[Earlier culture articles]

How we wish to be cited:
Norberg B. Reasons for reading Bible and Koran - antisemitism, christophobia, and islamophobia [culture]. Rondel 2009; 29. URL: http://www.rondellen.net

 Reasons for reading Bible and Koran
Antisemitism, christophobia, and islamophobia

 Contents

Faith for times immemorial
Jewry
Christianity
Islam
Religion and politics
Indigenous people – a political confounder
Present situation
Conclusions

Faith for times immemorial

Man appears to be a religious creature from times immemorial (1). The interpretation of this observation is a subject of controversy. Many favour the view that God is a projection of man´s mind or even man´s genes. The interpretation of the Bible is that man is a projection of God (Genesis 1:27).

Religiosity is distributed unevenly among men. For approximately every fourth individual, religion is more or less essential. In the other tail of the distribution, every fouth man is without god. Between these extremes, individuals are religious in ceremony and crisis.

The individual heredity of religiosity seems to be recessive; atheists and theists appear in the same generation and in different generations of the same family. However, the fear of god is thought to be a valuable heirloom for descendants (Exodus 20:5).

In Europe, culture and politics are dominated by the Abrahamistic religions – Jewry, Christianity, and Islam. Jewry provides the root and is henceforth called The First Covenant. Christianity developed more than 1000 years later around Jesus from Nazareth and is henceforth called The Second Covenant. Islam originated about 600 years after Christianity around Mohammed the Prophet. It is henceforth called The Third Covenant.

A main part of the central traditions of Jewry are compiled in The Old Testament of the Bible, hereafter called the Hebrew Bible. The New Testament of the Bible is called the Christian Bible. The corresponding Muslim interpretation of the Bible has already its specific name, the Koran.

It should be emphasised that religious faith is not a calculation of probability, nor a blind belief barring the mind of the believer. The basic meaning of the Hebrew verb is “to grip, hold on”. Thus, faith is a loyalty.

Many parties still claim that race or religion should rule a specific region or a specific country. In contrast, the aim of the present essay is to advocate the view that reform socialism, based on free and anonymous elections, should have dominion over race and religion in the temporal government (2).

Jewry is monotheistic. The core of Jewry is the sign of the covenant, male circumcision at the age of eight days (Genesis 17:1-14), the daily training in ethics (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), the celebration of the three annual festivals with purification, sacrifice, redemption, atonement, feasting, praise (Exodus 23:14-19). 

The temple of King Solomon became the centre of Jewry in Jerusalem 3000 years ago. When the second temple was destroyed by the Romans 1000 years later (70 AD), the sacrifices of Jewry ended. The basic concepts survive in the Second Covenant in the teaching about the martyrdom of Jesus and in the Holy Communion (the Lord´s Supper).

Nowadays, Jewry is divided in many movements (sects, congregations, and confessions), much like Christianity and Islam.

Male circumcision is not permitted for Christians (Galatians 5:2), save for political or medical reasons (Genesis 17:12-13). The operation provides a relative protection against HIV and other venereal diseases (3). The Koran does not command circumcision. Nevertheless, most Muslims practise it at various ages.

Within Jewry, religious people and non-religious people are mixed just as in Christianity and Islam (Psalm 14:1). Even within the political Israel more than 2000 years ago, child sacrifice and other rituals not compatible with Jewry were performed (Leviticus 18:21).

The Jews have an exceptional position among the religions, which call Abraham their father. This special state is acknowledged both by Christianity (Romans 9:4-5) and Islam (Sura 5:20-21, 17:104). However, the relation between religion and politics has often been tense in Israel, like the relation between parent and child (Hosea 11).

Hatred of Jews (antisemitism) and attempts of Jew extermination have a long history (Exodus 1-14, Esther 3-8). My working hypothesis is that this persecution is due to Jew successes in trade, administration, art, and ethics; the Sabbath is e.g. a concept that has won the world.

Misunderstanding of Bible and Koran may have contributed to antisemitism. For historical reasons, non-believers of the religious message in all three covenants were often called Jews. Thus, the texts from Bible and Koran at religious services may still be misinterpreted as antisemitic.

