September 23, 2002
COMMENTARY:
Take a broader look at Islam and the Qur'an
___By Jerold McBride
___You probably heard about the controversy at the University of North Carolina, where school officials required incoming freshmen to read Michael Sell's book "Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations."
___Many comme
ntators have advocated an "open-minded" approach to Islam, but they have endorsed presenting only a partial picture of this religion by applauding Sells' book, which Sells himself acknowledges presents only the more pleasant portions of the Quran.
___Having earned a doctorate in philosophy of religion, I would be the last to object to studying in-depth any of the world religions or philosophies. In fact, this was one of the many requirements of my terminal degree, Islam being one of those religions.
___ "Open-mindedness" requires a readiness to face the whole truth about any subject. This is not what the students at UNC are asked to do when required to read Sells' book. Rather, they are asked to make a very limited study of Islam, to read only a few passages of the Qur'an, and those selected by someone else.
___ This is hardly "open-mindedness." It is more like academic spoon-feeding. These are university students, p
erfectly capable of reading the Qur'an for themselves. Their being required to do this would be far more academically acceptable. It would recognize their ability to read, interpret and critique the original source.
___ Should the UNC students read the Qur'an, they would not only find the few passages Sells includes in his book; they also would find passages that answer questions currently being asked about Islam, such questions as:
___· Who does Islam consider an "infidel"? The answer is found in the Qur'an, Surah 5:72 and 73. "Infidels now are they who say, 'God is the Messiah, Son of Mary.' … They surely are Infidels who say, 'God is the third of three.'" You are classified as an "infidel" if you believe that Jesus is God incarnated, that he is the son of Mary and if you believe in the Trinity.
___· How are "infidels" to be treated? Qur'an, Surah 47:4: "When ye encounter the Infidels, strike off their heads till ye have made a great slaughter among them and the rest make fast the fetters."
___· Is Islam a "sister faith"? Qur'an. Surah 5:51a: "O ye who believe take not the Jews or the Christians for your friends or protectors. They are but friends and protectors of each other."
___ · Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God but by different names? Definitely not! One of the many differences is seen in how these gods instruct their followers to treat those with whom they differ.
___Qur'an 9:5: "Then fight and slay the pagans where you find them and seize them and lie in wait for them in every strategy of war."
___ Matthew 5:44 (Christ): "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."
___If you were a Muslim and believed Mohammed's teachings that the Qur'an was literally dictated by Allah through the angel Gabriel to Mohammed, what would you do—what should you do in light of these teachings?
___Some have mentioned the Crusades. The Feb. 11 issue of Newsweek stated, "While the Crusaders may have fought with the cross on their shields, they did not—could not—cite words from Jesus to justify their slaughters."
___As a Baptist, I am glad to point out that we were not a part of the Crusades and that we suffered tremendously during the Inquisition and even after arriving in America. Roger Williams, a Baptist minister, had to flee Massachusetts in the dead of winter because he refused to have his child baptized (sprinkled) by the established church.
___ Some ask, "What about all those Old Testament passages that teach an eye for an eye (Exodus 21:24) etc.?" As a Christian, I would point out that Jesus led us far beyond such concepts. In Matthew 56:38-39, Christ refers to this statement and adds, "But I say unto you, Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
___ The acid test of any religion is what it has done for the people where it is dominant. Islam began around 620 A.D. That is 1,000 years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. That is a 1,000-year head start on Christianity in America. The question is, where had you rather live—in the U.S.A. or Iran?
___ "Open-mindedness" requires that the UNC students not only read Sells' book with its selected Qur'an passages but also a book like "Unveiling Islam" written by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner. These men were raised as Sunni Muslims by a leader in the mosque. Ergun holds the Th.D degree from the University of South Africa, and Emir holds the Ph.D. degree from the University of Texas. Both are full professors in graduate schools.
___ I am all for "open-mindedness." But let's be open-minded to both sides of an issue and to all the information available on any subject.
___Jerold R. McBride is pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in San Angelo.
___
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