tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post767702628163456291..comments2023-11-23T18:05:15.094+00:00Comments on Rational Islam? - Letters to a Muslim: "Put the LGBT people in concentration camps to die" says representative of loving, merciful God.Spinozahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06059865902367641577noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-32088664839269536892012-05-24T10:24:12.491+01:002012-05-24T10:24:12.491+01:00I agree entirely - leave lifestyle choices to othe...I agree entirely - leave lifestyle choices to others, and ensure we cause no harm or injustice.Spinozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06059865902367641577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-66260735597373958322012-05-24T08:29:17.411+01:002012-05-24T08:29:17.411+01:00"God leaves us in little doubt what He thinks..."God leaves us in little doubt what He thinks"---Yes, you are right....but.....<br />Epictetus says "...it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows." Human beings are not born with knowledge---we aquire it over a lifetime---if we only think in absolute/simplistic terms---perhaps we may no longer be able to acquire further knowledge because of the certainty that "we know". Perhaps the humility of some uncertainty is good for us?---the idea that perhaps we do not know everything yet and we can still learn. The Prophet emphasised this point---he encouraged the pursuit of learning and even told people to make the effort to go to China in pursuit of knowledge.<br /><br />In dealing with the LGBT issue---Perhaps we should concentrate on what we can do---and leave other matters to God---for example---I cannot control the lifestyle choice or other personal decisions an LGBT person may make---what I can do---is ensure that I do not cause harm or injustice to another through my actions.<br /><br />Epictetus gives us these words of wisdom---"happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and cannot control, that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible."<br /><br />Surah 19 v 76 "and God does increase in Guidance those who seek Guidance: and the things that endure, good deeds are the best in respect of (their) eventual returns."kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-58901282775253545202012-05-23T09:56:58.689+01:002012-05-23T09:56:58.689+01:00Hello Kat,
What a delight it is to read your thou...Hello Kat, <br />What a delight it is to read your thoughtful comments - thank you.<br />You suggest that perhaps God wants the LGBT around to teach us compassion and tolerance. It's a charming thought, but the evidence from the Bible, the Qur'an and the ahadith surely suggests otherwise.<br />God leaves us in little doubt what He thinks about gays in his dealings with the people of Sodom. He obviously thinks this is an important lesson because he mentions it in both the Bible and the Qur'an. And of course you are aware of the numerous references to gays in the sunna. <br />Many Muslims say that being gay is not a sin, but acting upon your desires is. It's all a test, as my Muslim friend loves to say. <br />But that does not explain Muhammad's instruction to "turn out from your houses" those men who are simply effeminate and those women who are not effeminate enough! This doesn't seem a very effective way of encouraging tolerance or compassion to me! Rather it strikes me as an all too human prejudice that civilised societies are at last beginning to rid themselves of.Spinozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06059865902367641577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-21453409536371082092012-05-23T06:29:39.269+01:002012-05-23T06:29:39.269+01:00'.... in a few years, they’ll die out. You kno...'.... in a few years, they’ll die out. You know why? They can’t reproduce!”<br />if illogical arguments are on the menu...how about this one.....if LGBT are supposed to die out in a few years but havn't---then the only explanation is that its a "miracle" and since God has a hand in miracles---perhaps he wants the LGBT around----you know---so the rest of us can learn tolerance, compassion and mercy----much needed lessons today believe me !!!!......kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-1746021004543081212012-05-23T06:16:20.020+01:002012-05-23T06:16:20.020+01:00Hello again Spinoza,
I don't know a lot about...Hello again Spinoza,<br /><br />I don't know a lot about Christianity so my comment might be way off---but doesn't Christianity believe in original sin?---if so, isn't everyone supposed to be sinner/sinful, regardless if one is straight or LGBT?---or have I got the doctrine wrong?<br />Not to mention---Don't Christians continually obsess about how their religion is about "Love"---you know, Love your neighbor and your enemy....?....<br /><br />Ofcourse, As a Muslim, I can't point fingers since we Muslims also need to improve a lot....<br /><br />But perhaps your presumption that religion/God is at fault may also be incorrect? Maybe the fault lies in our pride and arrogance? The desire to precieve onself better/superior/more "human" than the "other". There is an interesting story in the Quran about the "fall of Iblis"--which highlights this pitfall of arrogance and pride. Iblis arbitrarily claims he is superior to Adam (pbuh) because he feels he is made from a superior "material" than Adam(pbuh)....but arbitrary value judgements are only illusions that lead to falsehood......kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com