koran - nice or nasty?

Submitted by estelle beninson (United States), Jan 20, 2004 at 15:36

As an atheist fundamentalist of Jewish origin, I feel profoundly depressed by the Koran. I have now read about half of it. One always approaches a relgious document with a feeling of respect, of wanting to find wisdom in it but once past the early pages of the Koran, I found it a monotonous call to war. Muhammed says no one should be forced to convert to Islam, but later apparently changes his mind. I am told that his writings, especially his later religious work, reflect his increasing bitternes, especially with the Jews e.g. the Jews of Quresh, who didn't accept him. Admittedly, the Wahabis have a lot to answer for.

However, whilst we can respect the views of peace loving Muslims who read a peace loving message into the Koran, surely we don't have to be polite to the point of dishonesty. After all, the Bible is the history of an ancient people who sometimes got up to some pretty unpleasant pursuits. I honestly, have to say I found the Quran uninspiring and depressing.

We can only hope moderate Muslims will reinterpret the text in more peaceful ways, just as Jewish law was modified by later interpretation. In the meantime, in Arab lands, women are still being stoned to death for adultery.

Estelle

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