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Koran: The Family of the Imran, Part 2

2010-09-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

[3.31] Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful
[3.32] Say: Obey Allah and the Apostle; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers.
[3.33] Surely Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Ibrahim and the descendants of Imran above the nations.
[3.34] Offspring one of the other; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

Surely we are special because we believe in this story.

[3.35] When a woman of Imran said: My Lord! surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service); accept therefore from me, surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.
[3.36] So when she brought forth, she said: My Lord! Surely I have brought it forth a female-- and Allah knew best what she brought forth-- and the male is not like the female, and I have named it Marium, and I commend her and her offspring into Thy protection from the accursed Shaitan.

Here we have the birth of the Virgin Mary.

[3.37] So her Lord accepted her with a good acceptance and made her grow up a good growing, and gave her into the charge of Zakariya; whenever Zakariya entered the sanctuary to (see) her, he found with her food. He said: O Marium! whence comes this to you? She said: It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure.
[3.38] There did Zakariya pray to his Lord; he said: My Lord! grant me from Thee good offspring; surely Thou art the Hearer of prayer.
[3.39] Then the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: That Allah gives you the good news of Yahya (John) verifying a Word from Allah, and honorable and chaste and a prophet from among the good ones.
[3.40] He said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to me, and old age has already come upon me, and my wife is barren? He said: even thus does Allah what He pleases.
[3.41] He said: My Lord! appoint a sign for me. Said He: Your sign is that you should not speak to men for three days except by signs; and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and the morning.

So Mary is entrusted to the care of “Prophet” Zachariah. She receives food magically. And for whatever reason, this makes Zachariah want to ask for a child. Angels respond. He is told he will have a son despite his old age and his wife being barren. Sound familiar? Hints of Abraham, no? What I like the most about this passage is the “sign” that is given to Zachariah: he will not speak for 3 days. Self-fulfilling prophecy much?

[3.42]. And when the angels said: O Marium! surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of of the world.
[3.43] O Marium! keep to obedience to your Lord and humble yourself, and bow down with those who bow.
[3.44] This is of the announcements relating to the unseen which We reveal to you; and you were not with them when they cast their pens (to decide) which of them should have Marium in his charge, and you were not with them when they contended one with another.

So Allah has chosen Mary for a special role and must decide upon her “guardianship.”

[3.45] When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).
[3.46] And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones.
[3.47] She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.

And it has been decided that Mary shall bear a son, Jesus. She (rightfully) questions how this is possible, since she has not been with a man. The Angel tells her: “When He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.” This last statement reminds me of the Godfather for some reason.

[3.48] And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).

Allah will teach Jesus. And Jesus will perform the following miracles:

[3.49] And (make him) an apostle to the children of Israel: That I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with Allah's permission and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead to life with Allah's permission and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses; most surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers.

Reading through these passages it is important to remember the haphazard way in which the Koran is organized. The lack of linear structure is due to: 1) Mohammed supposedly memorizing the pieces as they were revealed to him 2) Others deciding what order to put them down in once it was decided that they should be written down. Unfortunately, this doesn’t explain the lack of common sense.

[3.50] And a verifier of that which is before me of the Taurat and that I may allow you part of that which has been forbidden t you, and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah and obey me.
[3.51] Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path.

From these statement, we are to ascertain that Jesus is speaking to the Jews and telling them to follow Allah.

[3.52] But when Isa perceived unbelief on their part, he said Who will be my helpers in Allah's way? The disciples said: We are helpers (in the way) of Allah: We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are submitting ones.
[3.53] Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed and we follow the apostle, so write us down with those who bear witness.
[3.54] And they planned and Allah (also) planned, and Allah is the best of planners.

Jesus has found his disciples.

[3.55] And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so l will decide between you concerning that in which you differed.
[3.56] Then as to those who disbelieve, I will chastise them with severe chastisement in this world and the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.
[3.57] And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards; and Allah does not love the unjust.
[3.58] This We recite to you of the communications and the wise reminder.

Allah decides to cute Jesus’ stay on earth short. Belief in Jesus will be another measuring stick for entrance into heaven and hell.

[3.59] Surely the likeness of Isa is with Allah as the likeness of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was.
[3.60] (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of the disputers.
[3.61] But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.
[3.62] Most surely this is the true explanation, and there is no god but Allah; and most surely Allah-- He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[3.63] But if they turn back, then surely Allah knows the mischief-makers.

Every story in the Koran seems to focus on pointing out some aspect of Allah and how, of course it is all true, because Allah said so. In “The Cow” there was some discussion regarding moral behavior, however this chapter has yet to focus on anything beyond believers vs. disbelievers. There are about 200 more lines to go so we will see if this changes.

Koran: The Family of Imran, Part 1

2010-09-25T18:32:00.001-07:00

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[3.1] Alif Lam Mim.
[3.2] Allah, (there is) no god but He, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all things subsist
[3.3] He has revealed to you the Book with truth, verifying that which is before it, and He revealed the Tavrat and the Injeel aforetime, a guidance for the people, and He sent the Furqan.

Allah, through divine revelation (of course), authored the Torah (tavrat), the Gospel, and the Koran.

[3.4] Surely they who disbelieve in the communications of Allah they shall have a severe chastisement; and Allah is Mighty, the Lord of retribution.

Lest one forget, Allah "the lord of retribution" will punish those disbelievers.

[3.5] Allah-- surely nothing is hidden from Him in the earth or in the heaven.
[3.6] He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He likes; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise

I’ve grown so weary of the notion that God created man in his image or that Allah crafted us each personally in the womb. We won’t even get into what that means for those born with deformities, heart conditions, disabilities, etc; the idea itself is so egotistical and patently ridiculous.

[3.7] He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding.

So, if Allah is the only one who knows the interpretation of the Koran, what is the point of reading it and trying to understand? Are we to believe that Allah illuminates some with the knowledge to understand?

[3.8] Our Lord! make not our hearts to deviate after Thou hast guided us aright, and grant us from Thee mercy; surely Thou art the most liberal Giver.
[3.9] Our Lord! surely Thou art the Gatherer of men on a day about which there is no doubt; surely Allah will not fail (His) promise.

How does one trust a text that continually offers praise and plentiful adjectives for a supposed creator/being who supposedly authored it? Allah/God- the original narcissist.

[3.10] (As for) those who disbelieve, surely neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them in the least against Allah, and these it is who are the fuel of the fire.
[3.11] Like the striving of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected Our communications, so Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; and Allah is severe in requiting (evil).
[3.12] Say to those who disbelieve: You shall be vanquished, and driven together to hell; and evil is the resting-place.

Nothing can save one from the wrath of Allah; he taught Pharaoh a lesson and he will vanquish disbelievers to hell. I feel that sura 3.10 is especially interesting: “and these it is who are the fuel of the fire.” That is much more disturbing imagery than what is typically authored. I can just see limbs and bodies as the kindling in this mythical place. Certainly an image worthy of Goya.

[3.13] Indeed there was a sign for you in the two hosts (which) met together in encounter; one party fighting in the way of Allah and the other unbelieving, whom they saw twice as.many as themselves with the sight of the eye and Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.

Well, if you are going to tell one group of people that they are better than another, you have to give them ammunition and Allah does it in spades. Not only is Allah so merciful, beneficent, powerful, all-knowing, etc, but his followers are quite special, too, wink wink.

[3.14] The love of desires, of women and sons and hoarded treasures of gold and silver and well bred horses and cattle and tilth, is made to seem fair to men; this is the provision of the life of this world; and Allah is He with Whom is the good goal (of life).

Religion loves to pander to the poor; I wonder if there are any passages in the Koran that would allow for a “Mosque of Affluence” similar to the Christian “Churches of Affluence.” If you haven’t heard about them, basically the message is that God wants you to be rich, so be happy.

[3.15] Say:Shall I tell you what is better than these? For those who guard (against evil) are gardens with their Lord, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and pure mates and Allah's pleasure; and Allah sees the servants.

Ahh, yes, I’d rather have the pleasure of Allah over worldly comfort any day!

[3.16] Those who say: Our Lord! surely we believe, therefore forgive us our faults and save us from the chastisement of the fire.
[3.17] The patient, and the truthful, and the obedient, and those who spend (benevolently) and those who ask forgiveness in the morning times.
[3.18] Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.
[3.19] Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam, and those to whom the Book had been given did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning.

Allah has already boasted through Mohammed about his amazing allegories and how us common folk are unable to understand them. So far it seems he is refraining from using them and is clearly stating the same old argument that he reiterated throughout the previous chapter: “believers go to heaven, non-believers go to hell” and “it is true because I said so!”

[3.20] But if they dispute with you, say: I have submitted myself entirely to Allah and (so) every one who follows me; and say to those who have been given the Book and the unlearned people: Do you submit yourselves? So if they submit then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, then upon you is only the delivery of the message and Allah sees the servants.

Allah is for proselytizing; spread the faith. Especially to the Jews and Christians.

[3.21] Surely (as for) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and slay the prophets unjustly and slay those among men who enjoin justice, announce to them a painful chastisement.
[3.22] Those are they whose works shall become null in this world as well as the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.

And if they don’t believe you, tell them they are going to hell! Their lives mean nothing!

[3.23] Have you not considered those (Jews) who are given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah that it might decide between them, then a part of them turn back and they withdraw.
[3.24] This is because they say: The fire shall not touch us but for a few days; and what they have forged deceives them in the matter of their religion.
[3.25] Then how will it be when We shall gather them together on a day about which there is no doubt, and every soul shall be fully paid what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly?

And those silly Jews think they will only burn in hell for a few days, little do they know what Allah had planned for them. I’m sure passages like these have nothing to do with the vitriolic conflicts in the middle east.

[3.26] Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surety, Thou hast power over all things.
[3.27] Thou makest the night to pass into the day and Thou makest the day to pass into the night, and Thou bringest forth the living from the dead and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living, and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure.

Let me hear you sing my praises. Really, though, I’m Allah and I can’t get enough.

[3.28] Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming.

Wow, don’t even be friends with non-Muslims. Does this also mean that there should not be business dealings between believers and non-believers?

[3.29] Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and Allah has power over all things.
[3.30] On the day that every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil, it shall wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long duration of time; and Allah makes you to be cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and Allah is Compassionate to the servants.

I really can’t imagine growing up with the Koran as “my book.” I was raised Catholic and while I know there are plenty of passages in the Bible dealing with praying to God and how to offer sacrifices, I feel the Koran calls for so much adulation and trust. How do people raised under its umbrella not question its veracity? Is it simply because the book tells them not to? Isn’t that more reason to ask questions? As I work my way through the Bible, I’ll be sure to pay attention to the Judeo-Christian God’s need for praise.

Break

2010-09-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long break. I'm back at it, albeit more slowly. I'm 7 months pregnant and have my hands full with a young child as well. I feel it is important to read these religious books to better understand believers, so I will posting when I can.

Koran: The Cow, Part 8

2010-07-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay! Let's finish this sura- the longest in the Koran.

[2.243]  Have you not considered   those who went  forth from their  homes, for fear of death, and they   were thousands,  then Allah  said to them, Die; again He gave them life;   most surely  Allah is  Gracious to people, but most people are not   grateful.

I didn't realize that killing someone should make them grateful.  Hooray!  You killed me and brought me back, thanks.

[2.244]   And fight in the way  of  Allah, and know that Allah is  Hearing,  Knowing.

[2.245]   Who is it that will offer of Allah a goodly  gift, so He will   multiply  it to him manifold, and Allah straitens and  amplifies,  and  you shall  be returned to Him.

[2.246]   Have you   not considered  the chiefs of the children of Israel  after Musa, when   they said to a  prophet of theirs: Raise up for  us a king, (that) we  may  fight in the  way of Allah. He said: May  it not be that you would  not  fight if  fighting is ordained for  you? They said: And what reason  have  we that  we should not  fight in the way of Allah, and we have  indeed  been  compelled to  abandon our homes and our children. But when  fighting  was   ordained for them, they turned back, except a few of  them, and   Allah  knows the unjust.

Why is this notion that people would readily fight for religion introduced? It seems to imply that followers cannot live up to their word, or to rile up followers to by calling them out on their own inaction.  If something is so pure as the notion of a benevolent supreme creator and leader, would he really need to utilize scare tactics and hatred?

[2.247]   And their  prophet said  to  them: Surely Allah has raised  Talut to be a king  over you. They  said:  How can he hold kingship  over us while we have a  greater right  to  kingship than  he, and he has not been granted an  abundance of  wealth?  He  said: Surely Allah has chosen him in  preference to you, and  He  has  increased him abundantly in knowledge  and physique, and  Allah  grants  His kingdom to whom He pleases, and  Allah is  Amplegiving,  Knowing.

Religion and politics, what bed fellows.

[2.248]    And the  prophet said to  them: Surely the sign of His  kingdom is, that  there  shall come to you  the chest in which there  is tranquillity from  your  Lord and residue  of the relics of what  the children of Musa and  the  children of Haroun  have left, the  angels bearing it; most surely   there is a sign in this  for those who  believe.

Well I can't imagine anyone else would actually understand what Allah plans.

[2.249]   So  when Talut departed  with the forces, he said: Surely  Allah will  try you  with a river;  whoever then drinks from it, he is  not of me,  and  whoever does not  taste of it, he is surely of me,  except he who  takes  with his hand as  much of it as fills the hand;  but with the  exception  of a few of them  they drank from it. So  when he had crossed  it, he and  those who  believed with him, they  said: We have today no  power against  Jalut and  his forces.  Those who were sure that they  would meet their  Lord said:  How  often has a small party vanquished a  numerous host by  Allah's   permission, and Allah is with the patient.

Talut= Saul, Jalut = Goliath.  I imagine these lines about Saul's kingship and Goliath's army would make more sense if I knew more about the Old Testament stories.  The gist of this, however, is that a small band of believers think they can vanquish their oppressors because they have Allah on their side.

[2.250]    And when they went out against Jalut and his forces they  said: Our    Lord, pour down upon us patience, and make our  steps firm and assist  us   against the unbelieving people.

[2.251]   So they   put them to  flight by Allah's permission. And  Dawood slew Jalut, and   Allah gave him  kingdom and wisdom,  and taught him of what He pleased.   And were it not  for Allah's  repelling some men with others, the earth   would certainly  be in a  state of disorder; but Allah is Gracious to   the creatures.

And David slew Goliath!  Those that trust in the Lord will conquer over all!  Hallelujah.  Oh wait, different religion.  The last line is also pretty telling regarding the state of the earth and Allah "repelling" some men.  It seems to me that Allah has gotten pretty lazy considering the human traffickers, pedophiles, etc that still do the face of the earth. 

[2.252]   These are the   communications of Allah: We recite them  to you with  truth; and most   surely you are (one) of the  apostles.

This is being said to Mohammad.  Surely, I am not one of the apostles.

[2.253]    We have   made some of these apostles to excel the others  among them are  they  to  whom Allah spoke, and some of them  He exalted by (many degrees  of)   rank; and We gave clear  miracles to Isa son of Marium, and    strengthened him with the  holy spirit. And if Allah had pleased, those    after them would not  have fought one with another after clear   arguments  had come to  them, but they disagreed; so there were some of   them who   believed and others who denied; and if Allah had pleased  they   would not  have fought one with another, but Allah brings about   what  He intends.

