Does it Really Matter What the Doctrine Says?
Saturday
Did you know it is a Muslim practice for husbands to hit their wives if they disobey? Not all Muslims practice it, but the practice is recommended in Islamic doctrine.
What is different about those two statements? The first and most obvious difference is that the content of the doctrine is different. The actual teaching is different.
To many people, the statement about the Muslim practice seems like a criticism. But in the Muslim world, hitting a disobedient wife is not considered a bad thing to do. It is recommended in the Koran, so a devout Muslim may not want non-Muslims to know about the practice, but among themselves, if they truly believe the doctrine, it is not negative at all. In the Middle East, they have talk shows discussing the ins and outs of this practice. Where on her body should you hit your wife? Under what circumstances is it permitted?
So in mixed company (Muslims and non-Muslims in the same room talking to each other), it may be an insulting thing for a non-Muslim to say, but to a Muslim in his own mind, it is not insulting any more than the statements about the Mormon practice is to a Mormon.
Some people may disagree with the Mormon practice of fasting. Maybe they think it's unhealthy or too difficult. But it is just fine to say this is part of their religion, whether you like the practice or not. The same is true for wife beating in Islam or the obligation of jihad. This is part of their religion. When you get resistance from people, make this point. This will not only clarify that it is okay to talk about religious beliefs, no matter which religion it is, you will simultaneously make a second very important point: Different religions have different beliefs and practices. Not all religions are the same. And those different practices have real consequences in the world. The rules don't only apply to spiritual, non-physical practices.
Use this example in your conversations. These discussions need to be happening with our friends and family — as gently and kindly as possible, but also as effectively as possible.
Citizen Warrior is the author of the book, Getting Through: How to Talk to Non-Muslims About the Disturbing Nature of Islam and also writes for Inquiry Into Islam, History is Fascinating, and Foundation for Coexistence. Subscribe to Citizen Warrior updates here. You can send an email to CW here.
1 comments:
Actually there are a good number of similarities between Islam and Mormonism. It has even been that founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, viewed himself and a kind of second Muhammad.
After all, both Muhammad and Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God.
Both of those men claimed that they had an encounter with an angle.
Both of them claimed that they gave the world extra -Biblical "divine books"
Both of them were a polygamist.
Likewise both started religions that deny the Biblical doctrine ofthe Trinity.
Furthermore, many Muslims have tendency to base their faith in Islam on circular reasoning to uphold that they believe. For example, some Muslims will say that they "know that Muhammad was a prophet sent by God." If then asked "how do you know that ?" They will answer "Because the Qu'ran in the Word of God. If then asked "how do you know that the Qu 'ran is true ?." How do you know then the answer is "Because Muhammad was a prophet sent by God."
Likewise many Mormons have the tendency to base their faith in Mormonism on circular reasoning. For example, some Mormons will say that they "know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God." If then asked "how do you know that?" Many of them will answer " Because the Book of Mormon is the Word of God" If then asked "how do you know that the Book of Mormon is true ?" Then many of them will reply "Because Joseph Smith was a prophet of God."
This is only a partial list of the similarities between the cult of Islam and the cult of Mormonism, but few people , very few, might find this rather interesting.
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