An only marginally relevant but beautiful scene in Nepal \u00a0\u00a0(Wikimedia CC public domain image)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Qur\u2019an, the holy book of Islam, lays out a very simple \u201cnatural theology,\u201d according to which the physical universe itself, the natural world, is seen as a sign that can point people to God if they will only look. \u00a0Here are two representative passages:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is God who splits open the seed and the fruit stone:\u00a0 He brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living\u2014that is God\u2014so how can you turn away from the truth?\u00a0 He makes the dawn break; He makes the night for rest; and He made the sun and the moon to a precise measure.\u00a0 That is the design of the Almighty, the All Knowing.\u00a0 It is He who made the stars, so that you can be guided by them in the dark, on land or sea: We have made the signs clear for those who have knowledge.\u00a0 It is He who first produced you from a single soul, then gave you a place to stay [in life] and a resting place [after death].\u00a0 We have made Our revelations clear to those who understand.\u00a0 It is He who sends down water from the sky.\u00a0 With it We produce the shoots of each plant, then bring greenery from it, and from that We bring out grains, one riding on the other in close-packed rows.\u00a0 From the date palm come clusters of low-hanging dates, and there are gardens of vines, olives, and pomegranates, alike yet different.\u00a0 Watch their fruits as they grow and ripen!\u00a0 In all this there are signs for those who would believe.\u201d\u00a0 (6:95-99)<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is He who sends down water for you from the sky, from which comes a drink for you, and the shrubs that you feed to your animals.\u00a0 With it He grows for you grain, olives, palms, vines, and all kinds of other crops.\u00a0 There truly is a sign in this for those who reflect.\u00a0 By His command He had made the night and day, the sun, moon, and stars all of benefit to you.\u00a0 There truly are signs in this for those who use their reason.\u00a0 He has made of benefit to you the many-coloured things He has multiplied on the earth.\u00a0 There truly are signs in this for those who take it to heart.\u00a0 It is He who made the sea of benefit to you; you eat fresh fish from it and bring out jewellery to wear; you see the ships cutting through its waves so that you may go in search of His bounty and give thanks.\u00a0 He has made mountains stand firm on the earth, to prevent it shaking under you, and rivers and paths so that you may find your way, and landmarks and stars to guide people.\u201d\u00a0 (16:10-16)<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 \u00a0 The Qur\u2019an, the holy book of Islam, lays out a very simple \u201cnatural theology,\u201d according to which the physical universe itself, the natural world, is seen as a sign that can point people to God if they will only look. \u00a0Here are two representative passages: \u00a0 \u201cIt is God who splits open the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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