Islam is different depending on what country, what faction, what popular leader, and what individual beliefs the Muslims subscribe to. Just like Christianity. We can therefore argue that “true” Christianity and Islam exists, and these other strange variances are deviations from the pure religion.

Many Muslims do not wear a burqa, nor even an abaya or hijab. (For clarification, a burqa is a full length covering, such as is demanded by the Taliban, and an abaya is the long black gown-like covering many other Muslim women wear. A hijab is the head scarf, and a naqab is the small veil that covers the face below the eyes). It is, contrary to popular belief held by both Muslims and non-Muslims, not actually commanded by the Quran. Here’s a good reference page for more information: http://www.understanding-islam.com/rs/s-084.htm Just like dancing is not forbidden in the Bible, but the Baptists forbid it in many rural U.S. areas!

As for women being property, again, this depends where and what faction of Islam you subscribe to. Where I lived and worked, Doha, Qatar, women were most definitely not property. Most of them took great pride in wearing abayas and hijabs, but were also independently wealthy and amazingly secure in their personalities and lives. Multiple wives are not very common in Doha, but the ones I met said they enjoyed not being so “lonely”, since we all know how men like their newspapers and nights out with the boys!

The divorce thing - seriously, have you ever been to India? I’m not surprised they’re being so ridiculous. In many Muslim areas, the utterance has to be meant, from the bottom of the heart. Also, clerics, neighbours, family and friends all get involved… they urge whoever is wanting the divorce (women have the ability to say divorce as well) to stop, consider, maybe take a break. I have heard stories of men covering their friend’s mouth with their hands to prevent the words, urging him to pray, pray! He cannot be sure! It depends… like every very large religion, there are major inconsistencies depending where you are.

The marrying a 70 year old is just utterly laughable. I asked some of my friends what that could be about, and one of them wrote back and said it was no shock to her, coming from India. The only other people who would be so obscene would be the Taliban, perhaps.

Am I defending Islam? No. I recognize it to be a false teaching. But the danger is to misunderstand the religion and be tempted to dismiss it as absurd. Once we do that, we fail to see the attraction for other people, and we lose the ability to help speak the truth to such people.

Muslims remind me of Jewish people… seemingly stuck in an Old Testament world full of rules and harsh edicts, and completely without the saving grace of our loving Saviour God. Neither are ridiculous or absurd… but without our Saviour God, all are lost. Like Fr. Antonio says in his recent blog post, it’s beautiful, these Old Testament beliefs, but tragic.