Hi, Islame,
Thank you for your post.
Quotes such as these:
"O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people." Sura (5:51) -
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it. (Book 026, Number 5389)
"As you can clearly see the Jews are cursed, till the end of time, Allah tried to help them?:Surah V Ayat 70
What do you have to say about Islam's attitudes towards Jews - do you accept them for what they are (imo racist) or something else?
As you note above, there is much that is unkind, unpleasant, and untrue stated about Jews in the Quran--when generalized. I personally view these as human corruptions of the text (a bit more obvious than the remainder-- for, as a Jew, I beleive the Quran is a work of Man not G-d). Not all statements in the Quran about Jews and other non-Muslims are unkind, self-serving, or unrighteous. Some are quite universal, inclusive and (well) quite "Jewish"
... Such as:
Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve. (2:62)
But if the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) believe and have the fear of God, we will surely put away their sins from them, and will bring them into gardens of delight: and if that they observe the Law and the Evangel, and what hath been sent down to them from their Lord, they shall surely have their fill of good things from above them and from beneath their feet". (5:70 )
Can you bullet point what good things you think he achieved apart from freeing the slaves?
No. But I'll give you my overview.
He spread ethical monotheism among the pagan Arabs and its teachings that emphasized, in some cases codified, righteousness as the model for correct human behavior and the hope for a better tomorrow. Recall that the ancients had predominately a cyclical view of time--where nothing changed and that your position and that of your descendents was fixed. With acceptance of a linear view of time, per Scripture, one is not fated but possesses a G-d-given ability to improve one's lot, one's position is not determined by birth but by choice--specifically by choosing to live ethically and righteously per His Teachings. Though filtered through later Christianity and by Mohammed himself for the specific circumstances he perceived prevalent among his fellow Arabs, the same core ethical principles I recognize in my Jewish faith are reflected in Islam--and, compared to the closed time might-is-right world view of the ancients, I believe the spread of this idea through the pagan Arab world was a good thing.
Your question is a good one for me--for I have never been directly called upon to defend Mohammed, the Quran, or Islam. As a Jew, and a student of history and current events, it is so easy to "bullet" what I find wrong with Mohammed, the Quran, Islam, and Muslims. It is also good to hoestly reasses and find good as well.
Do you appreciate why 2 out 3 reasons you gave bear little relevence to whether God exists - just because it provides a greater meaning and purpose to your life, bears little relevence to the question that he exists, or takes the form that you believe to be true? I am not trying to convert you, just trying to get to the backbone behind your belief.
This just suggests to me you simply do not share my appreciation that G-d's Teachings for ethical human behavior are relevant as proof of G-d's existance--and vice versa.
The lack of moral relativity and moral ambiguity under G-d, for me, is what makes belief in His existence a better worldview than disbelief.
However, I am not trying to convert you.
[qupte]
Do you believe in Darwins interpretation of evolution. [/quote]
Yes.
Do you ever wonder which religion you would have followed had your parents not been Jewish?
No.
I am more observant than my parents.
Its a hypothetical question, but had your parents been Muslim what would you believe now?
Hypothetically, I do not know. But as my parents were not very religious and in my 5 decades I have studied and experienced all the world's major religions and philosophies, I believe I would still have found Judaism speaks more true to me.
Hypothetically speaking.
What's G-d?
It is a traditional, mosly Orthodox, spelling of the Holy Name on impermanent media. In Judaism, G-d's Name is Holy and requires the utmost repsect. It is never used carelessly.
Respectfully,
History
Topic: History