Why Atheism/Secular Humanism... Part II

[ElDinero]

No, look. You're supposed to be showing that your God doesn't hate good people simply because they don't believe in him (because if he does hate them, you have to, or oppose your God). It doesn't matter if it was all atheists, or some atheists, or specific atheists living at that time. The only reason they are being condemned is that they do not believe in your God. It is saying that they are the 'vilest of all creatures', because they don't believe. So, God can and does hate otherwise good people simply on the basis of their disbelief. Yes or no?

And if the Qu'ran says that about one group of atheists, and the book is supposed to be used for guidance in life, why wouldn't people take that lesson and apply it in their lives to OTHER atheists?

You don't hate us because you're an educated person, but it is at complete odds with your religion. You're having to work extremely hard to reconcile the two, and failing. Why not grow a pair and throw one of them out?

[Norfolk And Chance]

There's a difference between the two as I mentioned above.
I agree with the statements in the Quran, yes, but not with the opinions of the posters whom I was addressing to.

Also, my "acrobatics" are just interpretations of what I already agree with.

What is the difference between, say, me, and those mentioned in the Quran?

[The Grand Nudger]

The Quran is always open to interpretation. That's the only way we can understand it. At the same time, we should also try to refer to tafseers (or commentaries) of the Quran written by scholars and those who are knowledgeable about the book because they contain many information that we may not know such as the meaning of certain words, the circumstances in which a verse was revealed, the historical context, etc. Knowing those things will help us to better understand the meanings behind the verses. Indeed, the Quran says what it means and means what it says, but again, the extraction of meaning is always a matter of interpretation.

Then it can be made to say anything (just as you're doing now with "what I think the verse means"). Just how perfect is it's composition, requiring "experts" to "translate" it's "truth"? How about replacing those in quotes with "propagandist", "create", "agenda". Works just as well for me. Interpretation ftw!

The Quran only "means what it says and says what it means" in that it makes this claim. Since you've just annihilated that claim with the one immediately following it I find it a rough claim to swallow. I'm left with the feeling that the Quran does indeed say what it means and mean what it says, except when it doesn't and requires interpretation. You know I do a great Noah Sweat if you ever get in on a hangout, accent and all.




(in case you'd never heard the speech that spawned the phrase. This is what you're doing, lol)

[Mystic]

Rayaan! We miss you!