Tag Archives: quran

Quran So Far Away

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Nathan

I’ve now read through the Quran, mostly using this translation. I know it’s really only considered authentic in Arabic, but I can’t read that language. Discussing Islam can be kind of awkward, especially because the amount of Islamophobia in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabian, Book Reviews, Christianity, Gnosticism, History, Islam, Judaism, Language, Magic, Middle East, Mythology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Idris Lives

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Nathan

It’s a common theme in many mythologies to have a figure who is regarded as the inventor of writing, and often also a keeper of esoteric knowledge. Greek mythology had Hermes, the Egyptians had Thoth, Babylon had Nabu, and Judaism … Continue reading →

Posted in African, Arabian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek Mythology, Islam, Judaism, Language, Magic, Mathematics, Mythology, Names, Norse, Philosophy, Poetry, Religion, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What a Piece of Crap Is Man

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Nathan

It’s interesting that Satan’s rebellion against God has become such a significant part of the mythology of the Abrahamic religions, when there isn’t a whole lot of support for the idea in the Bible. It’s described in Revelation, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Focus on the Foes, Islam, Judaism, Mythology, Religion, Snobbery, Zoroastrianism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

I Have Seen the Sleeping Knights of Jesus

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Nathan

As I mentioned in my review, Alan Garner’s Alderley Edge fantasies incorporate a local legend about sleeping knights. The story has it that a farmer from Mobberley set out to Macclesfield to sell a horse. An old man near the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthurian Legend, British, Buddhism, Christianity, Comics, Fairy Tales, French, Futurama, German, History, Islam, Mythology, Religion, Television, Urban Legends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Women Fight, Only Men Benefit

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Nathan

Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution, by Mona Eltahawy – I first heard of Mona when she appeared on Bill Maher several years ago, and I found her quite charismatic. I have to wonder if … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Current Events, Feminism, Islam, Prejudice, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Wants You to Be a Jerk

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Nathan

I’m generally in favor of religious freedom. After all, if I don’t respect people’s right to believe what they want or think is true, why would they respect mine? What I don’t favor is when people use religious tradition as … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Prejudice, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Gladly the Chrono Cross I’d Bear

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Nathan

Chrono Trigger is a somewhat unusual game in that it kills off its main character. The hero, known as “Crono” because the game only allows for five-character names, is taken out by the alien parasite Lavos in the Kingdom of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Chrono Trigger, Gnosticism, Islam, Religion, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Zeal Deal

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Nathan

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, by Reza Aslan – This book received a certain amount of notoriety due to a really stupid interview on Fox News, when Lauren Green asked why a Muslim would write about … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christianity, Fox News, History, Islam, Judaism, Middle East, Religion, Roman Empire, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Virgin and the Houri

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Nathan

It’s a popular notion these days that Islamic terrorists believe they’ll be rewarded with seventy-two virgins in Paradise. Why seventy-two? There’s somewhat of a justification for this, but as usual the meme only tells part of the story. The Quran … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Discworld, Islam, Religion, Terry Pratchett | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gog and Magog’s Apocalyptic Adventure

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Nathan

Since I still, at least to a certain extent, have apocalypse on the brain, I draw your attention to Revelation 20:7-10. “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabian, British, Celtic, Christianity, Greek Mythology, Islam, Judaism, Mythology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments