Residents Angered by Group's Distribution of Korans

[PTK]

The Koran is strikingly similar to the Bible. I've read both. 

I still have yet to figure out why people fight over such small differences.

[Perd Hapley]

I have yet to read more than a few verses of the Koran, but I've already noticed a vast difference.  The similarities are on the surface.  The differences are bone-deep. 

[De Selby]

I have yet to read more than a few verses of the Koran, but I've already noticed a vast difference.  The similarities are on the surface.  The differences are bone-deep. 

If they must be bone deep or else your preconceived notions about the Quran won't be true, this is certainly the case.  But it is certainly not surprising that a bunch of religions that use the same basic teachers and that have the same basic laws of morality would be similar in terms of their scriptures.

[Hawkmoon]

Like I said, I'm not offended as long as they're not offended if a resident tosses it out with the rest of the junk mail.

Ka-ching!

Considering that it's a mortal sin to "defile" the Holy Q'uran, the concept of handing them out like Fuller Brush sale fliers is astonishing. I wonder if anyone has asked them if under these circumstances they grant "dispensation" for those recipients who elect to toss it.

[De Selby]

Like I said, I'm not offended as long as they're not offended if a resident tosses it out with the rest of the junk mail.

Ka-ching!

Considering that it's a mortal sin to "defile" the Holy Q'uran, the concept of handing them out like Fuller Brush sale fliers is astonishing. I wonder if anyone has asked them if under these circumstances they grant "dispensation" for those recipients who elect to toss it.

There's an alternative theory-maybe you just didn't understand the rule that produced the hubub in the first place.

You don't need a special religious rule to be offended by people using your religious books for target practice, or by having them desecrate the book in front of captives solely to insult their religious beliefs.

[Hawkmoon]

Like I said, I'm not offended as long as they're not offended if a resident tosses it out with the rest of the junk mail.

Ka-ching!

Considering that it's a mortal sin to "defile" the Holy Q'uran, the concept of handing them out like Fuller Brush sale fliers is astonishing. I wonder if anyone has asked them if under these circumstances they grant "dispensation" for those recipients who elect to toss it.

There's an alternative theory-maybe you just didn't understand the rule that produced the hubub in the first place.

You don't need a special religious rule to be offended by people using your religious books for target practice, or by having them desecrate the book in front of captives solely to insult their religious beliefs.

I understand the rules.

I also understand that anything I find on my door knob goes into the trash. Are you prepared to tell me that Muslims would not be offended by my throwing a copy of the Holy Q'uran into the garbage?

Don't editorialize -- a simple "Yes" or "No" will answer the question. Would they be offended, or not?

[Hawkmoon]

The Koran is strikingly similar to the Bible. I've read both. 

I still have yet to figure out why people fight over such small differences.

Because the Christian Bible regards Jesus as the Son of God, and His words as "truth." Muslims regard the words of the Prophet Mohammed as the the final "truth." Therein lies the conflict. The problem isn't so much what the book says, as who originally said it.

[De Selby]

Like I said, I'm not offended as long as they're not offended if a resident tosses it out with the rest of the junk mail.

Ka-ching!

Considering that it's a mortal sin to "defile" the Holy Q'uran, the concept of handing them out like Fuller Brush sale fliers is astonishing. I wonder if anyone has asked them if under these circumstances they grant "dispensation" for those recipients who elect to toss it.

There's an alternative theory-maybe you just didn't understand the rule that produced the hubub in the first place.

You don't need a special religious rule to be offended by people using your religious books for target practice, or by having them desecrate the book in front of captives solely to insult their religious beliefs.

I understand the rules.

I also understand that anything I find on my door knob goes into the trash. Are you prepared to tell me that Muslims would not be offended by my throwing a copy of the Holy Q'uran into the garbage?

Don't editorialize -- a simple "Yes" or "No" will answer the question. Would they be offended, or not?

Of course they would-if done for the purposes of offending them.

If you threw out all the trash in your house, including an unused copy of the Quran, and someone discovered you had thrown it away during a landfill inspection, I seriously doubt you would find any consideration of the event whatsoever.

It's people's intentions in doing these things that matter.

[Perd Hapley]

I have yet to read more than a few verses of the Koran, but I've already noticed a vast difference.  The similarities are on the surface.  The differences are bone-deep. 

If they must be bone deep or else your preconceived notions about the Quran won't be true, this is certainly the case.  But it is certainly not surprising that a bunch of religions that use the same basic teachers and that have the same basic laws of morality would be similar in terms of their scriptures.

My preconceived notions?  And what do you preconceive my preconceived notions might be? 

I do not engage in knee-jerk condemnations of any and all things Muslim.  I know you get a lot of that here, but I don't think you get it from me.  Nor do I believe everything I hear about the Koran.  The Koran is vastly different from the Bible, even though there is agreement on some things.  That much is obvious. 


Material redacted: I don't feel like starting that discussion.

The above is not an attack on Islam, or even criticism; just facts. 

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

I'm more offended at the Flomax and other bladder control meds, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and adult diaper commercials.

Seriously, a culture that concerned about its crotch will not stand the test of time.

[BlueStarLizzard]

I'm more offended at the Flomax and other bladder control meds, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and adult diaper commercials.

Seriously, a culture that concerned about its crotch will not stand the test of time.

wait till you see the commercial selling stool softener.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Thus the meltdown.   

[Perd Hapley]

Seriously, a culture that concerned about its crotch will not stand the test of time. 

Sig line material.   

[De Selby]

I have yet to read more than a few verses of the Koran, but I've already noticed a vast difference.  The similarities are on the surface.  The differences are bone-deep. 

