Comments for ReligionWriter.com http://www.religionwriter.com Fresh Ideas on Religion in Whole-Grain Journalism Form Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:25:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on When a Woman Runs for President — in Afghanistan by Muslimah Media Watch » When a Woman Runs for President — in Afghanistan http://www.religionwriter.com/politics/presidential-politics/when-a-woman-runs-for-president-in-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-2285 Muslimah Media Watch » When a Woman Runs for President — in Afghanistan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:31:55 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=198#comment-2285 [...] Written by Andrea Useem; this was originally published at Religion Writer. [...] [...] Written by Andrea Useem; this was originally published at Religion Writer. [...]

]]> Comment on Sally Quinn: On Faith Blog Is Opening Minds — and Growing Fast by Southern Bread » Try On a New Religion?! Umm… No Thanks http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/blogs-and-web-20/sally-quinn-on-faith-blog-is-opening-minds-and-growing-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 Southern Bread » Try On a New Religion?! Umm… No Thanks Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:15:07 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=64#comment-2284 [...] –Sally Quinn Interview, Religionwriter.com [...] [...] –Sally Quinn Interview, Religionwriter.com [...]

]]> Comment on Trying, and Failing, to Measure Religion Online by sandrar http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/blogs-and-web-20/trying-and-failing-to-measure-religion-online/comment-page-1/#comment-2283 sandrar Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:36:16 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=202#comment-2283 Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post... nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R. Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

]]> Comment on Mormon American Idol, Church on Second Life and Barack Obama in Indiana by bodydetoxgirlie http://www.religionwriter.com/politics/presidential-politics/mormon-american-idol-church-on-second-life-and-barack-obama-in-indiana/comment-page-1/#comment-2281 bodydetoxgirlie Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:17:31 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=208#comment-2281 Barack Obama is a good president. he is perhaps the most tech savvy president in the US. Barack Obama is a good president. he is perhaps the most tech savvy president in the US.

]]> Comment on Quran Translation: American Muslim Woman Presents New Translation of “Beat Them (Lightly)” Verse by Umber http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/books/quran-translation-american-muslim-woman-presents-new-translation-of-beat-them-lightly-verse/comment-page-1/#comment-2280 Umber Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:29:06 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=58#comment-2280 Assalamaolekum!...I don't know why such a fuss about the meaning of one word...there are so many hadiths advicing the men to treat their wives fairly and with love...Any practicing Muslim, Man or woman, would never disobey the prophet and his teachings. The practicing Muslim man would never ever think of treating his wife unfairly let alone beat the wife, and if he does it he is not a good Muslim, . Also, no practicing Muslim wife will think of adultery or anything that her husband does not like (except if he is on the wrong path or disobeying the commands of Allah and His prophet). The Verse under discussion is in reference to a particular and extreme situation and teaches men how to deal with it. Why would Allah and his prophet allow men to beat/ strike his wife in normal circumstances? when on various other places, which unfortunately we do not discuss in detail, advice man to treat women as their other half?, why would Quran or the prophet tell to beat wife , just because she cooked a bad dinner? gives an opinion? expresses to do something meaningful in her life(within her veil)?....Allah is not unjust,He is Wise and provides guidance on various situations both regular and extreme ones. The Verse under discussion is an advising on an extreme situation. Allah never encourages violences unless it is to counter one when all other means fail. He reveled an entire Chapter on the subject of Marriage and husband wife relationship, The prophet was an exemplary husband; a role model, this Ayath was a equally a commandment for him as it is to any other Muslim man, but did we have single instance of him beating his wife?...No. Even when the incident of Ayesha R.A happened (infidels accused her of adultery) he did not beat her, he simply stopped talking to her because he was angry and did not know the truth and later the matter cleared out. Any man who will hear such a thing is bound to get angry ( nothing more can upset a husband other than the knowledge of his wife being unfaithful or he is a sadist looking for excuses to beat his wife, and needs treatment) but through Prophets example we learned that one should hold the anger and as adviced by Allah look for facts(refer to Chapter Al-Nur of Quran). Isn't this an example for Muslim men? unfortunately many Muslim Man do not follow. So the problem is not the interpretation but lack of knowledge and failure to understand the message as a whole. and What if the verse really means 'to beat'...so what? would we stop believing? Allah is not ashamed to give examples even of a mosquito or bee then why do we get embarassed? specially when the verse is just advising on a particular situation? The problem is not the interpretation but the practice...First, if we accept Quran as it is, and do not be influenced by the crticism of the unbelievers who just just for the sake of criticism pick up Ayaths randomly and just go for their literal meaning without the context and understanding this issue will not arise at all...The verses of Quran can not be interpretated in isolation, we have to look at the various other verses, the life and sayings of the Prophet and form an opinion on the matter as a whole. Now ask yourself does Allah and Prophet will allow the beating of a wife randomly?...Oh today i am in the mood of beating my wife so lets do it and yeah i have a verse of a Quran to support me, i will just get away by saying my wife was disobedient!...Is Allah so unjust??? Assalamaolekum!…I don’t know why such a fuss about the meaning of one word…there are so many hadiths advicing the men to treat their wives fairly and with love…Any practicing Muslim, Man or woman, would never disobey the prophet and his teachings. The practicing Muslim man would never ever think of treating his wife unfairly let alone beat the wife, and if he does it he is not a good Muslim, . Also, no practicing Muslim wife will think of adultery or anything that her husband does not like (except if he is on the wrong path or disobeying the commands of Allah and His prophet).

