concerning the orphans Say: To set right for them (their affairs) is good, and if you become co-partners with them, they are your brethren; and Allah knows the mischief-maker and the pacemaker, and if Allah had pleased, He would certainly have caused you to fall into a difficulty; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Allah enjoys telling Mohammad about that which he will be questioned upon. Who thinks "Oh, but what about the orphans?" when they are considering a new faith? I understand questions regarding previous religious beliefs and the tenets of Islam in general, but the importance of orphans in the Koran is peculiar. The question that popped into my mind after this was "What gives? Was Mohammad an orphan or something?" And <a href="http://www.pbs.org/muhammad/timeline_html.shtml">lo and behold</a>, he was! Amazing how Allah was able to "reveal" to Mohammad something so dear to his heart...</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.221</b>] And do not marry the idolatresses until they believe, and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress woman, even though she should please you; and do not give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing servant is better than an idolater, even though he should please you; these invite to the fire, and Allah invites to the garden and to forgiveness by His will, and makes clear His communications to men, that they may be mindful.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Surround yourself with believers, those others will lead you to hell. Sounds pretty cult-ish to me. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.222</b>] And they ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a discomfort; therefore keep aloof from the women during the menstrual discharge and do not go near them until they have become clean; then when they have cleansed themselves, go in to them as Allah has commanded you; surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">After the first line I thought, oh great, a question supposedly posed by the women. HA! What was I thinking? Of course it is posed from the viewpoint of men. Men know so much about these matters. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.223</b>] Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like, and do good beforehand for yourselves, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to the believers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">I am finding it more ridiculous that Islam is sometimes said to be a religion that sees women as equals to men. No religion that views women as dirty during menstruation and as a tilling ground for children will ever treat women as equals. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.224</b>] And make not Allah because of your swearing (by Him) an obstacle to your doing good and guarding (against evil) and making peace between men, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.225</b>] Allah does not call you to account for what is vain in your oaths, but He will call you to account for what your hearts have earned, and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">So Allah won't hold you to your promises, however he will hold you to whatever is in your heart. And in that way, he is forgiving. And backward.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.226</b>] Those who swear that they will not go in to their wives should wait four months; so if they go back, then Allah is surely Forgiving, Merciful.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.227</b>] And if they have resolved on a divorce, then Allah is surely Hearing, Knowing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Does this actually say anything? Allah is forgiving if you give up on divorce but he knows if you don't? Come on, Allah, give us the consequences. Don't leave us hanging.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.228</b>] And the divorced women should keep themselves in waiting for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they should conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the last day; and their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile if they wish for reconciliation; and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">So women have to be good and seeming virtuous after a divorce, in case their husbands want them back. Once again, Allah shows that the misogynistic apple doesn't fall far from the Abrahamic tree. Those that state that the Koran advocates for equality between the sexes either have a skewed view of what equality means or have never actually read the Koran. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.229</b>] Divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then keep (them) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness; and it is not lawful for you to take any part of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah; then if you fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby. These are the limits of Allah, so do not exceed them and whoever exceeds the limits of Allah these it is that are the unjust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">One should not take back a gift given to the former spouse, unless it will somehow make you sin against Allah to not do so. Then, whatever, because Allah forgives. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.230</b>] So if he divorces her she shall not be lawful to him afterwards until she marries another husband; then if he divorces her there is no blame on them both if they return to each other (by marriage), if they think that they can keep within the limits of Allah, and these are the limits of Allah which He makes clear for a people who know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Now we are getting ridiculous. Was Mohammad considering divorce? Why so much exposition on it? The Koran seems to highlight such bizarre minutiae regarding divorce. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.231</b>] And when you divorce women and they reach their prescribed time, then either retain them in good fellowship or set them free with liberality, and do not retain them for injury, so that you exceed the limits, and whoever does this, he indeed is unjust to his own soul; and do not take Allah's communications for a mockery, and remember the favor of Allah upon you, and that which He has revealed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, admonishing you thereby; and be careful (of your duty to) Allah, and know that Allah is the Knower of all things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">So take care of a woman who is past her prime or let her go. Why even state this if either option is fine? Of course, anytime is a good time to remind the faithful of the greatness of Allah.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.232</b>] And when you have divorced women and they have ended-- their term (of waiting), then do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree among themselves in a lawful manner; with this is admonished he among you who believes in Allah and the last day, this is more profitable and purer for you; and Allah knows while you do not know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Yeah, I'm tired of divorce.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.233</b>] And the mothers should suckle their children for two whole years for him who desires to make complete the time of suckling; and their maintenance and their clothing must be-- borne by the father according to usage; no soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father's) heir, but if both desire weaning by mutual consent and counsel, there is no blame on them, and if you wish to engage a wet-nurse for your children, there is no blame on you so long as you pay what you promised for according to usage; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah and know that Allah sees what you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Breastfeeding is not a choice of the woman, but a choice by the woman and man. It can only be stopped when they both decide or at the end of two years. I highly doubt that American Muslims follow this ayah, considering the low rates of breastfeeding the US.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.234</b>] And (as for) those of you who die and leave wives behind, they should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten days; then when they have fully attained their term, there is no blame on you for what they do for themselves in a lawful manner; and Allah is aware of what you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">All of the divorce ayahs and now this one too, are obviously speaking only to males. It concerns itself only with the salvation of the male partner.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.235</b>] And there is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly in the asking of (such) women in marriage or keep (the proposal) concealed within your minds; Allah knows that you win mention them, but do not give them a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner, and do not confirm the marriage tie until the writing is fulfilled, and know that Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him, and know that Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Pretty much, as a man, do what you want. As a woman, follow my rules!</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.236</b>] There is no blame on you if you divorce women when you have not touched them or appointed for them a portion, and make provision for them, the wealthy according to his means and the straitened in circumstances according to his means, a provision according to usage; (this is) a duty on the doers of good (to others).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.237</b>] And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have appointed for them a portion, then (pay to them) half of what you have appointed, unless they relinquish or he should relinquish in whose hand is the marriage tie; and it is nearer to righteousness that you should relinquish; and do not neglect the giving of free gifts between you; surely Allah sees what you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">More divorce, now complete with alimony!</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.238</b>] Attend constantly to prayers and to the middle prayer and stand up truly obedient to Allah.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.239</b>] But if you are in danger, then (say your prayers) on foot or on horseback; and when you are secure, then remember Allah, as. He has taught you what you did not know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Just pray all the time. Allah feels lonely if you don't. Think of him as your mother. You never pray to me anymore...</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.240</b>] And those of you who die and leave wives behind, (make) a bequest in favor of their wives of maintenance for a year without turning (them) out, then if they themselves go away, there is no blame on you for what they do of lawful deeds by themselves, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.241</b>] And for the divorced women (too) provision (must be made) according to usage; (this is) a duty on those who guard (against evil).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Take care of the women, they can't take care of themselves.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.242</b>] Allah thus makes clear to you His communications that you may understand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">That Allah, always the jokester. Clear communications! Ha!</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-61165945197091237032010-07-02T16:25:00.000-07:002010-07-02T16:25:00.189-07:00Genesis 11<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Genesis&chapter=10&verse=">Genesis 10</a> gives a geneology of the sons of Noah, which I've skipped. Moving along to Chapter 11.</span><br />
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<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 11</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">That makes sense since everyone is related.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Why are they building a tower? It seems they have foreshadowed their own scattering though. It is interesting that the Lord came down to see the city. Couldn't he see it from his vantage point? Didn't he know what the people were doing?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And the LORD said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Aw man, they are getting too powerful! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Because they won't be able to figure out how to understand each other.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">And know we have the biblical explanation for the origin of multiple languages and different "tribes" across the face of the Earth. The Lord, he hath confounded us! What follows is more genealogy that leads us to Abraham and Lot... dum dum dum...</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> </sup></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>10</sup>These [are] the generations of Shem: Shem [was] an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 23</sup>And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 24</sup>And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 25</sup>And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 26</sup>And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 27</sup>Now these [are] the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 28</sup>And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 29</sup>And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 30</sup>But Sarai was barren; she [had] no child.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 31</sup>And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 32</sup>And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-69409812921690154002010-07-01T12:17:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:17:00.395-07:00On Heaven<div style="font-family: Verdana;">The Washington Post's On Faith Blogs featured a <a href="http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/2010/03/heaven/all.html">question regarding "Heaven"</a> in late March. <br />
