Is Islam a Religion, or a Political Ideology? It has become commonplace on anti-Muslim blogs, and on the lips of politicians like Allen West who assert that Islam is not a religion, but a political ideology that controls every facet of the lives of its followers. I want to look at this assertion a little more deeply, and try to understand whether it is true or not. First, the word used by Muslims to describe Islam is din, which is often... Read more
Once again the anti-Muslim bloggers have been having a field day, this time with the concept of “taqiyah” or dissimilating (lying). It is said that the Qur’an teaches the Muslims are allowed to lie to non-Muslims, and that Muslims can thus have a secret agenda. Thus when they assert that theirs is a religion of peace, they can secretly be planning religious war against non-Muslims. Let’s take a look at this. First there are several verses in the Qur’an that... Read more
The Qur’an and Abrogation: It has recently been asserted in YouTube videos, emails, and on numerous anti-Muslim websites that while Muslims say that theirs is a religion of peace, in fact the verses of the Qur’an that preach peace are no longer part of Muslim teaching. The basis for this assertion is what in English is called the doctrine of abrogation. Let’s look at it more closely. First – note that in the Qur’an neither chapters, nor verses, are in... Read more
United Methodists will be familiar with one of our efforts at corporate branding: “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.” I’d like to offer a few comments. They don’t reflect the full complexity of our history, nor are they my definitive view. I do hope they will get us to think more about what we are really trying to do as a church. At my home church we had a sermon based on upon it. The... Read more
"We talk about a decline in church membership over these decades, but the reality is that there was a decline in simply being church. United Methodists and the general public sensed this decline in being church and left, or left us alone." Read more
"Ideas, ideals and ideologies by themselves do not count for much unless the people who champion, espouse and follow them carry some substance. Ideologies after all require the human agency to be implemented. Looked at from this angle, not much material progress is seen among Muslims." Read more
Understanding Developments in Islamic Law (This is a brief outline just to clarify an number of misunderstandings. References at the bottom for anyone interested in knowing more.) The Qur’an creates a new world-view among Bedouin tribes in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. Transcendent: Humans are in direct relationship to the unique and transcendent God. Eschatological: Each person will face a final judgment and his or her eternal future will depend on his or her personal decisions rather than the continuation... Read more
Many organizations in our world are devoted to inter-religious understanding. These articles in the Elijah Foundation Newsletter offer a 12 step program we all need to join. http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/newsletter/wisdom-september-2010-issue.html Robert Read more
When Christians think about Islam and the Muslim world one of the most common issues on their mind is the question of freedom of religion. In the popular mind the United States, and by extension Christianity, allows each person to freely choose and practice his or her own religious faith. Islam, by contrast, is believed to constrain freedom of religion because it both limits the freedom of non-Muslims in Muslim lands and outlaws conversion from Islam to other religions. This... Read more
Recently I’ve received quite a few emails citing a review of a book by Nonie Darwish entitled “Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law.” The review states (apparently from the book) that “In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. and Britain To elect the President by themselves! Rest assured they will do so… You can look at how they have taken over several towns in the USA .. Dearborn Mich. Is one…... Read more
Robert Hunt: Interfaith Encounters
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In