Re: Religious extremists in 3 faiths share views:
so its how you interpret the message and see the peaceful aspects of it rather then other aspects including the second coming and the chitrol of locals in jerusalem upon return etc.
Yes, it's all about how you interpret the message, that's my point. Look at the way Christianity was interprted for centuries and continues to be - emphasis on the fire and brimstone scare tactics of the Old Testament, and over-emphasis on the holiness of Mary, using scritpure to justify murder, slavery and war or using scripture to justify intolerance while ignoring passage after passage that told people to NOT judge or be intolerant of others. There isn't ONE interpretation of any religoin, no matter how much the followers would like to pretend or wish there is.
I don't believe in the literal translation of any scripture, I think the Bible and Quran usage imagery and allegory to make their point. I came to that realiztion when studying Noah's Ark and Adam and Eve as a small child and have only become more convinced as I grew older. The story of revelation I put in that same category. I don't see Jesus be a sword wielding warrior in his frist, 2nd or 3rd coming.
[quote]
what we cant do is compare one's personal view and interpretation and feelings for one item with the specifics of the other. I dont quite see why this discussion going on is really even useful or solves anything, but if there is a comparison, then try to compare in a more balanced manner.
[/quote]
Personal view and intepretation is all we have. Unless you want to show me where even Islam, in its attempt to be monolitih has one intepretation. Show me the definitive "ruling" on if we can eat shrimp. So balance is up to the individual and their interpretation. I refuse to follow the version of Jimmy Swaggart, James Dobson or anyone else.