This is so-called 'moderate' islam. Whether he is a 'true' Muslim (or whatever that means) is of course a matter for debate.Originally posted by malayatheist:That doesn't sound like Islam. However, this version is definitely apostate-friendlyWonder why the author even bothers to proclaim the divinity of the Quran, when he obviously does not agree with ALL its divine wisdom. Too bad, this version of Islam isn't gonna win any fans anytime soon.
Yes, I think you're quite right. It is a moderate form of Islam. In fact, when I was still a Muslim, my take on Islam was close to what the author wrote about. Just that, I think this interpretation of Islam won't catch on easily. It's too accepting of other religions under the fold of Islam. For eg, I doubt many Muslims would accept that Hinduism is just another path to God.Originally posted by Phaze:This is so-called 'moderate' islam. Whether he is a 'true' Muslim (or whatever that means) is of course a matter for debate.
Good point.Originally posted by malayatheist:Being a Muslim is seriously hard work. All that effort spent on praying, fasting, going to the mosque would just be meaningless if another 'easier' religion is also a route to Allah.
But I do prefer this moderate interpretation to the more extreme ideologies. I just don't think it'll be mainstream anytime in the future
Nice one, Phaze.Originally posted by Phaze:Good point.
The truth is that 'moderate' religion doesn't make sense to me. The way I see it, either your religion is true, or it's not true. How can one be moderate about it?
If you believe Jesus when he supposed said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” How can you be moderate about that?
"I respect your religion" really means "I respect your right to burn in hell." I find this an interesting perspective on respect.
"I respect your religion" really means "I respect your right to burn in hell." I find this an interesting perspective on respect.Heh. Right on. Every other religion thinks the others will burn in hell. A competition to see whose hell is worst. This idea of hell needs to be dropped lah. For a small kid who doesn't know any better, the idea of hell is a really horrid one. More so, when the kid realizes all his other friends who aren't of the same religion will die and burn in hell. That's just cruel.
But then won't censorship be another issue? Another "necessary evil"?Originally posted by malayatheist:Heh. Right on. Every other religion thinks the others will burn in hell. A competition to see whose hell is worst. This idea of hell needs to be dropped lah. For a small kid who doesn't know any better, the idea of hell is a really horrid one. More so, when the kid realizes all his other friends who aren't of the same religion will die and burn in hell. That's just cruel.
There's censorship and then there's just scaring-the-crap-out-of-kids-so-that-they'll-behave/believe in God/listen to you.Originally posted by SturmDerSchatten:But then won't censorship be another issue? Another "necessary evil"?
Aha. Nice one. I agree completely; one should go to the belief after having knowledge of it, instead of being forced.Originally posted by malayatheist:There's censorship and then there's just scaring-the-crap-out-of-kids-so-that-they'll-behave/believe in God/listen to you.
I don't believe in protecting children from learning about religion. In fact, I think it's better that they know what exactly religion is since it's such an important thing in so many people's life. Note that, teaching them what the beliefs are and asking them to believe in it are two separate things.
And kids don't need to be scared for them to be good. Of course, some of the difficult ones need discipline but again, there's a difference between "I'm going to ground you if you skip classes again" and "God is gonna ground you in hell if you skip church/mosque/temple again".