If they must be bone deep or else your preconceived notions about the Quran won't be true, this is certainly the case.  But it is certainly not surprising that a bunch of religions that use the same basic teachers and that have the same basic laws of morality would be similar in terms of their scriptures.

My preconceived notions?  And what do you preconceive my preconceived notions might be? 

I do not engage in knee-jerk condemnations of any and all things Muslim.  I know you get a lot of that here, but I don't think you get it from me.  Nor do I believe everything I hear about the Koran.  The Koran is vastly different from the Bible, even though there is agreement on some things.  That much is obvious. 

And no, Islam does not "use" any of the teachers of Judaism or Christianity.  Instead, it rejects the testimony of the Old and New Testament at several points, in favor of one teacher, Muhammed.  That much is obvious as well.

The above is not an attack on Islam, or even criticism; just facts. 

I realize that you do not engage in knee jerk condemnation and when you post on religion, it is obvious that you have a considered and thoughtful opinion.

But those are certainly not facts you have listed there-they are your opinions which are not supported by any of the relevant texts.  The problem isn't that you identify disagreement between Judaism and Christianity and Islam, which certainly exists-it is that you are claiming "bone deep differences." 

[Perd Hapley]

I'm talking about the genre, the teachings presented, and the authority on which they are based.

Teachings:
Most religions will lay down the usual moralizing about murder, adultery, and so forth.  That is the surface.  The Koran and the Bible present very different teachings about the nature of God, the way to attain a good hereafter, and other fundamental matters. 

Genre:
The Bible comprises historical narratives (often first-hand accounts), biography, poetry, proverbs, theology, laws, prophecies, etc.  The Koran is composed of the teachings on one man, Muhammed, who claimed to receive revelation from an angel.  His accounts of other historical periods, based solely on the claim of angelic revelation, often contradict the much earlier writings by Moses, or by the Apostles. 

Authority:
As stated, the Koran's authority flows from angelic revelation to one man.  The Bible bases its truth on eyewitness accounts of history, personal contact with an incarnate God, and on divine revelation of various sorts. 

[Perd Hapley]

shootinstudent,

Why does it bother so many people to acknowledge the deep divide between Christian and Muslim teachings?  The very basis of Christian doctrine (Christology) is anathema to Islam.  The differences are certainly bone-deep.  Why can't I say so?

But those are certainly not facts you have listed there-they are your opinions which are not supported by any of the relevant texts.

Please explain.

[Tallpine]

I'm offended by the fact that I've not yet received a Koran on my doorstep, thereby enabling me to be offended because somebody left a Koran on my doorstep.

Also, because I've not yet received a Koran on my doorstep, I cannot throw the Koran in the woodstove to burn, thereby offending those who left a Koran on my doorstep.

[De Selby]

shootinstudent,

Why does it bother so many people to acknowledge the deep divide between Christian and Muslim teachings?  The very basis of Christian doctrine (Christology) is anathema to Islam.  The differences are certainly bone-deep.  Why can't I say so?

But those are certainly not facts you have listed there-they are your opinions which are not supported by any of the relevant texts.

Please explain.

Your saying so does not personally bother me-I commented on it because it's simply not accurate.  I considered it an opportunity to discuss, not an opportunity to express displeasure.

I'll explain the quoted comment-if you read the texts, you find that they have strikingly similar moral principles and rules of conduct.  They very basics of don't be a hypocrite, don't steal or cheat, moderate your behavior even towards those who harm you, and to observe the rules of God before attending to personal whims....the list goes on, but all the material teachings of morality and conduct have parallels throughout the three religions.

That is not surprising, considering they all come from the same part of the world, and were produced in languages and cultures that were closely related.

Your descriptions of Christian teaching's role in Islam is defective because you are applying a concept that doesn't exist in Islam-"anathema" as to "the very basis of the teaching."  In Islam, to have a different speculation as to the substance of what's above us in heaven does not make one's religion "anathema"-teaching people to do bad things would qualify for that, insofar as it is possible for something to be "anathema" in Islam. 

[86thecat]

If you gathered up all the korans left on doorsteps and stacked them in a plywood bullet trap - would you still call it the "box of truth"??

[Jamisjockey]

If you gathered up all the korans left on doorsteps and stacked them in a plywood bullet trap - would you still call it the "box of truth"??

And if a bunch of Muslims used the bible for target practice would you find it so funny?

[RevDisk]

Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormons, and unaffiliated Evanglicals pushing their tiny schism have banged on my door before noon on a Saturday.   I have LESS of a problem with folks who'd just leave their material at my doorstep. 

[41magsnub]

If you gathered up all the korans left on doorsteps and stacked them in a plywood bullet trap - would you still call it the "box of truth"??

And if a bunch of Muslims used the bible for target practice would you find it so funny?

Desecrating other folk's religious symbols intentionally is just inflammatory and serves no purpose.

[taurusowner]

I've got no problem with them handing out Korans.  I'm what you may call a fundamentalist Christian.  I feel it's my moral obligation to spread the Word of Jesus.  So having that standard for me, I can understand them feeling the same for their religion.  Let people choose the truth if they want, or not.

[Manedwolf]

Let people choose the truth if they want, or not.

I prefer "Let people find their own truth." Because it's different for everyone.

I personally dislike pushy evangelists of any sort. If someone tells me their way is the only answer, I'll go right ahead and point out all the flaws and contradictions. Just leave me alone, and I won't.

It's why I like New England. Religion is a private thing. Evangelism is pretty much unheard of, and asking people about religion is considered rude.

[taurusowner]

I disagree with that with all of my being.  But let us both say what we think and let others choose.  I guess we'll find out who's right in the end.