Not that PP, but I think her point was that you can find stronger scriptural support in Islam than in Christianity. The Quran has several passages condemning homosexuality, and several passages of Hadith prescribe death for homosexuals. As you know, the Quran is supposed to be the literal word of God, and the Hadith are supposed to be reliable although there's debate about some of them. You won't find any recorded sayings by Jesus on homosexuality, let alone calling for death for homosexuals. For condemnation of homosexuality in the New Testament you have to go to Paul's letters, and Paul does not call for death. In any case many mainstream Christians regard Paul's letters as pastoral, and very rooted in his own time and culture, and do not give them the universal and timeless weight they give to Jesus' sayings. For the death penalty, you have to look on the Old Testament--but PP is absolutely right that Jesus clearly and specifically denied and banned humans' ability to make judgements, particularly judgements involving death, that are God's to make. FWIW, I've had long debates on the religious forum with a fundie who opposes homosexuality. These are the reasons many Protestant churches find it OK to allow gay marriage and even gay pastors. So, if you're a Christian or Muslim who is mentally ill (as I believe the Orlando shooter will be shown to be) or even sane, you can find scriptural support in the Quran for disapproval although not for killing homosexuals. Only fringe Christians think it's OK to kill homosexuals, also I didn't hear that Cruz freak show citing actual Bible passages. Signed, a liberal who thinks we need to acknowledge these things |
If you actually study what purports to be "scriptural support in Islam" for killing homosexuals, you will find that it is not as clear as you seem to believe and, in fact even relies upon the same Old Testament story of Sodom that homophobic Christians often cite. While the Quran is believed to be the word of God, the exact meaning of those words is heavily debated. God did not speak very plainly -- something of which anyone who attempts to read the Quran quickly becomes painfully aware. Obviously, anyone seeking to find justification for killing gays can find it Islam, just as they can in Christianity. Indeed, here are examples of two Baptist preachers who praised the Orlando killings: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/roger-jimenez-steven-anderson-pastors-praise-orlando "Are you sad that 50 pedophiles were killed today?" Jimenez said in a sermon originally posted on YouTube. "Um no, I think that’s great! I think that helps society. I think Orlando, Florida is a little safer tonight." Tempe, Arizona preacher Steven Anderson also rushed to praise the "good news" that “there are 50 less pedophiles in this world." So, of course, most people will call these two preachers fringe elements. But, most Muslims will call ISIS a fringe group -- one that mostly targets other Muslims. Signed, a liberal who thinks other liberals are often misinformed about Islam. |
The finger-pointing at Christians is simply a deflection. Two people were stabbed in Paris last night - Islamic terrorism.
FBI took the Orlando killer off the list a week before the attacks, because he started screaming racism. Sounds to me like the guy knew exactly how to play this administration. |
Talk to me when Christians start mass-murdering people all over the globe. Hint: If you have to go pretty far back in time to find these examples, you have no real argument. His co-workers, high school classmates, FBI all state this guy identified with radical Islam, was investigated for it. They knew him at the scene because he had just been dropped off the watch list. |
You don't even see the problem here, do you. |
There is more evidence every minute that the Orlando shooter had very conflicted feelings about homosexuality, suffered from mental health issues, and wasn't very religious. Your emphasis on his religion while complete ignoring everything else reflects your own prejudices. The fact that you excuse non-Muslim religious figures who call for killing gays is further evidence of that. |
Actually he co-worker said he prayed at work several times a day on his prayer mat. He also went to Mecca two years in a row. He was religious. |
the Old Testament predates Jesus and Christianity altogether. Jesus said no more killings or stonings or judgments. there is no support in Christianity for reverting back to any Old Testament forms of judgement and punishment like stoning. And frankly, I dont even know if mosaic law itself said to kill homosexuals. i doubt it. you just cannot say with any logic that christianity supports that. it is nowhere in the entire new testament. it only says do not be homosexual, and do not judge or kill. that is it. |
He was going through the motions. Nobody who was really close to him -- except maybe his father and I'm not even sure about him -- has described him as being very religious. His ex-wife specifically said the opposite. |
I think you really should read Ressler's books. Stalkers engage in this behavior all the time. It's very, very typical of non-mentally ill killers to very carefully make plans, learn layouts, etc, in order to make sure they can accomplish their goal. The Boston Bombers did not just throw a bomb in - they carefully planned where to place it for maximum impact. A mentally-ill individual would not do this - they are too mentally ill to plan this way. |
Correct but after he divorced he apparently became more religious and visited Meccas two years in a row and he did bring his prayer mat to work at his current job and prayed at work. That is VERY religious as I know Muslims who do not pray during the day. If you are praying at work or at school during the day you are generally considered quite religious, no? |
There is no need to explain that to me. You need to explain it to all the self-described Christians -- including many ministers -- who find justifications in Christianity for their homophobia. This is something I've always tried to point out. What one person claims Christianity says, another person will completely contradict. Which one speaks for Christians? The same is true in Islam. Sure, you can find Muslims who believe terrible things. You can also find Muslims who believe those things are anti-Islamic. Just as in Christianity we don't allow the extremists to be representative of the religion, we shouldn't do that for Islam either. Ironically, both Muslim extremists and Islamophobes have a mutual interest in making the radicals be the religion's representatives. |
No disagreement here, that there are hateful Christian pastors. But the telling thing about your post is that these two bigoted hate-mongers didn't themselves call for death (although their celebration is repugnant), nor did they cite scripture. I'm aware of the Lot connection, thanks. I actually am quite familiar with Islam. To re-iterate, whatever you think of Lot and his wife, Jesus' strictures against humans taking justice into their own hands, as PP said, means that the death penalty, or taking justice onto your own hands, for anything including but not limited to homosexuality, is on extremely dubious scriptural grounds. Sure there are Christian supporters of the death penalty (for other murderers only, not for homosexuals or apostates), but the fact that the Catholic Church opposes the death penalty is telling. |
I will add I am not anti-Islamic etc.. and I have Muslim friends, but I will say we really need to look at the connection here and in the other cases. Two more murders in Paris last night by a Muslim Isis supporter and they were videotaped and broadcast. This guys father was anti-American and posting pro-Taliban videos etc… I guess that is free speech but it can not be a mere coincidence. His father's video are pretty radical. |
Generally if you are praying at work or school you are considered extremely religious. But, this guy appears to have been high on the nut job scale, so who knows what was going on? I also don't know how solid the claim about him praying actually is. It's strange that classmates, coworkers, or friends will say completely opposite things about him. Hanging out in a bar and getting drunk certainly doesn't correspond with being an extremely religious Muslim. |