Pervez Kambakhsh - Safe

4 Responses to “Pervez Kambakhsh - Safe”

1. Amro on February 3rd, 2008 8:30 am

   There’s clear evidence in the Old Testament that blasphemy is punishable by death, LEVITICUS 24:16 STATES THAT THOSE WHO SPEAK BLASPHEMY “SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH”.

   However, there is no clear evidence in the Koran that blasphemy is punishable by death and never was the punishment of death inflicted upon those who committed blasphemy during Prophet Muhammad’s rule, although many people did commit blasphemy during his life to try to insult Islam and him.

   The following Qur’anic verses appear to suggest that there is no worldly punishment for blasphemy, controverting the notion that blasphemy is punishable by death:

   “ When ye hear the signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme. [Qur'an 4:140] ”
   “ And when they hear vain talk, they turn away therefrom and say: “to us our deeds and to you yours; peace be to you. [Qur'an 28: 55] ”
   “ Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant. [Qur'an 7:199] ”
   “ Have patience with what they say, and leaves them with noble (dignity). [Qur'an 73:10] ”
   “ And the servants of Allah . . . are those who walked on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say ‘Peace’ [Qur'an 25:63] ”
   “ Allah is with those who restrain themselves. [Qur'an 16: 128] ”
   “ . . . But they uttered blasphemy . . . if they repent, it will be best for them, but if they turn back, Allah will punish them.” [Qur'an 9:47]

2. Gege' Bau on February 3rd, 2008 9:45 am

   And we thought we had it bad HERE! ;oP

   Stoning adultresses, hanging gay teenagers… WHOA!

   Thank dog the bible thumpers of the religious right in the West don’t bother reading the fine print!

3. AlexR on February 3rd, 2008 8:19 pm

   Amro,

   Thanks for mentioning LEVITICUS 24:16. Luckily, at least for the moment, blasphemy is no longer punished by death, even if it could be.

   As for the Qur’anic verses you quote - very interesting, but then I am under the impression that Islam is rather more tolerant than many would have us believe.

   Alas, many religious texts have long suffered from interpretation, and, often, their true meanings have become obscured or twisted.

   Unlike you, I have not read the Qur’an, but it is something I will place on my reading list. I have read the Bible, but many years ago, so I just cannot remember much of its contents.

   Thanks for your comment, very interesting.

   All the best, and thanks for dropping in,

   Alex

4. AlexR on February 3rd, 2008 8:32 pm

   Gege’,

   As I mentioned above in my reply to Amro, “alas, many religious texts have long suffered from interpretation, and, often, their true meanings have become obscured or twisted.”

   Another point I would make is that many religious texts were written many moons ago, and this means that they often reflect the opinions and attitudes of the times in which they were written, but opinions and attitudes have changed and are changing, albeit slowly.

   Back in the times when LEVITICUS 24:16 was written, the world was a more violent place and violence was considered very much an everyday aspect to life. Hence the somewhat brutal ‘eye for and eye’ type principles.

   I’d like to think that the world has moved on a wee bit, and that texts written on behalf of gods many years past may not really reflect the wills of such gods nowadays.

   Trouble is, I’m not sure how one could go about ‘updating’ religious texts, unless, that is, directive arrives from on high.

   The references, made in such texts, which were created in different times, is a difficult problem (to put it mildly..) and it must give quite a few theologians more than a few headaches.

   All the best,

   Alex

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