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Rabbi Reuven Firestone: An Introduction to Islam for Jews

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
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antonianouf55 Avatar
antonianouf55
Posts: 1
Posted: 10.03.08, 03:35 PM
there is a lot a false understanding and teaching of islam here.For example it is not true that islam accepts other religion. chrisitans and jews are pigs and monkeys according to the coran. I dont know what this guy is talking about
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ruiz1707 Avatar
ruiz1707
Posts: 17
Posted: 10.06.08, 12:55 AM
Jews and Christians are the People of the Book for Muslims, Jesus, and Moises are profets for Muslims, just to stick to the most widely known. Independently for whether rabbi Firestone is correct or not, he has the merit to try to understand the other honestly knowing that no community holds the truth or is perfect. Yet the Truth exists. A Force we can get close to from different paths be they, christian, jewish, muslim, or whatever faith honest men and women beleive in . I whish more attitudes such as rabbi Firestone develop openly in ALL communitites. May be then we can understand that we are all made of the same clay. Sorry for such a long reply antonianouf55, I do hope you get to see that we do not hate jews and christians, we (have to) respect them. On the other hand take a look at the planet: most of the lands today that are occupied, violated, hundreds of millions displaced from Afghanistan to Irak, passing by Palestine, Chechenia, Bosnia...what human reactions can you expect? Think of it
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molitor2005 Avatar
molitor2005
Posts: 0
Posted: 11.16.08, 09:30 PM
I am a Christian and proud of it. Jesus never incited or encouraged any sort of violence. I try to live according to His law. I don't understand why non-christians have so much contempt for us. Jesus' greatest commandment,"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
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em5750 Avatar
em5750
Posts: 2
Posted: 12.05.08, 07:08 PM
Firestone should be ashamed of even considering himself "rabbi".

This lecture is so misleading that every statement made by Firestone needs to be reproved with the Jewish perspective.

Although there is a lot to comment on, I will only touch on one key point, which is the examination of a Prophet. The instructions of Moses, peace be upon him, are clear regarding the veracity of Prophethood, as explained in Deuteronomy 18. When the Jews of Arabia followed this Torah, and asked Meshuga for a sign, he declined. This was a clear indicate for every Jew that this is a false prophet.
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ingram Avatar
ingram
Posts: 1
Posted: 12.09.08, 03:33 PM
A general comment from a Muslim observer
As a mainstream Muslim, I find Rabbi Firestone's discourse revolving around the historic relationship between the People of the book, Bani Israel in particular, and the early adherents of Islam pretty informative. This is a part of history that most Christian laymen seem totally uniformed about and about which Rabbi Firestone's coreligionists are expediently tacit. One of the most interesting points that he touched upon was the encroachment of nationalistic trends which have used these benevolent religions to perpetuate their political agendas. Islam is not so weak as to need a suicide bomber to advance its cause, we're just a little off balance for now due to corrupt, implanted, self-serving, ignorant leaders and opportunistic sects. From Ben Gorian to Yasser Arafat, the leaches of nationalism have always been hard at work--even sharing Nobel 'Piece' prizes for jobs well done. So-called Islamic suiciders are usually one of two kinds: 1) a nationalist adorning the robe of religion to seek revenge for humiliation who would just as well bomb me for being American as he would a Jew, although the latter would be his choice pick. 2) some poor young zealot lacking religious knowledge and guidance who cracked after seen his whole family cluster bombed while all his leaders can do is smile and dine with the perpetrators who did it to 'free him'. Jews have and still do live in Arab and Muslim countries--no one asked them to leave, they were tricked and bamboozled into leaving. They, in fact, estranged themselves by doing so. I'm an American with both Jews and Christians in my family make up. When we're together for any occasion, we're family, that's all.
In conclusion, I would like to hear more lectures of this kind from Rabbi Firestone in the near future which I feel people such as my multi-religious family would find most enlightening.
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