Really?  Because earlier Allah said that none of the prophets were any better than the others.  Now we are being told that he exalted some more than others.  Clearly Jesus did miracles and was strengthened by the holy spirit.  

[2.254]   O you who believe!   spend out of what We have given you  before the day  comes in which   there is no bargaining, neither any  friendship nor  intercession, and   the unbelievers-- they are the  unjust.

How random is this?  Seriously... Give to charity...the unbelievers are unjust.  No reason, just unjust cause I said so.  Cause they don't believe me.  But yeah, give to charity.

[2.255]    Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving,  the    Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not  overtake Him nor    sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever  is in the earth is  His;   who is he that can intercede with Him but  by His permission? He  knows   what is before them and what is  behind them, and they cannot   comprehend  anything out of His  knowledge except what He pleases, His   knowledge  extends over the  heavens and the earth, and the preservation   of them  both tires  Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.

Can you just see Allah, or Gabriel as it were, giving this information to Mohammad?  Mohammad wasn't writing it done, he was memorizing it.  I imagine he had to repeat it a great many times to get it fixed in his memory just right, Gabriel leaning over his shoulder correcting him and spewing on about the greatness of Allah, a god that does not tire of telling his believers how great he is.

[2.256]    There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has  become    clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever  disbelieves in the    Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has  laid hold on the firmest    handle, which shall not break off, and  Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

[2.257]    Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them  out of  the   darkness into the light; and (as to) those who  disbelieve, their    guardians are Shaitans who take them out of the  light into the    darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it  they shall abide.

There is no compulsion in religion... just fear-mongering and hatred.

[2.258]    Have you not considered him (Namrud) who disputed with  Ibrahim about    his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom?  When Ibrahim  said:   My Lord is He who gives life and causes to  die, he said: I give  life   and cause death. Ibrahim said: So  surely Allah causes the sun  to rise   from the east, then make it  rise from the west; thus he who  disbelieved   was confounded; and  Allah does not guide aright the  unjust people.

[2.259]   Or the like of him  (Uzair) who passed by a town, and it had  fallen   down upon its roofs;  he said: When will Allah give it life  after its   death? So Allah  caused him to die for a hundred years,  then raised him   to life. He  said: How long have you tarried? He  said: I have tarried a   day, or a  part of a day. Said He: Nay! you  have tarried a hundred   years; then  look at your food and  drink-- years have not passed over   it; and look  at your ass; and  that We may make you a sign to men, and   look at the  bones, how We  set them together, then clothed them with   flesh; so  when it  became clear to him, he said: I know that Allah has   power  over  all things.

Religion and faith are also the main peddlers of BS and anti-scientific rhetoric.

[2.260]  And when Ibrahim said:   My  Lord! show me how Thou  givest life to the dead, He said: What! and   do  you not believe?  He said: Yes, but that my heart may be at ease.  He   said: Then  take four of the birds, then train them to follow you,   then  place  on every mountain a part of them, then call them, they  will  come   to you flying; and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.

I imagine his time would have been better spent populating the earth or taking care of the many animals he amassed through dishonesty.

[2.261]    The parable of those who spend their property in the way of  Allah is   as  the parable of a grain growing seven ears (with) a  hundred grains   in  every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He  pleases; and Allah is    Ample-giving, Knowing

What does this imply for believers who are downtrodden?

[2.262]  (As for) those who  spend  their  property in the way.of Allah,  then do not follow up what  they  have  spent with reproach  or injury, they shall have their reward  from  their  Lord, and they  shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.

Ah yes, they shall receive their reward later.  When they are dead.  Good luck with that.

[2.263]    Kind speech and forgiveness is better than charity followed  by   injury;  and Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing.

Ok, no disagreement here.

[2.264]   O you who  believe! do not make your charity worthless  by reproach  and  injury,  like him who spends his property to be  seen of men and  does  not believe  in Allah and the last day; so his  parable is as the   parable of a  smooth rock with earth upon it,  then a heavy rain falls   upon it, so it  leaves it bare; they shall not  be able to gain  anything  of what they  have earned; and Allah  does not guide the  unbelieving  people. 

[2.265]   And the parable of   those who spend their property to  seek the pleasure  of Allah and for   the certainty 'of their souls is as  the parable of a  garden on an   elevated ground, upon which  heavy rain falls so it brings  forth its   fruit twofold but if heavy  rain does not fall upon it, then  light rain   (is sufficient); and Allah  sees what you do.

This idea comes from  the bible: if you are giving, if you are fasting, etc, it is between  you and God and no one need know about it.

[2.266]    Does one of you like that he should have a garden of  palms and vines    with streams flowing beneath it; he has in it all  kinds of fruits;  and   old age has overtaken him and he has weak  offspring, when, (lo!) a    whirlwind with fire in it smites it so it  becomes blasted; thus  Allah   makes the communications clear to  you, that you may reflect.

Wow, that was so clear.  I totally get it.

[2.267]    O you who believe! spend (benevolently) of the good  things that you    earn and or what We have brought forth for you  out of the earth, and  do   not aim at what is bad that you may  spend (in alms) of it, while  you   would not take it yourselves  unless you have its price lowered,  and   know that Allah is Self-sufficient,  Praiseworthy.

Though this supposedly speaks of charity, it really seems to speak to a spendthrift attitude.

[2.268]    Shaitan threatens you with poverty and enjoins you to be  niggardly,   and  Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and  abundance; and   Allah  is Ample-giving, Knowing.

[2.269]   He grants   wisdom to whom He  pleases, and whoever is granted  wisdom, he indeed  is  given a great good  and none but men of  understanding mind.

[2.270]   And whatever  alms you give or (whatever) vow you vow, surely  Allah   knows it; and  the unjust shall have no helpers.

[2.271]   If you give alms  openly, it is well, and if you hide it and  give it   to the poor, it is  better for you; and this will do away  with some of   your evil deeds; and  Allah is aware of what you do.

So you can buy repentance by giving to charity?

[2.272]   To make them walk in  the right way is not incumbent on you,  but  Allah  guides aright whom He  pleases; and whatever good thing  you  spend, it  is to your own good; and  you do not spend but to  seek  Allah's  pleasure; and whatever good  things you spend shall  be paid  back to you  in full, and you shall not  be wronged.

[2.273]   (Alms are) for the poor who are confined  in the way of  Allah-- they   cannot go about in the land; the ignorant  man thinks  them to be rich   on account of (their) abstaining (from  begging);  you can recognise   them by their mark; they do not beg from  men  importunately; and   whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah   knows it.

[2.274]   (As for) those who spend their property by  night and by day,   secretly  and openly, they shall have their reward  from their Lord  and  they  shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.

[2.275]    Those who swallow down usury cannot arise except as one whom  Shaitan    has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. That is because  they say,    trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed  trading and  forbidden   usury. To whomsoever then the admonition  has come from his  Lord, then   he desists, he shall have what has  already passed, and his  affair is  in  the hands of Allah; and  whoever returns (to it)-- these  arc the   inmates of the fire; they  shall abide in it.

[2.276]   Allah  does not bless usury, and He causes charitable deeds  to   prosper, and  Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.

I feel like Mohammad must have gotten burned by a high interest loan or something.

[2.277]   Surely they  who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer  and pay   the poor-rate  they shall have their reward from their  Lord, and they   shall have no  fear, nor shall they grieve.

[2.278]   O you who believe! Be  careful of (your duty to) Allah and  relinquish   what remains (due) from  usury, if you are believers.

[2.279]   But if you do (it) not,  then be apprised of war from Allah  and His   Apostle; and if you repent,  then you shall have your  capital; neither   shall you make (the debtor)  suffer loss, nor shall  you be made to   suffer loss.

Yeah, really burned.

[2.280]   And if (the debtor) is   in straitness, then let there be  postponement  until (he is in) ease;   and that you remit (it) as alms  is better for  you, if you knew.

[2.281]   And guard yourselves against a day  in which you shall be  returned to   Allah; then every soul shall be paid  back in full  what it has  earned,  and they shall not be dealt with  unjustly.

By the way, jerk who gave me the bad loan, you are going to hell! My new God said so!

[2.282]   O you who believe! when you deal with each  other in  contracting a   debt for a fixed time, then write it down; and  let a  scribe write it   down between you with fairness; and the scribe   should not refuse to   write as Allah has taught him, so he should  write;  and let him who   owes the debt dictate, and he should be  careful of  (his duty to)   Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything  from it; but  if he who owes   the debt is unsound in understanding,  or weak, or (if)  he is not  able  to dictate himself, let his  guardian dictate with  fairness; and  call  in to witness from among  your men two witnesses; but  if there  are not  two men, then one  man and two women from among those  whom you  choose  to be  witnesses, so that if one of the two errs, the  second  of the two   may remind the other; and the witnesses should not  refuse  when  they  are summoned; and be not averse to writing it (whether  it  is)  small or  large, with the time of its falling due; this is more    equitable in  the sight of Allah and assures greater accuracy in    testimony, and the  nearest (way) that you may not entertain  doubts   (afterwards), except  when it is ready merchandise which  you give and   take among yourselves  from hand to hand, then  there is no blame on you   in not writing it  down; and have  witnesses when you barter with one   another, and let no  harm be  done to the scribe or to the witness; and   if you do (it) then  surely  it will be a transgression in you, and be   careful of (your  duty) to  Allah, Allah teaches you, and Allah knows  all  things.

Should Allah really be wasting his time with this?

[2.283]  And if you are upon a  journey and you do not  find a  scribe, then  (there may be) a security  taken into possession;  but  if one of you  trusts another, then he who  is trusted should deliver   his trust, and  let him be careful (of his  duty to) Allah, his Lord;   and do not  conceal testimony, and whoever  conceals it, his heart  is  surely  sinful; and Allah knows what you do.

Way too much specificity on loans.  I think this shows Mohammad's own weakness, just as the orphan bits did.

[2.284]   Whatever   is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is  Allah's;  and whether   you manifest what is in your minds or hide  it, Allah  will call you to   account according to it; then He will  forgive whom  He pleases and   chastise whom He pleases, and Allah  has power over all  things.

Yes, yes, you have complete dominion and can punish whom you please.

[2.285]   The apostle believes  in what has been revealed to him from  his Lord,   and (so do) the  believers; they all believe in Allah  and His angels  and  His books and  His apostles; We make no  difference between any of  His  apostles; and  they say: We hear and  obey, our Lord! Thy  forgiveness (do  we crave),  and to Thee is the  eventual course.

Of course Mohammad is a believer.

[2.286]   Allah   does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent  of its  ability;   for it is (the benefit of) what it has earned and  upon it  (the evil   of) what it has wrought: Our Lord! do not  punish us if we  forget or   make a mistake; Our Lord! do not lay on  us a burden as Thou  didst lay   on those before us, Our Lord do not  impose upon us that  which we have   not the strength to bear; and  pardon us and grant us  protection and   have mercy on us, Thou art  our Patron, so help us  against the   unbelieving people.

Why is there such a focus on unbelievers?  The Koran vilifies them, calls them oppressors, sanctions their murders, and sends them to hell.  It goes so far beyond the idea that if one leads a good life one will go to heaven.  It locks children into a cycle of belief, fear, and hatred.  It justifies misogyny. It creates such a regimented view of what a believer should be and do, while still remaining vague.

Understanding the Koran

2010-07-08T13:28:00.001-07:00

I'm a bit overwhelmed with life right now, so here is an article from Bill Warner on Understanding the Koran. Hopefully I will have the last edition of the Cow up on Monday.

Genesis 14

2010-07-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Genesis Chapter 14

 1And it came to  pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar,  Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

 2[That these] made  war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab  king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which  is Zoar.

 3All these were  joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

 4Twelve years they  served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

 5And in the  fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him,  and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and  the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

 6And the Horites  in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which [is] by the wilderness.

 7And they  returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the  country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in  Hazezontamar.

 8And there went  out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah,  and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and  they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

 9With Chedorlaomer  the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of  Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

 10And  the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and  Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the  mountain.

 11And  they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals,  and went their way.

 12And  they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his  goods, and departed.

War ensues in the area which Lot has chosen to call home and all his goods are taken.  He is also captured.

 13And  there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he  dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother  of Aner: and these [were] confederate with Abram.

 14And  when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his  trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen,  and pursued [them] unto Dan.

Wow!  That is a lot of "servants."  I imagine that is a euphemism for slaves. I also imagine they had no choice in the decision to attempt to save Lot.

 15And  he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and  smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which [is] on the left hand of  Damascus.

 16And  he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot,  and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

 17And  the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the  slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the  valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king's dale.

 18And  Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was]  the priest of the most high God.

 19And  he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God,  possessor of heaven and earth:

 20And  blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into  thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

So God's reputation has gotten around.  Who did the spreading?  Is God cheating on his prophets with other prophets?

 21And  the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the  goods to thyself.

 22And  Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the  LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

 23That  I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will  not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made  Abram rich:

 24Save  only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men  which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their  portion.

Genesis 13

2010-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

The Promised Land...

Genesis Chapter 13

 1And Abram went up  out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him,  into the south.

 2And Abram [was]  very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

"Cheaters never prosper," unless God loves them.

 3And he went on  his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his  tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;

 4Unto the place of  the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called  on the name of the LORD.

Back to the promised land.

 5And Lot also,  which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

 6And the land was  not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their  substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

 7And there was a  strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's  cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

 8And Abram said  unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and  between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we [be] brethren.

 9[Is] not the  whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou  wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou  depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

 10And  Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it  [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and  Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as  thou comest unto Zoar.

How anticlimatic!  Now we know that he destroys Sodom and Gomorrah...jeesh.

 11Then  Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they  separated themselves the one from the other.

 12Abram  dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the  plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.

 13But  the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Was the Lord even talking to them?  It seems he likes to keep it to one person at a time.

 14And  the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift  up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and  southward, and eastward, and westward:

 15For  all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed  for ever.

And yet, he forgot the deed.

 16And  I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can  number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.

 17Arise,  walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for  I will give it unto thee.

 18Then  Abram removed [his] tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre,  which [is] in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

So Abraham is not preaching, just supposedly being spoken to.  He isn't spreading the love of God, there is no bible, nothing.  Why is he favored?  So far he seems pretty worthless.  He is a pretty underwhelming man to have for the base of 3 religions.

Genesis 12

2010-07-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Sarai and Abram travel to Egypt.

Genesis Chapter 12

 1Now the LORD had  said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and  from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

 2And I will make  of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great;  and thou shalt be a blessing:

 3And I will bless  them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall  all families of the earth be blessed.

And Abraham had noooo reason to create this story and pass it around the block.

 4So Abram  departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and  Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

 5And Abram took  Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that  they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they  went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan  they came.

 6And Abram passed  through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And  the Canaanite [was] then in the land.

 7And the LORD  appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and  there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Hey everyone, the magical voice that talks only to me said this land is mine.

 8And he removed  from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent,  [having] Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded  an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

 9And Abram  journeyed, going on still toward the south.

 10And  there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to  sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

What?  Was the land God gave him not good enough?  Is it a better story if he moves into a Egypt and the Jews are enslaved?

