the koran as I understand it

Submitted by Gary Josephson (United States), Oct 20, 2011 at 17:33

Okay I don't understand the Koran. Perhaps, Mr. Pipes or a scholar who speaks Arabic would comment. I could only read the first section in translation and then lost my stomach when I came to this: (a paraphrase) [These people (meaning the Jews) would live for a thousand years if they could. If they were really holy they would go to their death willingly.]

Hence, the difference between us and them. Being holy to Jews and many others is to value life as holiness in secular or religious terms. For them this is seen as a weakness and our vulnerable point. They believe one more dead or captured from us will cause a capitulation. We have given up nothing in this trade of a life for the prisoners. More Israelis will die, of course, but not more than would have anyway. When the next retaliation becomes necessary, it is my hope the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly (in death) and that we continue to avoid inflicting casualties among non-combatant because we continue to value life.

Has any re-education been tried for these prisoners as occurred in Germany after the war? Do we have islamic allies who would assist? Seems to me that Judaism and Christanity even when fundementalist have come to terms whereby the holy books have lessons that are instructive and some lessons applied in their time of origin or with different sets of opponents, but in this time adaptations are required for Salam, Shalom, Peace and Life which can and should trump other scriptural requirements. Doesn't Islam have scholars who would take that position openly and honestly?

Part of the war is bloody, but the other part need not be and that's the war for minds. We need to win them to our side on the issue of "life" regardless of their former circumstances and religious opinions. It worked in Germany and it worked in America where civil rights have visibly reduced hate.

In America there is no shortages of people to speak up for others in addition to themselves. This is America's success story and its strength. Christian fundamentalists are strong supporters of Israel, for example.

I am waiting for strong fundamentalist Moslems to do the same and this I pray is not just as a hope, but a soon to be realized possibility. The Koran, I believe is like the Bible, a complex of multiple ideas with different ways to analyze when it comes to action or belief. Where are the real "people loving" Moslems? I know I've met a few so I know they exist. I know you have a few secular supporters, but the world needs articulate and observant Koranic scholars to speak for other peoples and peace and not just their own. Where are they?

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