05-21-2004, 05:40 AM
2:62 - "Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in God and the Last day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
Dan, this verse makes it impossible for me to believe that there is only a single path to God. If He opens Paradise to "any who believe," then surely not just one of the myriad sects of Islam is the "right" one. Indeed, I suspect that all are at least somewhat mistaken in certain beliefs, while right in others.
I'll tell you another reason why I am more comfortable in believing Islam to be fluid: it leaves me with the belief that only God truly knows, and that it is my duty to simply be a decent human being, to do as little harm to others as I can, and to do my best to understand and follow the Straight Way. There are far too many groups -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who are totally confident that they know exactly what God wants them to do for me to be content believing any of them.
salaam