What the BBC said and what Ahmadinejad actually said
The BBC really needs to get someone who understand Islam and Christianity to educate its journalists.
What the BBC is reporting is shown below:
( Wednesday, 4 April 2007, 20:24 GMT 21:24 UK  ) |
But this is not what Ahmadinejad appears to have said based on the live translation from his press conference. He spoke about the anniversary of Jesus Christ's ascension. This is not Easter, but Islam's denial of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
Its another slap in the face for what they see as the West's religion. The BBC supinely translates it into Easter - but why should they ? He didn't mean that. He was restating Islam's superiority and the BBC was either too ignorant of the majority faith of the country it serves or duplicitous in keeping the point quiet.
Perhaps you think I'm over reacting - but the whole of Christianity hangs of the death and resurrection of Christ ( the Christian ascension day is quite some time off). Its makes an argument about GPS read outs in the sea look like a minor irrelevance. Its up there with holocaust denial for its significance coming from the mouth of Ahmadinejad. Imagine a Western leader standing up and denying what Islam says about its prophet ! ( You don't have to imagine just see what happened to the Pope. )
See extract below ( from Answering Islam site on Isa - the name Muslims use for Jesus )
‘Isa did not die on a cross
Christians and Jews have corrupted their scriptures. (Âl 'Imran 3:74-77, 113) Although Christians believe ‘Isa died on a cross, and Jews claim they killed him, in reality he was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied (An-Nisa’ 4:157). ‘Isa did not die, but ascended to Allah. (An-Nisa’ 4:158) On the day of Resurrection ‘Isa himself will be a witness against Jews and Christians for believing in his death. (An-Nisa’ 4:159)
From the Christian scriptures - Paul letter to the Corinthians - written before Islam existed, buy people who were alive at the time of Christ. ( underlining is mine)1 Corinthians 15
The Resurrection of Christ
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
The Resurrection of the Dead
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.Happy Easter - Man in a Shed.
Update: Let us Reason has a intresting discussion on this last subject here...
3 comments:
BillySpain said...
Have you ever noticed the similarities between islam and mormonism? Both have a prophet who reinterprets scripture and produces a 'true' book. **point removed**. Both seek to rule their followers through fear.
We musn't say anything to offend though.
Billyspain - I've rehashed a bit of your comment above. The reason is that one of the points you make is both contentious and very serious. I know what you mean, but I don't believe Muslims would understand or accept the same thing by that point. Though its one they really need to explain.
But I think your overall point is very good. In fact the similarities don't stop there - both religions rely upon a specific revelation to a leader. Its worth reading what Mohammed's initial reaction to the approach was.
Happy Easter Man in a Shed. You make a profound point about Ahmedinejad's statement that many people will have overlooked.
Thank you MiaS for your comments.
It is interesting that for the piece that you chose to leave out you seem to be over aware of muslim sensitivities and unconcerned by any mormon reaction. Whether or not muslims accept the point is irrelevant but, for sure, it cannot be explained if it isn't raised.
I suppose, however, you can rely on a muslim, possibly violent, backlash while the days of the Dannites are long gone. No mormon will appear at your door certain in his knowledge that god wants you dead.
Post a Comment