That's not my understanding.

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

Welcome to IWETHEY!