That is why Thomas Jefferson had to make his own bible. It was literally made with 18th century cut-and-paste techniques. He didn't publish it but it remained in his family for generations. I thought like many do that Jefferson was borderline atheist. Like Benjamin Franklin who was a "deist,"...
Sinful people in the name of Islam's actions were a complete waste, because the Catholics survived to despoil the Americas. I am well aware of the severe things done by the Turks. I had time to discuss this with a native Bulgarian, and her stark statement about that period was, "They treated us...
I have visited Egypt and was very impressed with the people. Of course if you are on a bus when midday prayers are broadcast you don't try to take off shoes and kneel down. It is up to each devotee how they act to reduce their offenses. Personally I like to have one good prayer first thing to a...
Don't get carried away with your semi-accurate English translation. The Quran was spoken by the prophet in conversational Arabic. It is very difficult to accurately translate idiomatic dialog in any language, and this problem worsens as the actual words and idioms become ancient.
My first reply got deleted because I graphically described some of Christopher Columbus' practices in the New World. For that I refer you to Yale's genocide studies program: Hispaniola | Genocide Studies Program Oh, and also the Crusades and the Inquisition.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. In Mark Twain's autobiography, which he had under seal (except to scholars) for a century, he said "Christianity has liberated enough blood to float all the boats in the world." In his time you couldn't get away with saying that openly. There were...
If there is only one God, then any other believer is going the same direction I am. The different monotheistic religions are just different paths to the same singular goal.
I think many people including me admire the piety. I also pray without shoes on, facing East, on an heirloom rug handed down from my ancestors. I very much love the saying "There is no God but God." The objections are terrorism. Example. Iran is a Muslim country and it has done them no good...
I think that's what atheists promote. Over on Quora I heard someone question the intentions of "the universe," by not answering their prayer. Many people who talk about the Tao, karma, etc., have actually done practically zero serious inquiry, and are just playing around.