Religion and the Media

Coming off of AIF's discussion of religion and the media are two interesting and related articles.

The first article is from the Wall Street Journal and covers a German professor and Muslim who has made the claim Prophet Mohammed never existed. This statement, sure to create waves in many sectors of the world, should be considered a step in critical analysis of Islam and in exploration and questioning of one's faith.

Professor Hired for Outreach to Muslims Delivers a Jolt - Andrew Higgins

Christianity (and Islam to a degree) has already dealt with this sort of challenge with scholars questioning the historical existence of Jesus.

This is not the first claim of the non-existence of Mohammed, but it is the most recent. Some earlier examples would be Christopher Hitchens in God is Not Great, Klimovich in an article entitled "Did Muhummed Exist?" and Ibn Warraq (citing Klimovich) in his book The Quest for the Historical Muhammed.

Muslims may be quick to dismiss the books mentioned above here, but it is hopeful the very question of the existence of Muhammed will have each Muslim looking into the very core of faith and why Islam instead of reacting in dismissive or other ways. This is a golden opportunity to evaluate and really understand why one believes what one believes.

One should consider such questions as, "what if Muhammed didn't exist?" Would that fact diminish one's faith? Muhammed as a prophet is certainly a foundation of Islam as a religion, but the cornerstone of the Islamic faith is God. Muslims have pondered similar questions, including the non-existence of the Qu'ran, other prophets, etc... One would hope a person would understand the vastness and adaptability of the concept of God in religion...Mohammed is how Muslims received the revelation of Islam, but God would have the capacity to have delivered the message regardless of the constraints of the world. Let's not discount the extreme importance of Mohammed as a messenger...someone who had the capacity to not only receive, but live and spread the message of God...but a Muslim or any person with belief in God should not fall into the philosophical trap of placing one's faith in humanity rather than God.

Mike Ghouse of the World Muslim Congress also cautions Muslims not to fall into the trap of reacting negatively to such news. He has a different spin on the approach and intentions of such challenges, but it is important to consider the consequences of a Muslim's response and how the world is watching.

Should Muslims Play the Game - Mike Ghouse

What do you think?
How would you react considering your faith perspective?

Here are the articles and sites referenced during the discussion meeting:

Religion and the Media

The Media Gets Religion - Fred Barnes

On the Spiritual Perils of Religion Writing - Andrea Unseem

When Religion Meets New Media

And here is a video, winner of the 2007 One Nation, Many Voices Online Film Contest, showcasing some thoughts of Muslims and what they would like to convey to the public about themselves.

A Land Called Paradise - Lena Khan

Think on!

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Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com