Like Jewry, Christianity is monotheistic (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-31). Some remarks suggest a difference within the deity, “the Father is greater than I” (John 14:29, 1 Corinthians 14:27-28). Nevertheless, the historical person of Jesus and his nature of both man and god is expressed by the Christian Bible (John 1:1).

In contrast to Muslims, the Hebrew Bible is as holy a scripture to Christians as the Christian Bible. For short, the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible are called the Bible, i.e. the Books.

Christianity has retained the festivals of Jewry, although with somewhat altered content. However, in contrast to Jewry, baptism has replaced the circumcision of the foreskin, “the circumcision in Christ” (Colossians 2:11-12).

The claim of being identical with God was subject to death sentence in the theocracy of Israel; the execution of Jesus was in compliance with the municipal laws of Jerusalem. This sentence was confirmed by the temporal government of the Romans. Thus, it is unfair to accuse the Jews for “murdering Jesus”.

In Christian theology, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate great high priest, redemption and atonement for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-15). This atonement is provided to the believers by the word of the Bible and by the bread and wine of the Lord´s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his death is the ultimate testimony of his message, task, and nature (1 Corinthians 15:12-28). Christians have to be loyal to this tradition. Other believers may reject or accept parts of the Christian Bible (cf 4); doomsday will clarify.

For Christians as for Jews, the personal development is essential. The Christian term for this process is sanctification. It is also described as a holy war against “the devil, the world, and our own flesh.”

The process of sanctification has been subject to great literature. One such novel is “Pilgrim´s Progress” by John Bunyan (1628-1688). The latest contribution to the field is the saga of Harry Potter (5), now read by about every 10^th human.

Like Jewry and Christianity, Islam is monotheistic. “Allah” is but the Arab word for the same power, who is called Lord God in the Bible. Mohammed the Prophet did not regard himself as the founder of a new religion, only the reformator, messenger and sovereign interpreter of the Bible to Arab tongue.

Like Jewry and Christianity, Islam is nowadays divided into many different movements (sects, congregations, confessions).

From a theological perspective, Mohammed appears to make a reservation against Jesus as redeemer and resurrected lord (cf 4). Thus, Islam seems to represent a movement back to Jewry, although with a simpler everyday practice.

The Koran is the holy scripture of Islam. It contains notes of the preaching of Mohammed, the longest first, shortest last. A considerable part is interpretations of the Bible. Another part is practical advice regarding everyday life.

The tongue of man is often ambiguous. Thus, translators are unable to tell if the eyes of Leah were weak, tender, or delicate (Genesis 29:17). However, she raped Jacob, bore him six sons and one daughter, and finally won his love and respect (Genesis 49:31). It is reasonable to assume that these eyes ruled the tribe.

Like the Bible, the Koran is sometimes difficult to interpret. It is essential to take due regard to contexts, other comments in conditions akin, and Bible texts commented. True faith is to understand scripture and use it to the benefit of our neighbours.

For a Christian, it is an agreeable surprise that Mohammed the Prophet in the suras of the Koran often appears as practical, sensible, and moderate. His view on sprits is elucidating (Sura 2:219, 4:43, 5:90). His minimum command to his disciples is not to approach prayer inebriated.

Unfortunately, our rabbis (scribes, interpreters) have often sought differences and contests. The Bible and the Koran provide the central traditions of all three covenants.

It is suggested that the Bible and the Koran are used as a common denominator in the school systems of the European Union in the teaching on religion, language, and literature.

The reason for this proposal is that the Bible and the Koran have influenced language, literature and culture in Europe and in many other parts of the world. Furthermore, the central traditions are less fanatical than extended traditions and legends.

The political power must have supremacy over religious powers, if mutual understanding of our central traditions is to provide peace and reconciliation. Thus, the inherent contradictions within our central traditions may be postponed for clarification at doomsday (Matthew 13:40).

The divorce between religion and politics is a modern process with roots in the French Revolution  (1789-1799). Up to then, the political power chose a suitable religion for the nation, "cuius regio, eius religio”.

The Jews had their nation in the Land of Canaan from approximately 1400 years before Christ until 600 BC. Then the territory was conquered by political powers in east and a significant part of the people went into their Babylonian Captivity (2 Kings 25:1-26).

