Posted on 05/20/2005 9:43:01 PM PDT by quidnunc
Three-and-a-half years after 9/11, you would think that we Americans would get it: Muslims take their religion very, very seriously. Now 17 people are dead, Afghanistan is on edge, and there are protests in Pakistan, our most vulnerable and valuable ally among Muslim states — in part, it seems, because of six words in a brief item in Newsweek magazine. The offending passage, a small but colorful detail in a story on the investigation of abuses at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, reads in full: "Among the previously unreported cases, sources tell Newsweek: interrogators, in an attempt to rattle suspects, flushed a Qur'an down a toilet."
This was not the first time a major news organization had reported allegations that copies of the Quran belonging to detainees had been desecrated in this fashion — the Washington Post, the BBC and the New York Times all got there first. For this reason, perhaps, my colleagues at Newsweek, where I spent 38 years as religion editor, did not foresee how this single example among others mentioned in the story might incite Islam's most rabid anti-Americans. Neither, apparently, did the Pentagon official who read the Newsweek story before it went to press — a precaution the Newsweek editors took — and made no objection to the passage.
I am in no position to pass judgment on my Newsweek colleagues, nor would I want to. Among them are highly sensitive editors who frequently caught errors in my own copy. My concern is that all Americans understand how deeply sacrilegious such an act as Newsweek described would be to Muslims, and why it is not like flushing pages from the Bible down the drain — as Keith Olbermann on MSNBC and other commentators have suggested.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
Newsweek and the Quran
The Muslim holy book isn't just a "bible." It's far more sacred than that.
BY KENNETH L. WOODWARD
Saturday, May 21, 2005 12:01 a.m. EDT
This was not the first time a major news organization had reported allegations that copies of the Quran belonging to detainees had been desecrated in this fashion--the Washington Post, the BBC and the New York Times all got there first.
(So, Mr. “Apologist”) does FOUR wrongs make it right?
For this reason, perhaps, my colleagues at Newsweek, where I spent 38 years as religion editor, did not foresee how this single example among others mentioned in the story might incite Islam's most rabid anti-Americans.
(Well I guess in your 38 years as “religion editor,” either you NEVER took the time to really study and analyze this vile, evil, religion—or you are a closet sympathizer/enabler)
Neither, apparently, did the Pentagon official who read the Newsweek story before it went to press--a precaution the Newsweek editors took--and made no objection to the passage.
(Simply because one works at the Pentagon—or the State Dept., CIA, etc.—does not automatically endow ALL with wisdom or guarantee every one supports Bush in his war on Terror. The “source,” is more than likely from one of those bureaucracies)
I am in no position to pass judgment on my Newsweek colleagues, nor would I want to. Among them are highly sensitive editors who frequently caught errors in my own copy.
(Ah, now, we know where you’re coming from. Just another apologist “puff-piece” for your brethren at NewsWeak and an attempt at “damage control.”)
My concern is that all Americans understand how deeply sacrilegious such an act as Newsweek described would be to Muslims, and why it is not like flushing pages from the Bible down the drain--as Keith Olbermann on MSNBC and other commentators have suggested.
(Au contraire, my good man, while most of us “respect” others’ religions and religious artifacts, the Qur’an is in itself “EVIL” and most of what it calls upon for its followers to subscribe and adhere to, is contrary to what most freedom-loving-Westerners ascribe and aspire to)
The Quran is not "the Bible" of Muslims. It is infinitely more sacred than that. To use a Jewish analogy, it is more like the oral Torah first revealed on Mount Sinai, which was later passed on orally through the prophets and eventually written down on scrolls for all to read.
Whereas Christians regard the Bible as written by human beings inspired by God, Muslims regard the Quran--the word means "The Recitation"--as the very words of God, revealed aurally to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic.
(REALLY? Mr. 38 years as Religion Editor “AUTHORITY?”)
