From a wonderful posting via a friend: Naomis discovery about the covenant is in total consistency with the Quranic concept that it is with our deeds that we gain salvation or inherit the earth so to speak. It is mainly through the manifestation of Gods attribute of Mercy that we come closer to Him and are encompassed by Divine Mercy. I believe many Muslims, Jews and Christians have missed the plot. It is not the adherents of a particular religion who will have salvation. There are no free tickets. Salvation will come to those whose hearts reflect Gods beautiful attributes of Mercy, Love, Truth, Fairness and many more. In our Islamic teachings Mercy is at the forefront. Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon Him) told us that a man was granted paradise for getting water from a well for a thirsty dog. We werent told what religion he adhered to. Just that this man had a merciful heart. I recently learnt from a scholar that the Prophet gave glad tidings regarding a Magian man who displayed consideration for others. Because of his kindness the angels gave him the choice after his death to accept the unity of God and he did. So even though he belonged to a religion of fire worshippers, this man was granted paradise. We should never judge people by their religion or political persuasion, but by their hearts. Even then it is not for us to judge - all each and everyone of us must do is to look into our own hearts and nurture love and mercy for our fellow humans and fellow inhabitants of this earth, whether they be animal, plant or mineral. Naomi Wolf Okay, so I was challenged below: Read the Bible! God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people. So....I may get crucified for this but I have started to say it -- most recently (terrified, trembling) to warm welcome in a synagogue in LA: Actually if you read Genesis Exodus and Deuteronomy in Hebrew -- as I do -- you see that God did not give Israel to the Jews/Israelites. We as Jews are raised with the creed that God gave us the land of Israel in Genesis -- and that ethnically we are the chosen people. But actually -- and I could not believe my eyes when I saw this, I checked my reading with major scholars and they confirmed it -- actually Gods covenant in Genesis, Exodus and Deuteronomy with the Jewish people is NOT ABOUT AN ETHNICITY AND NOT ABOUT A CONTRACT. IT IS ABOUT A WAY OF BEHAVING. Again and again in the covenant language He never says: I will give you, ethnic Israelites, the land of Israel. Rather He says something far more radical - far more subversive -- far more Godlike in my view. He says: IF you visit those imprisoned...act mercifully to the widow and the orphan...welcome the stranger in your midst...tend the sick...do justice and love mercy ....and perform various other tasks...THEN YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE AND THIS LAND WILL BE YOUR LAND. So my people is not ethnic -- it is transactional. We are Gods people not by birth but by a way of behaving, that is ethical, kind and just. And we STOP being Gods people when we are not ethical, kind and just. And ANYONE who is ethical, kind and just is, according to God in Genesis, Gods people. And the contract to give us Israel is conditional -- we can live in Gods land IF we are Gods people in this way -- just, merciful, compassionate. AND -- it never ever says, it is ONLY your land. Even when passages spell out geographical boundaries as if God does such a thing, it never says this is exclusively your land. It never says I will give this land JUST to you. Remember these were homeless nomads who had left slavery in Egypt and were wandering around in the desert; at most these passages say, settle here, but they do not say, settle here exclusively. Indeed again and again it talks about welcoming zarim -- translated as strangers but can also be translated as people/tribes who are not you -- in your midst. Blew my mind, hope it blows yours.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 06:11:47 +0000
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