Struggle with Our Sacred Texts

~ by Samir Selmanovic

I have received a link to an interesting L.A. Times article from my friend Todd Chobotar, titled Scholars Try to Reconcile 'Problematic' Religious Texts. It discusses the struggle we have with the "dark side" of three faith traditions, sacred texts that have been used to exclude or even justify violence against the The Other.

Reflecting on the struggle we have with our sacred texts, I have written a poem (first one in a long time!).  I have been inspired by a quote of one of the Californian based professors of Islamic Law, Khaled Abou El-Fadl who said: "The meaning of the text is often as moral as its reader. If the reader is intolerant, hateful, or oppressive, so will the interpretation of the text" (article in Boston Review 2/25/2002).  My poem is followed by a sampling of another kind of sacred texts.

 

UNDER OUR DAUGHTERS' GAZE
~ by Samir Selmanovic

God watches our religions
through the eyes of people
that will inherit the earth
after three of us are gone.

Why not hear
now
the questions
they will ask
then?

"Those three mighty defenders of God,
did they love, or did they love to be right?"

I am making a turn here.
I will interpret my Sacred Text
not in the quiet of my room
not in the glory of my temple
not to preserve my past
not to prove anything at all.

I will study The Word
under the gaze
of my daughters
and yours,

my Muslim and Jewish
brothers.

And the words of God
will make me run to you.
We will talk, cry,
eat, and dance,

three of us,
fathers.

 

God is our Lord and your Lord. We have our works, and you have your works. There is no disputing between us and you. God brings us together, and to him belongs the final destiny. -  Qur'an, Surat al-Shura (42):15

Bring about reconciliation between your brothers, and fear God, that you may receive mercy. -  Qur'an, Surat al-Hujurat (49):10 

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Jesus said: Blessed are the peacemakers. -  New Testament, Matthew 5:9.

God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. / And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. -  New Testament, 2 Corinthians 5:19

~ ~ ~

You shall be a blessing and through you all peoples on earth shall be blessed. - Torah, Genesis 12:2-3

You shall not take vengeance nor bear any grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Torah, Leviticus 19:18