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</div><div id="nrru" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">What (or where, or why) is heaven? </span><span style="font-size: small;">What is your vision of heaven? What images - from Scripture, tradition, culture or your personal experience - best describe heaven for you?</span></i></div><div id="nrru" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div id="bqk5" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, the question presupposes that there exists somewhere in this world, or some realm of some world, a place called Heaven. The responses are quite interesting, as well as the comments left for panelists.</span></div><div id="bqk5" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="xe-a" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=exploathei-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mark%20Driscoll" target="_blank">Mark Driscoll</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=exploathei-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> starts his piece by stating that "everyone believes in a heaven." He almost lost me with that generalization. His point, however, is that we all have idealized images of what we would like the world to be. I can accept that idea. I know I have wished for less poverty and more peace, among other things. Winning the lottery would be kind of nice as well. Driscoll continues by attributing this need to idealize to the fact that we were all kicked out of the Garden of Eden. He obviously writes from and for his limited christian understanding, detailing the "tragedy" of being banished from Eden and the coming Metropolis of Heaven he says is referred to by Revelations. <br />
</span></div><div id="xe-a" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="o966" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=exploathei-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=John%20Mark%20Reynolds" target="_blank">John Mark Reynolds</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=exploathei-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> starts his piece, entitled "Just Once to See and Hear Jesus" by writing about writing in a way that only a philosopher can. I might have found it beautiful had it been part of some novel, however once he starts discussing one "Word" that is true, etc, it becomes clear that he is philosophizing his ideas and wrapping them up in literary cloaks so that one cannot see how ridiculous they truly are. <br />
</span></div><div id="o966" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="jzop" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"I will see. What will I see? God, of course, but God is a very big Person and my eyes, even in Heaven, are very small. In Heaven, I will see God through Jesus, the God-man. He is not just an image of God, an icon, but Very God and looking at Him in His human nature will lead me to as much of God as men can see. " <br />
</span></i></div><div id="jzop" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div id="ghvs" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">I especially enjoy the term "God-man." It reminds me of the phrase "man-child." Quite apropos considering the magic one would have to believe in to agree with Reynold's piece.</span></div><div id="ghvs" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="ieik" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Julia Neuberger discusses the idea of heaven on Earth in a quick post. She states: <br />
</span></div><div id="ieik" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="x_k9" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">For me, Heaven is not out there. it is not beyond the sea, above or beyond us, but the capacity for Heaven lies within us-- the good life, making a difference to others, a sense of the transcendent, a moment of pure joy. </span> <br />
</i></div><div id="x_k9" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><br />
</i></div><div id="sszh" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found this a more respectable notion of heaven than those where heaven is seen as a physical place.</span></div><div id="sszh" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="seig" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=exploathei-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Ramdas%20Lamb" target="_blank">Ramdas Lamb</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=exploathei-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> begins his piece, entitled "Heaven is Overrated" with the following paragraph:</span></div><div id="seig" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="vvp6" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Heaven, hell, and the afterlife are totally theoretical and any belief in them is based solely on faith. No one can affirm their existence, as no one can prove their non-existence. Practically speaking, then, any belief in the them is only relevant to the extent that it affects the way we live our lives here and now. <br />
</i></span></div><div id="vvp6" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div id="nl_s" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lamb was a Hindu monk before he became a professor. <a href="http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/ramdas_lamb/2010/03/heaven_is_overrated_1.html">His piece</a> is especially interesting because it comes from a perspective that isn't often represented in American religious circles. It is also a breath of fresh air in comparison to the heavily represented Christian views on the topic. Regardless, there is one Christian view I want to highlight: that of Jim Daly.</span></div><div id="nl_s" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="frav" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Home-Imperfect-Faith-Family/dp/0781445337?ie=UTF8&tag=exploathei-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Jim Daly</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=exploathei-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0781445337" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is the President and CEO of Focus on the Family, an evangelical Christian group. Of course, as an evangelical, Mr. Daly has a personal relationship with God. He tells a little about it here:</span></div><div id="frav" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="hwl1" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I believe what I believe about heaven not only because of what I've read in the Old and New Testaments, but because I have met the one man who has been there and back -- my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. His words, actions and yes, His promises, have left me with a great spirit of peace amid the rising chaos and challenges associated with life here on earth. </span></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"> </div><div id="t5ha" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">I still find it amazing that people can talk of "meeting Jesus" and "talking to God" without others thinking they are bit crazy. Regardless, Mr. Daly has it on personal confidence what heaven is like. I imagine the hatred spewed by Focus on the Family regarding issues like abortion and homosexuality will have no effect on his gaining admittance.</span></div><div id="t5ha" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="pi40" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=exploathei-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Karen%20Armstrong" target="_blank">Karen Armstrong</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=exploathei-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, a former nun, makes an interesting point in her piece:</span></div><div id="pi40" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="e.7:" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I personally think it best not to try to imagine what we call 'heaven', because it can only be some kind of projection or wish-fulfillment. We can become so fixated on 'getting into heaven' that all our good deeds become purely selfish - as irreligious as paying into a retirement annuity for a comfortable life in the hereafter. Religion is supposed to be about the loss of ego - not fantasies about its eternal survival in optimum conditions. <br />
</span></i></div><div id="e.7:" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div id="gvwv" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think she makes a succinct point regarding heaven. I don't think I've ever heard a believer consider that heaven would be a disappointment or boring. It is always wonderful in some fashion, and particularly in the fashion that they would like it to be.</span><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">While Armstrong points out that religion is "supposed to be about the loss of ego" I would argue the opposite. Most religious are precisely about ego. To create a god in man's image is ego. To envision a paradise of eternal life, basically the life of the imagined god, as a reward for man is ego. I think this is especially obvious in the evangelical mode of thought. It is ego to think that there is some almighty creator that cares about you so much that he listens to all your prayers and even has a personal relationship with you. I could go on, but I'll save it for the bible dissection.</span></div><div id="gvwv" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="m8tz" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's a paragraph from <a href="http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/paula_kirby/2010/03/seize_the_day.html">Paula Kirby's piece</a> to end with. I recommend you read her entire post.</span></div><br />
<div id="uylf" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: small;">I am always slightly taken aback when the religious cite heaven as a reason to believe. Quite apart from the illogicality of believing in something just because you would like it to be true, an afterlife is such a transparently preposterous notion. Even the most devout believer in an afterlife has no difficulty accepting that death is precisely what it seems to be - The End - for every other species that has ever lived. In the case of everything from an amoeba to a dandelion to a wasp to a dolphin, these believers accept that death is death, and that's it. But somehow, according to them, for humans it isn't the end, even though we witness precisely the same processes of dying and decomposition in humans as we do in, say, pygmy marmosets, and even though there is not the slightest evidence to suggest that any part of human existence or experience will not ultimately be traced to purely material - and mortal - processes. </span></i></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-21911831740302638902010-06-30T12:08:00.000-07:002010-06-30T12:08:00.245-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 6<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As we grow ever closer to the end of The Cow, I grow excited. I am hoping that future suras will not be as repetitious or convoluted. High hopes, I know. To catch up on past Koranic posts, <a href="http://exploreatheism.blogspot.com/p/koran.html">check here</a>. </span><br />
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[<b>2.164</b>] Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men, and the water that Allah sends down from the cloud, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and spreads in it all (kinds of) animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">We are supposed to believe there is a God because of nature? Shouldn't there be a more compelling argument. This is basically saying: if you believe, then everything you see will just reify (mozilla doesn't think reify is a word, buy a dictionary firefox!)your belief. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.165</b>] And there are some among men who take for themselves objects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah and O, that those who are unjust had seen, when they see the chastisement, that the power is wholly Allah's and that Allah is severe in requiting (evil).<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Don't love anything more than you love Allah or you will be punished! Allah- better than your money, your children and your wife!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.166</b>] When those who were followed shall renounce those who followed (them), and they see the chastisement and their ties are cut asunder.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.167</b>] And those who followed shall say: Had there been for us a return, then we would renounce them as they have renounced us. Thus will Allah show them their deeds to be intense regret to them, and they shall not come forth from the fire.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">So because those who were idolizing others got dumped by those they were idolizing, they are going to hell? Allah seems to be short on forgiveness for mistakes. Where's the chance for repentance? </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.168</b>] O men! eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.169</b>] He only enjoins you evil and indecency, and that you may speak against Allah what you do not know.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Such a mix of sentiment in ayah 168. Eat halal (which hasn't been explained, unless we are supposed to get our cues from the Old Testament Kosher laws) and don't follow Satan. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.170</b>] And when it is said to them, Follow what Allah has revealed, they say: Nay! we follow what we found our fathers upon. What! and though their fathers had no sense at all, nor did they follow the right way.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.171</b>] And the parable of those who disbelieve is as the parable of one who calls out to that which hears no more than a call and a cry; deaf, dumb (and) blind, so they do not understand.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Don't follow what your father did, I'm Allah, and I'm here to teach you the right way. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.172</b>] O you who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided you with, and give thanks to Allah if Him it is that you serve.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.173</b>] He has only forbidden you what dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that over which any other (name) than (that of) Allah has been invoked; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring, nor exceeding the limit, no sin shall be upon him; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Here is something we don't see too often in the Koran: an explanation! However small... So, a believer should not eat an animal that dies naturally, should not ingest blood (no medium rare steaks!), no pork, and no food that has been blessed in the name of a different god. Amazingly, Allah does allow that if you are starving, it is not a sin to eat whatever is at hand. We will be hearing more about Halal eating in following Suras. It may be the only understandable thing in the Koran! (Please note: understandable does not mean logical.)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.174</b>] Surely those who conceal any part of the Book that Allah has revealed and take for it a small price, they eat nothing but fire into their bellies, and Allah will not speak to them on the day of resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful chastisement.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.175</b>] These are they who buy error for the right direction and chastisement for forgiveness; how bold they are to encounter fire.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.176</b>] This is because Allah has revealed the Book with the truth; and surely those who go against the Book are in a great opposition.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">But let us not forget that this Book is the truth and if you conceal what Allah has revealed: punishment punishment punishment!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.177</b>] It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of conflicts-- these are they who are {rue (to themselves) and these are they who guard (against evil).<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Here we have a checklist for the faithful, nothing we haven't already come across in this never ending surah. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.178</b>] O you who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain, the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but if any remission is made to any one by his (aggrieved) brother, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement.<br />
