Does the Quran intimidate or scare you? Do you think reading it might hurt your Christian faith? Even though I have not finished reading it, I would like to take just a moment to pause and say what I think of the Quran, so far.
First, it’s not beautiful. Frankly, it’s akin to a teenager trying to impress his professor by his first attempt at medieval fiction.
Second, it’s repetitive. Not in the Old Testament way of repeating things like “wash with water,” but in an insecure way. It’s like “are we there, yet?” over and over and over, but instead of that it’s, “Don’t believe in Jesus…” 10 times before you’re out of the neighborhood!
Third, it is unquestionably disrespectful to women. Yes, it teaches they are of less value than men. Yes, it teaches a husband can beat his wife (for her good).
Another thing, slavery and the subjugation of unbelievers are not only allowed, but encouraged. And things considered sinful for a Muslim man to do to a Muslim woman are often approved of it’s a woman “in your possession.”
Fifth, referring back to biblical events and people, the recurring use of a few individuals and their stories implies rudimentary knowledge, not divine wisdom.
Sixth, based on its own testimony, there were obviously many Christians (those who associate a partner with God) in the days of the writing and most thought Mohammad was nuts. Even Allah tells Mohamed, “When people question you and suggest you made all this up or that a demon gave it to you (paraphrased), reply with, “Allah will kill you and send you to a burning place if you do not obey ever word I say.”
Seven, it is very clear that Allah only saves those worthy to be saved. At the same time, the Quran teaches determinism (like a Calvinist). Allah saves those who believe, maintain their prayers, give the prescribes alms, and do good deeds, but he is the one who determines whom that will be. Hence, there are no “Arminian” Muslims.
The eighth thing I’ve noticed is that Truth is repeatedly spoken of as something to be known, but what that is, exactly, isn’t explained. The most obvious assumption would be that there is only one God and that the Quran is from God, not a creation of man. Soooooo different from the Bible.
Ninth, both the Prophet and the Quran are pathologically insecure. It is constantly reaffirming itself to those it finds questioning. This, of course, begs the question, “Why so many doubters?”
Lastly, probably the greatest psychological operation (psy-op) pulled off over the past thousand+ years has been to convince people that Islam and the Quran are intimidating. It shouldn’t be! The Quran cannot stand on its own merit, but must be forced upon people by fear of the sword.
Believe it or not, millions of Muslims are shocked when they read the Quran. They have simply believed it to be the perfect word of Allah without ever testing its truth claims. And why question it at all when to do so might mean a painful death?
As I see it, the only way Islam has survived this long is through ignorance of its own text and terrorism.
But I’m still reading.
The Recovering Legalist 