medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Quoting Karl-Georg Schon <[log in to unmask]>:
> > Just to throw in a thought:
>
> Suppose you are convinced that a certain belief (from whatever religious
> point of view - medieval christian or whatever) is necessary for eternal
> salvation and that any infidel (again from whatever point of view) is
> destined to eternal damnation and hell - are you not duty-bound to do
> whatever may be necessary to salvage the immortal souls of your
> fellow-humans? Isn't it (if this is your firm belief) necessary even to
> apply violence in order to do this? After all you are doing a favor to those
> people, aren't you?
>
I realize that you are only throwing this view in as a thought, but such a view
is a shallow understanding whether of Islam or Christianity--despite the fact
that both some Christians and Muslims seem to hold the view.
Both religions have divergent views within them, but first suppose a Christian
who holds such a view. A fellow Christian might accuse him of not recognizing
the sovereignty of God who has the final say on who receives eternal salvation.
A Muslim, on the other hand, has the direct revelation of God who says that
Christians are people of the book--are not to be treated violently.
In order for any one of any religion to take the position you toss out for
discussion, must, in my opinion, be extremely narrow minded and not willing to
consider the views and opinions of others of their faith.
--V. K. Inman
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