 11And  it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he  said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair  woman to look upon:

 12Therefore  it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they  shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save  thee alive.

He didn't have faith that God would protect him from evil-doers?

 13Say,  I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy  sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

 14And  it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians  beheld the woman that she [was] very fair.

 15The  princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and  the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

And Abram has no issue with this.

 16And  he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and  he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Because he was paid kindly.

 17And  the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of  Sarai Abram's wife.

Ah, but someone takes issue!

 18And  Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What [is] this [that] thou hast done  unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she [was] thy wife?

 19Why  saidst thou, She [is] my sister? so I might have taken her to me to  wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take [her], and go thy way.

 20And  Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him: and they sent him away, and  his wife, and all that he had.

So, God punishes Pharaoh for believing Abram, however Abram is rewarded for lying by gaining in wealth.  That doesn't seem like a good moral to pass along.

Koran: The Cow, Part 7

2010-07-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Two more parts to go!  Woo-hoo!  We left off with some info about the pilgrimage, this part starts with an ayah concerning it as well. 

[2.203]  And  laud Allah during   the numbered days; then whoever  hastens off in two  days, there is no   blame on him, and whoever  remains behind, there is no  blame on him,   (this is) for him who  guards (against evil), and be  careful (of your   duty) to Allah,  and  know that you shall be gathered  together to Him.

[2.204]   And among men is he whose speech  about the life of this  world causes   you to wonder, and he calls on  Allah to witness as  to what is in his   heart, yet he is the most violent  of  adversaries.

[2.205]   And when he turn,s back, he runs  along in the land that he  may cause   mischief in it and destroy the  tilth and the stock, and  Allah does  not  love mischief-making.

[2.206]    And when  it is said to  him, guard against (the punish ment  of) Allah;  pride  carries him off  to sin, therefore hell is  sufficient for him; and   certainly it is an  evil resting place.

A warning to believers to not get caught up by those who may use the name of Allah for their own purposes.  Such a person will go to hell (of course).

[2.207]   And among men  is he who  sells himself to seek the pleasure  of  Allah; and Allah is   Affectionate to the servants.

What a kind master, Allah!  I appreciate the wording of this translation: "he who sells himself." It is true that he who follows Allah probably doesn't know himself and has given up on some level of rational thinking.  Another translation is: "he who would give away his life."  This ayah may be referring to martyrdom.

[2.208]   O you who  believe! enter  into submission one and all and do  not  follow the  footsteps of  Shaitan; surely he is your open  enemy.

Watch out!  Even though Allah knows all and created all, he will test you and threaten you with Satan.  So kind.  

The following two ayahs are not interpreted with the previous one.  I fell that if you read them together it seems that they refer to the trickery of Satan, however according to Allah.com's translation they are for apostates.

[2.209]   But if you  slip after clear arguments have come to you, then  know   that Allah is  Mighty, Wise.

[2.210]   They do   not wait aught but that Allah  should come to them in  the shadows of   the clouds along with the angels,  and the matter  has (already) been   decided; and (all) matters are  returned to  Allah.

It's humorous to think that if one were Muslim they would interpret the "clear arguments" as arguments for Allah.  If such a "clear argument" exists in the Koran, it will in fact be a miracle.  

So basically, if you stop believing (even after all those amazing lucid arguments for the existence and omnipotence of Allah), well know that he is wise and that he already decided that you would stop believing.  I'm actually surprised that hell isn't mentioned here.

[2.211]   Ask the Israelites how many a  clear sign have We given them;  and   whoever changes the favor of Allah  after it has come to him,  then   surely Allah is severe in requiting  (evil).

Spoke too soon!

[2.212]   The life of this world is made to seem fair to  those who  disbelieve,   and they mock those who believe, and those who  guard  (against evil)   shall be above them on the day of resurrection;   and Allah gives means   of subsistence to whom he pleases without   measure.

Here the term fair does not denote some idea of justice, but more of an aesthetic.  I admit that the universe does seem a fair place.  It is majestic and amazing- and achieves it's awesomeness without any kind of magic or duplicitous interference by pesky deities.  Ah, but only a disbeliever would think such a thing and those believers will go to heaven for pleasing Allah while I burn with my fellow "disbelievers."

[2.213]   (All) people are a single nation; so Allah  raised prophets  as  bearers  of good news and as warners, and He revealed  with them  the  Book with  truth, that it might judge between people in  that  in which  they  differed; and none but the very people who were   given it  differed  about it after clear arguments had come to  them,  revolting  among  themselves; so Allah has guided by His will  those who  believe  to the  truth about which they differed and  Allah guides whom He   pleases to  the right path.

So the purpose of the Bible is to be divisive and decide who is bad and good?  Of course those Jews and Christians didn't get "it."  Let's blame them for their misinterpretations even though Allah didn't guide them to "the right path."

[2.214]   Or do you  think that you   would enter the garden while yet  the state of those  who have passed   away before you has not come  upon you; distress and  affliction befell   them and they were  shaken violently, so that the  Apostle and those who   believed with  him said: When will the help of  Allah come? Now surely   the help  of Allah is nigh!

Oh, the trials and tribulations will be many because Allah will test us all.  Only then will he know whether we truly believe, even though He has told us repeatedly that He is all knowing and all seeing and the creator of the disbelievers. Oh, Allah, you are a paradox wrapped in a mystery.

[2.215]   They ask  you as to what  they should spend. Say: Whatever  wealth you  spend, it  is for the  parents and the near of kin and  the orphans and  the needy  and the  wayfarer, and whatever good you  do, Allah surely  knows it.

[2.216]   Fighting is enjoined  on you, and h is an object of dislike  to you;  and  it may be that you  dislike a thing while it is good  for you, and  it  may be that you love  a thing while it is evil for  you, and Allah  knows,  while you do not  know.

The like how the last segment of the second ayah states " and Allah knows, while you do not know."  Ain't that the truth?  Isn't it always that "God knows best" and "it's in God's hands."  And we can't forget, "God willing."  Us poor humans are not responsible for ourselves!  We are at the mercy of some paternalistic patron who will decide our fates.  Praise him and give him your money.

[2.217]  They ask  you  concerning the  sacred month about fighting in  it. Say: Fighting in  it  is a grave  matter, and hindering (men)  from Allah's way and  denying  Him, and  (hindering men from) the  Sacred Mosque and turning  its  people out of  it, are still graver  with Allah, and persecution is   graver than  slaughter; and they  will not cease fighting with you until   they turn  you back from  your religion, if they can; and whoever of   you turns back  from  his religion, then he dies while an unbeliever--   these it is  whose  works shall go for nothing in this world and the   hereafter, and   they are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall   abide.

Persecution is greater than slaughter?  Providing a hindrance to the path to Allah is a greater sin than killing someone?  Really?  Allah (Mohammad?) really has it all worked out.  He created a religion in which it is completely normal to be paranoid that people are working against your eternal reward.  He made persecution of Muslims a graver sin than killing in his name.  What a guy.  

[2.218]   Surely those who   believed and those who fled (their home)  and strove  hard in the way of   Allah these hope for the mercy of  Allah and Allah is  Forgiving,   Merciful.

Of course.

[2.219]  They ask you about   intoxicants  and games of chance. Say: In  both of them there is a great   sin and  means of profit for men,  and their sin is greater than their   profit.  And they ask you as  to what they should spend. Say: What you   can spare.  Thus does  Allah make clear to you the communications,  that  you may  ponder

Drinking and gambling is not permitted.  Me, I like my wine more than any deity.  Maybe I should follow Jesus, since he was all about turning water to wine.  That's something I can get behind.

[2.220]  On this world and the   hereafter. And they ask  you concerning  the orphans Say: To set right   for them (their affairs)  is good,  and if you become co-partners with   them, they are your  brethren;  and Allah knows the mischief-maker and   the pacemaker, and if   Allah had pleased, He would certainly have   caused you to fall  into a  difficulty; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Allah enjoys telling Mohammad about that which he will be questioned upon.  Who thinks "Oh, but what about the orphans?" when they are considering a new faith?  I understand questions regarding previous religious beliefs and the tenets of Islam in general, but the importance of orphans in the Koran is peculiar.  The question that popped into my mind after this was "What gives?  Was Mohammad an orphan or something?"  And lo and behold, he was!  Amazing how Allah was able to "reveal" to Mohammad something so dear to his heart...

[2.221]   And do not  marry the idolatresses until they believe, and  certainly a   believing  maid is better than an idolatress woman,  even though she   should please  you; and do not give (believing  women) in marriage to   idolaters until  they believe, and certainly  a believing servant is   better than an  idolater, even though he  should please you; these   invite to the fire,  and Allah invites to  the garden and to forgiveness   by His will, and  makes clear His  communications to men, that they  may  be mindful.

Surround yourself with believers, those others will lead you to hell.  Sounds pretty cult-ish to me.  

[2.222]   And they ask you about   menstruation. Say: It is a  discomfort;  therefore keep aloof from the   women during the  menstrual discharge and  do not go near them until   they have  become clean; then when they have  cleansed themselves, go in   to  them as Allah has commanded you; surely  Allah loves those who    turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify  themselves.

After the first line I thought, oh great, a question supposedly posed by the women.  HA!  What was I thinking?  Of course it is posed from the viewpoint of men.  Men know so much about these matters.

[2.223]   Your wives are a tilth for you, so go  into your tilth when  you like,   and do good beforehand for yourselves,  and be careful  (of your duty)   to Allah, and know that you will meet  Him, and  give good news to the   believers.

I am finding it more ridiculous that Islam is sometimes said to be a religion that sees women as equals to men.  No religion that views women as dirty during menstruation and as a tilling ground for children will ever treat women as equals.

[2.224]  And make  not Allah   because of your swearing (by Him) an  obstacle to your doing  good and   guarding (against evil) and  making peace between men, and  Allah is   Hearing, Knowing.

[2.225]  Allah does not call you   to  account for what is vain in your  oaths, but He will call you to   account  for what your hearts have  earned, and Allah is Forgiving,   Forbearing.

So Allah won't hold you to your promises, however he will hold you to whatever is in your heart.  And in that way, he is forgiving.  And backward.

[2.226]   Those who swear that   they will not go in to their wives  should wait  four months; so if they   go back, then Allah is surely  Forgiving,  Merciful.

[2.227]   And if they have resolved on a divorce, then  Allah is surely   Hearing,  Knowing.

Does this actually say anything?  Allah is forgiving if you give up on divorce but he knows if you don't?  Come on, Allah, give us the consequences.  Don't leave us hanging.

[2.228]  And the divorced  women   should keep themselves in waiting for  three courses; and it is  not   lawful for them that they should  conceal what Allah has created in    their wombs, if they believe in  Allah and the last day; and their    husbands have a better right to  take them back in the meanwhile if they    wish for reconciliation;  and they have rights similar to those   against  them in a just  manner, and the men are a degree above them,   and Allah  is Mighty,  Wise.

So women have to be good and seeming virtuous after a divorce, in case their husbands want them back.  Once again, Allah shows that the misogynistic apple doesn't fall far from the Abrahamic tree. Those that state that the Koran advocates for equality between the sexes either have a skewed view of what equality means or have never actually read the Koran.

[2.229]   Divorce   may be (pronounced) twice,  then keep (them) in good  fellowship or let   (them) go with kindness; and  it is not lawful  for you to take any  part  of what you have given them,  unless both  fear that they cannot  keep  within the limits of Allah;  then if  you fear that they cannot  keep  within the limits of Allah,  there  is no blame on them for what  she  gives up to become free thereby.   These are the limits of Allah,  so do  not exceed them and whoever   exceeds the limits of Allah these  it is  that are the unjust.

One should not take back a gift given to the former spouse, unless it will somehow make you sin against Allah to not do so.  Then, whatever, because Allah forgives.

[2.230]    So if he  divorces her  she shall not be lawful to him  afterwards until  she  marries another  husband; then if he divorces  her there is no blame  on  them both if  they return to each other  (by marriage), if they think   that they can  keep within the limits  of Allah, and these are the  limits  of Allah  which He makes clear  for a people who know.

Now we are getting ridiculous.  Was Mohammad considering divorce?  Why so much exposition on it?  The Koran seems to highlight such bizarre minutiae regarding divorce.

[2.231]    And when you divorce women and they reach their prescribed  time,  then   either retain them in good fellowship or set them free  with   liberality,  and do not retain them for injury, so that you  exceed the   limits, and  whoever does this, he indeed is unjust to  his own soul;   and do not take  Allah's communications  for a mockery, and remember the   favor of Allah  upon you, and  that which He has revealed to you of  the  Book and the  Wisdom,  admonishing you thereby; and be careful (of  your  duty to)  Allah,  and know that Allah is the Knower of all things.

So take care of a woman who is past her prime or let her go.  Why even state this if either option is fine? Of course, anytime is a good time to remind the faithful of the greatness of Allah.

[2.232]    And when you have divorced women and they have ended-- their  term  (of   waiting), then do not prevent them from marrying their  husbands  when   they agree among themselves in a lawful manner;  with this is   admonished  he among you who believes in Allah and  the last day, this   is more  profitable and purer for you; and  Allah knows while you do not   know.

Yeah, I'm tired of divorce.

[2.233]   And the mothers should   suckle their children for two whole  years for  him who desires to  make  complete the time of suckling;  and their  maintenance and their   clothing must be-- borne by the  father according  to usage; no soul   shall have imposed upon it a  duty but to the extent  of its capacity;   neither shall a mother be  made to suffer harm on  account of her child,   nor a father on  account of his child, and a  similar duty (devolves)   on the  (father's) heir, but if both desire  weaning by mutual consent   and  counsel, there is no blame on them, and  if you wish to engage a    wet-nurse for your children, there is no blame  on you  so long as you   pay what you promised for according to usage;   and be careful of (your   duty to) Allah and know that Allah sees  what  you do.

Breastfeeding is not a choice of the woman, but a choice by the woman and man. It can only be stopped when they both decide or at the end of two years.  I highly doubt that American Muslims follow this ayah, considering the low rates of breastfeeding the US.

[2.234]   And (as for) those of you who die and leave  wives behind,  they  should  keep themselves in waiting for four months  and ten  days; then  when  they have fully attained their term, there is  no  blame on you  for what  they do for themselves in a lawful manner;   and Allah is  aware of what  you do.

All of the divorce ayahs and now this one too, are obviously speaking only to males.  It concerns itself only with the salvation of the male partner.

[2.235]  And there is no  blame   on you respecting that which you speak  indirectly in the asking  of   (such) women in marriage or keep (the  proposal) concealed within  your   minds; Allah knows that you win  mention them, but do not give them  a   promise in secret unless you  speak in a lawful manner, and do not    confirm the marriage tie  until the writing is fulfilled, and know that    Allah knows what is  in your minds, therefore beware of Him, and know    that Allah is  Forgiving, Forbearing.

Pretty much, as a man, do what you want.  As a woman, follow my rules!

[2.236]   There is  no  blame on you if you divorce women when you have  not  touched them or   appointed for them a portion, and make  provision for  them, the  wealthy  according to his means and the  straitened in  circumstances  according to  his means, a provision  according to usage;  (this is) a  duty on the  doers of good (to  others).