[<b>2.179</b>] And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Just like the Old Testament God, Allah is all about a life fore a life. I think it is interesting that he gives the reason that it will put in man the fear of retaliation. Not very dissimilar from the notion of the death penalty being a deterrent. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.180</b>] Bequest is prescribed for you when death approaches one of you, if he leaves behind wealth for parents and near relatives, according to usage, a duty (incumbent) upon those who guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.181</b>] Whoever then alters it after he has heard it, the sin of it then is only upon those who alter it; surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.182</b>] But he who fears an inclination to a wrong course or an act of disobedience on the part of the testator, and effects an agreement between the parties, there is no blame on him. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>So having a codicil will somehow protect against evil. I imagine the true wish is that the wealth be left to a Mosque.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.183</b>] O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.184</b>] For a certain number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man; so whoever does good spontaneously it is better for him; and that you fast is better for you if you know.<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Would the Koran make more sense if it wasn't set up into meaningless chapters? Perhaps there should just be a couple of ayahs on a page, ones that actually go together. It isn't like Allah decided the layout after all. Wouldn't it be useful for the spread of Islam to lay out the text in such a way as to make it more easily decipherable to those who might want to read it? </i></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.185</b>] The month of Ramazan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Fasting during Ramadan is done because that is supposedly when Allah sent down the Koran... I'm assuming that Allah is aware that he didn't send it all down at once and that it was supposedly a collection of revelations over 23 years. Why make a statement that seems to imply that the Koran was "handed down" at one particular point in time. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.186</b>] And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>If you pray, I will answer.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.187</b>] It is made lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast; they are an apparel for you and you are an apparel for them; Allah knew that you acted unfaithfully to yourselves, so He has turned to you (mercifully) and removed from you (this burden); so now be in contact with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night, and have not contact with them while you keep to the mosques; these are the limits of Allah, so do not go near them. Thus does Allah make clear His communications for men that they may guard (against evil).<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I don't think I've ever heard of anyone described as an apparel. Regardless, how kind of Allah to let his followers know that they are permitted sexual relations during the nights of Ramadan. The phrasing of this ayah is very peculiar. It makes it seem like at some point, sexual relations were not allowed during Ramadan. Allah, in his goodness, saw that his believers were having relations anyway, so he forgave them and said that it was fine to do so as long as it was done within his prescribed hours. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.188</b>] And do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, neither seek to gain access thereby to the judges, so that you may swallow up a part of the property of men wrongfully while you know.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Don't cheat or bribe.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.189</b>] They ask you concerning the new moon. Say: They are times appointed for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage; and it is not righteousness that you should enter the houses at their backs, but righteousness is this that one should guard (against evil); and go into the houses by their doors and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, that you may be successful.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>This supposedly has to do with the lunar calendar. For me it seems to attempt to explain the importance of the lunar calendar for their pilgrimage and worship and then tack on some weird stuff about entering houses. I guess we can say that the entering the houses may be discussing mosques or how believers should present themselves.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.190</b>] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.191</b>] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.192</b>] But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.193</b>] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Wow. These few ayah have probably been used for the justification of many aggressive acts. So Allah says that if his followers are feeling persecuted, it is fine for them to kill those whom they feel are persecuting them. The only two exceptions are: unless they are near a mosque or if they have desisted from their actions. After reading these ayahs repeatedly, I have been trying to determine in what manner the hijackers on the different 9/11 flights felt persecuted. I can more or less comprehend how Muslim Iraqis may feel persecuted by what they see as a terrestrial incursion, however, what bothered the 9/11 hijackers? What gave them cause to feel persecuted? Was it just because they felt our culture is so hedonistic that it will corrupt good Muslims? Was it because they were fed lies regarding Americans that they took as truth? I wouldn't be surprised at the later. They've already accepted enough bizarre beliefs, what's a few more?</i></span> <br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.194</b>] The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful (of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Does that make it divine retribution?</i></span> <br />
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[<b>2.195</b>] And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>This line would make sense on it's own page. It talks of charity, however it is much tarnished after all of the violence of the preceding ayahs. </i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>What follows is the call to pilgrimage, ending, as always, with the day of reckoning.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.196</b>] And accomplish the pilgrimage and the visit for Allah, but if, you are prevented, (send) whatever offering is easy to obtain, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination; but whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head, he (should effect) a compensation by fasting or alms or sacrificing, then when you are secure, whoever profits by combining the visit with the pilgrimage (should take) what offering is easy to obtain; but he who cannot find (any offering) should fast for three days during the pilgrimage and for seven days when you return; these (make) ten (days) complete; this is for him whose family is not present in the Sacred Mosque, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in requiting (evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.197</b>] The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months; so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, there shall be no intercourse nor fornication nor quarrelling amongst one another; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.198</b>] There is no blame on you in seeking bounty from your Lord, so when you hasten on from "Arafat", then remember Allah near the Holy Monument, and remember Him as He has guided you, though before that you were certainly of the erring ones.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.199</b>] Then hasten on from the Place from which the people hasten on and ask the forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.200</b>] So when you have performed your devotions, then laud Allah as you lauded your fathers, rather a greater lauding. But there are some people who say, Our Lord! give us in the world, and they shall have no resting place.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.201</b>] And there are some among them who say: Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.202</b>] They shall have (their) portion of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in reckoning.</div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-58951224652966632542010-06-29T10:46:00.000-07:002010-06-29T18:16:06.795-07:00Genesis 9<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Koran was written well after the Old Testament, however I find the latter is more cohesive and rational. Someone raised as a Muslim would probably disagree, but I feel that even if I hadn't been brought up Catholic, the Bible would still be easier to read and interpret. </span> </span> </span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 9</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 1</sup>And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 2</sup>And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">I can just see a tiger fearing a man... cowering in his little corner of the jungle. </i></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 3</sup>Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 4</sup>But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">Don't eat raw food... or still living food. Is sushi not kosher?</i><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 5</sup>And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 6</sup>Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">If an animal kills a man, he should be killed. If a man kills a man, he should be killed. I'm for capital punishment, but I don't think I agree with killing an animal if it killed a man. It depends if the man was being really stupid at the time.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 7</sup>And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 8</sup>And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 9</sup>And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 10</sup>And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 11</sup>And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 12</sup>And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations:</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 13</sup>I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">Aww, God made the rainbow! When God makes this promise, is you only talking about a flood of such large proportions that would destroy all life on Earth, or also of smaller ones that destroy some life. Hurricanes and Monsoons cause so much damage and can have high death tolls. Why didn't God promise to not have those either? </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 14</sup>And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 15</sup>And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">Funny, I see clouds pretty often, but rarely see a rainbow. Is God forgetting? Getting lazy? </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 16</sup>And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 17</sup>And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 18</sup>And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham [is] the father of Canaan.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 19</sup>These [are] the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">Score! So we have an interbred family interbreeding some more! No wonder they were all believers.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 20</sup>And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 21</sup>And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 22</sup>And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 23</sup>And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid [it] upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces [were] backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 24</sup>And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 25</sup>And he said, Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">He's going to curse his grandson because he was drunk and naked? If he's upset because Ham told his brothers how he found his father, then blame Ham, not Ham's son. And really, this is Noah's fault. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (I don't think it ever said it was an apple), they tried to pass the buck and deflect responsibility. Now Noah is doing the same. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 26</sup>And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 27</sup>God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 28</sup>And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 29</sup>And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #45818e;">And he was probably drunk.</i> </div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-10500869299215511282010-06-28T12:06:00.000-07:002010-06-28T12:06:00.755-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 5<div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is The Cow that never ends... yes it goes on and on my friends...</span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.122</b>] O children of Israel, call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and that I made you excel the nations.<br />
[<b>2.123</b>] And.be on your guard against a day when no soul shall avail another in the least neither shall any compensation be accepted from it, nor shall intercession profit it, nor shall they be helped.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>And fear the day of reckoning!</i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i><br />
[<b>2.124</b>] And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He.</span><i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I imagine this is concerning the attempted sacrifice of his son. </i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.125</b>] And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves.<br />