Some Jews remained in Canaan and some were allowed to return from the dispersion in east, the Diaspora (Ezra, Nehemiah, Lamentations). The Jews in Canaan formed a vassal state with varying degrees of independence. When Jesus from Nazareth entered the stage, the Roman Empire was in charge.

The Jews who settled in Orient empires went into trade, business, and public administration (Esther, Daniel). The recipe of their success was simple; they were exemplary immigrants, who sought the peace and prosperity of the city, to which they were carried into exile (Jeremiah 29:7).

In the Land of Canaan, recurring conflicts between the theocracy of Israel and the Roman Empire led to destruction of the second temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD; most Jews were dispersed all over the world.

When the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as state religion 300 years later, the Land of Canaan became a “Christian” country for about 500 years. Then the Arab-Muslim Empire ruled region and religion for the following 1000 years.

The Arab-Muslim Empire (the Ottoman State, based mainly in present Turkey) nearly conquered Europe by a huge pincer movement. In west, the turning point came at Poitiers in 732. In east, the turning point came at Vienna in 1529 and 1683.

The Ottoman Empire ended in 1923. The land of Canaan became a British mandate, populated by both Jews and “Palestinians”.

Some Jews in dispersion felt alien in their societies. There were also Jew-baiting, progroms, Holocaust. Thus, many Jews dreamed of a new Jewish state. Increasing numbers returned to Canaan during the final stage of the Ottoman Empire and the British mandate.

The Jewish state of Israel was acknowledged by UN in 1948. However, its right to exist has been a matter of controversy. Israel has fought several wars with its neighbour states (6) 

Present Israel is larger than it was 1948, a modern state, self-supporting in food production with flourishing high-tech industry and tourist industry. The population numbers seven million inhabitants.

Contemporary Israel is a democracy. The Arab-Muslim Israelites, 20% of the population, have full civil rights, as have smaller minorities with other ethnicity and confession.

In the period 1945-1950, about 800,000 Palestinians left the territories, which now belong to Israel. Simultaneously, about 800,000 Jews left Arab-Muslim countries; most of them were integrated into the Israel society.

The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are now populated by approximately 4,000,000 Arab-Muslims (Palestinians). There are also about 500,000 Jewish settlers.

In total, the descendants of the Palestinian refugees from 1948 have multiplied tenfold by now and spread all over the world. Conversely, Israel has increased in a corresponding degree, mainly by a generous immigration policy.

During their long history, the Jews have enriched mankind with Bible, Koran, and Das Kapital (Karl Marx), other contributions not mentioned. Thus, it would be fair and prudent to acknowledge Canaan as teir intellectual property.

It is also easy to accept Canaan as the land of the Jews, since modern Israel is generous towards other ethnicities and other confessions. “We guarantee the religious needs of our inhabitants.” Thus, Jewry sets an example for other races and religions.

Furthermore, anti-Semitism and Jew-baiting is not yet a process of the past. New breakouts occur regularly in various parts of the world. Thus, Jews still need a Jewish state, to which they can flee.

The Jews appears to be the only indigenous people (aborigines), who have joined modern evolution and in parts provided its frontiers. Other indigenous people are mostly a selection of social welfare cases, poor, uneducated dropouts, in the hands of their professional white-collars (7-9).

The Laps (Sames) of Sweden provide a contrast material to the Israeli of Canaan. The Laps formed a great minority or a small majority in most shires of the north part of Sweden in the period 1500-1800 AD (10-12).

Some Laps were reindeer herders or farmers, some spoke different Finnish-Ugrean dialects. But all were Swedish citizens with full civil rights and, indeed, significant privileges. And they changed occupations and intermarried with other people without racial prejudice (7-12).

Most persons are hybrids, descendants of more than one indigenous people (cf Matt 1). Contemporary people do not need negative or positive discrimination in their society, according to individual pedigree, but a reasonable share of the production of their society, expressed as rearing, education, health care and work.

From 1500 AD and forth, Swedish Laps (Sames) were poor but privileged. The nomads were integrated into the society and gained access to its material, cultural and political development with the same pace and conditions as other individuals in the lower classes. Thus, most of them left nomadism for better occupations, the women first (11).

