Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Purge the Koran and the Bible, don't burn anything

I'm against all books burnings, even if it's the Quran, a book for which I care very little.I think these two ancient collections of religious lore should be considered simply literary works, however religiously inspired. They should be cherished for what they have of good in keeping with rthe Declaration of Human rights.
Here's the Quran
"There is no compulsion in religion." (But see the next verse which says that disbelievers will burn forever in Hell.) 2:256
Don't argue about things that you know nothing about. 3:66
"O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion."
Other translations render this "O people of the Book, do not be fanatical in your faith." (Amen to that!) 4:171
Whoever kills a human being, it is as if he had killed all mankind. Whoever saves the life of one, it is as if he had saved the life of all.
(But see the next verse which says that the enemies of Allah and Muhammad will be killed, crucified, have their hands and feet cut off, or expelled. And after they die they will face "an awful doom.") 5:32
Let each person believe (or disbelieve) whatever he or she wishes. 109:1, 6

I concur with this last!

I wonder if Bin Laden and Ahmadinejad read those?

As for the Bible, many of Jesus' teachings are ogf high moral value,and not only those. Even when God, in the Prophets, spurns sacrifices and demand justice for the poor and suffering, that's a high point, too.

But, please, leave Leviticus, Joshua and other receptacles of bigotry and carnage in the history's recycle bin.
And please, understand that burning books was a favourite occupation of the Inquisition and the Nazi.
Give to charities in 9/11, instead. It will make much more sense.

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