[<b>2.126</b>] And when Ibrahim said: My Lord, make it a secure town and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the last day. He said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a short while, then I will drive him to the chastisement of the fire; and it is an evil destination.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And there will be punishment! Surprise! I recently read a piece in the Blackwell Reader that mentioned the repetitious nature of the Koran. It stated that it is because of the nature of the revelation (slow bits over 23 years). It also mentioned the "unique" nature of the Koran: it is the only text written by God/Allah. That was enough for me to discount the article. If a supposed academic can claim that, then he doesn't strike me as a learned man. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.127</b>] And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing:<br />
[<b>2.128</b>] Our Lord! and make us both submissive to Thee and (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to Thee, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us (mercifully), surely Thou art the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Surely you are the merciful one who talks of punishing everyone! </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.129</b>] Our Lord! and raise up in them an Apostle from among them who shall recite to them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And send Mohammad to write down your story... over a thousand years later. If the Koran and it's teachings are supposed to be so important, and Allah so all knowing, why did he wait so long to deliver his message? Why did he let over a 1000 years go by without helping man truly understand his nature? Probably because he doesn't exist.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.130</b>] And who forsakes the religion of Ibrahim but he who makes himself a fool, and most certainly We chose him in this world, and in the hereafter he is most surely among the righteous.<br />
[<b>2.131</b>] When his Lord said to him, Be a Muslim, he said: I submit myself to the Lord of the worlds.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Abraham is seen as high ranking for his readiness to submit. Incidentally, by "Be a Muslim" Allah is effectively stating: submit to my will.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.132</b>] And the same did Ibrahim enjoin on his sons and (so did) Yaqoub. O my sons! surely Allah has chosen for you (this) faith, therefore die not unless you are Muslims.<br />
[<b>2.133</b>] Nay! were you witnesses when death visited Yaqoub, when he said to his sons: What will you serve after me? They said: We will serve your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq, one God only, and to Him do we submit.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<b>2.134</b>] This is a people that have passed away; they shall have what they earned and you shall have what you earn, and you shall not be called upon to answer for what they did.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Follow the line! Submit submit. Don't think for yourself. </i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ayah 2.134 is interesting as it speaks against the Christian idea of original sin and biblical notions of the sins of the father being passed to the son. So far, this is the only line in the Koran I have cared for.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.135</b>] And they say: Be Jews or Christians, you will be on the right course. Say: Nay! (we follow) the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanif, and he was not one of the polytheists.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Koran is claiming that the Jews and Christians are polytheists. I can understand the condemnation for a Christian and their trinity, but not for the Jews.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.136</b>] Say: We believe in Allah and (in) that which had been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and (in) that which was given to Musa and Isa, and (in) that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here Jesus is equated with the other prophets and Allah states that he is not different from the others. It is only to Allah that one should submit.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.137</b>] If then they believe as you believe in Him, they are indeed on the right course, and if they turn back, then they are only in great opposition, so Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.138</b>] (Receive) the baptism of Allah, and who is better than Allah in baptising? and Him do we serve.<br />
[<b>2.139</b>] Say: Do you dispute with us about Allah, and He is our Lord and your Lord, and we shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds, and we are sincere to Him.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I understand the need for some flattery of the deity in a religious text, but I feel like the Koran is going above and beyond. So far, it lacks substance.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.140</b>] Nay! do you say that Ibrahim and Ismail and Yaqoub and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Are you better knowing or Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals a testimony that he has from Allah? And Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Don't question Allah! When he tells you something, it is because he knows everything.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.141</b>] This is a people that have passed away; they shall have what they earned and you shall have what you earn, and you shall not be called upon to answer for what they did.<br />
[<b>2.142</b>] The fools among the people will say: What has turned them from their qiblah which they had? Say: The East and the West belong only to Allah; He guides whom He likes to the right path.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>If he guides whom he likes to the right path, what is the point of trying to convince others they are on the wrong path? It won't work unless Allah wills it to be so. </i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.143</b>] And thus We have made you a medium (just) nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you; and We did not make that which you would have to be the qiblah but that We might distinguish him who follows the Apostle from him who turns back upon his heels, and this was surely hard except for those whom Allah has guided aright; and Allah was not going to make your faith to be fruitless; most surely Allah is Affectionate, Merciful to the people.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Once again, whats the point of proselytizing? </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.144</b>] Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This may be why Muslims face Mecca when they pray. Qiblah= direction.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.145</b>] And even if you bring to those who have been given the Book every sign they would not follow your qiblah, nor can you be a follower of their qiblah, neither are they the followers of each other's qiblah, and if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, then you shall most surely be among the unjust.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Just follow Allah! Don't let others lead you astray.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.146</b>] Those whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons, and a party of them most surely conceal the truth while they know (it).</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The pesky Jews and Christians try to conceal the prophethood of Mohammad. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.147</b>] The truth is from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the doubters.<br />
[<b>2.148</b>] And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.<br />
[<b>2.149</b>] And from whatsoever place you come forth, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque; and surely it is the very truth from your Lord, and Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.<br />
[<b>2.150</b>] And from whatsoever place you come forth, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque; and wherever you are turn your faces towards it, so that people shall have no accusation against you, except such of them as are unjust; so do not fear them, and fear Me, that I may complete My favor on you and that you may walk on the right course.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fear me! Do what I say! Believe what I say!</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.151</b>] Even as We have sent among you an Apostle from among you who recites to you Our communications and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the wisdom and teaches you that which you did not know.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Mohammad's mission.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.152</b>] Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But remember me.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.153</b>] O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And pray to me</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.154</b>] And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And remember the martyrs. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.155</b>] And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient,<br />
[<b>2.156</b>] Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah's and to Him we shall surely return.<br />
[<b>2.157</b>] Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But Allah reserves the right to test you in whatever manner he wishes. Even though he knows everything and made everything happen, he will test you just to check you are still a believer. How thoughtful. What a way to to ensure that people don't question his existence in times of trouble. Oh, no, He is just testing me.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<b>2.158</b>] Surely the Safa and the Marwa are among the signs appointed by Allah; so whoever makes a pilgrimage to the House or pays a visit (to it), there is no blame on him if he goes round them both; and whoever does good spontaneously, then surely Allah is Grateful, Knowing.<br />
[<b>2.159</b>] Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too).<br />
[<b>2.160</b>] Except those who repent and amend and make manifest (the truth), these it is to whom I turn (mercifully); and I am the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.<br />
[<b>2.161</b>] Surely those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, these it is on whom is the curse of Allah and the angels and men all;<br />
[<b>2.162</b>] Abiding in it; their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be given respite.<br />
[<b>2.163</b>] And your God is one God! there is no god but He; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. </span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And we end today's piece of The Cow with some hell fire and mercy! Surprised?</i></span></span></span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-31130296575773254362010-06-25T06:36:00.000-07:002010-06-25T06:36:00.341-07:00Genesis 8<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">And magically, it all dries up. </span></span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 8</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth [month], on the first [day] of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">For 9 months (roughly 274 days) Noah, his family, and all the worlds animals were on a boat together. How long do you think it would take them to feed all the different species? How did they get enough food? An elephant can eat upwards of 300 pounds of food a day. For one elephant to eat normally for 9 months it would need at least 82,200 pounds of food. That is just one of the animals supposedly on board the yacht. Who brought all that food aboard? Or did everyone just live off of God's love...</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters [were] on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">So the poor raven is just flying around back and forth? I don't think birds do that. Wouldn't it have returned also?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth [was] an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Amazing how it survived under water for 9 months. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Logically the Earth couldn't dry that quickly. Unless someone turned the power of the sun waaaay up.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And God spake unto Noah, saying,</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">No casualties mentioned. </i></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, [and] whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">How are they supposed to multiply when he is killing them off? Also, that is a lot of animals to sacrifice. How long did that take?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #45818e;">God's covenant. Does God show remorse. Is that possible? If God is omniscient, shouldn't he have known he was going to be remorseful? While the God of the Bible is easier to read about than Allah of the Koran, he makes just as much sense. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-28733731539946273272010-06-24T06:35:00.000-07:002010-06-24T11:53:18.562-07:00Genesis 7<div style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The story of great deluge is one that has been repeated throughout history in many civilizations. There is no archeological or geological proof that this ever occurred. Wikipedia gives a long list of different cultures that feature the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deluge_%28mythology%29#Hypotheses_of_origin_of_flood_legends">flood myth</a>. Because this is such a common, unbelievable story, I won't bother dissecting the text. It is more interesting to check out the various cultures that have at some point ascribe to this belief. The Genesis text follows...</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 7</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup> 2</sup>Of every c</span>lean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and his female.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And Noah [was] six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>Of clean beasts, and of beasts that [are] not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, of all that [was] in the dry [land], died.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 23</sup>And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.</span></div><div style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 24</sup>And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-21917054373448901042010-06-23T08:25:00.000-07:002010-06-29T18:13:15.238-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 4<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After this post, we will be half way through the first sura of the Koran.