[2.237]   And if you divorce them  before you have touched them  and you have   appointed for them a portion,  then (pay to them)  half of what you have   appointed, unless they  relinquish or he  should relinquish in whose   hand is the marriage tie;  and it is  nearer to righteousness that you   should relinquish; and do  not  neglect the giving of free gifts between   you; surely Allah sees   what you do.

More divorce, now complete with alimony!

[2.238]   Attend  constantly to prayers and to the  middle prayer and  stand up  truly  obedient to Allah.

[2.239]    But if  you are in  danger, then (say your prayers) on foot or  on  horseback;  and when you  are secure, then remember Allah, as.  He has  taught you  what you did  not know.

Just pray all the time. Allah feels lonely if you don't.  Think of him as your mother.  You never pray to me anymore...

[2.240]  And those of you who    die and leave wives behind, (make) a  bequest in favor of their wives    of maintenance for a year without  turning (them) out, then if they    themselves go away, there is no  blame on you for what they do of lawful    deeds by themselves, and  Allah is Mighty, Wise.

[2.241]   And  for the divorced women (too) provision (must be made)  according   to  usage; (this is) a duty on those who guard (against  evil).

Take care of the women, they can't take care of themselves.

[2.242]    Allah thus makes clear to you His communications that you  may    understand.

That Allah, always the jokester.   Clear communications!  Ha!

Genesis 11

2010-07-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Genesis 10 gives a geneology of the sons of Noah, which I've skipped. Moving along to Chapter 11.

Genesis Chapter 11

 1And the whole  earth was of one language, and of one speech.

That makes sense since everyone is related.

 2And it came to  pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the  land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

 3And they said one  to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they  had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

 4And they said, Go  to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto  heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the  face of the whole earth.

 5And the LORD came  down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Why are they building a tower?  It seems they have foreshadowed their own scattering though.  It is interesting that the Lord came down to see the city.  Couldn't he see it from his vantage point?  Didn't he know what the people were doing?

 6And the LORD  said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and  this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them,  which they have imagined to do.

Aw man, they are getting too powerful!

 7Go to, let us go  down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand  one another's speech.

Because they won't be able to figure out how to understand each other.

 8So the LORD  scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and  they left off to build the city.

 9Therefore is the  name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the  language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them  abroad upon the face of all the earth.

And know we have the biblical explanation for the origin of multiple languages and different "tribes" across the face of the Earth.  The Lord, he hath confounded us!  What follows is more genealogy that leads us to Abraham and Lot... dum dum dum...

  

10These  [are] the generations of Shem: Shem [was] an hundred years old, and  begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

 11And  Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons  and daughters.

 12And  Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

 13And  Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and  begat sons and daughters.

 14And  Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

 15And  Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat  sons and daughters.

 16And  Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:

 17And  Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and  begat sons and daughters.

 18And  Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

 19And  Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat  sons and daughters.

 20And  Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

 21And  Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat  sons and daughters.

 22And  Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

 23And  Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and  daughters.

 24And  Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

 25And  Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and  begat sons and daughters.

 26And  Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

 27Now  these [are] the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and  Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

 28And  Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur  of the Chaldees.

 29And  Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai;  and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father  of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

 30But  Sarai was barren; she [had] no child.

 31And  Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and  Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth  with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and  they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

 32And  the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in  Haran.

On Heaven

2010-07-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post's On Faith Blogs featured a question regarding "Heaven" in late March.

What (or where, or why) is heaven? What is your vision of heaven? What images - from Scripture, tradition, culture or your personal experience - best describe heaven for you?

Of course, the question presupposes that there exists somewhere in this world, or some realm of some world, a place called Heaven. The responses are quite interesting, as well as the comments left for panelists.

Mark Driscoll starts his piece by stating that "everyone believes in a heaven." He almost lost me with that generalization. His point, however, is that we all have idealized images of what we would like the world to be. I can accept that idea. I know I have wished for less poverty and more peace, among other things. Winning the lottery would be kind of nice as well. Driscoll continues by attributing this need to idealize to the fact that we were all kicked out of the Garden of Eden. He obviously writes from and for his limited christian understanding, detailing the "tragedy" of being banished from Eden and the coming Metropolis of Heaven he says is referred to by Revelations.

John Mark Reynolds starts his piece, entitled "Just Once to See and Hear Jesus" by writing about writing in a way that only a philosopher can. I might have found it beautiful had it been part of some novel, however once he starts discussing one "Word" that is true, etc, it becomes clear that he is philosophizing his ideas and wrapping them up in literary cloaks so that one cannot see how ridiculous they truly are.

"I will see. What will I see? God, of course, but God is a very big Person and my eyes, even in Heaven, are very small. In Heaven, I will see God through Jesus, the God-man. He is not just an image of God, an icon, but Very God and looking at Him in His human nature will lead me to as much of God as men can see. "

I especially enjoy the term "God-man." It reminds me of the phrase "man-child." Quite apropos considering the magic one would have to believe in to agree with Reynold's piece.

Julia Neuberger discusses the idea of heaven on Earth in a quick post. She states:

For me, Heaven is not out there. it is not beyond the sea, above or beyond us, but the capacity for Heaven lies within us-- the good life, making a difference to others, a sense of the transcendent, a moment of pure joy.

I found this a more respectable notion of heaven than those where heaven is seen as a physical place.

Ramdas Lamb begins his piece, entitled "Heaven is Overrated" with the following paragraph:

Heaven, hell, and the afterlife are totally theoretical and any belief in them is based solely on faith. No one can affirm their existence, as no one can prove their non-existence. Practically speaking, then, any belief in the them is only relevant to the extent that it affects the way we live our lives here and now.

Lamb was a Hindu monk before he became a professor. His piece is especially interesting because it comes from a perspective that isn't often represented in American religious circles. It is also a breath of fresh air in comparison to the heavily represented Christian views on the topic. Regardless, there is one Christian view I want to highlight: that of Jim Daly.

Jim Daly is the President and CEO of Focus on the Family, an evangelical Christian group. Of course, as an evangelical, Mr. Daly has a personal relationship with God. He tells a little about it here:

I believe what I believe about heaven not only because of what I've read in the Old and New Testaments, but because I have met the one man who has been there and back -- my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. His words, actions and yes, His promises, have left me with a great spirit of peace amid the rising chaos and challenges associated with life here on earth.

I still find it amazing that people can talk of "meeting Jesus" and "talking to God" without others thinking they are bit crazy. Regardless, Mr. Daly has it on personal confidence what heaven is like. I imagine the hatred spewed by Focus on the Family regarding issues like abortion and homosexuality will have no effect on his gaining admittance.

Karen Armstrong, a former nun, makes an interesting point in her piece:

I personally think it best not to try to imagine what we call 'heaven', because it can only be some kind of projection or wish-fulfillment. We can become so fixated on 'getting into heaven' that all our good deeds become purely selfish - as irreligious as paying into a retirement annuity for a comfortable life in the hereafter. Religion is supposed to be about the loss of ego - not fantasies about its eternal survival in optimum conditions.

I think she makes a succinct point regarding heaven. I don't think I've ever heard a believer consider that heaven would be a disappointment or boring. It is always wonderful in some fashion, and particularly in the fashion that they would like it to be. While Armstrong points out that religion is "supposed to be about the loss of ego" I would argue the opposite. Most religious are precisely about ego. To create a god in man's image is ego. To envision a paradise of eternal life, basically the life of the imagined god, as a reward for man is ego. I think this is especially obvious in the evangelical mode of thought. It is ego to think that there is some almighty creator that cares about you so much that he listens to all your prayers and even has a personal relationship with you. I could go on, but I'll save it for the bible dissection.

Here's a paragraph from Paula Kirby's piece to end with. I recommend you read her entire post.

I am always slightly taken aback when the religious cite heaven as a reason to believe. Quite apart from the illogicality of believing in something just because you would like it to be true, an afterlife is such a transparently preposterous notion. Even the most devout believer in an afterlife has no difficulty accepting that death is precisely what it seems to be - The End - for every other species that has ever lived. In the case of everything from an amoeba to a dandelion to a wasp to a dolphin, these believers accept that death is death, and that's it. But somehow, according to them, for humans it isn't the end, even though we witness precisely the same processes of dying and decomposition in humans as we do in, say, pygmy marmosets, and even though there is not the slightest evidence to suggest that any part of human existence or experience will not ultimately be traced to purely material - and mortal - processes.

Koran: The Cow, Part 6

2010-06-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

As we grow ever closer to the end of The Cow, I grow excited.  I am hoping that future suras will not be as repetitious or convoluted.  High hopes, I know. To catch up on past Koranic posts, check here. 

[2.164]   Most surely  in the creation of the heavens and the earth  and the   alternation of the  night and the day, and the ships that  run in the   sea with that which  profits men, and the water that  Allah sends down   from the cloud, then  gives life with it to the  earth after its death   and spreads in it all  (kinds of) animals, and  the changing of the   winds and the clouds made  subservient  between the heaven and the   earth, there are signs for a  people  who understand.

We are supposed to believe there is a God because of nature?  Shouldn't there be a more compelling argument.  This is basically saying: if you believe, then everything you see will just reify (mozilla doesn't think reify is a word, buy a dictionary firefox!)your belief.

[2.165]   And there are some among men  who take for themselves  objects of   worship besides Allah, whom they  love as they love  Allah, and those   who believe are stronger in love for  Allah and  O, that those who are   unjust had seen, when they see the   chastisement, that the power is   wholly Allah's and that Allah is  severe  in requiting (evil).

Don't love anything more than you love Allah or you will be punished!  Allah- better than your money, your children and your wife!

[2.166]   When those who were followed  shall renounce those who  followed   (them), and they see the chastisement  and their ties are  cut asunder.

[2.167]   And those who  followed shall say: Had there been for us a  return,   then we would  renounce them as they have renounced us.  Thus will Allah   show them  their deeds to be intense regret to  them, and they shall   not come forth  from the fire.

So because those who were idolizing others got dumped by those they were idolizing, they are going to hell?  Allah seems to be short on forgiveness for mistakes.  Where's the chance for repentance?

[2.168]   O men!  eat  the lawful and good things  out of what is in the  earth, and do  not  follow the footsteps of the  Shaitan; surely he  is your open  enemy.

[2.169]  He only  enjoins you  evil and indecency, and that you may  speak  against Allah  what you do  not know.

Such a mix of sentiment in ayah 168.  Eat halal (which hasn't been explained, unless we are supposed to get our cues from the Old Testament Kosher laws) and don't follow Satan.

[2.170]  And when  it is said to  them,  Follow what Allah has  revealed, they say: Nay! we  follow what  we found  our fathers  upon. What! and though their fathers  had no  sense at all,  nor did  they follow the right way.

[2.171]   And the parable of  those who disbelieve is as the parable of  one who   calls out to that  which hears no more than a call and a  cry; deaf,   dumb (and) blind, so  they do not understand.

Don't follow what your father did, I'm Allah, and I'm here to teach you the right way.

[2.172]   O you who believe! eat of the  good things that We have  provided you   with, and give thanks to Allah if  Him it is that you  serve.

[2.173]   He has only forbidden you  what dies of itself, and blood,  and flesh   of swine, and that over which  any other (name) than  (that of) Allah   has been invoked; but whoever is  driven to  necessity, not desiring,   nor exceeding the limit, no sin  shall be  upon him; surely Allah is   Forgiving, Merciful.

Here is something we don't see too often in the Koran: an explanation!  However small...  So, a believer should not eat an animal that dies naturally, should not ingest blood (no medium rare steaks!), no pork, and no food that has been blessed in the name of a different god.  Amazingly, Allah does allow that if you are starving, it is not a sin to eat whatever is at hand.  We will be hearing more about Halal eating in following Suras.  It may be the only understandable thing in the Koran!  (Please note: understandable does not mean logical.)

[2.174]   Surely those who   conceal any part of the Book that  Allah has revealed  and take for it a   small price, they eat  nothing but fire into their  bellies, and Allah   will not speak to  them on the day of resurrection,  nor will He  purify  them, and  they shall have a painful chastisement.

[2.175]    These are they who buy error for the right direction and   chastisement   for forgiveness; how bold they are to encounter  fire.

[2.176]    This is because Allah has revealed the Book with the truth;  and   surely  those who go against the Book are in a great  opposition.

But let us not forget that this Book is the truth and if you conceal what Allah has revealed: punishment punishment punishment!

[2.177]    It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the  East  and   the West, but righteousness is this that one should  believe in  Allah   and the last day and the angels and the Book and  the prophets,  and  give  away wealth out of love for Him to the  near of kin and the   orphans and  the needy and the wayfarer and  the beggars and for (the   emancipation  of) the captives, and keep  up prayer and pay the   poor-rate; and the  performers of their  promise when they make a   promise, and the patient  in distress and  affliction and in time of   conflicts-- these are they  who are {rue  (to themselves) and these are   they who guard (against  evil).

Here we have a checklist for the faithful, nothing we haven't already come across in this never ending surah.

[2.178]   O you who   believe! retaliation is prescribed  for you in the  matter of the  slain,  the free for the free, and the  slave for the  slave, and the  female  for the female, but if any  remission is  made to any one by his   (aggrieved) brother, then  prosecution (for the  bloodwit) should be   made according to usage, and  payment should  be made to him in a good   manner; this is an alleviation   from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever   exceeds the limit after  this he  shall have a painful chastisement.

[2.179]   And there is life  for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men  of   understanding, that you  may guard yourselves.

Just like the Old Testament God, Allah is all about a life fore a life.  I think it is interesting that he gives the reason that it will put in man the fear of retaliation.  Not very dissimilar from the notion of the death penalty being a deterrent.

[2.180]   Bequest is prescribed for you  when death approaches  one of you, if  he  leaves behind wealth for  parents and near  relatives, according to   usage, a duty (incumbent) upon  those  who guard (against evil).

[2.181]   Whoever then alters  it after he has heard it, the sin of it  then is   only upon those who  alter it; surely Allah is Hearing,  Knowing.

[2.182]   But he  who fears an inclination to a wrong course or an  act of   disobedience on  the part of the testator, and effects an  agreement   between the  parties, there is no blame on him. Surely  Allah is   Forgiving, Merciful.

So having a codicil will somehow protect against evil.  I imagine the true wish is that the wealth be left to a Mosque.

[2.183]   O you who believe!   fasting is prescribed for you, as it was  prescribed  for those before   you, so that you may guard (against  evil).

[2.184]    For a certain number of days; but whoever among you is  sick or on a    journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other  days; and  those   who are not able to do it may effect a redemption  by feeding a  poor   man; so whoever does good spontaneously  it is better for him;  and that   you fast is better for you if you  know.

Would the Koran make more sense if it wasn't set up into meaningless chapters?  Perhaps there should just be a couple of ayahs on a page, ones that actually go together.  It isn't like Allah decided the layout after all.  Wouldn't it be useful for the spread of Islam to lay out the text in such a way as to make it more easily decipherable to those who might want to read it?

[2.185]   The month of  Ramazan is that in which the Quran was  revealed, a   guidance to men and  clear proofs of the guidance and  the distinction;   therefore whoever of  you is present in the month,  he shall fast   therein, and whoever is sick  or upon a journey, then  (he shall fast) a   (like) number of other days;  Allah desires ease  for you, and He does   not desire for you difficulty,  and (He  desires) that you should   complete the number and that you   should exalt the greatness of Allah   for His having guided you  and that  you may give thanks.