(While not an “authority” such as yourself, from what I have read and studied the words in the “holy” book, were NOT even written until many, many, years after that Pedophile, Murdering, Ego-Maniac, Mohammed, had long left this earth to seek his 72 virgins)
Also, Mr. “Authority,” to which “version” of this “Bible” are you referring to?
The one written in Arabic—which according to the “purist” is the ONLY true version—or the “SANTIZED” version, which is passed off in most Western Countries for some sort of “Moderate” acceptance of this “religion” and clearly “OMITS” many of the offensive dictates—such as “Kill all infidels, etc.
Furthermore, what differentiates the “words” of the Gospel and Bible, written by “men” as opposed to the Qur’an, also written by “men.”
It is, I advance, simply that “believers” are “brainwashed” into accepting this as dogma—and ANYONE, who does not believe, OR ACCEPT AND CONVERT, is to be either “ENSLAVED, or MURDERED.”
While many in other Christian/Jewish/Hindu, etc., faiths, are just as fervent in their beliefs (and accept as Dogma the teachings of each religion) I can NOT find ANY reference in ANY OTHER religion, which is so “RIGID” and “RECALCITRANT” to the point, that Apostates are subject to being put to death.
In addition, no other Religion, calls upon its followers to seek complete “CONTROL” of the entire World thru its practices and wish to “force” one and all to embrace the Muslim religion—under pain of enslavement, torture or death).
In short, what Christ is for Christians the Quran (in Arabic) is for Muslims: the living Word of God made present in this world. Moreover, to recite the suras or verses of the Quran, as devout Muslims do, is to breathe in the very words of Allah.
(I don’t know of what Faith or Religion your are—if any—but I know that most Christians, when they read the Bible/Torah, etc., embody the teachings as the “Word” of God.)
Thus, recitation of the Quran is for Muslims much like what receiving the Eucharist is for Catholics--a very intimate ingestion of the divine itself.
While I cannot speak for other Catholics, Christians or Jews, receiving the Holy Eucharist is yes, accepting the “Body and Blood” of Jesus Christ into our hearts and souls)
HOWEVER, if we were to see (and it has happened frequently over time) someone “desecrating” this most Holy of symbols, “we” would NOT be moved, to commit “barbaric” and “treacherous” acts of reprisals against real—or imagined—defilers)
And that, Mr. Authority, is the “crux” of the entire issue—one, the Christian “Bible” encourages its readers/followers to “love, honor, obey and lead an honest and good life;” the other, the Muslim “Bible” exhorts its believers/followers, to commit all sorts and kinds of despicable, inhuman and violent acts against any and all, who do not believe, accept or convert to “their” faith.)
(LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHILE I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THIS ARTICLE IN WSJ, I WAS NOT SURPISED TO LEARN THAT YOU ARE NOT A WSJ EDITOR/WRITER, BUT IN FACT, WORK FOR—SURPRISE, SURPRISE—NEWS WEAK AND THIS WAS MERELY A GUEST EDITORIAL. NUFF SAID)
Mr. Woodward, contributing editor at Newsweek, is author of "The Book of Miracles: The Meaning of the Miracle Stories in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam" (Touchstone Books, 2000).
Not to defend Muslims here, but wouldn't you say that these "riots" are not significantly different from the soccer riots in England or Brazil, or the riots that happen after a team wins the NCAA Basketball championship?
Perhaps these "riots" are again the work of our press blowing things out of proportion to achieve their goals of influencing our goverment and public opinion of the event. A few anarchists, some young hoodlums, and some illiterate muslims and you have a new story.
I believe that in the end the press will have directed events such that there WILL be a war over oil and there WILL be a smoking hole in the middle east, and there WILL be a lot fewer muslims gunning for the infidels.
The pot is continuously stirred. From the expansive reporting on Michael Jackson's "molestation" of boys to hounding DeLay, to making it appear Wendy's was negligent, to the burning of the Koran, the press today steer events on a worldwide scale. It will all backfire and they will really have something to report when they inflame the Muslim world to do something utterly stupid and we end up bombing their robed asses to Allah.
