Ensign Article on Muhammad

[ChinoCoug]

Since I'm ticked off at some of you for the example you've set in Islam-bashing right in front of a devout Muslim (days like this I wish Jefe were here), I've decided to post this article on Muhammad.

I know this will only marginally effective, since authority means next to nothing to some of you.

http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/me...____&hideNav=1

As early as 1855, at a time when Christian literature generally ridiculed Muhammad as the Antichrist and the archenemy of Western civilization, Elders George A. Smith (1817–75) and Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered lengthy sermons demonstrating an accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic history and speaking highly of Muhammad’s leadership. Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.”

Muhammad’s sayings clearly teach the practice of charity:

“None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

“Each person’s every joint must perform a charity every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is a charity; a good word is a charity; every step you take to prayers is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is charity.”

“Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.”

“Smiling to another person is an act of charity.”

“He who sleeps with a full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry [is not a believer].” 20

In a recent meeting with Muslim dignitaries, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles focused on the common spiritual heritage of Mormons and Muslims. After quoting a verse from the Qur’an, he observed:

“God is the source of light in heaven and on earth. We share the belief with you. We resist the secular world. We believe with you that life has meaning and purpose. … We revere the institution of the family. … We salute you for your concern for the institution of the family. …

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

Since I'm ticked off at some of you for the example you've set in Islam-bashing right in front of a devout Muslim (days like this I wish Jefe were here), I've decided to post this article on Muhammad.

You're probably right that many of us were over the top in our criticism of Islam. The difficulty of Islam is that it is a theology that seems to require an exclusive theocracy. Therefore criticisms of a system of government, which wouldn't ordinarily be terribly insensitve, have to become criticisms of a religion.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by YOhio

You're probably right that many of us were over the top in our criticism of Islam. The difficulty of Islam is that it is a theology that seems to require an exclusive theocracy. Therefore criticisms of a system of government, which wouldn't ordinarily be terribly insensitve, have to become criticisms of a religion.

Islam has no central authority, so speaking of it as a monolith, is wrong.

However, because it lacks a central authority it is subject to the vagaries of the tyranny of minorities.

If it had followed its philosophy of adopting the Greek philosophy, it would have moderated much sooner.

To speak insularly of Islam's virtue without acknowledging its weaknesses is to ignore its whole.

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Islam has no central authority, so speaking of it as a monolith, is wrong.

However, because it lacks a central authority it is subject to the vagaries of the tyranny of minorities.

Protestants have the same problem. But the Qu'ran/Muhammad's teachings/Muhammad's life is central, just as the Bible is authoritative for the Protestants.

To speak insularly of Islam's virtue without acknowledging its weaknesses is to ignore its whole.

Apparently that's enough for devotional purposes.

At least we now know no charity in Islam is false.

I have faith these caricatures of Islam will pass once the war with jihadism is over. When will that be? I don't know.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

Protestants have the same problem. But the Qu'ran/Muhammad's teachings/Muhammad's life is central, just as the Bible is authoritative for the Protestants.


Apparently that's enough for devotional purposes.

At least we now know no charity in Islam is false.

I have faith these caricatures of Islam will pass once the war with jihadism is over. When will that be? I don't know.

Once Islam is secularized, the war will be over. Secularization of Islam is our only hope.

Read the Qu'ran, look at the Fifth Surah.

[jay santos]

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

(days like this I wish Jefe were here)

So the world would be better off with Jefe deciding for himself what discussion is OK and not OK? Jefe should decide how the church is portrayed in public and how members portray themselves? Jefe as chief censor and book burner. This is something I never would wish for.

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by jay santos

So the world would be better off with Jefe deciding for himself what discussion is OK and not OK? Jefe should decide how the church is portrayed in public and how members portray themselves? Jefe as chief censor and book burner. This is something I never would wish for.

Agreed. There have been some incredibly interesting discussion on this site that would never happen on CB. Sometimes I'm in the minority, thiniking everyone else is crazy. Other times I agree. Most of the time I am in awe of the intellect of so many of the posters here. All times I find the discussions enlightening.

[YOhio]

Brother Joseph's attitude toward Islam is worth remembering. From Bushman's interview at the Pew Forum:

Joseph Smith's thought evolved as he went through life. Initially, the city was just a place for Mormons, a "come-ye-out-of-Babylon-into-Zion" gathering place. But by the time he got to Nauvoo, Joseph Smith saw the city as more open. One of the first ordinances passed by the Nauvoo council was a toleration act specifying that all faiths were welcome in the city and listing a number of them: Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Latter-day Saints, Catholics, Jews and "Mohammedans," as Muslims were called. There was probably not a Mohammedan within a thousand miles, but it was a gesture of openness to every religion.

http://pewforum.org/events/?EventID=148

[MikeWaters]

Maxwell violated the tenets of Islam by quoting from an English-translation fo the Koran which is prohibited.

That's the kind of crap you get with Islam.

The bridge from mormonism to Islam is as strong as a wet noodle.

When we defend Israel against destruction, do you know who we will be killing? Invading Muslims.

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Maxwell violated the tenets of Islam by quoting from an English-translation fo the Koran which is prohibited.

That's the kind of crap you get with Islam.

The bridge from mormonism to Islam is as strong as a wet noodle.

When we defend Israel against destruction, do you know who we will be killing? Invading Muslims.

that's not prohibited, I see Muslims with English Korans all the time. How the hades did you come up with that?