The Lap (Same) claim of a special ethnicity with special rights is based on a dead language, a dead occupation, and a skew misunderstanding of history (7,8,10,11,13,14,15). The subventions required for the maintenance of the illusion amount to approximately 50 millions Euros each year (13). Reindeer destruction in fields and forests owned by other citizens amount to 100 millions Euros each year (13). Car crashes caused by reindeer number 2000 each year (13).

And what is it in the culture myth of Laps (Sames) for the Laps themselves? Well, about two hundred Lap descendants have part-time herding as a sideline. A few have herding as a full-time job. Thus, approximately two hundred descendants of Laps from other parts of the country are allowed to harass Lap descendants in other shires not grazed by the flocks of their fathers (7,8,13,14).

In order to adapt reindeer husbandry in Sweden to its history and its present well-do society, it has to be restricted to farming within fence. Out-fence reindeer should be regarded as ordinary game, eligible for hunting by the owner of the land (8) 

The future farming of reindeer, open for all citizens without regard to ancestry, will reduce the subvention costs of the reindeer husbandry by more than 90% and provide space for wild reindeer and great predators (wolf, bear, glutton, and lynx). Furthermore, considerable crops and human suffering will be spared (8,13,14).

From a historical and biological point of view, most inhabitants of the north part of Sweden, approximately one million citizens, are as much descendants of Laps (Sames) as those 200 persons occupied with reindeer husbandry. The creation of artificial aborigines during the last half century (7-14) is contrary to democracy, human rights, and the free circulation of capital, services, and workers within the European Union.

The Israeli left the Gaza Strip in 2005 in order to gain peace (“land for peace”). The result was not peace but an informal war, culminating in December 2008 and January 2009. The outcome suggests that other solutions should be considered for the West Bank.

It is suggested that the settlers and the Palestinians of the West Band get a common parliament (the Canaan Convention). This parliament should be based on one vote for each voter in order to improve communication between the inhabitants of the area. It should also have restricted local and national authority analogous to the Same Parliament for the Laps and the European Parliament for the European Union.

The totalitarian socialism failed in Russia and China around 1990; reform socialism in collaboration with a “tame” capitalism won. Likewise, totalitarian capitalism failed in 1930 and in 2008 with financial and economical crises. It is desirable that the emerging hybrid between socialism and capitalism is based on anonymous elections, democracy, and human rights.

One problem of political powers is the administrative networks; the members defend only their own privileges (Micah 3:5-7). Thus, prisons and probations tend to produce crimes and criminals, health care diseases and patients, equality systems discrimination and injustices (cf 16). Much of the problems of the modern world, Sameland and Middle East included, are due to compensatory mechanisms gone astray.

In order to spare the resolution of religious conflicts for doomsday (Psalm 7:7, Matthew 13:40, Sura 5:48), it is essential that secular authorities, which acknowledge democracy and human rights, have dominion over religious powers.

Instead, it is suggested that religious persons are encouraged to keep their holy wars within their own personality (pilgrim’s progress, sanctification). It is reasonable to assume that such a development would be promoted by training in Bible and Koran in the educational systems, a learning not by heart but by brain.

It is obvious and anticipated that most religious leaders and institutions will question the proposal of bare central traditions without proper interpretation in the educational systems. In contrast, the traditions themselves assure that they are clear and simple and understandable by all (Deuteronomy 30:11-15). And occasionally, religion may improve mutual understanding over borders of races and languages (cf. 17).

Furthermore, it is desirable to accept the states of the world in their present shape. The formation of new small states such as Kosovo, unable to maintain, defend and develop themselves, is generally unfair and disappointing (9). It might be sufficient that states, substandard in democracy and human rights, have their seats in the General Assembly of the UN but no other positions in UN organs.

It should be emphasised that Sameland, Israel, and Palestine provide products of perception management, a prey of war journalism. It is reasonable to assume that the unabridged central traditions might facilitate reconciliation and peace by mutual understanding. 

