Karen Armstrong, in Islam: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles); and Bernard Lewis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill, in Islam: The Religion and the People, give valuable insight into Islam for those of us who were not brought up within an Islamic culture. Just as we who grew up in America, even those of us who are not Christians, know a great deal about Christianity, so even one not of Islamic faith who grows up in a predominately Islamic country will almost inevitably get to know far more about Islam than most Americans ever do. Hence the need for us to read books such as these, which are both excellent and which nicely complement each other; Armstrong tells us more about the history of Islam, and Lewis & Churchill tell us more about Islam today. Both are fairly brief (Armstrong 187 pages of text + 15 of glossary; Lewis & Churchill 167 + 55)
It can be quite difficult to get a correct understanding of another religion, because so many of the books and articles written about it are either by devout followers of that faith or by persons committed to disparage that faith as error and superstition.
As you read these two books, you may be surprised at the parallels between Islam and Christianity, both good and bad. For example, both Jesus and Muhammad had very enlightened, egalitarian attitudes toward women (Muhammad often consulted with women about what to do, and Jesus made a woman his number one apostle, called apostula apostolorum, the apostle to the apostles*). Neither would have approved of the repression of women that has been so common in both Christianity and Islam. The teachings of Jesus and Muhammad are often ignored or worse by their "followers": e.g. the many murders employed in deciding who would be Muhammad's successors; "Muslim" suicide bombers indiscriminately killing the innocent even with no assurance that any guilty will be among the victims (I had to put "Muslim" in quotes, because by the very act mentioned, they render themselves unworthy of being called Muslim^); the Crusaders who would "rape and kill for Jesus"; the systematic raping of Muslim women by "Christians" in Kosovo and thereabouts.; the insistence of the "Christian" Bush administration on continuing use of torture (which was surely what prompted the slogan "WWJT? - Who Would Jesus Torture?). Clearly, both Jesus and Muhammad have been "followed" where they never led and never would have. (for more on this, see Charles Kimball, When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs (Plus)
I have one problem with Lewis & Churchill. On page 163 they write: `Another term that is sometimes used, "Islamofascism." Is very naturally resented by Muslims in general, as combining in a single word the name of their faith with that of the most universally execrated of modern movements. For the same reason, this term is seen by others as accurately defining these movements and indicating their place in true Islam.' Now the first two sentences are true, but the final sentence is problematical. Some may think the term is accurate, but it is most definitely not. Fascism has no place in Islam. Fascism is authoritarian corporatocracy, essentially a takeover of government by big business, generally led by a dictator. Fascism is thus the antithesis of the communitarian principles of Islam as set forth by Muhammad. The self-contradictory term "Islamofascism" was coined as a put-down of Islam and of Muslims, an attempt to discredit and demonize both. As such, it is quite properly resented, not only by those of Islamic faith, but non-Muslims such as myself, who value human decency and are disgusted by attempts to incite religious hatred. For their failure to unambiguously reject this offensive term, I cannot give Lewis & Churchill the 5 stars they would otherwise deserve.
Armstrong, 5 stars, Lewis & Churchill, 4¼.
Watziznaym@gmail.com
* Richard J. Hooper,The Crucifixion of Mary Magdalene: The Historical Tradition of the First Apostle and the Ancient Church's Campaign to Suppress It, page 57.
^ A Muslim is defined to be anyone (of Islamic faith or not) who lives by Allah's rules of behavior, as set forth in Islamic scripture, the Quran. Allah is an Arabic phrase meaning "The God."
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Important Read!
What a important read to begin to understand the history & complexities of today's deeply held beliefs, conflicts, and commonalities of experiences! How far we are today from the original ideas & ideals. Not an easy read, but tremendously worth the effort.
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Kira
A long review but important to read. Must have book.
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