Nov. 13, 2012

   How fascinating to finally read about Islam and what it means to be Muslim. Although some of the concepts and facts Strayer discussed were known to me previously, I did learn so much more about aspects of the faith that had been mysterious to me. The connection to Christianity was especially surprising - I wonder how many people of those claiming to be Christian or Muslim know just how connected the two belief systems are. Something else that caught my attention was the notion that Islam from the start was a belief system intent on crushing rivals and proving other belief systems to be wrong. Well, wrong as far as whether or not they could in some way coincide with Islam. It is fairly tragic that in the modern day, when I read the word jihad I can't help but connect so many negative connotations. Then again, jihad exists right there alongside Inquisition and witch trials, etc. So many belief systems of humankind involve an outlet for intolerance and persecution of non-believers. Of course, an individual can have just as fervent a belief in which football team is best, or the classic Coke vs. Pepsi debate...
    Personally, I'm down with either Coke or Pepsi. I suppose that says a lot about my nature - I can accept variety. To some degree, it seems like Islam can accept some variety as well. In Strayer's account of Islamic history, he is sure to point out the fact that on several occasions, when Islam was introduced to a new area with a pre-existing belief system, the conversion was gradual and maybe even formed a symbiotic relationship with the local beliefs. That is very progressive for an organized religion. But what it not so progressive is the fact that under the Quran, women are yet again subjugated and deemed fit for corporal punishment if found guilty of any "crime," even if it is a crime for which a man would receive no punishment whatsoever. It says so much about the nature of women that there hasn't been a revolt of all females against men who seek to treat women as property or second-class citizens.Unfortunetly, it is male humans who always seek to solve their problems with violence and bloodshed. Maybe someday everyone will realize that this is not the answer.
    I have often scoffed at organized religion, but my mother has always said that it is the people who corrupt the religion - if a religion gets a bad name, it is not the spirituality that did the damage, but the human beings who did the damage in the name of the religion. When looking at the five pillars of Islam, one can see how this is the case. Any individual who is kind, generous, and humble is alright by me. If one subscribes to the five pillars, the resulting person will be a good person. I do not think I need to go into detail about historical events that gave Islam and the Arab world a bad name, so I won't. Suffice it to say, that for all people who subscribe to an organized religion, let me say this - if your faith leads you to a place where you are respectful and courteous and generous to your fellow humans, you have the right idea. If whatever you are reading inspires you to have hatred in your heart and wish suffering and pain on others, then all I can say is put that foul book down and never pick it up again. In fact, how about chucking that book into a recycling machine so it can get made into something far more useful: greeting cards...