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.82</b>] And (as for) those who believe and do good deeds, these are the dwellers of the garden; in it they shall abide.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">The promise of heaven once again. Islam seems to focus heavily on the idea of heaven and a reward for good deeds and belief. Mohammad went for the hard sell.</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.83</b>] And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and (you shall do) good to (your) parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men good words and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and (now too) you turn aside.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Allah reminds the people about the covenant he made with the Children of Israel:</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">1. There is no God but Allah</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">2. Honor your parents and family</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">3. Be good to orphans and the needy</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">4. Spread the word</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">5. Pray</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">6. Give me your money</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">He claims that they turned his back on him. </i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.84</b>] And when We made a covenant with you: You shall not shed your blood and you shall not turn your people out of your cities; then you gave a promise while you witnessed.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.85</b>] Yet you it is who slay your people and turn a party from among you out of their homes, backing each other up against them unlawfully and exceeding the limits; and if they should come to you, as captives you would ransom them-- while their very turning out was unlawful for you. Do you then believe in a part of the Book and disbelieve in the other? What then is the re ward of such among you as do this but disgrace in the life of this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be sent back to the most grievous chastisement, and Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.86</b>] These are they who buy the life of this world for the hereafter, so their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">Allah said that part of the Covenant was that there would be no murder and people would not be forced to leave from their dwellings. Supposedly this covenant was broken. He questions the Children of Israel about how they can follow parts of the Book and not others. But of course, Allah is watching and that means punishment. </i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.87</b>] And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.88</b>] And they say: Our hearts are covered. Nay, Allah has cursed them on account of their unbelief; so little it is that they believe.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">Isa = Jesus, Marium = Mary. Allah is complaining of the treatment of the prophets and how the Children of Israel called some liars and killed others. </i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.89</b>] And when there came to them a Book from Allah verifying that which they have, and aforetime they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieve, but when there came to them (Prophet) that which they did not recognize, they disbelieved in him; so Allah's curse is on the unbelievers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.90</b>] Evil is that for which they have sold their souls-- that they should deny what Allah has revealed, out of envy that Allah should send down of His grace on whomsoever of His servants He pleases; so they have made themselves deserving of wrath upon wrath, and there is a disgraceful punishment for the unbelievers.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">I don't think this is clear. Supposedly Allah is talking about how people don't believe Mohammad is his prophet. Regardless, such disbelief can only end in one thing...punishment! Seriously, the mentions of punishment in this surah far outweigh those of reward. </i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.91</b>] And when it is said to them, Believe in what Allah has revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed to us; and they deny what is besides that, while it is the truth verifying that which they have. Say: Why then did you kill Allah's Prophets before if you were indeed believers?<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">Allah is very big on reiteration and not so big on clarity. Here the Bible comes into play again. The complaint is that people are doubting Allah. The people say that they do believe in the Bible. Yet Allah notes that they doubt the Koran which (supposedly) only serves to verify the Bible. He tells Mohammad to ask them why the people killed Allah's prophets. In this one ayah alone there is discourse between Allah and the people and between Allah and Mohammad.</i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"> </i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.92</b>] And most certainly Musa came to you with clear arguments, then you took the calf (for a god) in his absence and you were unjust.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.93</b>] And when We made a covenant with you and raised the mountain over you: Take hold of what We have given you with firmness and be obedient. They said: We hear and disobey. And they were made to imbibe (the love of) the calf into their hearts on account of their unbelief Say: Evil is that which your belief bids you if you are believers.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">Supposedly Allah already forgave the people for this transgression- remember, he killed them and then brought them back to life. Regardless, those that he is preaching to aren't the ones who participated in the actions. They are removed from the action by almost 2 millenniums. Allah does not seem merciful if he can't learn to let it go and just preach to those that now (those of the 600 CE)exist.</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.94</b>] Say: If the future abode with Allah is specially for you to the exclusion of the people, then invoke death if you are truthful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.95</b>] And they will never invoke it on account of what their hands have sent before, and Allah knows the unjust.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.96</b>] And you will most certainly find them the greediest of men for life (greedier) than even those who are polytheists; every one of them loves that he should be granted a life of a thousand years, and his being granted a long life will in no way remove him further off from the chastisement, and Allah sees what they do.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Ah, and here we question the people's faith! I find this an interesting question even in modern times. Basically, if you believe you are going to heaven, why not wish for death? If heaven is so great and you KNOW it exists and that it is your final destination, wouldn't you be excited to die? Wouldn't you be happy for others who are dying (whom you believe to be heaven-bound)? Of course, Allah is having Mohammad question the Jews (as it is interpreted on Allah.com) because they have supposedly transgressed against Allah, and the Jews are somehow aware of this. But, alas, Allah knows all and somehow, someone, somewhere will be punished.</i><br />
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[<b>2.97</b>] Say: Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel-- for surely he revealed it to your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which is before it and guidance and good news for the believers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Generally, whenever the Koran says "Say" it is a command to Mohammad from Allah. Here we have Allah wanting Mohammad to attest to the revelation he (Mohammad) received from Gabriel which verifies the bible and gives guidance for the believers. </i><br />
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[<b>2.98</b>] Whoever is the enemy of Allah and His angels and His apostles and Jibreel and Meekaeel, so surely Allah is the enemy of the unbelievers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.99</b>] And certainly We have revealed to you clear communications and none disbelieve in them except the transgressors.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.100</b>] What! whenever they make a covenant, a party of them cast it aside? Nay, most of them do not believe.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.101</b>] And when there came to them an Apostle from Allah verifying that which they have, a party of those who were given the Book threw the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.102</b>] And they followed what the Shaitans chanted of sorcery in the reign of Sulaiman, and Sulaiman was not an unbeliever, but the Shaitans disbelieved, they taught men sorcery and that was sent down to the two angels at Babel, Harut and Marut, yet these two taught no man until they had said, "Surely we are only a trial, therefore do not be a disbeliever." Even then men learned from these two, magic by which they might cause a separation between a man and his wife; and they cannot hurt with it any one except with Allah's permission, and they learned what harmed them and did not profit them, and certainly they know that he who bought it should have no share of good in the hereafter and evil was the price for which they sold their souls, had they but known this.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.103</b>] And if they had believed and guarded themselves (against evil), reward from Allah would certainly have been better; had they but known (this).<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">But those pesky unbelievers! Allah thinks we should know that the Koran and its revelation(s) are </i><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><u>obviously</u></span></i><i style="color: #45818e;"> true. It's just those transgressors that don't believe it. But believe and be rewarded!</i><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.104</b>] O you who believe! do not say Raina and say Unzurna and listen, and for the unbelievers there is a painful chastisement.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Raina= evil; Unzurna= Look after us. Yeah, this ayah makes no sense to me, except for the punishment part. </i><br />
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[<b>2.105</b>] Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do not like, nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent down to you from your Lord, and Allah chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">The Jews, Christians and polytheists don't like what Allah is doing. Why would they when Allah keeps telling them they are going to hell unless they follow him?</i><br />
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[<b>2.106</b>] Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.107</b>] Do you not know that Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and that besides Allah you have no guardian or helper?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.108</b>] Rather you wish to put questions to your Apostle, as Musa was questioned before; and whoever adopts unbelief instead of faith, he indeed has lost the right direction of the way.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">But Allah is here to bring you the real word! And he is powerful! Just don't question him or ask for proof.</i><br />
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[<b>2.109</b>] Many of the followers of the Book wish that they could turn you back into unbelievers after your faith, out of envy from themselves, (even) after the truth has become manifest to them; but pardon and forgive, so that Allah should bring about His command; surely Allah has power over all things.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Those Jews will try to convert you! (Gee, I wonder why there is such division between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East...)</i><br />
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[<b>2.110</b>] And keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and whatever good you send before for yourselves, you shall find it with Allah; surely Allah sees what you do.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Ignore them and do what I told you to do.</i><br />
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[<b>2.111</b>] And they say: None shall enter the garden (or paradise) except he who is a Jew or a Christian. These are their vain desires. Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.112</b>] Yes! whoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is the doer of good (to others) he has his reward from his Lord, and there is no fear for him nor shall he grieve.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Ha! The Muslims should require proof from the Jews and Christians in regard to their righteousness, but what proof do they themselves offer? </i><br />
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[<b>2.113</b>] And the Jews say: The Christians do not follow anything (good) and the Christians say: The Jews do not follow anything (good) while they recite the (same) Book. Even thus say those who have no knowledge, like to what they say; so Allah shall judge between them on the day of resurrection in what they differ.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Has there ever been a religious text that flat out questioned other religions by name? What a way to sow hatred.</i><br />
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[<b>2.114</b>] And who is more unjust than he who prevents (men) from the masjids of Allah, that His name should be remembered in them, and strives to ruin them? (As for) these, it was not proper for them that they should have entered them except in fear; they shall meet with disgrace in this world, and they shall have great chastisement in the hereafter.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.115</b>] And Allah's is the East and the West, therefore, whither you turn, thither is Allah's purpose; surely Allah is Amplegiving, Knowing.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">As I read the Koran, I have less hope for peace in the Middle East if people are willing to take this book verbatim. Religion is such a destructive, ignorant force. </i><br />
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[<b>2.116</b>] And they say: Allah has taken to himself a son. Glory be to Him; rather, whatever is in the heavens and the earth is His; all are obedient to Him.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.117</b>] Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth, and when He decrees an affair, He only says to it, Be, so there it is.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Regarding Jesus as the son of God/Allah, which is seen as blasphemous.</i><br />
