Um, the Taliban says what Islamic law is

Post #10,311 by Another Scott 9/23/01 11:00:55 PM Reply	Um, the Taliban says what Islamic law is - for them. I heard someone remark that one of the "problems" with Islam is that there's no widely-recognized central authority on what correct doctrine is. E.g. No Pope. It seems clear to me that anyone who can argue that protecting bin Laden is reasonable can argue anything. Don't expect the Taliban to be swayed by what others say Islamic law is. My $0.02. Cheers, Scott.
Post #10,317 by pwhysall 9/24/01 2:46:26 AM Reply	There is no "doctrine". The Koran is the Word Of Gaaaaaaaawd. That's it. -- Peter Shill For Hire
Post #10,330 by Another Scott 9/24/01 7:27:39 AM Reply	That's not my understanding. I heard someone say in an interview on the BBC (or maybe CBC or C-SPAN) that there's non-Koranic stories (Hadith (?)) which various Islamic sects give various levels of credence. Some are argued to be false by some groups. That's why there are different interpretations of "jihad" and why some can argue that external, armed jihad is a responsibility of Muslims while others can argue that killing one person is the same as killing all humanity. See, e.g., [link\|http://www.muslim.org/books/f-ahm-mv/ch10.htm\|this] discussion. It's not just the Koran, as I undersand it. But I'm no expert... Cheers, Scott.
Post #10,331 by pwhysall 9/24/01 7:33:31 AM Reply	OK Yes, I oversimplified. The Hadith (ca. 9C) was the last time anyone got any chance at interpreting the Koran. The shi'ites and the sunnis (pro-Hadith and anti, respectively) have been bashing hell out of each other ever since. I guess the difference between Islam and Christianity in this particular sense is that there's no ongoing process of interpretation and re-interpretation of the Koran, in marked contrast to the almost-polytheistic-but-not-quite-look-ma-here's-another-sect world of Christianity. -- Peter Shill For Hire
Post #10,333 by pwhysall 9/24/01 8:01:27 AM Reply	More on Hadith There are two places you get the teachings of Islam. The first is the word of god, as laid down in the Koran, and the second is in Hadith, the teachings of the Prophet. It seems that the Prophet was the only dude qualified to explain the Koran (which is, as we've established, The Werd Of Gawd). Anyone else doing this is a blasphemer and therefore subject to all the cruel, unusual but strangely crowd-pleasing punishments that that entails. Islam is a fascinating religion, and I feel enriched (though not at all convinced - my atheism remains unmoved) by knowing a little about it. It has a simplicity and straightforwardness that is notably absent from the political and financial mire that is Christianity. Interesting sites: [link\|http://www.islam-guide.com/\|http://www.islam-guide.com/] [link\|http://www.islaam.com/\|http://www.islaam.com/] -- Peter Shill For Hire
Post #10,326 by brettj 9/24/01 4:35:42 AM Reply	Why are the Taliban suggesting they can't find bin Laden? They claim that they want to deliver the Clerics edict that he leave their homeland. Apparently they are feeling pressure to distance themselves from bin Laden, even if no one believes them. There are still a lot of disgruntled Afghans (civil war is still going on) that could rise up against the Taliban and ruin bin Laden's "vision" of uniting people of the Islamic faith in a Jihad to murder all Americans and nations that side with America.
Post #10,354 by Andrew Grygus 9/24/01 11:28:28 AM Reply	I'm sure Bin Ladin keeps them informed where not to look [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx]

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