Comments on: The Optimistic Muslim: David Liepert and the “Faith of Life” Network http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/ Fresh Ideas on Religion in Whole-Grain Journalism Form Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:47:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Bunyan http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-2287 Bunyan Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:03:02 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-2287 Dr Liepert writes: "I read the Qur’an, and it described my faith exactly. But there were aspects of Muslim practice I found noxious, particularly the treatment of women. There’s an ayat [verse] that seems to allow men to beat their wives. And then there is the verse about killing enemies wherever you find them. But when I looked at these verses in the context of the Sunnah — the life of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him — that completely changed the meaning of the verses into something wonderful." What I find fascinating is that Dr Liepert does not say that he rejects killing the kuffar, or beating his wife ... just that such teaching turned into something beautiful. It is depressing to me that such westerners are embracing this system of religious/gender apartheid and Arab supremacism. Dr Liepert writes:

“I read the Qur’an, and it described my faith exactly. But there were aspects of Muslim practice I found noxious, particularly the treatment of women. There’s an ayat [verse] that seems to allow men to beat their wives. And then there is the verse about killing enemies wherever you find them. But when I looked at these verses in the context of the Sunnah — the life of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him — that completely changed the meaning of the verses into something wonderful.”

What I find fascinating is that Dr Liepert does not say that he rejects killing the kuffar, or beating his wife … just that such teaching turned into something beautiful.

It is depressing to me that such westerners are embracing this system of religious/gender apartheid and Arab supremacism.

]]> By: mohamed-from-Morocco http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-1731 mohamed-from-Morocco Tue, 27 May 2008 12:14:26 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-1731 "Personally, I don’t think scripture and theology matter much in the current “Islam vs. the West” situation; I think it’s much more to do with politics." Proof is what Sheïkh Osama Bin Ladin himself said in one of his video tapes aired on aljazeera. "When I saw U.S. planes bombing towers in Beirut in 1982 (...) this rankled within me and I vowed to take my revenge one day by doing the same to the Americans on their own soil", said Bin Ladin, in essence. In other tapes, he declared (addressing Western governments), "If you stop aggressing us, we'll stop our attacks on you". The problem is that some people in the West too want to look at things from a religious perspective. “Personally, I don’t think scripture and theology matter much in the current “Islam vs. the West” situation; I think it’s much more to do with politics.”

Proof is what Sheïkh Osama Bin Ladin himself said in one of his video tapes aired on aljazeera. “When I saw U.S. planes bombing towers in Beirut in 1982 (…) this rankled within me and I vowed to take my revenge one day by doing the same to the Americans on their own soil”, said Bin Ladin, in essence. In other tapes, he declared (addressing Western governments), “If you stop aggressing us, we’ll stop our attacks on you”. The problem is that some people in the West too want to look at things from a religious perspective.

]]> By: Owais Bayunus http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-1698 Owais Bayunus Wed, 21 May 2008 05:15:51 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-1698 Faith and Life: Every creation of God is in the act of Tasbih (praising God). Qur'an says from heavenly bodies such as stars,etc., to God's creation on the Earth, such as trees are in the act of prostration (and bowing) to God, meaning every creation is in the act of following God's laws, which may be physical or social. Only human being have been given the power of choice. For a perfect Muslim, all our actions are religious, hence he tries to fulfil God's commands and his happiness in every action. If he ever gives in to the temptations of life then, then it is as if he is defying the laws of God who has given him the freedom to follow Hid commands or not. Therefore, from simple things such as eating food and drinking water which are needed to sustain life, to work to make this World a better and just place are all actions for which we shall be rewarded in the hereafter, because in doing them we are establishing the laws of God. Thus it is very correct that I serve my God by caring for my wife, and she serves God by caring for me. I’m not subservient to her, and she is not subservient to me. Faith and Life:
Every creation of God is in the act of Tasbih (praising God). Qur’an says from heavenly bodies such as stars,etc., to God’s creation on the Earth, such as trees are in the act of prostration (and bowing) to God, meaning every creation is in the act of following God’s laws, which may be physical or social. Only human being have been given the power of choice. For a perfect Muslim, all our actions are religious, hence he tries to fulfil God’s commands and his happiness in every action. If he ever gives in to the temptations of life then, then it is as if he is defying the laws of God who has given him the freedom to follow Hid commands or not.
Therefore, from simple things such as eating food and drinking water which are needed to sustain life, to work to make this World a better and just place are all actions for which we shall be rewarded in the hereafter, because in doing them we are establishing the laws of God. Thus it is very correct that I serve my God by caring for my wife, and she serves God by caring for me. I’m not subservient to her, and she is not subservient to me.