The Verse under discussion is in reference to a particular and extreme situation and teaches men how to deal with it. Why would Allah and his prophet allow men to beat/ strike his wife in normal circumstances? when on various other places, which unfortunately we do not discuss in detail, advice man to treat women as their other half?, why would Quran or the prophet tell to beat wife , just because she cooked a bad dinner? gives an opinion? expresses to do something meaningful in her life(within her veil)?….Allah is not unjust,He is Wise and provides guidance on various situations both regular and extreme ones.

The Verse under discussion is an advising on an extreme situation. Allah never encourages violences unless it is to counter one when all other means fail. He reveled an entire Chapter on the subject of Marriage and husband wife relationship, The prophet was an exemplary husband; a role model, this Ayath was a equally a commandment for him as it is to any other Muslim man, but did we have single instance of him beating his wife?…No. Even when the incident of Ayesha R.A happened (infidels accused her of adultery) he did not beat her, he simply stopped talking to her because he was angry and did not know the truth and later the matter cleared out. Any man who will hear such a thing is bound to get angry ( nothing more can upset a husband other than the knowledge of his wife being unfaithful or he is a sadist looking for excuses to beat his wife, and needs treatment) but through Prophets example we learned that one should hold the anger and as adviced by Allah look for facts(refer to Chapter Al-Nur of Quran). Isn’t this an example for Muslim men? unfortunately many Muslim Man do not follow. So the problem is not the interpretation but lack of knowledge and failure to understand the message as a whole. and What if the verse really means ‘to beat’…so what? would we stop believing?

Allah is not ashamed to give examples even of a mosquito or bee then why do we get embarassed? specially when the verse is just advising on a particular situation?

The problem is not the interpretation but the practice…First, if we accept Quran as it is, and do not be influenced by the crticism of the unbelievers who just just for the sake of criticism pick up Ayaths randomly and just go for their literal meaning without the context and understanding this issue will not arise at all…The verses of Quran can not be interpretated in isolation, we have to look at the various other verses, the life and sayings of the Prophet and form an opinion on the matter as a whole.

Now ask yourself does Allah and Prophet will allow the beating of a wife randomly?…Oh today i am in the mood of beating my wife so lets do it and yeah i have a verse of a Quran to support me, i will just get away by saying my wife was disobedient!…Is Allah so unjust???

