Ray A wrote:A thread started by
Pa Pa.
The post I found really interesting in this ass-kissing thread was by one
kolipoki09, who quotes a letter sent to him by an Islamic scholar, and reads as follows:
Dr. Peterson's work...is of the highest scholarship, that i would use it in a class of mine. When recommending texts, I try to NOT think in terms of religion of the reader--for I am concerned with the scholarship of the author. Yet--if religion must play a role, I would probably suggest a different work--authored by a Muslim--if I am convinced that the entire class would be of Muslim students. And this would be for the simple reason that Muslims would probably be more comfortable accepting one of their own. It would have NOTHING to do with Dr. Peterson's work in any way being of inferior quality.
As for BYU's work; I highly recommend it, and have suggested to Muslims and others that the translation efforts are indeed commendable. It is possible that at some time in the future I may even seek to have a sabbatical semester at Brigham Young to work in some aspect of translation.
The questions I have, and I invite Dan to get involved here, are, does Dr. Khaleel Mohammed realise that Dr. Peterson believes the Book of Mormon to be superior to the Qur’an? Does he understand that, according to Mormon interpretation, that Muhammad “only received a portion of God’s light”? Has he read the derogatory statements about Muslims by Mormon General Authorities in the
Journal of Discourses?
And there’s a classic “category mistake” here on the part of kolipoki09. The reason that Dr. Peterson can be so “objective” about Islam, is simply because
he does not believe it!. DCP saves his apologetics for what he believes – Mormonism. So his “objectivity” towards Islam, to the untrained and uncritical eye, seems so benign. And actually, I do think his observations about Islam are noteworthy, but he will never apply this kind of objectivity to his own religion. To put it bluntly – he, DCP, believes that the Qur’an is only a “faith-promoting myth”. And I welcome his correction if I’m wrong. The Book of Mormon, in DCP’s eyes is, of course, “historical”. I wonder if Dr. Mohammad would agree?
The foreword to Dr. Peterson’s
Muhammad: Prophet of God was written by none other than Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, so it’s no wonder that kolipok109 should receive such a flattering email.
In addition, I wonder how many editions of the
FARMS Review Dr. Mohammad has read? DCP has so ingratiated himself into the Islamic community, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a bit paradoxical that this “seeker of peace and understanding and objectivity” has zero time for the infidels who criticise his faith.
But maybe he and Dr. Mohammed are of one mind on this, at least, that “knockers” and critics deserve no attention whatsoever. “Whatever promotes God”, I guess, even though the Muslim God bears absolutely no resemblance to the Mormon God. I must inform you, dear reader, that Muslims would consider the idea that God has human form, as “apostate heresy”, and
unthinkable. Which raises more questions in my mind about Dr. Mohammad, than it answers. Is he ignorant? Or is he a Muslim “liberal” dealing with a Mormon literalist, and does not know it?
http://www.mormondiscussions.com/phpBB3 ... =1&t=14542