Tom, that you for clarifying this.

I would love to have a Bible and Koran quote face-off on this, but I don’t have the time, which is unfortunate since I do love the study of comparative religion.

It’s important to recognize that Islam (the religion and the culture) do not always match the beliefs espoused in Christianity or the United States. Therefore, I don’t ever focus on doctrinal differences (such as differences in text use, prayer traditions, beliefs about the Trinity and beliefs about Jesus) because there is little chance on agreement here, particularly because both the Bible and Koran have gone through centuries of translation. What makes a Muslim a Muslim and a Christian a Christian, after all, is religion. While religions have differences, they also hold similarities as you point out. These links will have to suffice for now: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p163.html and http://www.centerforsacredsciences.org/traditions.html

Perhaps the Arabic version makes for better reading, but I dislike the Koran. The basic theme of book is do what Allah says or face severe punishment. After reading the Bible, I cannot find the Koran’s repeated message of punishment inspiring. In fact, it depressed me that so many people actually believe this. The Old Testament does not come close to being so harsh.

Many lock onto the stories of the Jews conquest of Canaan and contemplate the ferocity of the Jews. Yet, it does not take much study before one figures out that the ancient Jews were not especially competent warriors. In addition, the people the Jews drove out of Canaan were despicable. In fact, other parts of the Old Testament taught the Jews to treat foreigners well.

And yes, God did destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and He sent the Flood, but He also forgave. The predominant theme of the Old Testament is redemption, not conquest or punishment.

The Koran is a sad knockoff of the Old Testament. So to some extent, fortunately, the Koran includes God’s admonitions that we are to treat each other well. The Koran includes, for example, the requirement to be charitable. Nonetheless, if you are not a Muslim there really is no place for you Allah’s plan. In this respect, the Bible is not so adamant. Islam is not just a religion, however. Islam is also a political system. On the other hand, Christianity is arguably not a religion; Christianity is a personal relationship with God. Christianity says God is not interested in our politics. God is interested in perfecting each of our souls.

So do I advocate exterminating all the Muslims? No, of course not. Without a doubt, most Muslims are willing to live and let live. Most people find some way to treat the fellow citizens kindly enough even if they have to do so in spite of their religious beliefs.

Yet people do do evil to one another. Why not more evil here in the good ole U.S.A.? I cannot argue that our religious toleration is entirely due to Christianity. We do not always do what our religion says we should do. Even though the Bible teaches that salvation is an individual choice, Christians have had this unfortunate tendency to force their personal choices on others anyway.

So why religious toleration in this day and age? One of the reasons we have religious freedom in this country is that there is no dominant Christian sect. With so many competing sects, it is difficult in this country for one sect to force its beliefs on all the others.

Such is not the case, unfortunately, in many Middle Eastern nations. Nonetheless, Muslims have the example of other nations. Hopefully, they will eventually see the wisdom of religious toleration.

BTW — The eye for an eye thing. You may find it useful to look that up and put it in context. See Matthew 5:38; Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21

Think about this: the Old Testament advocated an eye for an eye, and while we still have people who adhere to that teaching, it’s certainly not everyone.

Christianity spawned the Inquisitions, the Crusades and the murder of Central and South American native cultures. Christians have burned so-call “witches” at the stake. Christians have gone to war and murdered people over ideologies like members of any other religion.

What it comes down to is this: people who want war will use whatever excuse they can to rage one. Religion is convenient, but if not religion, we can always use something else like fear of nuclear arms or propaganda or McCarthyism or anything else that works.

The Muslims I have met are peaceful, loving people, people who have joined together with other faiths for international days of prayer for peace, people who want to learn and who respect others. I think they would be highly insulted by your post, and I think they would be right to be so.