Fasting during Ramadan is done because that is supposedly when Allah sent down the Koran... I'm assuming that Allah is aware that he didn't send it all down at once and that it was supposedly a collection of revelations over 23 years.  Why make a statement that seems to imply that the Koran was "handed down" at one particular point in time.

[2.186]   And when My servants ask you  concerning Me, then surely I am  very   near; I answer the prayer of the  suppliant when he calls on  Me, so   they should answer My call and  believe in Me that they may  walk in the   right way.

If you pray, I will answer.

[2.187]  It  is made lawful to   you to go into your wives on the  night of the fast;  they are an   apparel for you and you are an  apparel for them; Allah knew  that you   acted unfaithfully to  yourselves, so He has turned to you  (mercifully)   and removed from  you (this burden); so now be in contact  with them   and seek  what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink  until the    whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of  the   night  at dawn, then complete the fast till night, and have not    contact with  them while you keep to the mosques; these are the  limits   of Allah, so  do not go near them. Thus does Allah make  clear His   communications  for men that they may guard (against  evil).

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone described as an apparel.  Regardless, how kind of Allah to let his followers know that they are permitted sexual relations during the nights of Ramadan.  The phrasing of this ayah is very peculiar.  It makes it seem like at some point, sexual relations were not allowed during Ramadan.  Allah, in his goodness, saw that his believers were having relations anyway, so he forgave them and said that it was fine to do so as long as it was done within his prescribed hours.

[2.188]    And do not swallow up your property among yourselves by  false means,    neither seek to gain access thereby to the judges,  so that you may    swallow up a part of the property of men  wrongfully while you know.

Don't cheat or bribe.

[2.189]    They ask you concerning the new moon. Say: They are times  appointed    for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage; and  it is not    righteousness that you should enter the houses at their  backs, but    righteousness is this that one should guard (against  evil); and go into    the houses by their doors and be careful (of  your duty) to Allah,   that  you may be successful.

This supposedly has to do with the lunar calendar.  For me it seems to attempt to explain the importance of the lunar calendar for their pilgrimage and worship and then tack on some weird stuff about entering houses.  I guess we can say that the entering the houses may be discussing mosques or how believers should present themselves.

[2.190]   And fight   in the way of Allah  with those who fight with you,  and do not exceed   the limits, surely  Allah does not love those  who exceed the limits.

[2.191]   And  kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out  from whence   they  drove you out, and persecution is severer than  slaughter, and  do  not  fight with them at the Sacred Mosque  until they fight with you  in  it,  but if they do fight you, then slay  them; such is the  recompense  of the  unbelievers.

[2.192]   But if  they desist, then  surely Allah is  Forgiving,  Merciful.

[2.193]   And fight with them until there  is no persecution, and  religion   should be only for Allah, but if they  desist, then there  should be no   hostility except against the  oppressors.

Wow.  These few ayah have probably been used for the justification of many aggressive acts.  So Allah says that if his followers are feeling persecuted, it is fine for them to kill those whom they feel are persecuting them.  The only two exceptions are: unless they are near a mosque or if they have desisted from their actions.  After reading these ayahs repeatedly, I have been trying to determine in what manner the hijackers on the different 9/11 flights felt persecuted.  I can more or less comprehend how Muslim Iraqis may feel persecuted by what they see as a terrestrial incursion, however, what bothered the 9/11 hijackers?  What gave them cause to feel persecuted?  Was it just because they felt our culture is so hedonistic that it will corrupt good Muslims?  Was it because they were fed lies regarding Americans that they took as truth?  I wouldn't be surprised at the later.  They've already accepted enough bizarre beliefs, what's a few more?

[2.194]   The Sacred month for the sacred month and  all sacred things  are   (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts   aggressively against   you, inflict injury on him according to the   injury he has inflicted   on you and be careful (of your duty) to  Allah  and know that Allah is   with those who guard (against evil).

Does that make it divine retribution? 

[2.195]    And  spend  in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to  perdition  with  your  own hands, and do good (to others); surely  Allah loves the  doers  of  good.

This line would make sense on it's own page.  It talks of charity, however it is much tarnished after all of the violence of the preceding ayahs.  

What follows is the call to pilgrimage, ending, as always, with the day of reckoning.

[2.196]  And accomplish the   pilgrimage and the  visit for Allah, but  if, you are prevented, (send)   whatever offering is  easy to  obtain, and do not shave your heads  until  the offering reaches   its destination; but whoever among you is  sick  or has an ailment  of  the head, he (should effect) a compensation  by  fasting or alms  or  sacrificing, then when you are secure, whoever   profits by  combining the  visit with the pilgrimage (should take)  what   offering is easy to  obtain; but he who cannot find (any  offering)   should fast for three  days during the pilgrimage and for  seven  days  when you return; these  (make) ten (days) complete; this is   for him  whose family is not present  in the Sacred Mosque, and be   careful (of  your duty) to Allah, and know  that Allah is severe in   requiting  (evil).

[2.197]  The  pilgrimage is   (performed in) the well-known months; so  whoever  determines the   performance of the pilgrimage therein,  there shall be no  intercourse   nor fornication nor quarrelling  amongst one another; and  whatever good   you do, Allah knows it;  and make provision, for surely  the provision   is the guarding of  oneself, and be careful (of your duty)  to Me, O  men  of  understanding.

[2.198]  There is no blame on    you in seeking bounty from your Lord,  so when you hasten on from    "Arafat", then remember Allah near the  Holy Monument, and remember Him    as He has guided you, though  before that you were certainly of the    erring  ones.

[2.199]  Then hasten on from the   Place from which  the people hasten  on and ask the forgiveness of   Allah; surely Allah is  Forgiving,  Merciful.

[2.200]   So when you have performed your  devotions, then laud Allah  as you   lauded your fathers, rather a  greater lauding. But  there are some   people who say, Our Lord! give us  in the world,  and they shall have no   resting place.

[2.201]   And there are some   among them who say: Our Lord! grant us  good in this  world and good in   the hereafter, and save us from  the chastisement of  the fire.

[2.202]   They shall have (their) portion of what they  have earned,  and Allah   is swift in reckoning.

Genesis 9

2010-06-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Koran was written well after the Old Testament, however I find the latter is more cohesive and rational. Someone raised as a Muslim would probably disagree, but I feel that even if I hadn't been brought up Catholic, the Bible would still be easier to read and interpret.

Genesis Chapter 9

 1And God blessed  Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and  replenish the earth.

 2And the fear of you  and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon  every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon  all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

I can just see a tiger fearing a man... cowering in his little corner of the jungle.

 3Every moving thing  that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given  you all things.

 4But flesh with the  life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Don't eat raw food... or still living food.  Is sushi not kosher?

 5And surely your  blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I  require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother  will I require the life of man.

 6Whoso sheddeth  man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God  made he man.

If an animal kills a man, he should be killed.  If a man kills a man, he should be killed.  I'm for capital punishment, but I don't think I agree with killing an animal if it killed a man.  It depends if the man was being really stupid at the time.

 7And you, be ye  fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and  multiply therein.

 8And God spake unto  Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

 9And I, behold, I  establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

 10And with every  living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of  every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to  every beast of the earth.

 11And I will  establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any  more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood  to destroy the earth. 

 12And God said,  This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and  every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations:

 13I do set my bow  in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and  the earth.

Aww, God made the rainbow!  When God makes this promise, is you only talking about a flood of such large proportions that would destroy all life on Earth, or also of smaller ones that destroy some life.  Hurricanes and Monsoons cause so much damage and can have high death tolls.  Why didn't God promise to not have those either?

 14And it shall  come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be  seen in the cloud:

 15And I will  remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living  creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to  destroy all flesh.

Funny, I see clouds pretty often, but rarely see a rainbow.  Is God forgetting?  Getting lazy?

 16And the bow  shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the  everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh  that [is] upon the earth.

 17And God said  unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established  between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth.

 18And the sons of  Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and  Ham [is] the father of Canaan.

 19These [are] the  three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

Score!  So we have an interbred family interbreeding some more!  No wonder they were all believers.

 20And Noah began  [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

 21And he drank of  the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

 22And Ham, the  father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two  brethren without.

 23And Shem and  Japheth took a garment, and laid [it] upon both their shoulders, and  went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their  faces [were] backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

 24And Noah awoke  from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

 25And he said,  Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

He's going to curse his grandson because he was drunk and naked?  If he's upset because Ham told his brothers how he found his father, then blame Ham, not Ham's son.  And really, this is Noah's fault.  When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (I don't think it ever said it was an apple), they tried to pass the buck and deflect responsibility.  Now Noah is doing the same.

 26And he said,  Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

 27God shall  enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan  shall be his servant.

 28And Noah lived  after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

 29And all the days  of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

And he was probably drunk.

Koran: The Cow, Part 5

2010-06-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is The Cow that never ends... yes it goes on and on my friends... 

[2.122] O  children of Israel, call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and  that I made you excel the nations.

[2.123] And.be on your  guard against a day when no soul shall avail another in the least  neither shall any compensation be accepted from it, nor shall  intercession profit it, nor shall they be helped.

And fear the day  of reckoning!

 

[2.124] And when his Lord tried Ibrahim  with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you  an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not  include the unjust, said He. 

I  imagine this is concerning the attempted sacrifice of his son. 

[2.125] And when  We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and:  Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of  Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for  those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those  who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves.

[2.126]  And when Ibrahim said: My Lord, make it a secure town and provide its  people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the last day.  He said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a short  while, then I will drive him to the chastisement of the fire; and it is  an evil destination.

And there will be  punishment! Surprise!  I recently read a piece in the Blackwell Reader  that mentioned the repetitious nature of the Koran.  It stated that it  is because of the nature of the revelation (slow bits over 23 years).   It also mentioned the "unique" nature of the Koran: it is the only text  written by God/Allah.  That was enough for me to discount the article.   If a supposed academic can claim that, then he doesn't strike me as a  learned man.   

 [2.127] And when Ibrahim and Ismail  raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord! accept from us; surely  Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing:

[2.128] Our Lord! and make  us both submissive to Thee and (raise) from our offspring a nation  submitting to Thee, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us  (mercifully), surely Thou art the Oft-returning (to mercy), the  Merciful.

Surely you are the merciful one who talks of punishing  everyone! 

 [2.129] Our Lord! and raise up in  them an Apostle from among them who shall recite to them Thy  communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them;  surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.

And  send Mohammad to write down your story... over a thousand years later.   If the Koran and it's teachings are supposed to be so important, and  Allah so all knowing, why did he wait so long to deliver his message?   Why did he let over a 1000 years go by without helping man truly  understand his nature?  Probably because he doesn't exist.

 [2.130] And who  forsakes the religion of Ibrahim but he who makes himself a fool, and  most certainly We chose him in this world, and in the hereafter he is  most surely among the righteous.

[2.131] When his Lord said  to him, Be a Muslim, he said: I submit myself to the Lord of the worlds.

Abraham is seen as high ranking for his readiness to  submit.  Incidentally, by "Be a Muslim" Allah is effectively stating:  submit to my will.

[2.132] And the  same did Ibrahim enjoin on his sons and (so did) Yaqoub. O my sons!  surely Allah has chosen for you (this) faith, therefore die not unless  you are Muslims.

[2.133] Nay! were you witnesses when death  visited Yaqoub, when he said to his sons: What will you serve after me?  They said: We will serve your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim  and Ismail and Ishaq, one God only, and to Him do we submit.

[2.134] This is  a people that have passed away; they shall have what they earned and  you shall have what you earn, and you shall not be called upon to answer  for what they did.

Follow the line!  Submit submit.   Don't think for yourself.   

Ayah 2.134 is interesting as it speaks against the  Christian idea of original sin and biblical notions of the sins of the  father being passed to the son.  So far, this is the only line in the  Koran I have cared for.

 [2.135] And  they say: Be Jews or Christians, you will be on the right course. Say:  Nay! (we follow) the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanif, and he was not one  of the polytheists.

The Koran is claiming  that the Jews and Christians are polytheists.  I can understand the  condemnation for a Christian and their trinity, but not for the Jews.

 [2.136] Say: We  believe in Allah and (in) that which had been revealed to us, and (in)  that which was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and  the tribes, and (in) that which was given to Musa and Isa, and (in) that  which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any  distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.

Here Jesus is equated with the other prophets and Allah  states that he is not different from the others.  It is only to Allah  that one should submit.

 [2.137] If then  they believe as you believe in Him, they are indeed on the right  course, and if they turn back, then they are only in great opposition,  so Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the Hearing, the  Knowing.

 [2.138]  (Receive) the baptism of Allah, and who is better than Allah in  baptising? and Him do we serve.

[2.139] Say: Do you dispute  with us about Allah, and He is our Lord and your Lord, and we shall have  our deeds and you shall have your deeds, and we are sincere to Him.

I understand the need for some flattery of the deity in a  religious text, but I feel like the Koran is going above and beyond.  So  far, it lacks substance.

 [2.140] Nay! do  you say that Ibrahim and Ismail and Yaqoub and the tribes were Jews or  Christians? Say: Are you better knowing or Allah? And who is more unjust  than he who conceals a testimony that he has from Allah? And Allah is  not at all heedless of what you do.

Don't  question Allah!  When he tells you something, it is because he knows  everything.

 [2.141] This is a people that have  passed away; they shall have what they earned and you shall have what  you earn, and you shall not be called upon to answer for what they did.

[2.142] The fools among the people will say: What has turned  them from their qiblah which they had? Say: The East and the West belong  only to Allah; He guides whom He likes to the right path.

If  he guides whom he likes to the right path, what is the point of trying  to convince others they are on the wrong path?  It won't work unless  Allah wills it to be so.  

 [2.143] And  thus We have made you a medium (just) nation that you may be the bearers  of witness to the people and (that) the Apostle may be a bearer of  witness to you; and We did not make that which you would have to be the  qiblah but that We might distinguish him who follows the Apostle from  him who turns back upon his heels, and this was surely hard except for  those whom Allah has guided aright; and Allah was not going to make your  faith to be fruitless; most surely Allah is Affectionate, Merciful to  the people.

Once again, whats the  point of proselytizing?  

 [2.144] Indeed  We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you  to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred  Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who  have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from  their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do.

This may be why Muslims face Mecca when they pray.  Qiblah=  direction.

 [2.145] And even if you bring to  those who have been given the Book every sign they would not follow your  qiblah, nor can you be a follower of their qiblah, neither are they the  followers of each other's qiblah, and if you follow their desires after  the knowledge that has come to you, then you shall most surely be among  the unjust.

Just follow Allah!   Don't let others lead you astray.

 [2.146] Those  whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons,  and a party of them most surely conceal the truth while they know (it).

The pesky Jews and Christians try to conceal the  prophethood of Mohammad. 

 [2.147] The  truth is from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the doubters.

[2.148] And every one has a direction to which he should turn,  therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring  you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.

[2.149]  And from whatsoever place you come forth, turn your face towards the  Sacred Mosque; and surely it is the very truth from your Lord, and Allah  is not at all heedless of what you do.