]]> Comment on Fred Thompson’s Faith: Churches of Christ 101 by Oh, Man. http://www.religionwriter.com/politics/presidential-politics/fred-thompsons-faith-churches-of-christ-101/comment-page-1/#comment-2278 Oh, Man. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:08:34 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=74#comment-2278 I stumbled upon this rather late, so I write this for future stumblers. I found the discourse rather humorous. I studied under Kevin Youngblood, and even though he taught at FHU, which is a conservative school, he is not your cookie-cutter conservative. In fact, FHU recently let him go, largely in part to his comparatively progressive beliefs. He would actually be right at home in Abilene, and he has even spoken on their lectureship, something that cannot be said of any other FHU faculty member. Most Bible faculty at Freed would have a deep conservative bias, but Dr. Youngblood does not. Not only were his remarks adequate and accurate, but his doctrinal position is far from what has been alleged. I just thought that was worth noting. I stumbled upon this rather late, so I write this for future stumblers. I found the discourse rather humorous. I studied under Kevin Youngblood, and even though he taught at FHU, which is a conservative school, he is not your cookie-cutter conservative. In fact, FHU recently let him go, largely in part to his comparatively progressive beliefs. He would actually be right at home in Abilene, and he has even spoken on their lectureship, something that cannot be said of any other FHU faculty member. Most Bible faculty at Freed would have a deep conservative bias, but Dr. Youngblood does not. Not only were his remarks adequate and accurate, but his doctrinal position is far from what has been alleged. I just thought that was worth noting.

]]> Comment on Are You Interested in Mormonism? by erik http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/books/are-you-seriously-interested-in-mormonism/comment-page-1/#comment-2277 erik Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:25:57 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/mormons/are-you-seriously-interested-in-mormonism/#comment-2277 I have had lds missionaries in my home many times. Although I've tried to show the utmost respect to them, being a born-again Christian, I found their blasphemy and false doctrines more than I could bear. Taking a stand for Jesus is vitally important. Contending for the faith is absolutely necessary. If expressing righteous anger is considered disrespectful, then I'm sorry but I cannot sit by silently and listen to the heretical teachings of the lds. I have had lds missionaries in my home many times. Although I’ve tried to show the utmost respect to them, being a born-again Christian, I found their blasphemy and false doctrines more than I could bear. Taking a stand for Jesus is vitally important. Contending for the faith is absolutely necessary. If expressing righteous anger is considered disrespectful, then I’m sorry but I cannot sit by silently and listen to the heretical teachings of the lds.

]]> Comment on Quran Translation: American Muslim Woman Presents New Translation of “Beat Them (Lightly)” Verse by Zaman http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/books/quran-translation-american-muslim-woman-presents-new-translation-of-beat-them-lightly-verse/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Zaman Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:20:36 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=58#comment-2276 Salam- I don't see why people should leave the faith if they don't agree it every aspect of it. People should be allowed to use their intelligence to analyse and draw their own conclusions. If there are different interpretations of words and men have interpreted some words to mean something, women have a right to think for themselves and have a debate. I can't understand how as a Muslim, you could tell someone to leave the faith just for daring to ask questions. Husbands and wives should treat each other fairly, honestly and with respect. Two wrongs don't make a right. Violence is not a civilised way of dealing with problems. The prophet is said to have said, "The best man among you is the one who is best to his wife." How does violence fit into this? Surely, it is much better to separate from someone if they betray your trust. We should all be honest, pure and trustworthy because the prophet set an example by being honest. Men and women should be faithful and chaste. Infidelity is not acceptabl. However, I don't agree with the male interpretation of Islam which suggests that women should obey men in everything and treat men as though they are infallible. Men and women are fallible and make mistakes. To treat a man as though he is infallible is treating him like God and this is idolatry. No one but God is perfect. No man can claim to be like God and therefore, men can make mistakes. If this is the case, a woman has the right to think for herself if the man is in the wrong. Women are human beings with intelligence. They are PARTNERS to men, not dogs submitting to their masters! Until all Muslim men can get this through their heads, Islam will always be perceived as a backward religion. Salam- I don’t see why people should leave the faith if they don’t agree it every aspect of it. People should be allowed to use their intelligence to analyse and draw their own conclusions. If there are different interpretations of words and men have interpreted some words to mean something, women have a right to think for themselves and have a debate. I can’t understand how as a Muslim, you could tell someone to leave the faith just for daring to ask questions. Husbands and wives should treat each other fairly, honestly and with respect. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Violence is not a civilised way of dealing with problems. The prophet is said to have said, “The best man among you is the one who is best to his wife.” How does violence fit into this? Surely, it is much better to separate from someone if they betray your trust. We should all be honest, pure and trustworthy because the prophet set an example by being honest. Men and women should be faithful and chaste. Infidelity is not acceptabl. However, I don’t agree with the male interpretation of Islam which suggests that women should obey men in everything and treat men as though they are infallible. Men and women are fallible and make mistakes. To treat a man as though he is infallible is treating him like God and this is idolatry. No one but God is perfect. No man can claim to be like God and therefore, men can make mistakes. If this is the case, a woman has the right to think for herself if the man is in the wrong. Women are human beings with intelligence. They are PARTNERS to men, not dogs submitting to their masters! Until all Muslim men can get this through their heads, Islam will always be perceived as a backward religion.

