If you were required to read the Qur'an for a class, would you remain in the class?

Question

I ask this because a professor I had in college taught a class on Middle East History. One of his requirements for that class was reading the Qur'an, because in his view, if you are going to study the Middle East, you must see it through their eyes. And one way of doing that is to study their religion. He said that one time when he was teaching this class, five students withdrew from the class when finding out about this assignment.

Would any of you have done this? And why?

Answer 1

Absolutly I would read the Qur'an as a class assignment. In fact, i had a class in south Asian History for which I was required to read teh Ramayana and other Hundu sacred texts.

I really don't need to go into why this is important to the understanding of the history and culture of the region--the reasons your professor gave are exactly correct.

I would add one more comment--as a historian and college instructor. Those students who withdrew were no loss. That sounds harsh--but it is a hard reality that anyone so close-minded as to be unwilling to learn about a culture won't learn anything in such a class--and will just take up time better devoted to students willing to learn.

Answer 2

Absolutely. The middle east is NOT based on secular law, and that is the single most conflicting point between muslims and the Modern Euro/American world. We took a critical turn by trying to take "god" and religion out of our lawbooks and create a legal system where laws can be written, added, or subtracted by the people. You understand nohting about the Middle East without at least looking at the Qur'an.

I studied many different religions in college, including buddhism and asian religions. I would say if you have no interest in the Qur'an, don't take a class on Middle East History. Likewise, if a muslim wants to avoid the bible, he/she should NOT enroll in a catholic theology of marriage class.

Answer 3

If you are reading the King James Version of the Bible as literature, that is a legitimate subject for an English class. The KJV had a huge influence on the development of the English language. The same is not the case for the holy book of any other religion.

Answer 4

I had a class on Islam in college and we read sections of the Qur'an. Looking at the Qur'an's impact on Arab culture, I would think it would be important as a historical document.

I had an English class in high school where we read a couple of Calvinist sermons (one was Jonathan Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"). It was an important view of how the Puritans looked at the world and was historically relevant.

It doesn't sound like he was telling you to read it as a theological study, so I don't see a problem. The same Supreme Court decision barring prayers and Bible readings in the schools also advocated studying religion for historical or literary purposes. You have to look at the intent, it doesn't sound like he was trying to push the Islamic religion anymore than my high school English teacher was. Read it as literature and move on.

Answer 5

I agree with the professor, if you want to understand a culture, you have to understand what they feel is important. So reading the Quran would be a legitimate thing to do in a class on the Mideast. And if someone has a serious problem with reading the Quran that's probalby because of prejudice against that people, or fears of violating the first commandment against idoliatry. Both are ignorance, and a person is in college to overcome ignorance and get an education. So if someone has a problem with reading the Quran they don't belong in a class on the mideast and maybe they don't even belong in college.

Answer 6

That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! I am Muslim and was forced to read the Bible in high school. Whereas I don't agree with all the principles I would have never considered dropping out (this was a core class btw). And for an elective Middle Eastern class I find it very essential to read about the region's main religious principles; whether you agree or not. I think are being very whiny and immature. I have been exposed to a variety of text (much more controversial) and never have complained. Maybe they just can't handle the truth??

Answer 7

Why are you taking the class. are you going to us this knowledge on Middle East History in your career? If I were just taking the class as a fill in for credits then I would defiantly not subject my mind to the assault on Christianity that is contained in this book. If I were going to go to the Middle east as a missionary or a social worker or a teacher then i would defiantly want to read it and understand exactly what it says so I could properly educate or council those whom I would be coming in contact with.

Answer 8

It would be very stupid to study the middle east and not read the Koran. The whole area there is obsessed with Islam.

I've read the Koran and the Hadith. Just another silly religious text about beliefs that cannot be verified.

Answer 9

I personally would not because I am very grounded in my own faith and I think it would be beneficial to a degree to learn more about another religion. And I think he's probably right that you must view their culture through the religion, it's a huge part of Middle Eastern life.

Answer 10

Of course not! We need more intelligent Christians--running from the chance to get to know someone else's religion is not going to help us accomplish that. Reading isn't the same as believing. I think we should respect other religions. If we think our faith is the true one, then why not learn about theirs to know what the differences are? Ignorance won't solve anything.