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[<b>2.118</b>] And those who have no knowledge say: Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us? Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the communications clear for a people who are sure.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Only those that are "sure" are getting the signs from Allah... that's not self-fulfilling prophecy or anything. </i><br />
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[<b>2.119</b>] Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and you shall not be called upon to answer for the companions of the flaming fire.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.120</b>] And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah's guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.121</b>] Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it ought to be read. These believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, these it is that are the losers.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;">I've grown weary of Allah's need to reiterate that the Koran is the "true" book for the "true" believers. Seriously, does he have to work that hard to convince us?</i> </div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-4009488889598093262010-06-22T16:52:00.000-07:002010-06-22T16:52:00.410-07:00Koran: The Cow Part 3<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.49</b>] And when We delivered you from Firon's people, who subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.50</b>] And when We parted the sea for you, so We saved you and drowned the followers of Firon and you watched by.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>This details the Israelite's torture at Pharaoh's hand and how Allah rescued his people. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.51</b>] And when We appointed a time of forty nights with Musa, then you took the calf (for a god) after him and you were unjust.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.52</b>] Then We pardoned you after that so that you might give thanks.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>When Moses was hanging out with Allah, the people began worshiping a golden calf. Allah forgives them. It is interesting that it states that the people were forgiven so that they might give thanks to Allah. It seems that Allah forgave them for his own purposes.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.53</b>] And when We gave Musa the Book and the distinction that you might walk aright.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.54</b>] And when Musa said to his people: O my people! you have surely been unjust to yourselves by taking the calf (for a god), therefore turn to your Creator (penitently), so kill your people, that is best for you with your Creator: so He turned to you (mercifully), for surely He is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>When Moses returned with "the Book" (what book?) and the knowledge necessary for the Muslims to worship Allah he found them worshiping the calf. He told them to slay themselves for Allah would then accept their repentance since he is merciful. When I imagine a merciful being, his or her's mercy is not dependent on martyrdom. </i></span> <br />
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[<b>2.55</b>] And when you said: O Musa! we will not believe in you until we see Allah manifestly, so the punishment overtook you while you looked on.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.56</b>] Then We raised you up after your death that you may give thanks.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Here it is believed that because the people asked Moses to manifest Allah, Allah struck the people down with lightning (not clear in this translation, it was clearer in another one I found; I will switch to that one after this surah) and then raised them from the dead so that they could be thankful. When Mohammad created this reiteration of God, I think he could have made him kinder and more efficient. Or is that just not believable?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.57</b>] And We made the clouds to give shade over you and We sent to you manna and quails: Eat of the good things that We have given you; and they did not do Us any harm, but they made their own souls suffer the loss.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Here we should forget that Allah just killed everyone in order to raise them from the dead and remember that he is so giving. </i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.58</b>] And when We said: Enter this city, then eat from it a plenteous (food) wherever you wish, and enter the gate making obeisance, and say, forgiveness. We will forgive you your wrongs and give more to those who do good (to others).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.59</b>] But those who were unjust changed it for a saying other than that which had been spoken to them, so We sent upon those who were unjust a pestilence from heaven, because they transgressed.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I imagine those that were unjust where the Jews or the Christians who supposedly perverted the word of Allah to suit their own purposes. I just can't imagine religion doing such a thing... The always merciful Allah then punished them. I should keep tally of how many times Merciful is said and how many times "punished" or some variant is used.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.60</b>] And when Musa prayed for drink for his people, We said: Strike the rock with your staff So there gushed from it twelve springs; each tribe knew its drinking place: Eat and drink of the provisions of Allah and do not act corruptly in the land, making mischief.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Allah provides provisions and expects the people to be happy with them. Alas...</i></span> <br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.61</b>] And when you said: O Musa! we cannot bear with one food, therefore pray Lord on our behalf to bring forth for us out of what the earth grows, of its herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions. He said: Will you exchange that which is better for that which is worse? Enter a city, so you will have what you ask for. And abasement and humiliation were brought down upon them, and they became deserving of Allah's wrath; this was so because they disbelieved in the communications of Allah and killed the prophets unjustly; this was so because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>...the people tell Moses they want variety of food! Desire for things beyond what Allah has granted brings abasement, of course. Can you imagine bringing down the wrath of the almighty by desiring more than what you have? Shouldn't people want more, and then strive to be better and do more to achieve it? No, of course not. People should only strive to serve Allah and believe and worship him. </i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.62</b>] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Once again, believers will be rewarded.</i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.63</b>] And when We took a promise from you and lifted the mountain over you: Take hold of the law (Tavrat) We have given you with firmness and bear in mind what is in it, so that you may guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.64</b>] Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace of Allah and His mercy on you, you would certainly have been among the losers.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I have been unable to find what mountain was lifted. These verses supposedly talk of a covenant made with Allah and how, because he is merciful, he forgave the people turning his back on it.</i></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.65</b>] And certainly you have known those among you who exceeded the limits of the Sabbath, so We said to them: Be (as) apes, despised and hated.<br />
[<b>2.66</b>] So We made them an example to those who witnessed it and those who came after it, and an admonition to those who guard (against evil). <br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Which Sabbath is to be observed? We have three days up for contention: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. While we aren't specifically given that information, we do know that not observing the sabbath leads to punishment. Surprising, no? </i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.67</b>] And when Musa said to his people: Surely Allah commands you that you should sacrifice a cow; they said: Do you ridicule us? He said: I seek the protection of Allah from being one of the ignorant.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.68</b>] They said: Call on your Lord for our sake to make it plain to us what she is. Musa said: He says, Surely she is a cow neither advanced in age nor too young, of middle age between that (and this); do therefore what you are commanded.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.69</b>] They said: Call on your Lord for our sake to make it plain to us what her color is. Musa said: He says, Surely she is a yellow cow; her color is intensely yellow, giving delight to the beholders.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.70</b>] They said: Call on your Lord for our sake to make it plain to us what she is, for surely to us the cows are all alike, and if Allah please we shall surely be guided aright.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.71</b>] Musa said: He says, Surely she is a cow not made submissive that she should plough the land, nor does she irrigate the tilth; sound, without a blemish in her. They said: Now you have brought the truth; so they sacrificed her, though they had not the mind to do (it).<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Because Allah is able to specifically "say" which cow he wants sacrificed, the people are satisfied with his divinity and follow his orders.</i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.72</b>] And when you killed a man, then you disagreed with respect to that, and Allah was to bring forth that which you were going to hide.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.73</b>] So We said: Strike the (dead body) with part of the (Sacrificed cow), thus Allah brings the dead to life, and He shows you His signs so that you may understand.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.74</b>] Then your hearts hardened after that, so that they were like rocks, rather worse in hardness; and surely there are some rocks from which streams burst forth, and surely there are some of them which split asunder so water issues out of them, and surely there are some of them which fall down for fear of Allah, and Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>When reading about the Koran, I learned that within it Allah refers two types of verses. Basically, one is easy to understand and it's meaning is clear, the other is vague and difficult to understand. Due to the lack of linearity, I think there are a lot of verses that fall on the latter side. As I read through this I don't understand how people can believe in it while lacking comprehension. The randomness does not seemed inspired or contrived, but set down by a poorly educated hand. There are plenty verses that seem out of place and the previous three are no exception. It appears that after the sacrifice, someone, or everyone, killed a man. Allah brought him back to life by throwing some meat on him. Instead of pleasing the people by his show of divinity, some were put off. Regardless, as always, Allah knows what you do. </i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.75</b>] Do you then hope that they would believe in you, and a party from among them indeed used to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after they had understood it, and they know (this).<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>There are times in the Koran when the voice portrayed is Allah, times when it is Mohammad, and times when it is Allah speaking to Mohammad. This is supposed to be the latter. Allah says that the Jews have heard his word and altered it... and they know it. </i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.76</b>] And when they meet those who believe they say: We believe, and when they are alone one with another they say: Do you talk to them of what Allah has disclosed to you that they may contend with you by this before your Lord? Do you not then understand?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.77</b>] Do they not know that Allah knows what they keep secret and what they make known?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.78</b>] And there are among them illiterates who know not the Book but only lies, and they do but conjecture.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.79</b>] Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so that they may take for it a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.80</b>] And they say: Fire shall not touch us but for a few days. Say: Have you received a promise from Allah, then Allah will not fail to perform His promise, or do you speak against Allah what you do not know?<br />
[<b>2.81</b>] Yeal whoever earns evil and his sins beset him on every side, these are the inmates of the fire; in it they shall abide.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>And here we have some reason for Muslims to hate the Jews. Allah has already said the Jews altered his teachings. Now he tells us that they are aware that they have done so, and that they (the Jews) think they are only going to hell for a few days. But no, Allah says they shall roast forever. No mercy there. </i></span><br />
