Misreading the Written Word (Updated from 11/16/2014)

 

“In a language as idiomatically stressed as English, opportunities for misreadings are bound to arise. By a mere backward movement of stress, a verb can become a noun, an act a thing. To refuse, to insist on saying no to what you believe is wrong, becomes at a stroke refuse, an insurmountable pile of garbage.”

-- Ian McEwan

Have you ever read something in a novel and found you had to go back to read it again because it didn't make sense the first time around? Sometimes it's due to a confusing sentence on the author's part; at times it's due to a preconception on our part as to what we thought was meant, due to our limited points of reference. But, I'm talking about a novel, not a presentation of information for argument or debate.

Someone commented, on a monastery newsletter article, about Islam, quoting the Qur'an twelve times.  When one quotes, it is a task not to take what is quoted out of context.  Just about every quote used was taken out of context.  Not only out of context, but many of them also seemed to be, for the most part, paraphrased and reinterpreted.  Without going through the entire list, I'll use just one as an example:

"Kill the unbelievers wherever you find them."

Koran 2:191

First of all, even my spell-check is trying to correct "Koran" to "Qur'an."  Second of all, the quote is only the first half of the first sentence and is incorrect in any case.  Let us consider the original:

"And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque, unless they fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them.  Such is the reward of those who suppress faith."

It seems to read more like the old philosophy of "an eye for an eye."  But, let's go one step further, and look at the "Surah" before this one, Surah 2:190, to get some context:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God does not love transgressors." 

Whoa!  Now wait a minute.  So, this is all dealing with someone who has started some fighting against Islam.  Now we have some context. But, even in this, Islam says to "not transgress limits" because "God does not love transgressors."

I use Islam as my example because of the multitude of common misconceptions we all harbor about this "peaceful" religion.  We have these misconceptions because we believe what we read and hear without doing our own due diligence, going into the documents ourselves, and putting it all in proper context. We also believe the lies told us by Islamic heretics.  Where Islam is concerned, I would recommend everyone consider Surah 2:190 when discussing "radical" Islam.  "...but do not transgress limits; for God does not love transgressors."  Terrorists seem to "transgress limits" set by God... constantly.  My question is, does this make them Muslims or heretics?  

My point, a long time coming, is that our misconceptions generally come from either piss poor reporting by news agencies, quotes that are taken out of context, quotes that are misquoted, not-so-hidden agendas, and our own innate gullibility.  We tend to believe everything we read or are told without, again, doing our own due diligence so we can separate the truth and fact from all the smoke and mirrors of personal and political agendas.

Let's go back, now, to the opening quote from McEwan where he discusses "refuse."  Did you understand it to begin with?  Did you catch the two different meanings of the word, or was it confusing?  He tells you, right there, what each meaning is, yet some people completely miss the point.

Today, consider not believing everything you read, just because you base your faith on misplaced trust.  Before you get into the "braying contest with a jackass," consider doing your own due diligence.  Find out the truth.  We all fall from grace, some of us more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

"And you will know the truth, and that truth will set you free."

John 8:32

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com