Turkey produces a revolutionary reinterpretation of Islamic texts

BBC ^ | 26 February 2008 | Robert Piggott

[northmoor]

Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts By Robert Piggott Religious affairs correspondent, BBC News

Turkey is preparing to publish a document that represents a revolutionary reinterpretation of Islam - and a controversial and radical modernisation of the religion.

The country's powerful Department of Religious Affairs has commissioned a team of theologians at Ankara University to carry out a fundamental revision of the Hadith, the second most sacred text in Islam after the Koran.

It says that a significant number of the sayings were never uttered by Muhammad, and even some that were need now to be reinterpreted.

Some messages ban women from travelling without their husband's permission... But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone Prof Mehmet Gormez, Hadith expert, Department of Religious Affairs

Prof Mehmet Gormez, a senior official in the Department of Religious Affairs and an expert on the Hadith, gives a telling example.

"There are some messages that ban women from travelling for three days or more without their husband's permission and they are genuine.

"But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because in the Prophet's time it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone like that. But as time has passed, people have made permanent what was only supposed to be a temporary ban for safety reasons."

Prof Gormez points out that in another speech, the Prophet said "he longed for the day when a woman might travel long distances alone".

So, he argues, it is clear what the Prophet's goal was.

Yet, until now, the ban has remained in the text, and helps to restrict the free movement of some Muslim women to this day.

[Das Outsider]

I recall weeping when Aslan died, but I didn’t know then that he represented Jesus.

You probably didn't read "The Last Battle," the last book in the Narnia series. Semi-spoiler: It's very difficult not to get choked up at the end.

My point in bringing up the Chronicles is that in "The Last Battle," Lewis makes a clear association between Islam and counterfeit Christianity, as other English Christian writers of the era, such as the great G.K. Chesterton, had done.

The entire book is something of a paraphrase of Revelation.

[Quix]

Thanks for the ping.

[JasonC]

This is exactly the sort of modernizing authority to interpret that moderate Muslim thinkers like Fazlur Rahman have been calling for since the Iranian revolution revealed the danger of literalist extremism. It is good news, entirely promising, etc.

[Jo Nuvark]

I LOVE G. K. Chesterton!!!

No... Didn’t know that anyone had put Islam and
counterfeit christianity together. At this point
they don’t work (MO). But this article made me
think how convenient it would be to disguise the
evil of Islam with a little bit of good.

Aging boomers facing the reality of death may
find a religion of spiritual “goodness” - without
the accountability to the cross of Jesus and His
resurrection - alluring.

Perhaps the Catholic church won’t be ushering
in the apostasy ... and how quickly this is
coming to pass.

[Das Outsider]

I LOVE G. K. Chesterton!!!

What have you read of Chesterton? You know, just to prove that you're not merely some G.K.C. acolyte. ;)

No... Didn’t know that anyone had put Islam and counterfeit christianity together. At this point they don’t work (MO). But this article made me think how convenient it would be to disguise the evil of Islam with a little bit of good.

Islam is another gospel of works, even proclaimed by an angel, viz., Gabriel even! I'm pretty sure St. Paul was engaging in a bit of hyperbole in the above reference, but what a stunning coincidence!

Perhaps the Catholic church won’t be ushering in the apostasy ... and how quickly this is coming to pass.

Gosh, Jo...What do I say about the Roman Catholic Church? A lot of ground to cover, but I can state that there are certainly true Christian believers in the Roman Catholic Church. The same can't be said for Islam.

[Das Outsider]

Perhaps the Catholic church won’t be ushering in the apostasy ... and how quickly this is coming to pass.

Apostasy today is coming from Roman Catholics, United Methodists, PCUSA Presbyterians, far-left Baptists (probably not affiliated with SBC), and those in more worldly, so-called Lutheran synods.

Do you see a common thread? With regard to the liberal Protestant churches, I think people are leaving because there are no answers there; orthodoxy is a spoken of in hushed tones and it's really all up for grabs because humanism reigns supreme.

If you can get your spiritual "fix" from a few episodes of Oprah, why bother going to church?

[Jo Nuvark]

I’m a late comer to GKC, being introduced to him through of all people George Bernard Shaw. I was producing two acts from Shaw’s “Man and Superman” called “Don Juan in Hell”. I absolutely hated the play -— loathed the play.

Reading about the communist playwrite Shaw introduced me to his good catholic friend G. K. Chesterton. I immediately recognized Chesterson as the Limbaugh of his generation.

The following are my personal thoughts about Don Juan in Hell.

Years ago, as a teenager I sat through “2001 A Space Odyssey”. When it was over, everyone seemed to be impressed with its deep message. Though I was impressed with the Blue Danube Waltz, I did not understand the movie… at all! It was at this moment I applied the wisdom of Solomon; “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Pr 17:28)

Incidentally, Koheleth plagerized “There is nothing new under the sun. All is vanity” from King Solomon (Eccl 1:2 & 9).