</div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-25255209668316640572010-06-21T06:34:00.000-07:002010-06-21T06:34:00.440-07:00Genesis 6<h1 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 6</span></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">And we come across polygamy. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Why is it that the sons are of God and the daughters are merely of men? God really plays favorites in the bible. How do modern women deal with these constant reminders of God's patriarchal preferences? </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Why cut back from 900?</span></i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Some Christians will argue that the word "giants" is not used in the manner that we would use it now. I quick search though has shown that there are Christians that do in fact take it to mean physical giants.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">God regrets his creation and resolves to destroy it. This doesn't seem to point in the direction of omniscience. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">I am talking the "walked with God" as metaphorical for following God. I do wonder whether evangelicals decipher it in this way or if they think of it as a physical constitutional. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And this [is the fashion] which thou shalt make it [of]: The length of the ark [shall be] three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; [with] lower, second, and third [stories] shalt thou make it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Pretty specific building instructions. Why doesn't God present him with the ark? Why force him to build it. He shows Noah his preference and warns him, why not help him a little more? </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life, from under heaven; [and] every thing that [is] in the earth shall die.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every [sort] shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep [them] alive with thee; they shall be male and female.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every [sort] shall come unto thee, to keep [them] alive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">So basically everything is going to be inbred again. Why is God going through all this trouble? If he wants to destroy creation and try again, why not just smite everything and be done with it. If he regrets the violence being done by things of flesh, shouldn't he start over and do a better job?</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather [it] to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">I was hoping that there would be some kind of timeline here to see test out the ages from the last chapter of Genesis. Perhaps next time.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-31320405099027075402010-06-20T08:12:00.001-07:002010-06-20T08:12:30.810-07:00LA Lawmakers = RidiculousThis is <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/20/gulf.oil.spill/index.html?hpt=T2">ridiculous</a> and probably unconstitutional.Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-86650391537281213042010-06-18T16:41:00.000-07:002010-06-18T16:41:43.308-07:00Koran, The Cow Part 2<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And we continue with the first chapter of the Koran.</span> <br />
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[<b>2.28</b>] How do you deny Allah and you were dead and He gave you life? Again He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, then you shall be brought back to Him.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">The question here appears to be, how can we deny Allah when he is the creator? Somehow, disbelievers will be made into believers once Allah causes them to die and then brings them back to life. Since Allah created the disbelievers in the first place, this seems a bit much. Wouldn't it have been more efficient for him to just create everyone as a believer instead of going through all this trouble?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.29</b>] He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth, and He directed Himself to the heaven, so He made them complete seven heavens, and He knows all things.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">According to Islam there are several heavens: </span></i><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">1.Firdaus (the highest)</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">2.‘Adn</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">3.Na’iim</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">4.Na’wa</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">5.Darussalaam</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">6.Daarul Muaqaamah</span></i></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">7.Al-Muqqamul Amin</span></i></div><i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">8.Khuldi (the lowest)</span></i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.30</b>] And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, they said: What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Khalif in Islam is like a priest for Catholicism, they are Allah's representative on Earth. Also spelled caliph. I find this verse confusing. Are the angels afraid for the Khalif? </span></i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.31</b>] And He taught Adam all the names, then presented them to the angels; then He said: Tell me the names of those if you are right.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.32</b>] They said: Glory be to Thee! we have no knowledge but that which Thou hast taught us; surely Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.33</b>] He said: O Adam! inform them of their names. Then when he had informed them of their names, He said: Did I not say to you that I surely know what is ghaib in the heavens and the earth and (that) I know what you manifest and what you hide?<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who are the angels? Why do they not know their own names? The Koran is not linear in its timeline, so perhaps these questions will be answered later. Ghaib means what is unseen and unknown. Allah, then, is all knowing. </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.34</b>] And when We said to the angels: Make obeisance to Adam they did obeisance, but Iblis (did it not). He refused and he was proud, and he was one of the unbelievers.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">How can an unbelieving angel exist? </span></i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.35</b>] And We said: O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and eat from it a plenteous (food) wherever you wish and do not approach this tree, for then you will be of the unjust.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.36</b>] But the Shaitan made them both fall from it, and caused them to depart from that (state) in which they were; and We said: Get forth, some of you being the enemies of others, and there is for you in the earth an abode and a provision for a time.<br />
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<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adam and his nameless wife are in a garden where they cannot eat the fruit of a certain tree. The Devil tempts them both and they are expelled from the garden. Since Islam is an Abrahamic religion, it is to be expected that there will be parallels between the Old Testament and the Koran. It will be interesting to see at what points they diverge. </span></i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.37</b>] Then Adam received (some) words from his Lord, so He turned to him mercifully; surely He is Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful. </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.38</b>] We said: Go forth from this (state) all; so surely there will come to you a guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">If Allah predetermines who shall believe, does he predetermine Adam's fall? If that is the case, he would not be merciful. Also, how is Allah merciful in this situation? He is expelling Adam from the place where he set him. Sure, he offers him guidance, but he also could have forgiven him for eating from the tree.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.39</b>] And (as to) those who disbelieve in and reject My communications, they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I don't believe that the bible actually makes a reference to hell, at least not as it is popularly perceived. The Koran has already made two references to unbelievers in a hellish inferno.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.40</b>] O children of Israel! call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and be faithful to (your) covenant with Me, I will fulfill (My) covenant with you; and of Me, Me alone, should you be afraid.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>What is the covenant that Allah made? Is this something we will learn later because of the lack of linear organization or is the covenant just the promise of heaven?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.41</b>] And believe in what I have revealed, verifying that which is with you, and be not the first to deny it, neither take a mean price in exchange for My communications; and Me, Me alone should you fear.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.42</b>] And do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know (it).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.43</b>] And keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and bow down with those who bow down.<br />
[<b>2.44</b>] What! do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls while you read the Book; have you then no sense? <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Allah's expectations:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>1. Believe in me</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>2. Believe what I say</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>3. Fear me</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>4. Don't make stuff up, just spread my work</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>5. Pray to me</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>6. Pay your zakat: 2.5% of your yearly wealth</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>7. Worship with other believers</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>8. Don't just read, do</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.45</b>] And seek assistance through patience and prayer, and most surely it is a hard thing except for the humble ones,</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.46</b>] Who know that they shall meet their Lord and that they shall return to Him.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>A reiteration on the need for prayer. It seems the basic premise is that Allah must be exalted and all must humble themselves before him. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.47</b>] O children of Israel! call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and that I made you excel the nations.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.48</b>] And be on your guard against a day when one soul shall not avail another in the least, neither shall intercession on its behalf be accepted, nor shall any compensation be taken from it, nor shall they be helped.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Allah offers a warning to his believers. I think the warning is a bit unclear. I know this is probably because I wasn't raised in this tradition. To me it implies that there will come a time when your soul cannot be helped, that it will be going to its predetermined place and no one can assist it. </i></span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-44436162190465193292010-06-17T12:25:00.000-07:002010-06-17T12:25:00.153-07:00Genesis 5<span style="font-size: small;"></span><h2 class="headercolor" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">This chapter of Genesis gives us the generations of Adam. I include it here only because it gives information on the longevity of the first characters.</span></span> </h2><h2 class="headercolor" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 5</span></h2><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 1</sup>This [is] the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 2</sup>Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>So Eve was technically called by Adam's name? I imagine this is part of the whole "dominion" thing. </i></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 3</sup>And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 4</sup>And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 5</sup>And all the days that Adam lived were <b style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred and thirty years</b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 6</sup>And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 7</sup>And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 8</sup>And all the days of Seth were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred and twelve years</span></b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 9</sup>And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 10</sup>And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 11</sup>And all the days of Enos were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred and five years</span></b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 12</sup>And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 13</sup>And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 14</sup>And all the days of Cainan were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred and ten years</span></b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 15</sup>And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 16</sup>And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 17</sup>And all the days of Mahalaleel were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">eight hundred ninety and five years</span></b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 18</sup>And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 19</sup>And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 20</sup>And all the days of Jared were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred sixty and two years</span></b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 21</sup>And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 22</sup>And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 23</sup>And all the days of Enoch were <b><span style="color: #e69138;">three hundred sixty and five years</span></b>:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 24</sup>And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Is walking with God a metaphor for death or was this supposed to be the first ascension into heaven? A google search shows that we will be hearing more about Enoch and his non-corporeal death in a later book.</span></i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 25</sup>And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 26</sup>And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 27</sup>And all the days of Methuselah were <b style="color: #e69138;">nine hundred sixty and nine years</b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 28</sup>And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 29</sup>And he called his name Noah, saying, This [same] shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 30</sup>And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 31</sup>And all the days of Lamech were <b style="color: #e69138;">seven hundred seventy and seven years</b>: and he died.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup> 32</sup>And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">In order for Lamech and Methuselah to reach old age the flood would've had to happen when Noah was 600 years old. Either that, or they would need to be on the Arc. We'll have to see what the flood story says.</span></i> </span></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-4364410904224246682010-06-16T10:10:00.000-07:002010-06-16T10:10:00.843-07:00Koran: The Cow, Part 1<h3 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">This is the first chapter of the Koran. Check out Wikipedia for information regarding the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur%27an#Text" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">layout of the Koran</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></h3><h3 style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cow</span></h3><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.1</b>] Alif Lam Mim.