[2.150] And from  whatsoever place you come forth, turn your face towards the Sacred  Mosque; and wherever you are turn your faces towards it, so that people  shall have no accusation against you, except such of them as are unjust;  so do not fear them, and fear Me, that I may complete My favor on you  and that you may walk on the right course.

Fear me!  Do what I say! Believe what I say!

 [2.151] Even as  We have sent among you an Apostle from among you who recites to you Our  communications and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the wisdom  and teaches you that which you did not know.

Mohammad's mission.

 [2.152]  Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and  do not be ungrateful to Me.

But remember me.

 [2.153] O you  who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah  is with the patient.

And pray to me

 [2.154] And do  not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are)  alive, but you do not perceive.

And  remember the martyrs. 

 [2.155] And We  will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of  property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient,

[2.156]  Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah's and to  Him we shall surely return.

[2.157] Those are they on whom  are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of  the right course.

But Allah reserves the  right to test you in whatever manner he wishes.  Even though he knows  everything and made everything happen, he will test you just to check  you are still a believer.  How thoughtful.  What a way to to ensure that  people don't question his existence in times of trouble. Oh, no, He is  just testing me.

 [2.158] Surely the Safa and the  Marwa are among the signs appointed by Allah; so whoever makes a  pilgrimage to the House or pays a visit (to it), there is no blame on  him if he goes round them both; and whoever does good spontaneously,  then surely Allah is Grateful, Knowing.

[2.159] Surely those  who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We  made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse,  and those who curse shall curse them (too).

[2.160] Except  those who repent and amend and make manifest (the truth), these it is to  whom I turn (mercifully); and I am the Oft-returning (to mercy), the  Merciful.

[2.161] Surely those who disbelieve and die while  they are disbelievers, these it is on whom is the curse of Allah and the  angels and men all;

[2.162] Abiding in it; their  chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be given respite.

[2.163] And your God is one God! there is no god but He; He is  the Beneficent, the Merciful.

And we end today's  piece of The Cow with some hell fire and mercy!  Surprised?

Genesis 8

2010-06-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

And magically, it all dries up.

Genesis Chapter 8

 1And God remembered  Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in  the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

 2The fountains also  of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from  heaven was restrained;

 3And the waters  returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the  hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.

 4And the ark rested  in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the  mountains of Ararat.

 5And the waters  decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth [month], on  the first [day] of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

For 9 months (roughly 274 days) Noah, his family, and all the worlds animals  were on a boat together.  How long do you think it would take them to  feed all the different species?  How did they get enough food?  An  elephant can eat upwards of 300 pounds of food a day.  For one elephant  to eat normally for 9 months it would need at least 82,200 pounds of  food.  That is just one of the animals supposedly on board the yacht.   Who brought all that food aboard?  Or did everyone just live off of  God's love...

 6And it came to pass  at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which  he had made:

 7And he sent forth a  raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from  off the earth.

 8Also he sent forth a  dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of  the ground;

 9But the dove found  no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the  ark, for the waters [were] on the face of the whole earth: then he put  forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.

So the poor raven is just flying around back and forth? I don't think birds do that.  Wouldn't it have returned also?

 10And he stayed  yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

 11And the dove  came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth [was] an olive leaf  pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the  earth.

Amazing how it survived under water for 9 months.

 12And he stayed  yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again  unto him any more.

 13And it came to  pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the  first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth:  and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the  face of the ground was dry.

 14And in the  second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth  dried.

Logically the Earth couldn't dry that quickly.  Unless someone turned the power of the sun waaaay up.

 15And God spake  unto Noah, saying,

 16Go forth of the  ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.

 17Bring forth with  thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of  fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the  earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and  multiply upon the earth.

No casualties mentioned.

 18And Noah went  forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:

 19Every beast,  every creeping thing, and every fowl, [and] whatsoever creepeth upon the  earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

 20And Noah builded  an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every  clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

How are they supposed to multiply when he is killing them off?  Also, that is a lot of animals to sacrifice.  How long did that take?

 21And the LORD  smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again  curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's  heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more  every thing living, as I have done.

 22While the earth  remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and  winter, and day and night shall not cease.

God's covenant.  Does God show remorse.  Is that possible?  If God is omniscient, shouldn't he have known he was going to be remorseful?  While the God of the Bible is easier to read about than Allah of the Koran, he makes just as much sense.

Genesis 7

2010-06-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

The story of great deluge is one that has been repeated throughout history in many civilizations. There is no archeological or geological proof that this ever occurred. Wikipedia gives a long list of different cultures that feature the flood myth. Because this is such a common, unbelievable story, I won't bother dissecting the text. It is more interesting to check out the various cultures that have at some point ascribe to this belief. The Genesis text follows...

Genesis Chapter 7

 1And the  LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee  have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

 2Of  every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male  and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and  his female.

 3Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and  the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

 4For yet  seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and  forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy  from off the face of the earth.

 5And Noah did according unto  all that the LORD commanded him.

 6And Noah [was] six hundred  years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

 7And Noah  went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into  the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

 8Of clean  beasts, and of beasts that [are] not clean, and of fowls, and of every  thing that creepeth upon the earth,

 9There went in two and two unto  Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

 10And it  came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon  the earth.

  11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month,  the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of  the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

 12And the  rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

 13In the  selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of  Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into  the ark;

  14They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after  their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after  his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

 15And they  went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is]  the breath of life.

 16And they that went in, went in male and female  of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

 17And the  flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare  up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

 18And the  waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark  went upon the face of the waters.

 19And the waters prevailed  exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under  the whole heaven, were covered.

 20Fifteen cubits upward did the waters  prevail; and the mountains were covered.

 21And all  flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and  of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and  every man:

  22All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, of all that  [was] in the dry [land], died.

 23And every living substance was  destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle,  and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were  destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that  [were] with him in the ark.

 24And the waters prevailed upon the  earth an hundred and fifty days.

Koran: The Cow, Part 4

2010-06-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

After this post, we will be half way through the first sura of the Koran.

[2.82]  And (as for) those  who believe and do good deeds, these are  the  dwellers of the garden; in  it they shall abide.

The promise of heaven once again.  Islam seems to focus heavily on the idea of heaven and a reward for good deeds and belief.  Mohammad went for the hard sell.

[2.83]  And when We made a covenant with  the children of Israel: You  shall  not serve any but Allah and (you  shall do) good to (your)  parents, and  to the near of kin and to the  orphans and the needy,  and you shall  speak to men good words and keep  up prayer and pay  the poor-rate. Then  you turned back except a few of  you and (now  too) you turn aside.

Allah reminds the people about the covenant he made with the Children of Israel:

1. There is no God but Allah

2. Honor your parents and family

3. Be good to orphans and the needy

4. Spread the word

5. Pray

6. Give me your money

He claims that they turned his back on him.

[2.84]  And when We made a  covenant with you: You shall not  shed your blood  and you shall not turn  your people out of your  cities; then you gave a  promise while you  witnessed.

[2.85]  Yet you it  is who slay your people and turn a  party from  among you out of their  homes, backing each other up against   them unlawfully and exceeding the  limits; and if they should come  to  you, as captives you would ransom  them-- while their very  turning out  was unlawful for you. Do you then  believe in a part  of the Book and  disbelieve in the other? What then  is the re ward  of such among you as  do this but disgrace in the life  of this  world, and on the day of  resurrection they shall be sent back  to  the most grievous chastisement,  and Allah is not at all heedless   of what you do.

[2.86]   These are they who buy  the life of this world for the  hereafter, so  their chastisement shall  not be lightened nor shall  they be helped.

Allah said that part of the Covenant was that there would be no murder and people would not be forced to leave from their dwellings.  Supposedly this covenant was broken.  He questions the Children of Israel about how they can follow parts of the Book and not others.  But of course, Allah is watching and that means punishment.

[2.87]   And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles  after   him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium,  clear   arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What!  whenever   then an apostle came to you with that  which your souls did not desire,   you were insolent so you called  some liars and some you slew.

[2.88]   And they say: Our hearts are covered. Nay, Allah has cursed  them on   account of their unbelief; so little it is that they  believe.

Isa = Jesus, Marium = Mary.  Allah is complaining of the treatment of the prophets and how the Children of Israel called some liars and killed others.

[2.89]   And when there came to them a Book from Allah verifying that  which   they have, and aforetime they used to pray for victory  against those   who disbelieve, but when there came to them  (Prophet) that which they   did not recognize, they disbelieved in  him; so Allah's curse is on the   unbelievers.

[2.90]  Evil is that for which  they have sold  their souls-- that they  should deny what Allah has  revealed, out of  envy that Allah  should send down of His grace on  whomsoever of His  servants He  pleases; so they have made themselves  deserving of wrath  upon  wrath, and there is a disgraceful punishment  for the unbelievers.

I don't think this is clear.  Supposedly Allah is talking about how people don't believe Mohammad is his prophet.  Regardless, such disbelief can only end in one thing...punishment!  Seriously, the mentions of punishment in this surah far outweigh those of reward.

[2.91]   And when it is said to  them, Believe in what Allah has  revealed, they  say: We believe in that  which was revealed to us;  and they deny what is  besides that, while  it is the truth  verifying that which they have.  Say: Why then did you  kill  Allah's Prophets before if you were indeed  believers?

Allah is very big on reiteration and not so big on clarity.  Here the Bible comes into play again.  The complaint is that people are doubting Allah.  The people say that they do believe in the Bible.  Yet Allah notes that they doubt the Koran which (supposedly) only serves to verify the Bible.  He tells Mohammad to ask them why the people killed Allah's prophets.  In this one ayah alone there is discourse between Allah and the people and between Allah and Mohammad.

[2.92]  And most certainly Musa came to you with  clear arguments,  then you  took the calf (for a god) in his absence and  you were  unjust.

[2.93]  And when We made a covenant with you  and raised the mountain  over  you: Take hold of what We have given you  with firmness and  be  obedient. They said: We hear and disobey. And they  were made  to imbibe  (the love of) the calf into their hearts on  account of  their unbelief  Say: Evil is that which your belief bids you  if  you are believers.

Supposedly Allah already forgave the people for this transgression- remember, he killed them and then brought them back to life.  Regardless, those that he is preaching to aren't the ones who participated in the actions.  They are removed from the action by almost 2 millenniums.  Allah does not seem merciful if he can't learn to let it go and just preach to those that now (those of the 600 CE)exist.

[2.94]  Say: If the future abode with  Allah is specially for you to  the  exclusion of the people, then invoke  death if you are  truthful.

[2.95]  And they will never invoke  it on account of what their hands  have  sent before, and Allah knows the  unjust.

[2.96]  And you will most certainly find them the  greediest of men  for life  (greedier) than even those who are  polytheists; every  one of them  loves that he should be granted a life  of a thousand  years, and his  being granted a long life will in no way  remove  him further off from  the chastisement, and Allah sees what they do.

Ah, and here we question the people's faith!  I find this an interesting question even in modern times. Basically, if you believe you are going to heaven, why not wish for death?  If heaven is so great and you KNOW it exists and that it is your final destination, wouldn't you be excited to die?  Wouldn't you be happy for others who are dying (whom you believe to be heaven-bound)?  Of course, Allah is having Mohammad question the Jews (as it is interpreted on Allah.com) because they have supposedly transgressed against Allah, and the Jews are somehow aware of this.  But, alas, Allah knows all and somehow, someone, somewhere will be punished.

[2.97]   Say: Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel-- for surely he revealed  it to   your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which is  before it and   guidance and good news for the believers.

Generally, whenever the Koran says "Say" it is a command to Mohammad from Allah.  Here we have Allah wanting Mohammad to attest to the revelation he (Mohammad) received from Gabriel which verifies the bible and gives guidance for the believers. 

[2.98]  Whoever is  the enemy of Allah and His angels and His apostles  and  Jibreel and  Meekaeel, so surely Allah is the enemy of the  unbelievers.

[2.99]   And certainly We have revealed to you clear communications  and none   disbelieve in them except the transgressors.

[2.100]  What!  whenever they make a covenant, a party of them cast it  aside?  Nay, most  of them do not believe.

[2.101]  And when  there came to them  an Apostle from Allah verifying  that which they  have, a party of those  who were given the Book  threw the Book of Allah  behind their backs as  if they knew  nothing.

[2.102]  And they followed what the  Shaitans chanted of sorcery in  the reign  of Sulaiman, and Sulaiman was  not an unbeliever, but  the Shaitans  disbelieved, they taught men  sorcery and that was  sent down to the two  angels at Babel, Harut and  Marut, yet these  two taught no man until  they had said, "Surely we are  only a  trial, therefore do not be a  disbeliever." Even then men learned   from these two, magic by which  they might cause a separation  between a  man and his wife; and they  cannot hurt with it any one  except with  Allah's permission, and they  learned what harmed  them and did not  profit them, and certainly they  know that he who  bought it should have  no share of good in the  hereafter and evil  was the price for which they  sold their souls, had  they but  known this.

[2.103]  And if  they had  believed and guarded themselves (against  evil), reward from  Allah  would certainly have been better; had  they but known (this).

But those pesky unbelievers! Allah thinks we should know that the Koran and its revelation(s) are obviously true.  It's just those transgressors that don't believe it.  But believe and be rewarded!

[2.104]   O you who believe! do not say Raina and say Unzurna and  listen, and   for the unbelievers there is a painful chastisement.

Raina= evil; Unzurna= Look after us.  Yeah, this ayah makes no sense to me, except for the punishment part.  

[2.105]   Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do  not  like,  nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent  down to you  from  your Lord, and Allah chooses especially whom He  pleases for His  mercy,  and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.

The Jews, Christians and polytheists don't like what Allah is doing.  Why would they when Allah keeps telling them they are going to hell unless they follow him?

[2.106]  Whatever  communications We abrogate or cause to be  forgotten, We  bring one  better than it or like it. Do you not  know that Allah has  power over  all things?

[2.107]  Do you not know that  Allah's is the  kingdom of the heavens  and the earth, and that besides  Allah you have  no guardian or  helper?

[2.108]  Rather you wish to put  questions to your Apostle, as Musa  was  questioned before; and whoever  adopts unbelief instead of  faith, he  indeed has lost the right  direction of the way.

But Allah is here to bring you the real word!  And he is powerful! Just don't question him or ask for proof.

[2.109]  Many of the followers of the  Book wish that they could turn  you back  into unbelievers after your  faith, out of envy from  themselves, (even)  after the truth has become  manifest to them;  but pardon and forgive,  so that Allah should bring  about His  command; surely Allah has power  over all things.

Those Jews will try to convert you!  (Gee, I wonder why there is such division between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East...)

[2.110]   And keep up prayer and  pay the poor-rate and whatever good  you send  before for yourselves,  you shall find it with Allah;  surely Allah sees  what you do.

Ignore them and do what I told you to do.

[2.111]  And they say: None shall enter the garden  (or paradise)  except he who  is a Jew or a Christian. These are their  vain  desires. Say: Bring  your proof if you are truthful.

[2.112]   Yes!  whoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is  the doer of  good  (to others) he has his reward from his Lord, and  there is no fear  for  him nor shall he grieve.