Conclusions 

A nation cannot be based on race, religion, or language. An analysis of the central traditions of Jewry, Christianity, and Islam suggests that it is possible and prudent to postpone religious wars until doomsday. Thus, all emigrants and all immigrants and all settlers everywhere would be able to seek the peace and prosperity of the society, in which they live. The central traditions of Bible and Koran, heard and read in the educational systems without theologian interference, might contribute to such a development. The breakouts of “religious” terrorism reflect the failure of synagogues, churches, and mosques to keep their wars against the “world” within the souls of their members. Thus, secular governments have to support their citizens with a basic knowledge of Bible and Koran in order to keep fanaticism at bay.

Bo Norberg
E-mail: norberg.bo@gmail.com

 References

 1.       Avise JC. The genetic codes: Evolution and belief in human affairs. Harvard University Press, London 2001. 279 pp. ISBN 0-674-00533-3. The book has been subject to an interesting review in Heredity 2002; 88:413 by M.S. Garfinkel.

2.       The basic principles on the supremacy of the political power over the religious powers were developed by Paul the Apostle within Christianity (Romans 13:1-11); his ideas were deeply rooted in Jewish traditions (1 Samuel 8:4-18). Martin Luther (1483-1549) marketed the concepts of the political power (temporal government) and the religious powers (spiritual government), based on the ideas of Paul, by his preaching, commentaries and, especially, by his catechismus minor, his training programme for lay and learned. For Luther, the temporal government was a basic game, the spiritual government a meta game. In the temporal government, Luther advocated submission (adaptation). The concept of submission is akin to the concept of evolution (survival of the fittest, selection by surroundings) in biology. The religious powers (the spiritual government) provided a meta game for Luther. This meta game interpreted and qualified the political power. It was antithetical, a protest against the harsh conditions of the basic game. Unfortunately, Luther later committed a polemical pamphlet against Jews, which still provides a base for antisemitic drives; thus, he made himself an abomination for Jews. From a psychological point of view, both Luther and Mohammed were simple persons from the middle classes of their time and contexts. It is reasonable to assume that several Jews in their neighbourhood were more bookish. Such factors may explain attacks of Mohammed and Luther on Jews, at least partially. Thus, Paul provides a better index person, free from own political power, for the relation between politics and religion. The life game of Luther has been subject to analysis in a Swedish dissertation (ISBN 91-40-04640-0, with summary in English pp 138-40, may be requested at e-mail 090135751@telia.com). However, game theory is not unknown to the Bible (Hebrews 7:7).

3.       Golden MR, Wasserheit JN. Prevention of viral sexually transmitted infections – foreskin at the forefront (editorial). N Engl J Med 2009; 360:1349-51

4.       Einhorn L. The Jesus mystery – Astonishing clues to the true identities of Jesus and Paul. ISBN 13:9780709083979. 2007. Mrs Lena Einhorn is, as far as I understand, a secular Jewess, medical doctor, with scientific and clinical training in tumour biology and virology. In midlife, she shifted career and became an author and a film producer. I do not find her hypothesis convincing that Jesus and Paul was the same person. Nevertheless, her book is readable and interesting. It reflects her personal curiosity and fascination. Her book provides a better understanding of time and context of the first Christians. It also describes the thoughts of the sceptics, who did not accept Jesus as Messiah (Christ). I think that the book will prove valuable for non-believers, who wish some information on Christianity without exposing themselves to the influence of Christian texts. On some points, it is advisable to check her interpretations against the Bible. The book is also valuable for Christians who seek a dialogue with secular people.

5.       Norberg B. The saga of Harry Potter concluded – a clue to future peace and reconciliation [culture]. Rondel 2008; 28. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/culture28_eng.htm

6.       Morris B (ed). Making Israel. University of Michigan Press (http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=149007), 2008

7.       Norberg B. Artificial aborigines – a threat to democracy and human rights [health]. Rondel 2004; 19. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health19_eng.htm

8.       Norberg B. Costs of culture myths – aborigines and bastards in the welfare state [culture]. Rondel 2006; 26. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/culture26_eng.htm

9.       Norberg B. Equalism – beyond feminism and masculinism [health]. Rondel 2007; 27. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health27_eng.htm

