Friday, January 18, 2008
A Few Thoughtz: Abraham
Peace and blessings,
The motivation behind my decision to read this book came from a discussion I overheard two years ago between a group of orthodox Muslims and a Christian, all appearing to be males from the African diaspora. The only reason I heard part of their conversation (which dealt with similarities and differences between Christianity and orthodox Islam) was due to a mis-read on my part (I thought the group of brothas were freestyling so I got in the huddle to listen and hopefully spit a little something something myself, lol). After telling a friend of mine about the encounter and how it got me interested in the differences between Christianity and Islam, he (who is also a Christian) told me that it is believed that both religions emerged from Abraham's offspring: Christianity stemming from Isaac and orthodox Islam stemming from Ishmael. This resulted in me copping Bruce Feiler's "Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths" (2002) when I came across it at a book store shortly after.
This "synopsis" of the book (or of any books I have written about or will write about) is in no way meant to be detailed or exhaustive for one of two reasons. Either it has been a while since I read the book so many of the key points I initially wanted to address I forgot about; or because I do not feel like addressing everything about the book I enjoyed or had issues with. Whatever the case, the purpose of these synopses is for you to hopefully read some or all of it for yourselves and form your own opinions, because I think the books are worth reading. With that said, on with the (brief) synopsis...
The basic premise of the book is that three of the world's major religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, stem from Abraham's offspring: Islam from Ishmael, and Christianity and Judaism from Isaac. Further, Feiler (2002) argues that some (or many) of the major similarities and differences between these three religions are reflected in their depictions of Abraham's life. For instance, one of the things I found striking is that whereas the Bible's depiction of Abraham focuses on his "adult" life, the Koran's depiction of Abraham, according to Feiler, contains sufficient information about his life as a child. Another example lies in way in which Feiler suggests that how each religion views Abraham's relationship with God sheds light on how that religion views the role of humans in relation to God. The bible's telling of Abraham's life stresses his enormous faith in God, whereas the Torah and Koran's telling of Abraham's life emphasizes Abraham's submission and obedience to one God.
In addition to comparing and contrasting depictions of Abraham through each religion's canonical and ancient texts, Feiler also situates this discussion within the contemporary context of the current discourse about each of these religions. Contrary to the media's tendency to heighten differences and downplay similarities, Feiler does the opposite. While he gives considerable attention to the differences between these religions, he also gives much consideration to the similarities, in particular how each religion is at the core about promoting peace and unity, despite the presence and actions of fanatics in each. As a result, after reading the book I developed an increased sense of hope that one day, we will realize that in most if not all cases, there are more similarities than differences between us. I'll conclude with a quote from the book that I think sum's it up best:
"You could not have written a script that would say that today, after thousands of years, with all our technology and sophistication, we would still be fighting a war over this place (Jerusalem), over the legacy of Abraham. But the reason is that this is the place of relationship. This is not only the spot where it is possible to connect with God, it's the spot where you can connect with God only if you understand what it means to connect with one another. The relationship between a person and another human being is what creates and allows for a relationship with God. If you're not capable of living with each other and getting along with each other, then you're not capable of having a relationship with God. So the question is not whether God can bring peace into the world. The question is: Can we?"
-David Willna (p. 12)
Take care, God bless, and speekonit...
Labels: Abraham, Christian, Judaism, Muslim, religion, world
Friday, September 21, 2007
A Christian, A Muslim, and An Atheist
Peace and blessings,
A friend of mine sent me links of the video (posted below) of Bill Maher's 9/7/07 show featuring Cornel West and Mos Def. Aside from a few comedic moments, they discussed some very significant social, political, and moral issues. They talked about perceptions of terrorism, American hypocrisy, three political economic "-isms" - militarism, capitalism, and imperialism, the Jena 6, and the 2008 elections. As you can see from the variety of topics and the nature of the guests, the discussions were very insightful.
What I enjoyed most about the discussions, however, was not necessarily the topics they discussed, but the context in which these topics were discussed. Cornel West is a Christian, Mos Def a Muslim, and Bill Maher an Atheist. Now I don't watch cable tv too often, but as far as I can remember, this was the first time I've watched people from different belief systems engage in a respectful and critical discussion on a variety of topics pertinent to the human condition. Disagreements and emotional responses are common when discussing issues of this magnitude. However, unlike many other televised discussions that are more characterized as confrontational rather than constructive, this discussion was more than fruitful. It provides a good example of how people with different belief systems can achieve common ground by sharing their ideas and views and respecting those of others.