Ha!  The Muslims should require proof from the Jews and Christians in regard to their righteousness, but what proof do they themselves offer?  

[2.113]  And the Jews say: The   Christians do not follow anything  (good) and the Christians say: The   Jews do not follow anything  (good) while they recite the (same) Book.   Even thus say those who  have no knowledge, like to what they say; so   Allah shall  judge between them on the day of resurrection in what they    differ.

Has there ever been a religious text that flat out questioned other religions by name?  What a way to sow hatred.

[2.114]  And who is more unjust  than he who prevents  (men)  from the masjids of Allah, that His name  should be remembered  in  them, and strives to ruin them? (As for)  these, it was not  proper for  them that they should have entered them  except in  fear; they shall meet  with disgrace in this world, and they  shall  have great chastisement in  the hereafter.

[2.115]  And Allah's is the East and the West,  therefore, whither  you turn,  thither is Allah's purpose; surely Allah  is  Amplegiving,  Knowing.

As I read the Koran, I have less hope for peace in the Middle East if people are willing to take this book verbatim.  Religion is such a destructive, ignorant force.  

[2.116]  And they say: Allah has  taken to himself a son. Glory be  to Him;  rather, whatever is in the  heavens and the earth is His;  all are  obedient to Him.

[2.117]   Wonderful Originator of  the heavens and the earth, and  when He decrees  an affair, He only  says to it, Be, so there it  is.

Regarding Jesus as the son of God/Allah, which is seen as blasphemous.

[2.118]   And those  who have no knowledge say: Why does not  Allah speak to us or a  sign  come to us? Even thus said those  before them, the like of what  they  say; their hearts are all alike.  Indeed We have made the   communications clear for a people  who are sure.

Only those that are "sure" are getting the signs from Allah... that's not self-fulfilling prophecy or anything.  

[2.119]   Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of  good news and  as a  warner, and you shall not be called upon to  answer for the  companions  of the flaming fire.

[2.120]  And the  Jews will not be pleased  with you, nor the  Christians until you follow  their religion. Say:  Surely Allah's  guidance, that is the (true)  guidance. And if you follow  their  desires after the knowledge that has  come to you, you shall have   no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.

[2.121]  Those to  whom We have given the Book read it as it  ought to be read.  These  believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in  it, these it is that  are the  losers.

I've grown weary of Allah's need to reiterate that the Koran is the "true" book for the "true" believers.  Seriously, does he have to work that hard to convince us?

Koran: The Cow Part 3

2010-06-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

[2.49]    And when We delivered you from Firon's people, who subjected  you to    severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women,  and in this    there was a great trial from your Lord.

[2.50]   And when We  parted the sea for you, so We saved you and  drowned the   followers of  Firon and you watched by.

This details the Israelite's torture at Pharaoh's hand and how Allah rescued his people.

[2.51]   And when We appointed a time  of forty nights with Musa, then  you  took  the calf (for a god) after him  and you were unjust.

[2.52]   Then We pardoned you after that  so that you might give  thanks.

When Moses was hanging out with Allah, the people began worshiping a golden calf.  Allah forgives them.  It is interesting that it states that the people were forgiven so that they might give thanks to Allah.  It seems that Allah forgave them for his own purposes.

[2.53]   And when We gave Musa  the Book and the distinction that you  might   walk aright.

[2.54]  And when Musa said to   his people: O my people! you have  surely been  unjust to yourselves by   taking the calf (for a god),  therefore turn to  your Creator   (penitently), so kill your people,  that is best for you  with your   Creator: so He turned to you  (mercifully), for surely He is  the   Oft-returning (to mercy), the  Merciful.

When Moses returned with "the Book" (what book?) and the knowledge necessary for the Muslims to worship Allah he found them worshiping the calf.  He told them to slay themselves for Allah would then accept their repentance since he is merciful.  When I imagine a merciful being, his or her's mercy is not dependent on martyrdom.    

[2.55]   And when  you said: O Musa! we will not believe in you until  we see   Allah  manifestly, so the punishment overtook you while you  looked on.

[2.56]    Then We raised you up after your death that you may give  thanks.

Here it is believed that because the people asked Moses to manifest Allah, Allah struck the people down with lightning (not clear in this translation, it was clearer in another one I found; I will switch to that one after this surah) and then raised them from the dead so that they could be thankful.  When Mohammad created this reiteration of God, I think he could have made him kinder and more efficient.  Or is that just not believable?

[2.57]    And We made the clouds to give shade over you and We sent to  you   manna  and quails: Eat of the good things that We have given  you; and   they  did not do Us any harm, but they made their own  souls suffer the   loss.

Here we should forget that Allah just killed everyone in order to raise them from the dead and remember that he is so giving.

[2.58]  And when We said: Enter   this city, then eat from it a  plenteous (food)  wherever you wish, and   enter the gate making  obeisance, and say,  forgiveness. We will  forgive  you your wrongs  and give more to those who  do good (to  others).

[2.59]  But those who were  unjust changed  it for a saying other than  that  which had been spoken  to them, so We  sent upon those who  were unjust a  pestilence from  heaven, because they  transgressed.

I imagine those that were unjust where the Jews or the Christians who supposedly perverted the word of Allah to suit their own purposes.  I just can't imagine religion doing such a thing... The always merciful Allah then punished them.  I should keep tally of how many times Merciful is said and how many times "punished" or some variant is used.

[2.60]  And when  Musa prayed for drink for his  people, We said:  Strike the  rock with  your staff So there gushed from  it twelve  springs; each  tribe knew  its drinking place: Eat and drink of  the  provisions of  Allah and do  not act corruptly in the land, making   mischief.

Allah provides provisions and expects the people to be happy with them.  Alas...

[2.61]   And when you said: O Musa! we cannot bear  with one food,  therefore   pray Lord on our behalf to bring forth for us  out of  what the earth   grows, of its herbs and its cucumbers and its   garlic and its lentils   and its onions. He said: Will you exchange  that  which is better for   that which is worse? Enter a city, so you  will have  what you ask for.   And abasement and humiliation were  brought down upon  them, and they   became deserving of Allah's  wrath; this was so because  they   disbelieved in the  communications of Allah and killed the prophets    unjustly; this  was so because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits.

...the people tell Moses they want variety of food!  Desire for things beyond what Allah has granted brings abasement, of course. Can you imagine bringing down the wrath of the almighty by desiring more than what you have?   Shouldn't people want more, and then strive to be better and do more to achieve it?  No, of course not.  People should only strive to serve Allah and believe and worship him.

[2.62]    Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the       Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the  Last day    and does good, they shall have their reward from their  Lord, and   there  is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.

Once again, believers will be rewarded.

[2.63]   And when  We took a promise from you and lifted the mountain  over  you:  Take hold  of the law (Tavrat) We have given you with  firmness  and  bear in mind  what is in it, so that you may guard  (against evil).

[2.64]    Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace  of   Allah  and His mercy on you, you would certainly have been  among the   losers.

I have been unable to find what mountain was lifted.  These verses supposedly talk of a covenant made with Allah and how, because he is merciful, he forgave the people turning his back on it.

[2.65]  And certainly you have   known those among you who exceeded the  limits  of the Sabbath, so We   said to them: Be (as) apes, despised  and hated.

[2.66]    So We made them an example to those who witnessed it  and  those who    came after it, and an admonition to those who guard   (against evil). 

Which Sabbath is to be observed?  We have three days up for contention: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  While we aren't specifically given that information, we do know that not observing the sabbath leads to punishment.  Surprising, no?

[2.67]    And when Musa said to his people: Surely Allah commands you  that you    should sacrifice a cow; they said: Do you ridicule us?  He said: I  seek   the protection of Allah from being one of the  ignorant.

[2.68]    They said: Call on your Lord for our sake to make it plain to  us  what   she is. Musa said: He says, Surely she is a cow neither  advanced  in  age  nor too young, of middle age between that (and  this); do  therefore   what you are commanded.

[2.69] They said:   Call on your Lord  for our sake to make it plain to  us what her color   is. Musa said: He  says, Surely she is a yellow  cow; her color is   intensely yellow, giving  delight to the  beholders.

[2.70]   They said: Call on your  Lord for our sake to make it plain to  us  what  she is, for surely to us  the cows are all alike, and if  Allah  please  we shall surely be guided  aright.

[2.71]  Musa said:  He says, Surely she is a cow not  made submissive  that she  should  plough the land, nor does she irrigate  the tilth;  sound,  without a  blemish in her. They said: Now you have  brought  the truth;  so they  sacrificed her, though they had not the mind   to do (it).

Because Allah is able to specifically "say" which cow he wants sacrificed, the people are satisfied with his divinity and follow his orders.

[2.72]   And when you killed a man, then you  disagreed with  respect to that,   and Allah was to bring forth that which  you were  going to hide.

[2.73]   So We said: Strike the (dead  body) with part of the  (Sacrificed  cow),  thus Allah brings the dead to  life, and He  shows you His signs  so  that you may understand.

[2.74]  Then your  hearts  hardened after that, so that they were like  rocks,  rather  worse in  hardness; and surely there are some rocks  from which  streams  burst  forth, and surely there are some of them  which split  asunder  so water  issues out of them, and surely there  are some of them  which  fall down  for fear of Allah, and Allah is  not at all heedless of  what  you do.

When reading about the Koran, I learned that within it Allah refers two types of verses.  Basically, one is easy to understand and it's meaning is clear, the other is vague and difficult to understand.  Due to the lack of linearity, I think there are a lot of verses that fall on the latter side.  As I read through this I don't understand how people can believe in it while lacking comprehension.  The randomness does not seemed inspired or contrived, but set down by a poorly educated hand.  There are plenty verses that seem out of place and the previous three are no exception.  It appears that after the sacrifice, someone, or everyone, killed a man.  Allah brought him back to life by throwing some meat on him.  Instead of pleasing the people by his show of divinity, some were put off.  Regardless, as always, Allah knows what you do.

[2.75]  Do you then hope that  they would believe  in you, and a party  from  among them indeed used to  hear the Word of  Allah, then  altered it  after they had understood  it, and they know  (this).

There are times in the Koran when the voice portrayed is Allah, times when it is Mohammad, and times when it is Allah speaking to Mohammad.  This is supposed to be the latter.  Allah says that the Jews have heard his word and altered it... and they know it.

[2.76]  And when  they meet those who believe they say:  We believe,  and when  they are  alone one with another they say: Do you  talk to  them of what  Allah  has disclosed to you that they may contend   with you by this  before  your Lord? Do you not then understand?

[2.77]   Do they  not know that Allah knows what they keep secret and  what they   make  known?

[2.78] And there are among them   illiterates who  know not the Book  but only lies, and they do but   conjecture.

[2.79]  Woe, then, to those who   write the book with their hands and  then say:  This is from Allah, so   that they may take for it a  small price;  therefore woe to them for   what their hands have  written and woe to them  for what they earn.

[2.80]   And they say: Fire shall not touch  us but for a few days.  Say: Have   you received a promise from Allah,  then Allah will not  fail to  perform  His promise, or do you speak  against Allah what  you do not  know?

[2.81]  Yeal whoever earns  evil and his sins beset him on every  side,  these  are the inmates of  the fire; in it they shall abide.

And here we have some reason for Muslims to hate the Jews.  Allah has already said the Jews altered his teachings.  Now he tells us that they are aware that they have done so, and that they (the Jews) think they are only going to hell for a few days.  But no, Allah says they shall roast forever.  No mercy there.

Genesis 6

2010-06-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Genesis Chapter 6

 1And it came to  pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters  were born unto them,

 2That the sons of  God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them  wives of all which they chose.

And we come across polygamy. 

Why is it that the sons are of God and the daughters are merely of men?  God really plays favorites in the bible.  How do modern women deal with these constant reminders of God's patriarchal preferences?

 3And the LORD said,  My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh:  yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Why cut back from 900?

 4There were giants  in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God  came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the  same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.

Some Christians will argue that the word "giants" is not used in the manner that we would use it now.  I quick search though has shown that there are Christians that do in fact take it to mean physical giants.

 5And GOD saw that  the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every  imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

 6And it repented the  LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his  heart.

 7And the LORD said, I  will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both  man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it  repenteth me that I have made them.

God regrets his creation and resolves to destroy it.  This doesn't seem to point in the direction of omniscience.

 8But Noah found  grace in the eyes of the LORD.

 9These [are] the  generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his  generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

I am talking the "walked with God" as metaphorical for following God.  I do wonder whether evangelicals decipher it in this way or if they think of it as a physical constitutional.

 10And Noah begat  three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 11The earth also  was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

 12And God looked  upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted  his way upon the earth.

 13And God said  unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is  filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with  the earth.

 14Make thee an ark  of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it  within and without with pitch.

 15And this [is the  fashion] which thou shalt make it [of]: The length of the ark [shall  be] three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height  of it thirty cubits.

 16A window shalt  thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the  door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; [with] lower,  second, and third [stories] shalt thou make it.

Pretty specific building instructions.  Why doesn't God present him with the ark?  Why force him to build it.  He shows Noah his preference and warns him, why not help him a little more?

 17And, behold, I,  even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh,  wherein [is] the breath of life, from under heaven; [and] every thing  that [is] in the earth shall die.

 18But with thee  will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou,  and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

 19And of every  living thing of all flesh, two of every [sort] shalt thou bring into the  ark, to keep [them] alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

 20Of fowls after  their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of  the earth after his kind, two of every [sort] shall come unto thee, to  keep [them] alive.

So basically everything is going to be inbred again.  Why is God going through all this trouble?  If he wants to destroy creation and try again, why not just smite everything and be done with it.  If he regrets the violence being done by things of flesh, shouldn't he start over and do a better job?

 21And take thou  unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather [it] to thee;  and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

 22Thus did Noah;  according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

I was hoping that there would be some kind of timeline here to see test out the ages from the last chapter of Genesis.  Perhaps next time.

LA Lawmakers = Ridiculous

2010-06-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

This is ridiculous and probably unconstitutional.

Koran, The Cow Part 2

2010-06-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

And we continue with the first chapter of the Koran. 

[2.28]  How do you deny Allah  and you were dead and He gave you life?  Again  He will cause you to die  and again bring you to life, then  you shall  be brought back to Him.

The question here appears to be, how can we deny Allah when he is the creator?  Somehow, disbelievers will be made into believers once Allah causes them to die and then brings them back to life.  Since Allah created the disbelievers in the first place, this seems a bit much.  Wouldn't it have been more efficient for him to just create everyone as a believer instead of going through all this trouble?

[2.29]  He it is Who created for  you all that is in the earth, and He  directed  Himself to the heaven,  so He made them complete seven  heavens, and He  knows all things.

According to Islam there are several heavens: 
Firdaus (the highest)
‘Adn
Na’iim
Na’wa
Darussalaam
Daarul Muaqaamah
Al-Muqqamul Amin
Khuldi (the lowest)
 

[2.30]  And when your Lord said to the  angels, I am going to place in  the  earth a khalif, they said: What!  wilt Thou place in it such  as shall  make mischief in it and shed blood,  and we celebrate Thy  praise and  extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I  know what you do  not know.

A Khalif in Islam is like a priest for Catholicism, they are Allah's representative on Earth.  Also spelled caliph.  I find this verse confusing.  Are the angels afraid for the Khalif?