]]> By: QALAM » The Optimistic Muslim: David Liepert and the Faith of Life Network http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 QALAM » The Optimistic Muslim: David Liepert and the Faith of Life Network Sat, 17 May 2008 18:18:24 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-1682 [...] Go to article… [...] [...] Go to article… [...]

]]> By: Abdul Rahim http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-1655 Abdul Rahim Tue, 13 May 2008 07:06:51 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-1655 This should be an interesting book; I too am looking forward to reading it! As a Muslim convert myself, I would like to point out: When God Speaks, He does not Stutter! There is an Ayat where Allah (SWT) tells us "I have made women for you to be a comfort AND A HELP" (emphasis added) I beleive when He said this, he meant "help" to mean FAR more than "Woman, go do the dishes." I believe he meant it in the context of, she's a doctor? Go practice! Help the family be lucrative! I've got my head in the no-sunlight region? Help me see daylight! PLEASE! Sorry, Brothers, "Help" extends far beyond the "Me Tarzan You Not" that most of us seem to believe... This should be an interesting book; I too am looking forward to reading it!

As a Muslim convert myself, I would like to point out: When God Speaks, He does not Stutter! There is an Ayat where Allah (SWT) tells us “I have made women for you to be a comfort AND A HELP” (emphasis added)

I beleive when He said this, he meant “help” to mean FAR more than “Woman, go do the dishes.” I believe he meant it in the context of, she’s a doctor? Go practice! Help the family be lucrative! I’ve got my head in the no-sunlight region? Help me see daylight! PLEASE!

Sorry, Brothers, “Help” extends far beyond the “Me Tarzan You Not” that most of us seem to believe…

]]> By: DH http://www.religionwriter.com/interviews/the-optimistic-muslim-david-liepert-and-the-faith-of-life-network/comment-page-1/#comment-1599 DH Fri, 02 May 2008 19:05:40 +0000 http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=207#comment-1599 Can't wait to read his book - sounds interesting - thanks for reviewing it. But I have to disagree w/ your conclusion that it's "Orthodox Muslims who work from within the mainstream Muslim community have the greatest chance of transforming the Muslim community". I value the diversity from Muslims from all ends of the spectrum - why should the most orthodox (do you mean conservative?) dictate the future of Islam, especially in the West? I see more embrace of community service, educational outreach, & interfaith activities being undertaken by the unsung Moderate Majority...but their events are often snubbed by Orthodox Muslims due to petty details such as the presence of music, discussion between the sexes, refusal to acknowledge the importance of interfaith discussion etc. We all need to come together in tolerance & productive unity rather than hewing to the most narrow interpretation of the faith. Also - I do view marriage as an equal partnership - I don't think that's an unIslamic viewpoint. After taking into account our biological differences - I've seen plenty of happy Muslim marriages where men may believe that they are the head of their household...alas, they are sadly mistaken! Can’t wait to read his book – sounds interesting – thanks for reviewing it. But I have to disagree w/ your conclusion that it’s “Orthodox Muslims who work from within the mainstream Muslim community have the greatest chance of transforming the Muslim community”. I value the diversity from Muslims from all ends of the spectrum – why should the most orthodox (do you mean conservative?) dictate the future of Islam, especially in the West? I see more embrace of community service, educational outreach, & interfaith activities being undertaken by the unsung Moderate Majority…but their events are often snubbed by Orthodox Muslims due to petty details such as the presence of music, discussion between the sexes, refusal to acknowledge the importance of interfaith discussion etc. We all need to come together in tolerance & productive unity rather than hewing to the most narrow interpretation of the faith.

Also – I do view marriage as an equal partnership – I don’t think that’s an unIslamic viewpoint. After taking into account our biological differences – I’ve seen plenty of happy Muslim marriages where men may believe that they are the head of their household…alas, they are sadly mistaken!

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