Later I came to realize the movie was an emperor with no clothes. Orson Wells was correct when he said, “some times a thing is so stupid only an intellectual can understand it”. And so as the philosopher’s faith lies in the question, the philosopher’s hell lies in never accepting a right answer. Not being a philosopher I look for an answer to this philosophical hall of mirrors and find relief in the knowledge that it is all just a dream. A hellish dream.

[Jo Nuvark]

I have a copy of ‘DO WE AGREE” the 1928 London
debate between Chesterton and Shaw as noted by
Cecil Palmer.

I would kill for a copy or even a recollection of the
evolution vs creation debate between Chesterton and
Clarence Darrow.

Chesterton, Lewis and Tolkien were friends ... I think.

[Jo Nuvark]

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in
front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
GKC

[Jo Nuvark]

“When you break the big laws, you do not get freedom;
you do not even get anarchy. You get the small laws.”
GKC

[Das Outsider]

Reading about the communist playwrite Shaw introduced me to his good catholic friend G. K. Chesterton. I immediately recognized Chesterson as the Limbaugh of his generation.

Comparing him to Limbaugh is a bit of a stretch, but I get your meaning.

Later I came to realize the movie was an emperor with no clothes. Orson Wells was correct when he said, “some times a thing is so stupid only an intellectual can understand it”. And so as the philosopher’s faith lies in the question, the philosopher’s hell lies in never accepting a right answer.

Such is the liberal's problem as well. If there is no right answer then there is no right answer, but is that in itself a right answer to the question?

Not being a philosopher I look for an answer to this philosophical hall of mirrors and find relief in the knowledge that it is all just a dream. A hellish dream.

Philosophers are indeed an odd and varied bunch, especially this crop that's come around in the last fifty years or so. The problem today, as I see it, isn't so much a matter of always asking questions without an answer as it is the ability to rationalize pretty much anything.

It should come as no surprise that more than a few philosophy majors go into law. ;)

[Das Outsider]

Chesterton, Lewis and Tolkien were friends ... I think.

You are two-thirds right. Tolkien and Lewis were friends and both members of the Inklings. Chesterton came earlier, but was something of a spiritual godfather to Lewis after his conversion.

You're doing well so far, Jo! ;)

[Jo Nuvark]

I have a copy of “Everlasting Man” and Chesterton’s
Collected Works Volume 11 which includes some of his
plays and his comments about George Bernard Shaw. I
thought I had some of the Father Brown Mysteries, but
can’t find them at this time. I may have sold them
with the theatre inventory.

I would like to produce the evolution debate if I
can find a transcript. At this time, no one recorded
the debate. Rumor is that someone pieced it together
from a collection of reports. If I can’t find it, I
want to stage the Shaw debate.

http://www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/CHESSHAW.TXT

[Jo Nuvark]

So how did you come to know Chesterton?
What have you read? Remember... I’m not
a scholar like you.

[Das Outsider]

As you may or may not know, I am huge fan of the British literary tradition. I can't quite explain it, but there is just something about British writers from Swift to Chesterton to Lewis to Tolkien to Sayers to Orwell to Huxley to P.D. James, etc., that has a characteristically unique and incisive flavor. While I may disagree with a few of them on matters of theology, philosophy, politics, and what have you, they were still gifted, thoughtful, and very intelligent writers.

I really like and enjoy Russian literature, whether it's Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, or Solzhenitsyn, but I love the Brits.

[Jo Nuvark]

[... It should come as no surprise that more
than a few philosophy majors go into law...]

Agree. Philosophy doesn’t have the intellectual
weight it used to have because winning is more
important to this generation. You can’t win with
philosophy because there are no answers. Law
satisfies that lust to win.

[Jo Nuvark]

That is an impressive list of authors.
No wonder I’ve learned so much from you.

[Das Outsider]

Funny how eighty percent of my discussions have been centered around England's jolly old elf, isn't it, Pelham?

So how did you come to know Chesterton? What have you read?

People ask me this, and I still can't recall just who turned me on to Chesterton. I think it might have come from reading some of J.P. "Go Chargers!" Moreland's--or Ravi Zacharias's-- stuff. That may very well be my explanation for discovering Dr. Francis Schaeffer and his works, as well.

Let's see--I read G.K.'s "Orthodoxy" and "The Everlasting Man" cover to cover about once a year--or at least, I try to. Sometimes I just spend a week or two on a few chapters, and then pick up somewhere else for a while; it all comes together. I also listen to a few of Chesterton's works on audio, both cassette (remember those?) and CD.

If you haven't read either "Orthodoxy" or "The Everlasting Man," I recommend picking up both. G.K.C. was just an all-around brilliant writer and intellect, so if you're into detective stories or mysteries, definitely check out the "Father Brown" series. If you were ever into the "Columbo" TV series, I've been told on good authority that the character was really based on Chesteron's Father Brown. "The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare" is quite good, too.

[modican]

Some messages ban women from traveling without their husband's permission... But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone

And the Women themselves couldn't figure this out for 1300 years.

[mathurine]

great line.