by jdaMay 17, 2010

/bbs.backstage.com/

On Talk of the Nation on NPR (National Public Radio), I listened to a program about Modesty And Faith which highlighted the islamic religion. The guests were Sally Quinn, founder and editor of the blog "On Faith" and Sara Jawaid associate editor of the website altmusimah.org( about gender and islamic faith).

Sally Quinn said that France wanted to ban burqas(robes that cover muslim women head to toe) and hijabs(head scarfs) because they did not want muslim women to be treated as second class citizens, but also said many young muslim women wanted to wear the traditional muslim dress and did not consider it a mandate.

Ms. Jawaid, in her twenties, said it was her on decision to wear the hijab. Wearing the hijab was her way of connecting to her creator and religion.

Several people called in to the program: a Mormon, a Quaker, and a Apostolic Pentecostal.

The Morman said she wore a temple garment, basically underwear, to signify keeping her promises to God. The Quaker said his community wore plain clothing to show humility to God. The Apostolic Pentecostal said she did not wear anything but skirts and dresses and did not cut her hair. Biblical scripture was mentioned by the callers and "what the Bible talks about" to explain their modest clothing choices.

I was doing OK listening and found the program quite interesting until all the "proof-texting" of the Bible started. Biblical proof-texting is taking a small portion of what the scripture says and applying it to a broad principle. The proof-texter refuses to accept the whole scripture-that which comes before and after. Christian fundamentalists are masters at this.

As a person of faith, this proof-texting doesn't do a thing for me. Religious people can do anything they please but don't don't try to justify what you are doing by proof-texting the Bible.

The radical Muslims do proof-texting by the use of the Koran. I don't know the Koran but I do know the Bible. One big difference in the estimated 5 million radical Muslims is that they have moved to violence. It is a violence, from my perspective, which is mostly rooted in ignorance. They are told what the Koran says by some Iman, who is interpreting it for the followers. Sounds a lot like Christian fundamentalism minus the violence. Christians in modern times, other than the occasional anti-abortion idiot, are not running around trying to kill people.

Proof-texting the Bible, in my opinion shows ignorance. The Bible is a wonderful book and I believe it.

As my seminary professor, Dr Boyce said, "Treat the Old Testament, as Wisdom literature, meaning great stories." Arguing the Bible is mostly a waste of time for thinking people unless you simply agree to disagree. My advice, stick to the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are about what Jesus said and did!

Related Links:

Modesty And Faith Connected In Many Religions(NPR Radio Program)

France's burqa debate stokes passion in North Africa