Islam and Idols (Re: Plight of Buddhist art)

[Erik Hoogcarspel]

V.V. Raman wrote:

> 1. Even people who are not very versed in Islamic doctrines may be aware that
> the Taliban's position may be argued to be perfectly consistent with some of
> the passages and teachings of the Holy Qu'ran.

So they're excused! What will be next: bombs on the museum in New Delhi
and next Mouskwa and NewYork? The Qu'ran is just words, only human
interpretation van make a meaning. Everyone is responsable for the way
he or she reads a book. No one is excused from responsability. The
motive if the Tallies is just to prove to themselvs they've got some
power and to divert the attention from the fact that they made a mess of
Afghanistan. How can you expect that roughes who think they can solve
any problem with a gun can read and understand such a complicated book
as the Qu'ran?

>
> 2. However, <explaining> the behavior of someone who is destructive should be
> distinguished from excusing or applauding the act, which, I am sure is not what
> some scholars are doing in this context. But it needs to pointed out that what
> many people are vehemently reacting to is not the faith that inspires the
> action of the Taliban, but the action's appropriateness in the age in which we
> live.

You cab explain opportunity, but what about motive?

>
> 3. It is not impossible for religious fanatics of any tradition  to engage in
> disgustingly
> outrageous behavior, quoting from their scriptures to justify their actions,
> and (in many instances) they would be perfectly on target too, because (God
> knows) many scriptures and canonical texts  have elements which, irrespective
> of their appropriateness in times past, are intolerable, unacceptable, and
> worthy of condemnation by all decent and enlightened people today, irrespective
> of their religious affiliation.

Stop blaming the islam, it's people who commit these crimes!

>
> 4. Most dispassionate students of culture and religion will grant that Islam
> has made great contributions to art and architecture, to scholarship and
> literature and more, and that it also  preaches a great many decent human
> values. But none of this can justify or condone what this particular group is
> doing today in many contexts.

Irrelevant! Islam preaches nothing, the words come from peoples mouths.

>
> 5. Every human institution, of no matter what antiquity, inherent merit, or
> positive attributes, needs to change and evolve, or else it stagnates and rots,
> and in this interwoven world, its stench can affect other human beings too.
> Positive transformations within a religious system can occur only
> when it is fortunate to produce bold visionaries, enlightened religious leaders
> and thoughtful scholars. This is happening in a number of contexts all over the
> world. One would hope that thinkers and scholars, both Muslim and others, who
> wish well for this great and rich tradition, would persuade the mullahs and
> others in power that hurtful and destructive behavior in the name of their
> religion heaps more ignominy than glory on it.

Just a bit of common sense might do! Visionairies scare me because they
just don't have it.

erik

>