Posted on 07/09/2002 9:18:28 PM PDT by kattracks
This summer, as many Americans head to oceans white with foam, some atypical reading is finding its way into beach bags alongside torrid romance novels and cool detective stories. Books about Islam are hot, and new ones are pouring off the presses.
The most lucid of the recent arrivals is Bernard Lewis' "What Went Wrong? Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response" (Oxford University Press, 2002). Princeton professor emeritus Lewis explains why Muslims of the Middle East, who once possessed the highest civilization and the top armies in the world, are on a five-century losing streak. He shows how Islam messed up by setting up obstacles to freedom, science and economic development. Essentially, Muslim collectivists did not trust individuals to think for themselves or go out on their own. Westerners were willing to live in Islamic countries and learn from them, but Imams never said, "Go west, young Muslim."
Another short book, Ravi Zacharias' "Light in the Shadow of Jihad" (Multnomah, 2002), shows how faulty theology leads to political and social dictatorship, and notes what happens to Muslim scholars who ask hard questions. Egyptian journalist Farag Foda: assassinated. Ali Dashti of Iran: disappeared during the revolution there. Professor Nasr Abu Zaid of Egypt: had to flee the country. Given that record of intolerance, it's childish to say that Muslims and Westerners can all get along if we just talk with each other.
For a tougher but deeply provocative read, try "Islam and Dhimmitude: Where Civilizations Collide" (Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. Press, 2002), by Bat Ye'or, an Egypt-born Jewish-French historian. She shows why the nature of Islam dictates against any pluralistic peace with Christians and Jews, and notes that "human rights" is a meaningless term within Islam: Muslims have rights but others (historically) are "dhimmi," members of conquered minorities allowed to live in Islamic society if they pay extra taxes, and put up with enormous scorn and abuse.
For a radical challenge to conventional views of Muhammad and Islamic scriptures, read Ibn Warraq's "What the Koran Really Says" (Prometheus, 2002). It's the fourth in a series of books by a Muslim-raised scholar who risks his life to argue that the Quran was not formulated until two centuries after Muhammad's death. This new book is the most technical of the four; "The Quest for the Historical Muhammad" (2000) is a better starting point for most readers. The general thrust is that many of Islam's elements were confused responses to cultural pressures, and that the real Muhammad was probably nothing like the myth.
Another new book, Chawkat Moucarry's "The Prophet & the Messiah: An Arab Christian's Perspective on Islam & Christianity" (InterVarsity Press, 2002), also goes right at the reliability of the Quran. Given that its earliest known fragments date from the second century of the Islamic era, textual critics would long ago have taken it apart if the Muslim world had any intellectual freedom. Moucarry also compares key Christian and Muslim doctrines and provides a handy appendix listing Muslim theologians and mystics.
In one pre-Sept. 11 book, "Muslims and Christians at the Table" (P&R Publishing, 1999), authors Bruce McDowell and Anees Zaka provide solid and readable sections on Muslim history and theology, and also show how to apply that knowledge as evangelistic opportunities arise. Practical reminders include never sit cross-legged with Muslims (showing the sole of your foot is considered offensive and an indication of disrespect, especially to elders) and never shake hands with a Muslim after petting a dog (dogs are considered unclean, but since Muhammad had cats, felines are OK).
The overall message of these six books is sobering. Since last fall many Americans have wanted to believe that Islam is naturally a peaceful religion, and if we forcibly remove a few bad apples we won't be pecked to death. We should pray that this is true, but we should take into account the scholarship that shows how and why Islam requires unending war -- with tactically useful truces -- between dar al-Islam (END ITAL) (Muslim territory) and dar al-harb (everything else).
Marvin Olasky is Editor of WORLD magazine, a TownHall.com member group.
©2002 Creators Syndicate, Inc.
Christ never carried a sword. He used the spoken word with promises of salvation to persuade followers.
This is more than a casual difference. It's like night and day.
With Christ, you were to turn the other cheek when struck. With Mohammad, you lost your limbs for petty crimes.
If you want to look for look for an explanation of violence in European history, you will find it in Feudalism and Monarchy. Force is the unit of measure with warlords and the aristocracy. Islam fits well with Feudalism, a gangster style social order. Islamic clerics call for a strict code of conduct. So did the Mafia.
One should remember, the Crusades were in response to the attack from Islam. The modern colonization of Arab territories was in part a response to constant attacks from Arab pirates. America even had to send Old Ironsides and the Marines to set Qaddafi's ancestors straight.
In the long haul Europe has suffered more invasions from the East than it has initiated toward the East. With the fall of Rome many Eastern tribes invaded and raped Europe. Afterward. came the Moslems who pressed Europe for centuries. I believe the Mongols reached the gate of Europe all the way from the east coast of Asia. Now, Europe is again under attack by roving bands of immigrants claiming justice from those they invade. They are now driving up crime rates and taking over criminal operations. Lovely, isn’t it.
I’m so sick of hearing about moral equivalence and carrying Western guilt for the mess that other crappy cultures have made. We should drop many bouquets of Daisy Cutters on them starting with Mecca.
Muslims are lashing out partially because they realize their culture and standard of living is inferior to the West's. They're full of envy. But their leaders falsely preach that their religion is not the cause but rather the cure for their misery.
Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com
I believe this covers the aim of Islam. Convert or die.
Well...I feel the same way about you and any other Hater like you.
So you feel the same way about yourself? ;^)
Gee, THROW?
I didn't see where seeker41 attacked your character nor your intelligence. He simply questioned whether your comment was pertinent to the discussion.
I refuse to have my spiritual pursuits dictated to me by an Osama-loving-sycophant or Arafat apologist.
I refuse to have my world view dictated to me by an Osama-loving-sycophant or Arafat apologist.
Such as the sons of God, and the daughters of men, and the offspring they had?
Impossible. Islam is a false religion, spawned by Satan himself.
I like this one! Let's see now...
Darkness take thee, mohammed, hell spawned murderer!
So, is ol' 'hammed buring now? (Grin)
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