tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post113984985014284495..comments2023-12-17T16:13:06.670-05:00Comments on In a Godward direction: Costly Freedom and the Clash of SymbolsTobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140288267642837122006-02-18T13:44:00.000-05:002006-02-18T13:44:00.000-05:00Hi Fr. Tobias--I apologize for the off-topic comme...Hi Fr. Tobias--<BR/><BR/>I apologize for the off-topic comment, but I didn't see an email link on the front page of the blog.<BR/><BR/>I just wanted to let you know that I linked to your site on ikons from <A HREF="http://chris.tessone.net/2006/02/15/top-10-ikons-for-theologians/" REL="nofollow">this post</A> on my own site. I've visited it a number of times over the years and hope to start writing ikons myself soon. Just thought you'd like to know about the link. (I also link to this blog, though I'm in the middle of re-doing my blogroll.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140115159706254162006-02-16T13:39:00.000-05:002006-02-16T13:39:00.000-05:00John, is it really true that any depiction of Moha...John, is it really true that <B>any</B> depiction of Mohammed are forbidden? Take a look at http://www.zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/. It appears that there's a long tradition -- even within Islam -- of depicting him. <BR/><BR/>Puzzled in Missouri --<BR/>LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140056493358637002006-02-15T21:21:00.000-05:002006-02-15T21:21:00.000-05:00Richard,I have not read the book. I am happy to pu...Richard,<BR/><BR/>I have not read the book. I am happy to put it on my reading list though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140041048188168932006-02-15T17:04:00.000-05:002006-02-15T17:04:00.000-05:00In that regard, this thread seems like the best ti...In that regard, this thread seems like the best time to ask Belinda a question that I have been wanting to ask her. Have you read Adam Nicholson's book, "God's Secretaries"? It was published about two and a half years ago, and is an account of how the King James Bible came into being, and about its translators. If you have not, I think you would find it fascinating. If you have, I'm curious to know your reaction to it. Pax.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140035477235172382006-02-15T15:31:00.000-05:002006-02-15T15:31:00.000-05:00Thanks John for the clarification and answer to Be...Thanks John for the clarification and answer to Belinda's question on the prohibitions on imagery in Islam. <BR/><BR/>When I went to review the scripture readings for this coming Sunday I found that they related to some of these themes, so this is going to reworked into a sermon (check out my other blog site, <A HREF="http://ekklesiastes.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Ekklesiastes</A>, next week if you are interested. <BR/><BR/>Monk-in-training, thanks also for your comment. As I worked on the sermon I was reminded of the hymn "O for a closer walk with God" -- especially the verse concerning the "dearest idols" that we place upon God's throne.<BR/><BR/>All blessing,<BR/>Tobias+Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1140025294625684252006-02-15T12:41:00.000-05:002006-02-15T12:41:00.000-05:00Br. Tobias,Your post makes me wonder what are the ...Br. Tobias,<BR/>Your post makes me wonder what are the Idols in my own life and how far would I go to protect them!? Thank you for such a post.Monk-in-Traininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01587433183262341491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1139996326037602322006-02-15T04:38:00.000-05:002006-02-15T04:38:00.000-05:00Belinda,The prohibitions in Islam against idolatry...Belinda,<BR/>The prohibitions in Islam against idolatry are stronger than any in Christianity. This is precisely the reason for the strong reaction to these cartoons. It's not just that the depictions are derogatory (although that certainly doesn't help), it's the mere fact that they are depictions.<BR/><BR/>In Islam, <I>any</I> depiction of Mohammed is forbidden - not just worshipping an image, just making one. Similarly, any depiction of God is totally forbidden. So, all those works of Christian art (the Sistine chapel ceiling, with God reaching out to Man, for example) are blasphemy in Muslim eyes. Whereas Christians feel free to explore the use symbolism of various sorts to show aspects of the Godhead, Muslims are explicitly forbidden from doing anything like that.<BR/><BR/>pax et bonumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1139938788037040712006-02-14T12:39:00.000-05:002006-02-14T12:39:00.000-05:00Dear Tobias,I suppose I had never thought of the t...Dear Tobias,<BR/><BR/>I suppose I had never thought of the things you mentioned as idols. Personally, I am not offended by the burning of the flag (although I can certainly understand how a veteran would be), or the female cricified, or any of the other items you mentioned. Perhaps that is a good sign.<BR/><BR/>But are you comparing the response of Christians to these various "offenses" to the violent response of the Muslims to the cartoons? Perhaps you were simply using that as a means to springboard to the Christian responses to certain offensive displays. <BR/><BR/>I agree with you that making a created thing into something sacred is idolatry. Perhaps it is our near compulsion to do so that led God to prohibit it so strenuously. Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:14, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." And in verse 20, "I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons." I take verse 20 to mean that these things (flag, crucifix in urine, woman crucifed, etc.) are creations of men sacrificed to demons. Therefore, we ought to "flee" from granting the creators of these things any satisfaction that we are offended...Indeed that we should not be offended at all, for God is spirit.<BR/><BR/>Do you know if the Koran says anything about idolatry? Well, I guess they are angry because their Prophet is being depicted. I am just curious as to whether they have the same prohibitions regarding idolatry that we have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1139867440825528972006-02-13T16:50:00.000-05:002006-02-13T16:50:00.000-05:00This is wonderful stuff. Thank you.Grace and peace...This is wonderful stuff. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Grace and peace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-1139860820406544722006-02-13T15:00:00.000-05:002006-02-13T15:00:00.000-05:00Thanks for that passage from Endo, Tobias. Powerfu...Thanks for that passage from Endo, Tobias. Powerful stuff.<BR/><BR/>pax et bonumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com