Face to faith
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1826488,00.html
We must acknowledge that 'scripture' was written by fallible humans if
we are to solve the Middle East's troubles, says Pete Tobias
Saturday July 22, 2006
The Guardian
The religious differences which underpin so much modern conflict - not
least that currently prevailing in the troubled Middle East - are based
on ancient texts upon which time has bestowed the epithet "scripture".
The implication of this is that such texts proffer those who believe in
their allegedly divine origin and adhere to their instructions some
kind of God-given right to seek to implement their teachings.
The section from the Five Books of Moses which will be read in
synagogues all over the world this Saturday brings the wandering
Israelites to the end of their 40-year journey in the wilderness. Moses
speaks to the Israelites on the plains of Moab and passes on to them
what are described as divine instructions regarding what they should do
once they enter the land: "When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive
out all the inhabitants of the land before you ... Take possession of
the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess."
(Numbers 33:51-53)
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