Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma lawmakers plan to return copies of the Quran to a state panel on diversity after a lawmaker claimed the Muslim holy book condones the killing of innocent people.
The books were given to Oklahoma’s 149 senators and representatives by the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council.
“Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology,” Rep. Rex Duncan said.
Duncan, a Republican, expressed his feelings Monday in a letter to colleagues. At least 17 legislators have notified the panel they will return the gift.
Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour, chairwoman of the council and a Muslim, denounced Duncan’s assessment of Islam.
“I know he referred to Islam as an ideology. That is not a fact. It is a religion. It is very peaceful, very inclusive,” Seirafi-Pour said.
In Washington, spokesman Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Duncan’s statement is “disturbing” and “offensive” to Muslims.
“It just points to the amount of education about Islam and the American Muslim community that is needed in all levels in our society, including elected officials,” Hooper said.
Seirafi-Pour said the gift was a way to introduce the council to lawmakers so they can use it as a resource to “serve their offices and constituents.” Oklahoma lawmakers also received a copy of the Bible earlier this year from The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
“It’s one of the nicest things I’ve received in my three years in the Legislature,” Duncan said of the Bible.
Seirafi-Pour estimated between 30,000 and 50,000 Muslims live in Oklahoma. No state funds were used to purchase the books, she said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted October 24, 2007 at 6:16 pm
“Several Oklahoma lawmakers plan to return copies of the Quran to a state panel on diversity after a lawmaker claimed the Muslim holy book condones the killing of innocent people.”
I wonder, will they also return the copies of the Bible?
1 Samuel 15:3
“Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.”
Exodus 21:17
“Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.”
Leviticus 20:9
“If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head.”
Deuteronomy 22:23-24
“23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death—the girl because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.”
Peace!
posted October 24, 2007 at 6:24 pm
“Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology,” Rep. Rex Duncan said.
No doubt, Rep Duncan is pushing for legislation to compel the US to get out of Iraq.
The USA has attacked and invaded a sovereign country. Killing and causing the killing of thousands upon thousands of innocent people. Yet, these Oklahoman legislators are concerned about what is writen a in book more than a thousand years ago.
Wow!
posted October 25, 2007 at 9:24 am
It seems once again people use the old covenant to say the bible also teaches death.
The Bible
1) the Old Covenant is GONE. Luke 22:20, Heb 8:13, 2Cor 3:6-11,
2) Christ commanded LOVE, Matthew 5:44, John 13:34-35,
3) Ro 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Quran
Bukhari (52:177) – Allah’s Apostle said, “The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. “O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.”
Sura (3:169-170) – “Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.” Martyrs go directly from life to paradise, where they wait for those who must first go through the Day of Judgment
Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Sura (2:217), Sura (9:73-74), Sura (88:21), Sura (5:54), and Sura (9:66).
posted October 25, 2007 at 11:03 am
Do we really want to get into a discussion on how so many have killed and been killed in the name of Jesus Christ? ‘
Bryan, you can say that the old convenant is gone if you like, but that is simply not true. The cornerstone of Christian fundamentalism comes from the Old Testament. Christian fundamentalism as we know it would be dead if what you say were actually true. You can’t have it both ways though it be convenient for you.
posted October 25, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I wonder if every U.S. state has a “Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council”. If so it would be interesting to see how other states throughout America reacted to being given as a gift, the book of this Ethnic group, the Quran. Are the predominately fundamentalist states rejecting, and the rest not? This sounds sort of like the Scholars of Iraq inviting the Pope for dialogue, that other repr. of nations accepted, but the Pope left before it began. Would reading anothers Bible infect you and give you a disease? Whatever happened to graciousness?
posted October 26, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I’m glad I said what I did to you IandProud. You would never have told us your story if I hadn’t. It’s disturbing to hear it’s only seperation of government and religion if it relates to Christians, but it’s o.k. to not bother with seperation of church and state when it comes to Muslims. Perhaps the ACLU should be contacted about this. They seem to have good justice batting averages. I haven’t read the Koran, don’t want to. I only read my Bible where I want to read, too. I’m an American that believes what the Constitution tells me. It better follow it or trouble is really going to increase in this country. I don’t think Americans will buy the Muslims being given all the tolerance.
posted October 27, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Bryan,
If the old testament is gone then why is is still being thrown in the face of the GLBT community and the Pagan communities? Most of what they use to say the groups are against your God are from there. As Sage said, “You can’t have it both ways.” I have read the bible and know what I don’t want in my life, bet you can’t say the same about other religions, have you studied them at all? Probably not.
There are fanatically people in every religion, they are the ones with the problems, not the main stream average person. These legislators need to get their heads out of their butts and put a little knowledge in that head. They represent all their people not just the ones they follow in a belief system.