As a Christian, I thought this video was important because it represents a snapshot of the American diversity and demographic. Throughout the world, it seems like two major belief systems are Christianity and Orthodox Islam. Within the U.S., in particular within the African American community, it seems like the two major belief systems are Christianity and the Nation of Islam. Therefore, it is common for family and friend circles to consist of Christians, Muslims, Atheists, and other belief systems. Due to the increases in diversity, technology, and transportation, I believe that more conversations between people from differenent belief systems will start taking place and given times we are living in, these conversations are more than needed.
What do you think? Does anyone close to you (family member or friend) ascribe to a different belief system than you? If so, has any conversations about your belief systems come up? Any conversations about other topics? How did the conversations go? Stay blessed, encouraged, and speekonit...
A friend of mine sent me links of the video (posted below) of Bill Maher's 9/7/07 show featuring Cornel West and Mos Def. Aside from a few comedic moments, they discussed some very significant social, political, and moral issues. They talked about perceptions of terrorism, American hypocrisy, three political economic "-isms" - militarism, capitalism, and imperialism, the Jena 6, and the 2008 elections. As you can see from the variety of topics and the nature of the guests, the discussions were very insightful.
What I enjoyed most about the discussions, however, was not necessarily the topics they discussed, but the context in which these topics were discussed. Cornel West is a Christian, Mos Def a Muslim, and Bill Maher an Atheist. Now I don't watch cable tv too often, but as far as I can remember, this was the first time I've watched people from different belief systems engage in a respectful and critical discussion on a variety of topics pertinent to the human condition. Disagreements and emotional responses are common when discussing issues of this magnitude. However, unlike many other televised discussions that are more characterized as confrontational rather than constructive, this discussion was more than fruitful. It provides a good example of how people with different belief systems can achieve common ground by sharing their ideas and views and respecting those of others.
As a Christian, I thought this video was important because it represents a snapshot of the American diversity and demographic. Throughout the world, it seems like two major belief systems are Christianity and Orthodox Islam. Within the U.S., in particular within the African American community, it seems like the two major belief systems are Christianity and the Nation of Islam. Therefore, it is common for family and friend circles to consist of Christians, Muslims, Atheists, and other belief systems. Due to the increases in diversity, technology, and transportation, I believe that more conversations between people from differenent belief systems will start taking place and given times we are living in, these conversations are more than needed.
What do you think? Does anyone close to you (family member or friend) ascribe to a different belief system than you? If so, has any conversations about your belief systems come up? Any conversations about other topics? How did the conversations go? Stay blessed, encouraged, and speekonit...
Labels: African American, American, Atheist, Christian, diversity, elections, imperialism, issues, Jena 6, moral, Muslim, Nation of Islam, Othodox Islam, political, social, U.S., world
Sunday, November 26, 2006
News Section Updated
Peace and Blessings,
I included a couple of articles in the "worldwide" news section about the recent beef between Rwanda and France. Some of it stems from the 1994 genocide and some of it stems from more recent incidents. Check it out and speekonit...
I included a couple of articles in the "worldwide" news section about the recent beef between Rwanda and France. Some of it stems from the 1994 genocide and some of it stems from more recent incidents. Check it out and speekonit...
Labels: France, genocide, news, Rwanda, world
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Some Food for Thought...
Peace and blessings,
I came across this scripture this week, and I thought I'd post it because I found it to be very inspirational. In my opinion it speaks to the distinction we as Christians must always make between being in the world but not of the world. Namely, although we are humans and to an extent must tend to human needs and faculties (e.g. food, communication, relationship, expression, intellect, etc...), the battles we endure are not of human origin, but of spiritual origin. Similarly, the "weaponry" we use to claim victory over these batttles (because as believers we are already made victorious through Christ) comes from the spiritual power invested in us through Christ (e.g. the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit). I'm interested in hearing what people think this scriputure means to them, so have a blessed weekend, and speekonit...
" 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,"
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
I came across this scripture this week, and I thought I'd post it because I found it to be very inspirational. In my opinion it speaks to the distinction we as Christians must always make between being in the world but not of the world. Namely, although we are humans and to an extent must tend to human needs and faculties (e.g. food, communication, relationship, expression, intellect, etc...), the battles we endure are not of human origin, but of spiritual origin. Similarly, the "weaponry" we use to claim victory over these batttles (because as believers we are already made victorious through Christ) comes from the spiritual power invested in us through Christ (e.g. the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit). I'm interested in hearing what people think this scriputure means to them, so have a blessed weekend, and speekonit...
" 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,"
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
Labels: 2 Corinthians, battles, Christian, gifts, Jesus Christ, scripture, spiritual, world
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