Say there's a case where some Jews in Jerusalem beat the hell out of a Muslim youth and it goes viral in the world's newspapers. Who exactly is responsible for explaining the mainstream Jewish view of that? Which rabbi would do it? How many Jews would applaud it? How many would be aghast? — Tate
In the same way, Muslims have to tip toe carefully around the Quran to condemn violence. The Prophet was a violent man. — Tate
Also, I hope no one thinks that this type of thing:
I take it for granted that Christians are vicious, vacuous, shells of human beings who actively ruin everything around them when they are not busy raping children or defending those who do.
— Streetlight
is acceptable. If you do, please do us all a favour and leave now. — Baden
I take it for granted that Christians are vicious, vacuous, shells of human beings who actively ruin everything around them when they are not busy raping children or defending those who do. — Streetlight
Was the attack on Salman Rushdie consistent with mainstream Muslim theology
If I emember correctly, Rushdie’s crimes were that of blasphemy. Though there is a theological debate whether such a crime should lead to worldly punishment, such as beheading, the very accusation can and has justified religious violence. — NOS4A2
I want to say yes just to see you talk more silliness. — Benkei
My question:
Was the attack on Salman Rushdie consistent with mainstream Muslim theology?
— Hanover
Is the final answer: Yes to Shia Muslims, no to Sunni Muslims?
Or is there another distinction I've missed with my Western eyes? — Hanover
Your question asks about mainstream Muslim theology and mainstream Muslim theology applies to all Muslims, or rather, what is common to all sects of Islam. Blasphemy in Islam is an impious utterance or action concerning God, Muhammad, or anything considered sacred in Islam. — praxis
Leviticus 24:16 says, “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.” — praxis
It's part of the reason for the OP, in trying to figure out the real theology because it's often very distant from its literal decrees. — Hanover
a Muslim cleric daring to defend Rushdie would become a potential target. — Olivier5
argued quite vociferously for years now that Islam desperately needs a reformation — Tom Storm
That's true what it says, but, as noted in other threads, there's no evidence of any actual stonings or biblically mandated death penalties in the past 2,000 + years. — Hanover
our western perception of it is not an accurate — Noble Dust
Yeah, that’s definitely what happened and the reason why blasphemy isn’t tolerated. — Noble Dust
read a biography of Spinoza that said Jewish communities banished and assassinated members who broke their rules. Spinoza was banished, but assassination was a possibility. — Tate
There's a great book by Stephen Schwartz about this called The Two Faces of Islam. — Tom Storm
I'm not trying to argue here who's best — Hanover
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini never read Salman Rushdie’s book “The Satanic Verses,” his son Ahmed told me in Tehran, in the early nineteen-nineties. The Iranian leader’s murderous 1989 fatwa against the British American writer was a political move to exploit the erupting fury in Pakistan, India, and beyond over a fictional dream sequence involving the Prophet Muhammad. The book’s passages, which portrayed human weaknesses and undermined the Prophet’s credibility as a messenger of God, were blasphemous to some Muslims.
The Ayatollah was shrewd that way. At the time, the young Islamic Republic was emerging from existential challenges: an eight-year war with Iraq that produced at least a million casualties; widespread domestic discontent; deepening political rifts among the clergy; a flagging economy that had rationed basic food and fuel; and a decade of diplomatic isolation. Khomeini condemned Rushdie, as well as his editors and publishers in any language, to death.He called on “all valiant Muslims wherever they may be” to go out and kill all of them—without delay—“so that no one will dare insult the sacred beliefs of Muslims henceforth. Whoever is killed in this cause will be a martyr” and ascend instantly to heaven. Tehran offered a reward that eventually grew to more than three million dollars.
Khomeini often capitalized on issues that distracted public attention from the Revolution’s fissures and failures.
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