Just my opinion.
The Koran is a charmin book. Just charmin. Flush with allegory and rich historical detail.
I think we would do well to examine just what type of people would kill their own children in the name of some "god" who apparently demands such a sacrifice. The repeated references to the Crusader Period and associated atrocities should be viewed in the context that those abberations, brought about by the radical Catholic beliefs of one twisted mind in a position of great power, were subsequently rejected by the faithful believers in this religion whose core beliefs remained unchanged in contrast to the attempted perversions of one man. So if you want to make comparisons, let's start with the mentality of a people who appear readily accepting of a perverse ideology which on its face contradicts any religion representing peace and love. And if not peace and love, then what is truly represented?
Yes. It is an instruction book on hate.
Another "why do they hate us" article and our failure to understand Muslim sensitivities. This is easier than criticizing the excessive, muderous reactions of intolerant, religious zealots who call their beliefs, the "Religion of Peace." Radical Islam is the enemy and the WOT is a manifestation of the clash of civilizations, i.e., Islam versus modernity.
Sounds like it it time for a National Flush A Koran day. That's N FAK day
Re: “After all our hard work at cultivating working relationships with the people and its all been wasted because of Newsweek.”
I guess this view is the one that is most common. However, I see the events following the Newsweek article as another "wake-up" call to the futility of trying to adapt to, or reason with Muslims for they are, and have been humankind's mainstream lunatic fringe for 1,400 years. To believe otherwise one close his mind to their relationship between history, the words in the Koran and deny himself the faculty of reason. *
Our very existence is "deeply sacrilegious to Muslims".
Suppose we do "understand"? Then what?
What does this "understanding" bring us? What does it mean we should do differently?
I heard on the radio yesterday a caller who said the MSM does not realize the fact that if Islam were to take over America, they and their Hollywood friends and leftists would be the first to go.
This situation should be used as an example for future dealings with those things that are good for nothing.
Whenever something that is good for nothing is identified and dealt with as good for nothingness, those who are also good for nothing tend to be overcome by their own arrogance. Those who are good for nothingness have violent tendancies as a consequence of their past wrong-thinking and their arrogance being frustrated by reality.
It is interesting to note that in Scripture, PONEROS, or that which is good for nothingness, is dealt with by God eternally. The Lake of Fire was created as a place to accordingly set those things deemed as good for nothingness.
The mind of Christ will respond with grace, while those who are worldly are characterized by reaction instead of response.
Three-and-a-half years after 9/11, you would think that we Americans would get it.
The war for the survival of civilization began that day.
The rioters are barbarians who would rather slit your throat than look at your lilly white ass. They hate you for your success, they hate you because the Quran tells them to hate you and that non-believers must die.
You Mr.Woodward are throwing open the doors to the barbarians in your hopes that you will appear compassionate and understanding and superior than your rube readers.
Very true. And the press is particularly effective at doing this among people who are not media-savvy. Since Americans have discovered the internet and now know how to check stories and discuss them with other, the press has lost its grip (on some of us, at least). But the people in the streets of Kabul are a whole different matter.
Interesting ideas.
Muslims seem to have a lot of trouble with the visible world in general; or perhaps I should say, with the real world in general. I think they have a fundamentally flawed philosophical/theological approach to it that really puts them in an untenable position. This is certainly the reason for the lack of creativity, dysfunction and ethical shallowness of Muslim societies.
Let's all be more sensitive to how far superior Islam is to Christinity. This reminder of what the Koran hath wrought, from the little town of Beslan...
**Thus, recitation of the Quran is for Muslims much like what receiving the Eucharist is for Catholics--a very intimate ingestion of the divine itself. **
Hardly equal!
What a picture! Thanks!
In the name of Allah they slaughtered children.
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