Infidel
April 24, 2008
One November morning in 2004, Theo van Gogh got up to go to work at his film production company in Amsterdam. He took out his old black bicycle and headed down a main road. Waiting in a doorway was a Moroccan man with a handgun and two butcher knives.
As Theo cycled down the Linnaeusstraat, Muhammad Bouyeri approached. He pulled out his gun and shot Theo several times. Theo fell off his bike and lurched across the road, then collapsed. Bouyeri followed. Theo begged, “Can’t we talk about this?” but Bouyeris shot him four more times. Then he took out one of his butcher knives and sawed into Theo’s throat. With the other knife, he stabbed a five-page letter onto Theo’s chest.
The letter was addressed to me.
Whether you a re a person of faith, an agnostic, or an atheist, I highly recommend Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali grew up in Africa (born Somali), the product of a Muslim upbringing, ultimately bravely abandoning her roots and becoming a controversial member of the Dutch parliament. Her story is one of incredibly bravery and an amazing capacity to overcome all obstacles. At the same time, it is a painfully clear indictment of Islamic misogyny, absolutism, intolerance, and the price we all pay for religious beliefs that contribute to insane actions.
Some of her criticisms could just as easily be leveled at any other organized religion, but her critique is certainly most scathing of Islam. But she holds back no punches against the West for failing to address the fundamental conflict between Islam and the West. For example, she faults multiculturalism:
“We in the west would be wrong to prolong the pain [of the transition of Islam to the modern world] by elevating cultures full of bigotry and hatred toward women to the stature of respectable alternative ways of life.
This is not just a critique, however. This is her personal story. It is filled with vivid detail, personal trials, the charming and beautiful moments of adolescence, the tragedy of war and her conflict between faith and reason. It is both tragic and uplifting
I found this book so compelling I am reading it all over again even though I just finished it. This is one of those books which, when you close the final chapter, you ask yourself “what exactly do I have to complain about? Wow …”
I also recommend looking her up on YouTube.
Peaceful Quotes From the Qur’an
October 16, 2007
Such a harmonious, peaceful set of scriptures. How absolutely tolerant! Please, where do I sign up? Read more
WARNING: Disturbing Video, Graphic Nature
April 21, 2007
While I do not agree with the opening sequence of this video, I do believe that the majority of the video makes a completely valid point. The reason that I do not agree with the opening segment is that Trans-Atlantic slave trade was advocated by the Catholic church, the KKK operated under the guise of Christianity, and violence in Northern Ireland between Protestant and Catholics has produced many atrocities. Christianity has a violent past as well.
This video is graphic in nature and my disturb some viewers. Some may be offended by this video. Read more
Origins of Man; Quran
February 14, 2007
It is the goal of this site to engage our audience in discussion and debate about all beliefs and religions, not just Christianity. In that vein, I will pose a question for our Muslim users. From what was man created? These are the corresponding verses that I could find so far in the Quran:
Man was created out of water:
25:54 And He it is Who hath created man from water, and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage; for thy Lord is ever Powerful.
24:45 Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createth what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.
Man was created from a clot:
96:1-2 Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth, Createth man from a clot.
Man was created from clay or mud:
15:26 Verily We created man of potter’s clay of black mud altered,
32:7 Who made all things good which He created, and He began the creation of man from clay;
38:71 When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,
55:14 He created man of clay like the potter’s,
Man was created from dust:
30:20 And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!
35:11 Allah created you from dust, then from a little fluid, then He made you pairs (the male and female). No female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. And no-one groweth old who groweth old, nor is aught lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a Book, Lo! that is easy for Allah.
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