This book has been a sheer delight, so much so I can read it over and over again. Depth and simplicity at once intermarry in the quick wit of the geniThis book has been a sheer delight, so much so I can read it over and over again. Depth and simplicity at once intermarry in the quick wit of the genius of George Orwell. I have loved especially his review of Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer, and loved every word he had to say and had to read it over and over again to relish what I am reading. ...more
The only reason I bought this book was the title. In those days I didn't make full use of inter library loan borrowing as I should have. The book is uThe only reason I bought this book was the title. In those days I didn't make full use of inter library loan borrowing as I should have. The book is useless. A complete waste of money. That is why you should check out any book first from the library and later decide if you really want to buy the book. The book is a theological mumbo-jumbo, and since I was a seminary student I would put it in the category of theological, christological studies. Yea, this kind of stuff that you really can't use from day to day if you want to develop your spiritual life. One less book on the shelf going as a donation to the library! ...more
I really wanted to like this book. I wanted to keep an open mind. But the book is so narrow-minded. It feels like it is written by a fundamentalist ChI really wanted to like this book. I wanted to keep an open mind. But the book is so narrow-minded. It feels like it is written by a fundamentalist Christian. This my spirit can't bear witness with, but apparently the book is wonderful for some other people and I am happy for that. It is just NOT my type of book in the least. I will donate it to the local library. ...more
منذ سنوات مضت عرفت من صديقي الألماني الفيزيائي كريستوف هيجر أن صديقنا المشترك كريستوف لوكسنبرج العالم بالسريانية ذاهب إلى جامعة نوتردام لإلقاء محاضراتمنذ سنوات مضت عرفت من صديقي الألماني الفيزيائي كريستوف هيجر أن صديقنا المشترك كريستوف لوكسنبرج العالم بالسريانية ذاهب إلى جامعة نوتردام لإلقاء محاضرات ويرغب في رؤياي؛ وشجعني على السفر لمقابلته هناك ففرحت أن أقابل العلماء الألمان المتخصصين في الدراسات الشرقية ومنهم جيرد بوين مكتشف مخطوطة اليمن للقرآن. وفوجئت بنصر حامد أبو زيد وقد ألقى كلمته وكان هناك وقت للسؤال والجواب فوقفت أسأله: أراك تحاول تقديم نظرة إنسانية علمانية للدين وهي أبعد ما تكون عن الإسلام الذي عرفته فتعرض عليهم إسلام أقرب للإلحاد من الإسلام الحقيقي القائم على القرآن والسنة، إسلام هيوماني. هل تعلم يا دكتور نصر أن أمثالك وأمثالي دمهم حلال في الإسلام ويروننا أننا مرتدين؟ وما قولك في أن القرآن نفسه بحسب سورة النساء ٣٤ يشجع بل ويأمر الرجل أن يضرب زوجه في حالة النشوز إذا تمادت في العصيان؟ طبعا هو قال إني متعصب مسيحي وإني عاجز عن رؤية الجمال الذي يراه هو إلخ إلخ وبعد المحاضرة جاء إلي وحضنني وقال: الأخ المرتد أهوه، ثم ضحك.. قلت له: على فكرة فيه اتنين مرتدين هنا: أنا وأنت. فضحك وضحك.. هو يقدم قراءة تذوقية وانتقائية للإسلام، إسلام ممزوج بأدبيات الفكر الإلحادي الهيوماني الأوروبي. كنت أحب أن أستفزه وأنكشه وأن أقول له إن صديقه صادق جلال العظم لم يرقص على السلم فتأخذه العصبية ويقول: أنت ما بتعجبنيش كدة هههههههه… وما هي إلا شهور وسمعت بخبر وفاته ولم ينفعه تلمق الدوائر الأكاديمية ولكن كل ما نجح فيه هو الرقص على السلم، فلا اللي تحت شافوها، ولا اللي فوق سمعوها، وأنا طبعي كدة كدة يا معلم....more
It is completely hard for me to be fair and objective to this book, but I very much enjoy the critique of Arthur Jeffery in the Moslem World issue, ThIt is completely hard for me to be fair and objective to this book, but I very much enjoy the critique of Arthur Jeffery in the Moslem World issue, The Moslem World - Volume 12 - Page 312, 1922: https://books.google.com/books?id=Jpw......more
The book falls in the category of so-called independent thinking studies in the history of early Islam, an attempt constantly aborted by triumphant orThe book falls in the category of so-called independent thinking studies in the history of early Islam, an attempt constantly aborted by triumphant orthodox, Sunni Islam. The book lacks elaboration in some chapters. Nevertheless, it is an academic research that I hardly see much like in Arabic. Don't expect Mohammed to be praised, for instance, because in such work he is treated as a figure of history, nothing more....more
Not so great, not too bad, just chatter, you will read and jump from one subject to another, and it feels like old radio interviews, but there is no rNot so great, not too bad, just chatter, you will read and jump from one subject to another, and it feels like old radio interviews, but there is no real chance to get to know the author or anybody. ...more
This has got to be the most widely read book at the moment. Every time I can check it out of the library I am not allowed to renew it as I would withThis has got to be the most widely read book at the moment. Every time I can check it out of the library I am not allowed to renew it as I would with any other book because there is a wait list of at least 6 people who are eager to read the book. I can't blame them! More power to Ayaan and way to go! Really proud of her, and another nail, a big hefty one, in the coffin of Islam that it deserves fair and square. ...more
This was a sweet love story; it never felt like fiction in the least for me. I loved the lady in the story and her love and till today I can visualizeThis was a sweet love story; it never felt like fiction in the least for me. I loved the lady in the story and her love and till today I can visualize how she must have conducted herself, talked, etc. The book just was so real. I wish to read more books like it! My heart went out for the lady a lot as I could imagine her pain... and the realities of life that follows... I just hope to find more books like that, and also to read other books by the same author....more
Sex! In the church they keep talking to you about how horrible it is to have sex outside marriage. It is called "the sin"! They start out with inhibitSex! In the church they keep talking to you about how horrible it is to have sex outside marriage. It is called "the sin"! They start out with inhibitions! A homeless woman told me she abstains from casual sex because she chooses not to sell her soul. Yes, it is about your soul, giving away what is an integral part of who you are. But sex is not evil; it is just like electricity to me; a massive power that has to be directed in its proper place and never used casually. Terrifying people about sex can cause them to be sex maniacs!...more
I don't need my pastor to be a theologian even though I admire men of high intellect. I want my pastor to be a friend, a shepherd, a people's person,I don't need my pastor to be a theologian even though I admire men of high intellect. I want my pastor to be a friend, a shepherd, a people's person, somebody who crosses the distance to me. Nowadays the pastor has to be a muscular man, a jokester, a man who makes everybody in the church happy and he himself doesn't have a chance to say that he is hurting or weak. I don't want the pastor theologian. I want the human pastor, somebody who will come down to our level, and when caught in a sexual sin, he won't be fired and replaced like another sack of potato. I want my pastor to be well read in psychology and everything he can lay his hands on, and little theology. In fact, if he faithfully prays his Bible, that is going to enrich him and me. I want my pastor not to be a "preacher" but somebody who will speak to my heart and be the instrument of God to draw me to intimate communion with him. A pastor like that, who can find him? His price is far above rubies! ...more