]]> Comment on Quran Translation: American Muslim Woman Presents New Translation of “Beat Them (Lightly)” Verse by Zaman http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/books/quran-translation-american-muslim-woman-presents-new-translation-of-beat-them-lightly-verse/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Zaman Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:03:39 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=58#comment-2275 Response to Whole-earth. There is a book calle Evolution Deceit by Harun Yahya in which he uses scientific research and proof to debunk Darwinism. You can google it on the internet. It's a really interesting read. You're probably right. Ignorant people have probably added superstitious beliefs to religion but I believe that there is some truth in it. I don't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Prayer has helped me to survive awful experiences and cured me of terrifying nightmares. It's not all superstition otherwise, I would not be alive today. Response to Whole-earth. There is a book calle Evolution Deceit by Harun Yahya in which he uses scientific research and proof to debunk Darwinism. You can google it on the internet. It’s a really interesting read.

You’re probably right. Ignorant people have probably added superstitious beliefs to religion but I believe that there is some truth in it. I don’t want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Prayer has helped me to survive awful experiences and cured me of terrifying nightmares. It’s not all superstition otherwise, I would not be alive today.

]]> Comment on Quran Translation: American Muslim Woman Presents New Translation of “Beat Them (Lightly)” Verse by Zaman http://www.religionwriter.com/reviews/books/quran-translation-american-muslim-woman-presents-new-translation-of-beat-them-lightly-verse/comment-page-1/#comment-2274 Zaman Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:59:24 +0000 http://religionwriter.com/?p=58#comment-2274 Over the centuries, religions become changed by people who add things on here and there and interpret things differently to the way that they were meant originally. I'm a Muslim woman. I dress modestly but I don't wear the scarf but I respect women who choose to do so. I follow the five pillars of Islam. I read the English translation of the Quran and I have a little book of hadith which I read- Forty Hadeeth on the Islamic personality. I'm an honest person and I try to treat others as I would like to be treated but I don't get caught up in obsessing about rituals and cultural laws which have been innovated and added to religion over the centuries. My faith has helped me to survive terrible times and given me great strength. I used to have terrible nightmares ( for 10 years) and once I started praying five times daily, the nightmares went away. Faith can help in everyday life so long as you don't get bogged down with cultural things that people have added to the religion over the centuries! Over the centuries, religions become changed by people who add things on here and there and interpret things differently to the way that they were meant originally. I’m a Muslim woman. I dress modestly but I don’t wear the scarf but I respect women who choose to do so. I follow the five pillars of Islam. I read the English translation of the Quran and I have a little book of hadith which I read- Forty Hadeeth on the Islamic personality. I’m an honest person and I try to treat others as I would like to be treated but I don’t get caught up in obsessing about rituals and cultural laws which have been innovated and added to religion over the centuries. My faith has helped me to survive terrible times and given me great strength. I used to have terrible nightmares ( for 10 years) and once I started praying five times daily, the nightmares went away. Faith can help in everyday life so long as you don’t get bogged down with cultural things that people have added to the religion over the centuries!

]]>