The differences make the difference

Submitted by David W. Lincoln (Canada), May 22, 2007 at 11:05

I don't like dealing with hypothetical situations, Susan. Frankly, thanks to the Jews, words such as progress and future came into being, and the Christian faith tradition advanced on such a foundation to go beyond what a right believing Jew would profess - but what lies beyond is also true. I do not see that being the case for the Muslims.

Case in point, two relatives of mine were backpacking through Greece and Turkey from mid June to mid July. One of the places they saw was the hagia Sophia cathedral. Ikons were defaced. Now, why would this be the case, because they would have known (if they had wanted to know) that venerating an ikon is not idol worship. Because the first sunday of lent is known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, and it also celebrates the triumph of the ikon restorers. As you probably know, for a while ikons were not allowed in the Church, because it was incorrectly concluded that veneration of ikons was idol worship. Then what was made clear was the veneration of the ikon was the giving of honour to who was depicted on the ikon, rather than worshipping the wodd and paint used.

So, Susan, when you look at the other things that Moderate Muslims allow, that are the same as finger nails on a blackboard for those who want today better than yesterday (houses for Muslims cannot be lower than houses for those who adhere to other faith traditions, or no bell ringing, or a Muslim can force an adherant of another faith tradition to dismount when he, or she, is walking, et al.) leaving Islam is the best course available for those who are Muslim, as well for us who adhere to other faith traditions. Wafa Sultan makes the case of the backwardness of Islam, just like thoughtful people concluded that serfdom kept Russia from what could have been.

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