Islam's Image Problem: normal for Islam?

Submitted by Eric C. Sanders (United States), Jul 30, 2003 at 11:23

Many years have lapsed since I began reading the Koran and never finished it, so I may be mistaken in this assessment. Recently, however, I read a commentary that acknowledged the early parts of the Koran as tolerant and peaceful - but then characterized the later parts, written later in the life of the Prophet (blessings be upon His name), as being more condescending and intolerant towards others, even other People of The Book. If this characterization is true, then the violent Muslim groups and individuals may have a very short distance to look for the source of their poor image: no farther than the nearest mirror.

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