[2.31]  And He taught Adam all the  names, then presented them to the  angels;  then He said: Tell me the  names of those if you are  right.

[2.32]  They said: Glory be  to Thee! we have no knowledge but that  which Thou  hast taught us;  surely Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.

[2.33]  He said: O Adam!  inform them of their names. Then when he had   informed them of their  names, He said: Did I not say to you that  I  surely know what is ghaib  in the heavens and the earth and  (that) I  know what you manifest and  what you hide?

Who are the angels?  Why do they not know their own names?  The Koran is not linear in its timeline, so perhaps these questions will be answered later.  Ghaib means what is unseen and unknown.  Allah, then, is all knowing.

[2.34]  And when We said to the angels: Make  obeisance to Adam they  did  obeisance, but Iblis (did it not). He  refused and he was  proud, and he  was one of the unbelievers.

How can an unbelieving angel exist?

[2.35]  And We  said: O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the  garden and eat  from it a  plenteous (food) wherever you wish and  do not approach this  tree, for  then you will be of the unjust.

[2.36] But the   Shaitan made them both fall from it, and caused them  to depart from   that (state) in which they were; and We said: Get  forth, some of you   being the enemies of others, and there is for  you in the earth an abode   and a provision for a time.

Adam and his nameless wife are in a garden where they cannot eat the fruit of a certain tree. The Devil tempts them both and they are expelled from the garden.  Since Islam is an Abrahamic religion, it is to be expected that there will be parallels between the Old Testament and the Koran.  It will be interesting to see at what points they diverge.

[2.37] Then Adam  received (some)  words from his Lord, so He turned  to him mercifully;  surely He is  Oft-returning (to mercy), the  Merciful. 

[2.38]  We said: Go  forth from this (state) all; so surely there  will come to  you a  guidance from Me, then whoever follows My  guidance, no fear  shall come  upon them, nor shall they grieve.

If Allah predetermines who shall believe, does he predetermine Adam's fall?  If that is the case, he would not be merciful.  Also, how is Allah merciful in this situation?  He is expelling Adam from the place where he set him.  Sure, he offers him guidance, but he also could have forgiven him for eating from the tree.

[2.39]  And (as to) those who  disbelieve in and reject My  communications,  they are the inmates of  the fire, in it they  shall abide.

I don't believe that the bible actually makes a reference to hell, at least not as it is popularly perceived.  The Koran has already made two references to unbelievers in a hellish inferno.

[2.40]  O children of  Israel! call to mind My favor which I bestowed  on you  and be faithful  to (your) covenant with Me, I will fulfill  (My)  covenant with you; and  of Me, Me alone, should you be  afraid.

What is the covenant that Allah made?  Is this something we will learn later because of the lack of linear organization or is the covenant just the promise of heaven?

[2.41]  And believe in  what I have revealed, verifying that which is  with  you, and be not the  first to deny it, neither take a mean  price in  exchange for My  communications; and Me, Me alone should  you fear.

[2.42]  And  do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the  truth  while  you know (it).

[2.43] And keep up prayer and  pay the poor-rate  and bow down with  those who bow down.

[2.44]  What! do you  enjoin men to be good and neglect your own  souls  while  you read the  Book; have you then no sense? 

Allah's expectations:

Believe in me

Believe what I say

Fear me

Don't make stuff up, just spread my work

Pray to me

Pay your zakat: 2.5% of your yearly wealth

Worship with other believers

Don't just read, do

[2.45]  And seek assistance  through patience and prayer, and most  surely it  is a hard thing except  for the humble ones,

[2.46]  Who know that they shall meet  their Lord and that they shall  return  to Him.

A reiteration on the need for prayer.  It seems the basic premise is that Allah must be exalted and all must humble themselves before him.

[2.47] O  children of Israel!  call to mind My favor which I bestowed  on you and  that I made you  excel the nations.

[2.48] And be on your guard   against a day when one soul shall not  avail another in the least,   neither shall intercession on its  behalf be accepted, nor shall any   compensation be taken from it,  nor shall they be helped.

Allah offers a warning to his believers.  I think the warning is a bit unclear.  I know this is probably because I wasn't raised in this tradition.  To me it implies that there will come a time when your soul cannot be helped, that it will be going to its predetermined place and no one can assist it.

Genesis 5

2010-06-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

This chapter of Genesis gives us the generations of Adam. I include it here only because it gives information on the longevity of the first characters.

Genesis Chapter 5

 1This  [is] the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created  man, in the likeness of God made he him;

 2Male  and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name  Adam, in the day when they were created.

So Eve was technically called by Adam's name?  I imagine this is part of the whole "dominion" thing.   

 3And  Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own  likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

 4And  the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years:  and he begat sons and daughters:

 5And  all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he  died.

 6And  Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

 7And  Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat  sons and daughters:

 8And  all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

 9And  Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:

 10And  Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and  begat sons and daughters:

 11And  all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

 12And  Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:

 13And  Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years,  and begat sons and daughters:

 14And  all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

 15And  Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

 16And  Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years,  and begat sons and daughters:

 17And  all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years:  and he died.

 18And  Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:

 19And  Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons  and daughters:

 20And  all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he  died.

 21And  Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

 22And  Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years,  and begat sons and daughters:

 23And  all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

 24And  Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.

Is walking with God a metaphor for death or was this supposed to be the first ascension into heaven?  A google search shows that we will be hearing more about Enoch and his non-corporeal death in a later  book. 

 25And  Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:

 26And  Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two  years, and begat sons and daughters:

 27And  all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and  he died.

 28And  Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:

 29And  he called his name Noah, saying, This [same] shall comfort us  concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which  the LORD hath cursed.

 30And  Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years,  and begat sons and daughters:

 31And  all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and  he died.

 32And  Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

In order for Lamech and Methuselah to reach old age the flood would've had to happen when Noah was 600 years old.  Either that, or they would need to be on the Arc.  We'll have to see what the flood story says. 

Koran: The Cow, Part 1

2010-06-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is the first chapter of the Koran. Check out Wikipedia for information regarding the layout of the Koran.

The Cow

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

[2.1]  Alif Lam Mim.

[2.2] This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a  guide to those who  guard (against evil).

It's always nice when a book tells you what it is, and that it is unquestionable.  Shouldn't this raise some eyebrows already? 

[2.3] Those who  believe in the unseen and keep up prayer and  spend out of what We have  given them.

[2.4] And who believe in that which has been  revealed to you  and that which was revealed before you and they are  sure of the  hereafter.

[2.5] These are on a right course from  their Lord and these it is  that shall be successful.

A true believer must:

1. Believe without evidence

2. Deal with the hand they were dealt

3. Believe what this book says  

[2.6]  Surely those who disbelieve, it being alike to them whether  you warn  them, or do not warn them, will not believe.

[2.7] Allah has  set a seal upon their hearts and upon their  hearing and there is a  covering over their eyes, and there is a  great punishment for them.

I think that the manner in which the Koran addresses unbelievers may be unique.  To have it written by Mohammad that unbelievers will be unbelievers and that Allah not only made it so, but will punish them for it.  Predetermination much?

[2.8]  And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah  and the last  day; and they are not at all believers.

[2.9] They desire to  deceive Allah and those who believe, and  they deceive only themselves  and they do not perceive.

[2.10] There is a disease in their  hearts, so Allah added to their  disease and they shall have a painful  chastisement because they lied.

Pascal's wager will not help you in the eyes of Allah.  He will know whether you faked it or not.

[2.11] And when it is said to  them, Do not make mischief in the  land, they say: We are but  peace-makers.

[2.12] Now surely they themselves are the  mischief makers, but they  do not perceive.

I am confused by these two lines.  Do they refer to the fakers?  Regardless, it is interesting that the perceived reality of those who say they are peace-makers is being questioned.  I feel like this opens the door for believers to label others as they see fit for their faith.

[2.13] And when it  is said to them: Believe as the people believe  they say: Shall we  believe as the fools believe? Now surely they  themselves are the fools,  but they do not know.

So we are talking of the fakers.  

[2.14] And when they meet those who  believe, they say: We believe;  and when they are alone with their  Shaitans, they say: Surely we  are with you, we were only mocking.

[2.15]  Allah shall pay them back their mockery, and He leaves them  alone in  their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.

[2.16] These are they  who buy error for the right direction, so  their bargain shall bring no  gain, nor are they the followers of  the right direction.

Allah warns: playing both sides gets you nothing in the end.

[2.17]  Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire  but when  it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their  light, and left  them in utter darkness-- they do not see.

[2.18] Deaf, dumb  (and) blind, so they will not turn back.

Is this parable elsewhere? It seems to be lacking in substance.  Why would Allah take the light?  Unless, of course, it is reason that illumined around our fire-starter.  Reason is dangerous and anathema to religion. 

[2.19] Or like  abundant rain from the cloud in which is utter  darkness and thunder and  lightning; they put their fingers into  their ears because of the  thunder peal, for fear of death, and  Allah encompasses the unbelievers.

[2.20]  The lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it  shines on  them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them  they stand  still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly  have taken away  their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has  power over all things.

If it was Allah that made certain people disbelievers, or keeps disbelievers as disbelievers, why go on about what he can do to them?

[2.21]  O men! serve your Lord Who created you and those before you  so that  you may guard (against evil).

[2.22] Who made the earth a  resting place for you and the heaven a  canopy and (Who) sends down rain  from the cloud then brings forth  with it subsistence for you of the  fruits; therefore do not set  up rivals to Allah while you know.

Do not have any other gods, other than Allah!  That sounds familiar.  Here we learn that:

Allah created man

By serving Allah you guard against evil

Allah made the Earth and Sky

Allah sends rain for the tillers

Because of all these things, Allah asks we have no other gods

[2.23]  And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to  Our  servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your  witnesses  besides Allah if you are truthful.

And if you don't believe us, go write your own religious text. What an interesting injunction.

[2.24] But if you do (it)  not and never shall you do (it), then be  on your guard against the fire  of which men and stones are the  fuel; it is prepared for the  unbelievers.

So if disbelievers don't "produce a chapter" you go to hell?

[2.25] And convey good news to those who believe  and do good  deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow;   whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they  shall  say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be  given the  like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them,  and in them, they  shall abide.

Believers will be rewarded, as always, by promises.

[2.26] Surely Allah is not ashamed to set forth  any parable-- (that  of) a gnat or any thing above that; then as for  those who  believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord, and  as  for those who disbelieve, they say: What is it that Allah means  by  this parable: He causes many to err by it and many He leads  aright by  it! but He does not cause to err by it (any) except the  transgressors,

[2.27]  Who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and  cut asunder  what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make  mischief in the land;  these it is that are the losers.

A believer does not question Allah, but just knows what he says is true.  Are we to be surprised that he calls for blind faith?  Disbelievers on the other hand see Allah as casing "many to err by it."  But, Allah's disciples tell us, it is only those that don't follow his command that "are the losers;" they are the ones in error.

*The Cow will be in multiple parts as it is over 280 verses.  Coming soon: creation!

On the Koran

2010-06-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

A few notes on the Koran and Islam:

The Koran was supposedly given to Mohammad through revelation by the archangel Gabriel.
The Koran does not replace the bible, but supposedly corrects misconceptions due to translation error and errors of the original telling. Because of this, certain tales are not fleshed out since it is expected that believers would know who certain characters are.
Islam is an Abrahamic religion, just as Judaism and Christianity are.
The Koran is not presented chronologically, it is ordered by length of the chapters. The longest chapters are first.
A chapter of the Koran is called a surah, verses are ayah.
Jesus is a prophet of Islam.
The Koran is supposedly the only holy book that mentions that women and men are equal. However, it still maintains that men should have dominion over women in certain matters (ex: financially).

Just wanted to share a few things about Islam as I work my way through the Koran. I am by no means an expert on the subject and am reading the Koran for the first time. I am also reading the Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an, so hopefully that will lend some balance to my first impressions.

Genesis 4

2010-06-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

The story gets more gripping with the first murder!

Genesis Chapter 4

 1And  Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I  have gotten a man from the LORD.

 2And  she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but  Cain was a tiller of the ground.

 3And  in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of  the ground an offering unto the LORD.

 4And  Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat  thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

 5But  unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very  wroth, and his countenance fell.

Why is it that God was unsatisfied with Cain's offering?  I know I have heard it preached that Cain did not offer God the best of his harvest, however that is not stated.  Is it supposed that since God had no respect for Cain's offering there must have been something wrong with it? If that was the case, why not tell Cain that?  "Seriously Cain, you need to offer up something better."  

 6And  the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance  fallen?

Shouldn't God know the answer to this question?  

 7If  thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not  well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and  thou shalt rule over him.

I had a teacher in grad school that did not inform her students of her expectations for homework.  This verse reminds me of that.  What is meant by "well?"  God is obviously setting the standard, but what is it?  

 8And  Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were  in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

That must have been some talk.  So from the past few verses we are supposed to gather that Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel was favored by God.  Cain then killed his brother because of some dispute or the jealousy.  A google search indicates that there is more to this story in later books, so we will just have to wait on the edge of our seats!

 9And  the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I  know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?

 10And  he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth  unto me from the ground.

 11And  now [art] thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to  receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;

 12When  thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her  strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

God's second judgment.  In his first, he cast mankind out of paradise.  For his second act, he took away Cain's livelihood.  Is he merciful for letting him live? 

 13And  Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment [is] greater than I can bear.

 14Behold,  thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from  thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the  earth; and it shall come to pass, [that] every one that findeth me  shall slay me.

 15And  the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance  shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest  any finding him should kill him.

Why spare Cain?  I feel like this must be some kind of moral lesson, but I don't understand what it would be.  Perhaps just that Cain should suffer with guilt and remorse for the rest of his days?  

 16And  Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of  Nod, on the east of Eden.

 17And  Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a  city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son,  Enoch.

Where did this wife appear from?  The bible mainly details the male lineage, so are we to assume that Cain's wife is his sister?  Or has God been out creating other humans?  Apologists let it be known that OF COURSE Cain was related to his wife in some way, whether it be a sister or niece.  This same page has an excerpt from the Scopes Monkey Trial which I found funny.




Q—Did you ever discover where Cain got his wife?
A—No, sir; I leave the agnostics to hunt for her.
Q—You have never found out?
A—I have never tried to find.
Q—You have never tried to find?
A—No.
Q—The Bible says he got one doesn’t it? Were there other people on  the earth at that time?
A—I cannot say.
Q—You cannot say. Did that ever enter your consideration?
A—Never bothered me.
Q—There were no others recorded, but Cain got a wife.
A—That is what the Bible says.
Q—Where she came from you do not know.

 18And  unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat  Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

 19And  Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one [was] Adah, and the  name of the other Zillah.

 20And  Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and [of  such as have] cattle.

 21And  his brother's name [was] Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle  the harp and organ.

 22And  Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in  brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain [was] Naamah.

 23And  Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of  Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding,  and a young man to my hurt.

 24If  Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

This is the genealogy for Cain.  His great-great-great grandson Lamech was the first polygamist.  And also a murderer.  

 25And  Adam knew his wife again; and she bare (sic) a son, and called his name Seth:  For God, [said she], hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel,  whom Cain slew.

 26And  to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos:  then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

4:26 supposedly tells of the beginning of worship.  