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.2</b>] This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>It's always nice when a book tells you what it is, and that it is unquestionable. Shouldn't this raise some eyebrows already?</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.3</b>] Those who believe in the unseen and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.4</b>] And who believe in that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you and they are sure of the hereafter.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.5</b>] These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be successful.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>A true believer must:</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>1. Believe without evidence</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>2. Deal with the hand they were dealt</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>3. Believe what this book says </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.6</b>] Surely those who disbelieve, it being alike to them whether you warn them, or do not warn them, will not believe.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.7</b>] Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing and there is a covering over their eyes, and there is a great punishment for them.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I think that the manner in which the Koran addresses unbelievers may be unique. To have it written by Mohammad that unbelievers will be unbelievers and that Allah not only made it so, but will punish them for it. Predetermination much?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.8</b>] And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.9</b>] They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.10</b>] There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager">Pascal's wager</a> will not help you in the eyes of Allah. He will know whether you faked it or not.</i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.11</b>] And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.12</b>] Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>I am confused by these two lines. Do they refer to the fakers? Regardless, it is interesting that the perceived reality of those who say they are peace-makers is being questioned. I feel like this opens the door for believers to label others as they see fit for their faith.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.13</b>] And when it is said to them: Believe as the people believe they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>So we are talking of the fakers. </i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.14</b>] And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.15</b>] Allah shall pay them back their mockery, and He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.16</b>] These are they who buy error for the right direction, so their bargain shall bring no gain, nor are they the followers of the right direction.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Allah warns: playing both sides gets you nothing in the end.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.17</b>] Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness-- they do not see.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.18</b>] Deaf, dumb (and) blind, so they will not turn back.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Is this parable elsewhere? It seems to be lacking in substance. Why would Allah take the light? Unless, of course, it is reason that illumined around our fire-starter. Reason is dangerous and anathema to religion. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.19</b>] Or like abundant rain from the cloud in which is utter darkness and thunder and lightning; they put their fingers into their ears because of the thunder peal, for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.20</b>] The lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>If it was Allah that made certain people disbelievers, or keeps disbelievers as disbelievers, why go on about what he can do to them? </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.21</b>] O men! serve your Lord Who created you and those before you so that you may guard (against evil).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.22</b>] Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (Who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Do not have any other gods, other than Allah! That sounds familiar. Here we learn that:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>1. Allah created man</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>2. By serving Allah you guard against evil</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>3. Allah made the Earth and Sky</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>4. Allah sends rain for the tillers</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>5. Because of all these things, Allah asks we have no other gods</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.23</b>] And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>And if you don't believe us, go write your own religious text. What an interesting injunction.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.24</b>] But if you do (it) not and never shall you do (it), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>So if disbelievers don't "produce a chapter" you go to hell? </i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.25</b>] And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Believers will be rewarded, as always, by promises. </i></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.26</b>] Surely Allah is not ashamed to set forth any parable-- (that of) a gnat or any thing above that; then as for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord, and as for those who disbelieve, they say: What is it that Allah means by this parable: He causes many to err by it and many He leads aright by it! but He does not cause to err by it (any) except the transgressors,</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<b>2.27</b>] Who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land; these it is that are the losers.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>A believer does not question Allah, but just knows what he says is true. Are we to be surprised that he calls for blind faith? Disbelievers on the other hand see Allah as casing "many to err by it." But, Allah's disciples tell us, it is only those that don't follow his command that "are the losers;" they are the ones in error.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*The Cow will be in multiple parts as it is over 280 verses. Coming soon: creation!</span></span> </i></span> </div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-75841471089481463512010-06-16T09:41:00.000-07:002010-06-16T09:43:44.215-07:00On the Koran<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A few notes on the Koran and Islam:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Koran was supposedly given to Mohammad through revelation by the archangel Gabriel.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Koran does not replace the bible, but supposedly corrects misconceptions due to translation error and errors of the original telling. Because of this, certain tales are not fleshed out since it is expected that believers would know who certain characters are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Islam is an Abrahamic religion, just as Judaism and Christianity are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Koran is not presented chronologically, it is ordered by length of the chapters. The longest chapters are first. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A chapter of the Koran is called a <i>surah, </i>verses are <i>ayah</i>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Jesus is a prophet of Islam.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Koran is supposedly the only holy book that mentions that women and men are equal. However, it still maintains that men should have dominion over women in certain matters (ex: financially). </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just wanted to share a few things about Islam as I work my way through the Koran. I am by no means an expert on the subject and am reading the Koran for the first time. I am also reading the Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an, so hopefully that will lend some balance to my first impressions. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523974331448271220.post-13423605867860274632010-06-15T11:39:00.000-07:002010-06-15T11:39:00.508-07:00Genesis 4<h2 class="headercolor" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The story gets more gripping with the first murder!</span></span> </h2><h2 class="headercolor" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis Chapter 4</span></h2><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 1</sup>And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 2</sup>And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 3</sup>And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 4</sup>And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 5</sup>But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Why is it that God was unsatisfied with Cain's offering? I know I have heard it preached that Cain did not offer God the best of his harvest, however that is not stated. Is it supposed that since God had no respect for Cain's offering there must have been something wrong with it? If that was the case, why not tell Cain that? "Seriously Cain, you need to offer up something better." </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 6</sup>And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Shouldn't God know the answer to this question? </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 7</sup>If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">I had a teacher in grad school that did not inform her students of her expectations for homework. This verse reminds me of that. What is meant by "well?" God is obviously setting the standard, but what is it? </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 8</sup>And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">That must have been some talk. So from the past few verses we are supposed to gather that Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel was favored by God. Cain then killed his brother because of some dispute or the jealousy. A google search indicates that there is more to this story in later books, so we will just have to wait on the edge of our seats!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 9</sup>And the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 10</sup>And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 11</sup>And now [art] thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 12</sup>When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">God's second judgment. In his first, he cast mankind out of paradise. For his second act, he took away Cain's livelihood. Is he merciful for letting him live?</i> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 13</sup>And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment [is] greater than I can bear.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 14</sup>Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, [that] every one that findeth me shall slay me.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 15</sup>And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Why spare Cain? I feel like this must be some kind of moral lesson, but I don't understand what it would be. Perhaps just that Cain should suffer with guilt and remorse for the rest of his days? </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 16</sup>And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 17</sup>And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">Where did this wife appear from? The bible mainly details the male lineage, so are we to assume that Cain's wife is his sister? Or has God been out creating other humans? Apologists let it be known that OF COURSE Cain was related to his wife in some way, whether it be a sister or niece. This <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/who-was-cains-wife">same</a> page has an excerpt from the Scopes Monkey Trial which I found funny.</i><br />
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<div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—Did you ever discover where Cain got his wife?</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—No, sir; I leave the agnostics to hunt for her.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—You have never found out?</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—I have never tried to find.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—You have never tried to find?</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—No.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—The Bible says he got one doesn’t it? Were there other people on the earth at that time?</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—I cannot say.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—You cannot say. Did that ever enter your consideration?</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—Never bothered me.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q—There were no others recorded, but Cain got a wife.</i></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A—That is what the Bible says.</i></div><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q—Where she came from you do not know.</span></i><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 18</sup>And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 19</sup>And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one [was] Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 20</sup>And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and [of such as have] cattle.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 21</sup>And his brother's name [was] Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 22</sup>And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain [was] Naamah.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 23</sup>And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 24</sup>If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;">This is the genealogy for Cain. His great-great-great grandson Lamech was the first polygamist. And also a murderer. </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 25</sup>And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare (sic) a son, and called his name Seth: For God, [said she], hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><sup> 26</sup>And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">4:26 supposedly tells of the beginning of worship. </span></i></div>Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940998325050198024noreply@blogger.com