10.    The Sami – an indigenous people in Sweden. From the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Consumer Affairs & The National Sami Parliament. ISBN 91-974667-9-4. Pages: 64. Printed 2005. The book can be ordered free of charge from The National Sami Information Centre: www.samer.se The work is a high-quality advertisement for Swedish Lap politics and Lap lobby organisations, a biassed joint account by two special interests in a case involving the democratic and human rights of all Swedish citizens. Nevertheless, the book is well written and BN has not yet been able to detect any major error on the level of facts; the interpretations of the facts are debatable. Although the book is essentially one-sided, the facts reported correspond reasonably well with facts reported in critical analyses. A truncated definition of Lap (Same) conceals the fact that Swedish legislation is racial and excludes many Lap descendants from ancestor culture and professions (8,11,13).

11.    Lundmark L. Stolen land. Swedish power on Lap land (hitherto only in Swedish, Stulet land. Svensk makt på samisk mark. Ordfront, Stockholm 2008). The book is a summary of the research of Lundmark, who has testified for and agitated for the claims of the Lap lobby. A critical reading of the book shows that Laps (Sames) seldom were alone in a shire. Their privileges in comparison with comparable classes were that they were free from military service and were free to move in the middle and north part of Sweden and in Stockholm, Finland and Norway. All sorts of civil careers were open for them. In the period 1800-1900, reindeer husbandry became unprofitable, compared with other occupations. Thus, reindeer husbandry was reserved for a limited number of those who were in the trade about 1890. This privilege then formed the basis for the claim that Laps (Sames) are an indigenous people with specail rights.

12.    Lapland journey iter Laponicum 173 (http://www.bookfinder.com/dir/i/Lapland_Journey_Iter_Lapponicum_173/187466501X/). The work comprises the notes of the scientist Carl Linné (later von Linnaeus) during his journey to the north parts of Sweden and Finland in 1732. About 200 kilometers north of Uppsala, on May 17, he met about 70 reindeer and seven herdsmen. They spoke Swedish, were born at the coast and intended to die there. Later, in the Ume valley and in the Lule valley, Linné met Laps who spoke Lap dialects and whose children needed education in the Swedish language at school – language, reading, and writing was the basis of a career in the society.

13.    Hägglund B. Rennäring som gårdsbruk - framtid för ett hotat världsarv. Rondellen, Hälsa, vol 28, (http://www.rondellen.net/health28_swe.htm). Hägglund calculated present costs of the reindeer industry by means of the Budget of the Government 2008, by scientific estimations of forest destruction by reindeer, and official statistics of car clashes with reindeer. Hägglund also emphasises that present law and its application on reindeer herding in Sweden is racial.

14.    Lundberg Ö. Öppet brev – ren i gårdsbruk och Skogsstyrelsen i Naturbruksverk [kultur]? Rondellen 2009; 29. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/culture29_swe.htm. Lundberg was spokesman for the village of Jävre, where local descendants of Laps had their fields and forests damaged by nomads from other parts of the country. Thus, Lundberg suggests that the resources of the country should be managed by one administration with due regard to democracy and human rights.

15.    Malmström H, Gilbert MTP, Thomas MG, Brandström M, Storå J, Molnar P, Andersen PK, Bendixen C, Holmlund G, Götherström A, Willerslev E. Ancient DNA reveals lack of continuity between Neolithic hunter-gatherers and contemporary Scandinavians. Current Biology 2009; 19:1-5 (in press, scheduled for Nov 3, 2009). The paper may be cited as Malmström et al, Current Biology (2009), link (http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(09)01694-7)

16.    Norberg B. Leadership and ownership. The Swedish crisis of health care [health]. Rondel 2002; 12. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health12_eng.htm

17.    Forslund E. The Word of God in Ethiopian Tongues. Rhetorical Features in the Preaching of The Ethiopian Evangelical church Mekane Yesus. Dissertation, Uppsala University, 1993. ISBN 91-85424-35-8. Distributed by: The Swedish Institute for Missionary Research, P.O. Box 1526, SE-75145 Uppsala, Sweden. The nation of Ethiopia comprises many ethnicities with about 70 different languages. The preaching of the central traditions of the Bible appears to provide a unifying element.

Published October 2, 2009