If a scholar said that the moon is made of green cheese, would that make it so?

Submitted by DrRJP (United States), Apr 17, 2008 at 22:27

You put a lot of stock in what others say, even when it amounts to nonsense. People can say anything they want -- especially on the Internet -- w/o a bit of genuine substantiation or full knowledge of the facts. These omissions often accompany a lack of regard for others (and for religion in general) who may be offended by these statements.

If someone rejects absolutism in religion, it is because he or she believes more in relativism which is incompatible with it. It does not make "relativism" superior or "absolutism" inferior because of it.

What may seem illogical to you can be perfectly logical to me because I understand it in a way that is different from you -- a difference that you seem intent to reject.

Saying that YHVH means "Yahweh" or is pronounced "Yahweh" is offensive to Jews -- just as the making of images of Mohammed is offensive to Muslims, except that we do not issue fatwas and burn down buildings when it happens.

It is equivalent to breaking the Commandment on worshipping graven images.

If you are telling me that I should not be offended by it, then that is a denial of my beliefs, and the right to express them as well as to others who also hold them. You have the right to hold a different opinion, but be advised that holding falsehoods to be true is another story.

What do you think about the Muslim belief (supported by a Hadith), that Jews are "descended from apes and pigs?"

From an evolutionary standpoint, it is a false statement. From a Jewish and Christian theological standpoint, it is a false statement. Maybe, even from Bhuddist and Hindu theological standpoints as well.

So, why was this Hadith written and why do many Middle Eastern Muslims believe it to be true?

I cannot speak about the veracity of the belief from a Muslim standpoint -- but I can speak about its offensiveness from a Jewish standpoint.

"Your taking offense is little more than sanctimonious pietism as well."

My offense to it is no difference than what you might feel if I were to tell you that you are a blithering idiot who loves the sound of his own voice, who loves to put others down, and does not know when to quit.

Then again, you might interpet what I said to be compliments.

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