Why is halal legal?

[fr0d0]

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I'm not saying there's a difference, I'm just pointing out the correct attitude.

Okay but the correct attitude is dependant on one's intention for the sacrifice and you cannot judge that based on the actions only.

It follows that if you follow the text strictly without wanting the meaning, then your observance is empty.

You can do both at the same time, i.e. follow the text strictly and also stick to the meaning behind the action. The same thing with Christians.

If you're saying that to follow Allah you must replicate exactly the words of the Quran and ignore true observance then you aren't honouring Allah.

Then you tell me what is the 'true' observance and why that is not reconcilable with following the exact instructions of the Quran (if you think that the Muslims are doing something wrong).

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1. Yes
2. Yes
3. It depends what kind of Muslim you are, according to your own words. If you take it strictly literally you could justify wife beating and murdering infadels. If you apply more subtle reasoning (as with apologetics given by yourself) then you can appear to be pretty much in line with secular thinking.

@ Rhythm: Did you notice that you sacrifice to Allah where God is sacrificed to you?

What do you mean? ...

Now, remember the time when God told Abraham to sacrifice his own son as mentioned in the Bible?

According to the biblical story, Abraham sets out to obey God's command without questioning but does not state in front of Isaac that he is the intended sacrifice (22:5 and 22:8). After Isaac is bound to an altar, the angel of God stops Abraham at the last minute, saying that "now I know you fear God." At this point Abraham sees a ram caught in some nearby bushes and sacrifices the ram in Isaac's stead.

^ See fr0d0, it's the same type of sacrifice when the Muslims sacrifice a cow, sheep, or a goat.

Well I wasn't talking to you of course! But let me explain...

I was discussing with Rhythm the difference between the Christian God and all other monotheistic gods.

Firstly, humans are created in God's image:

"In the book of Genesis, dignity is conferred on humankind because only humans are in the image of God. All of the cosmos is created for people and with people in mind. In the ancient Near Eastern perspective, humankind is an afterthought and even a bother. There is no dignity to be found in the created status of humanity. Humankind is created to be slaves rather than to rule. Dignity in Mesopotamia, for example, is therefore found in the function of humankind - The gods need them to provide housing (temples) and food (sacrifices). (p. 232. John H. Walton. Ancient Israelite Literature In Its Cultural Context, A Survey of Parallels Between Biblical amd Ancient Near Eastern Texts. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Zondervan Publishing House. 1989, 1990 Revised Edition)

And secondly, God turned that on it's head with making himself the sacrifice to us and aboloshing sacrifice to him.