...how many wives/concubines did Abraham have? I wonder how full King David's harem was?
It's also an established fact that marriages of young women to older men existed in biblical times as well, among the Hebrews, Eqyptians, Philistines, etc., etc. Marriage at a young age existed, too.
There's a reason I no longer spiritually associate with the Southern Baptist church (even though I grew up as one), and this is yet another picture perfect reason of why I don't to this day and probably never will. I'm currently a mix of Catholic and Presbyterian belief/creed, which would probably have Martin Luther nailing my a$$ to the church doors in his day and the Spanish Inquisitors setting me up on a rack for a nice relaxing hour of torture in their day (I never said I was sane)...
I agree that Islam COMBINED with certain socio-political and historical elements makes for a damn dangerous breeding ground, but Islam itself in NO WAY makes folks strap C4 to themselves and proceed to maim and massacre people, just as it doesn't make people fly planes into buildings.
I'd say it's a mix of things. Lack of education, far too much racial/ethnic/tribal tensions, simple minds and having too many motivational and influential nutcases passing themselves off as holy men. I'm sorry, but the Middle-East is no longer the bastion on knowledge that it was 800-1000 years ago. Culturally it's stagnated over the years in many ways, which hasn't helped matters.
Unfortunately, just because someone can read the Koran doesn't mean they understand the tone and meaning behind it. Same goes for the Bible.
This reverend needs to have his head checked with a ball-ping hammer...
...BTW, Sleeper, that joke had me close to spitting up lunch I laughed so hard...
Regards,
