John Locke's religious and political ideologies were brokered, recycled and constructed. The Isla... more John Locke's religious and political ideologies were brokered, recycled and constructed. The Islamic Unitarian theology, republican outlook and tolerant ethos greatly influenced John Locke. The Islamic faith and the Ottoman Empire served as sources of inspiration for Locke's religious, political and civic ideologies. Locke was far closer to the Islamic theological outlook than the organized, traditional, Church Christianity of 17th-century England.
The Holy Bible was accepted as the Word of God verbatim for centuries. The second and third centu... more The Holy Bible was accepted as the Word of God verbatim for centuries. The second and third centuries Roman philosophers such as Celsus and Porphyry attacked its historical authenticity, rationality and morality. The Qur'an initiated a purposeful criticism of the Bible and its dogmas. Ibn Hazm expanded on it by incorporating elements from the Roman criticisms. Many Jews and Christian scholars wrote detailed rebuttals. The modern pioneer of biblical criticism, Baruch Spinoza was an heir to these debates greatly influenced by Ibn Hazm. Pierre Bayle, Richard Simon, Voltaire and many others were influenced by Spinoza and proto-Muslim Socinians. Modern biblical criticism eroded the divine foundations of the Old Regime's fundamental institutions such as the divine right monarchy, authoritative church, religiously sanctioned terror and dogmatic mysteries. Therefore, modern civilization is a Judeo-Christian and Islamic civilization.
, a prominent figure in early 19thcentury America, led a remarkable life that traversed the realm... more , a prominent figure in early 19thcentury America, led a remarkable life that traversed the realms of religion, diplomacy, and adventure. Born in Cambridge, Boston, in 1787, English embarked on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led him to convert to Islam and become the first American Muslim. His story is one of intellectual transformation, dedication to his newfound faith, and significant contributions to American diplomacy during a time of global upheaval.
Voltaire used Islam, Muhammad and Muslims to indict Christianity and Judaism of fanaticism, super... more Voltaire used Islam, Muhammad and Muslims to indict Christianity and Judaism of fanaticism, supernaturalism, irrationalism, religiously sanctioned violence and intellectual stagnation. He harbored nuanced fondness for Islam.
The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, places a strong emphasis on the importance of human reason, c... more The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, places a strong emphasis on the importance of human reason, critical thinking, logical argumentation, and common sense. It values the use of our intellect to understand the world, theology, morality, and the human mind. In the Qur'an, faith and reason are seen as interconnected, like two sides of the same coin. Unlike Christianity, which often relies more on faith and less on logical reasoning in conveying its message, the Qur'an uses both logical and rhetorical reasoning to convey its teachings effectively. The Qur'an primarily seeks to provide guidance and stir a moral response in its audiences. As a result, it combines emotional, rhetorical, and logical reasoning to create a powerful spiritual impact.
The archaic, literalist, and extreme viewpoint of ultraright extremists, which verges on advocati... more The archaic, literalist, and extreme viewpoint of ultraright extremists, which verges on advocating genocidal tactics, urgently needs to be collectively renounced and neutralized by Jewish, Christian, Muslim communities, and other faith-based groups globally. The emphasis should be on embracing the compassionate teachings of the Torah, rather than succumbing to the fear incited by its fundamentalist interpreters. Gaza is in dire need of the benevolent deity of the cosmos, as opposed to the fabricated deity of ancient Hebrews, which was conceived in their own image and likeness.
John Locke's religious and political thought aligned more closely with Islamic Unitarianism than ... more John Locke's religious and political thought aligned more closely with Islamic Unitarianism than traditional Christianity. Influenced both consciously and subconsciously, Locke absorbed numerous Islamic ideas and ideals. His concepts were shaped through a process of intellectual exchange, with Islam, the Ottomans, and the broader Islamic world serving as significant sources and inspirations.
John Locke's religious and political ideologies were brokered, recycled and constructed. The Isla... more John Locke's religious and political ideologies were brokered, recycled and constructed. The Islamic Unitarian theology, republican outlook and tolerant ethos greatly influenced John Locke. The Islamic faith and the Ottoman Empire served as sources of inspiration for Locke's religious, political and civic ideologies. Locke was far closer to the Islamic theological outlook than the organized, traditional, Church Christianity of 17th-century England.
The Holy Bible was accepted as the Word of God verbatim for centuries. The second and third centu... more The Holy Bible was accepted as the Word of God verbatim for centuries. The second and third centuries Roman philosophers such as Celsus and Porphyry attacked its historical authenticity, rationality and morality. The Qur'an initiated a purposeful criticism of the Bible and its dogmas. Ibn Hazm expanded on it by incorporating elements from the Roman criticisms. Many Jews and Christian scholars wrote detailed rebuttals. The modern pioneer of biblical criticism, Baruch Spinoza was an heir to these debates greatly influenced by Ibn Hazm. Pierre Bayle, Richard Simon, Voltaire and many others were influenced by Spinoza and proto-Muslim Socinians. Modern biblical criticism eroded the divine foundations of the Old Regime's fundamental institutions such as the divine right monarchy, authoritative church, religiously sanctioned terror and dogmatic mysteries. Therefore, modern civilization is a Judeo-Christian and Islamic civilization.
, a prominent figure in early 19thcentury America, led a remarkable life that traversed the realm... more , a prominent figure in early 19thcentury America, led a remarkable life that traversed the realms of religion, diplomacy, and adventure. Born in Cambridge, Boston, in 1787, English embarked on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led him to convert to Islam and become the first American Muslim. His story is one of intellectual transformation, dedication to his newfound faith, and significant contributions to American diplomacy during a time of global upheaval.
Voltaire used Islam, Muhammad and Muslims to indict Christianity and Judaism of fanaticism, super... more Voltaire used Islam, Muhammad and Muslims to indict Christianity and Judaism of fanaticism, supernaturalism, irrationalism, religiously sanctioned violence and intellectual stagnation. He harbored nuanced fondness for Islam.
The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, places a strong emphasis on the importance of human reason, c... more The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, places a strong emphasis on the importance of human reason, critical thinking, logical argumentation, and common sense. It values the use of our intellect to understand the world, theology, morality, and the human mind. In the Qur'an, faith and reason are seen as interconnected, like two sides of the same coin. Unlike Christianity, which often relies more on faith and less on logical reasoning in conveying its message, the Qur'an uses both logical and rhetorical reasoning to convey its teachings effectively. The Qur'an primarily seeks to provide guidance and stir a moral response in its audiences. As a result, it combines emotional, rhetorical, and logical reasoning to create a powerful spiritual impact.
The archaic, literalist, and extreme viewpoint of ultraright extremists, which verges on advocati... more The archaic, literalist, and extreme viewpoint of ultraright extremists, which verges on advocating genocidal tactics, urgently needs to be collectively renounced and neutralized by Jewish, Christian, Muslim communities, and other faith-based groups globally. The emphasis should be on embracing the compassionate teachings of the Torah, rather than succumbing to the fear incited by its fundamentalist interpreters. Gaza is in dire need of the benevolent deity of the cosmos, as opposed to the fabricated deity of ancient Hebrews, which was conceived in their own image and likeness.
John Locke's religious and political thought aligned more closely with Islamic Unitarianism than ... more John Locke's religious and political thought aligned more closely with Islamic Unitarianism than traditional Christianity. Influenced both consciously and subconsciously, Locke absorbed numerous Islamic ideas and ideals. His concepts were shaped through a process of intellectual exchange, with Islam, the Ottomans, and the broader Islamic world serving as significant sources and inspirations.
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