Chris Haynes

An independent researcher writing on things in this strange world that connect and inspire us all. Exploring topics related to religion, culture and history.

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

#tunlan #breathofire @BreathofFire_ #semiotics #symbols

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

When I first started writing about culture, I knew that video games would be part of the discussion. Video games are an important part of culture and can contain powerful symbols just like literature, film, or religion. In my latest post, I explore the musical city of Tunlan from Breath of Fire II and examine what it might symbolize through the lens of semiotics.

https://t.co/gj85HyamBN

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Maḥmūd Shaltūt was an Egyptian scholar born in 1893. He was an influential Islamic thinker who served as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. His work The Qur'an and Fighting, published in 1951, is important because he challenged many traditional "classical" interpretations regarding the Qur'an's relationship to warfare. Shaltut would likely have opposed radical Islamic terrorism in today's world, just as he criticized those who promoted aggression in the past. He wrote, "Those who terrorize the world with their lethal wars should know how far they have deviated from Islam" (Shaltut, 1951, p. 15).

Shaltut believed that people should not be forced to accept Islam, a position consistent with how many modernist scholars interpret Qur'an 2:256 ("There is no compulsion in religion"). Many classical authors argued that this verse was later abrogated by Qur'anic commands to fight. Patricia Crone's article, No Compulsion in Religion: Q. 2:256 in Medieval and Modern Interpretation, provides an overview of the reception history of this verse. Shaltut wrote, "So we see that the Holy Qur'an does not accept faith and repentance that are rooted in coercion and which have not been freely and peacefully accepted in the heart" (Shaltut, 1951, p. 31).

Shaltut also discussed the combat verses in Surah al-Baqarah 2:190–194, arguing that they prohibit aggression and limit fighting to defensive circumstances. As he explained, "The verses prohibit unprovoked aggression and emphasize that God does not love aggression or aggressors" (Shaltut, 1951, p. 39). For Shaltut, jihad was only applicable in situations of defense, and the concept of aggressive jihad should be rejected by Muslims.

#jihad #receptionhistory #modernist #islamic

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@AmiDar Yes, correct. It seems like you both believe and hope for peace but as far as tone and personality.. I don't know you both well enough to say. I enjoy both of your posts and thoughts.

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@AmiDar @mdubowitz I’m slightly surprised by this because I think you guys have somewhat similar views.

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Abdullah An-Na’im was a student of the Sudanese reformer Mahmoud Mohammed Taha. Taha was executed by the Sudanese government for some of his unorthodox ideas on Islam and Islamic law. Na’im’s work is fascinating to read. In his book “Islam and the Secular State” he argues for a secular state as opposed to one ruled by Sharia law. I highly recommend this work for those interested in the intersection of Islamic law and debates on the modern state.

#islamiclaw #sudan #secular

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@charliewrich I bought it and it looks interesting. I want to learn how to make Google Flow videos for parody accounts or for serious content. However, keeping the character consistency is an issue. Any suggestions?

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

He was also known to send out women to preach and this surprised the medieval church authorities. Waldo was a man who wasn't afraid to speak up because he believed the teachings of the Catholic church in his day contradicted the Bible #peterwaldo #waldenisan

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

I find Peter Waldo's movement in the Middle Ages to be fascinaitng. He gave away his wealth as Jesus commanded and sent out seventy disciples to the towns of Israel. Ny the years of 1170-1175 he had created his first community of followers which were called "The Poor of Lyons"

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

#sudan #livedreligion #paul #hagar #egypt #hebrewbible

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

This post is a review and analysis of Safwat Marzouk's article, "Interrogating Identity: A Christian Egyptian Reading of the Hagar-Ishmael Traditions," along with a short examination of the concept of lived religion. I have been enjoying reading and writing about dual identities and biblical interpretation, and Marzouk's article provides another fascinating example of how people engage with Scripture through the lens of their own historical and cultural experiences.

https://t.co/n7xaiTJqeO

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Enjoy life outside #hiking #redwoods

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@massimuchomucho @IhabHassane Not true at all

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

*saying the greeting to non-Muslims

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Christopher Melchert in his essay, “Al-Albani and Traditional Hadith Criticism” notes that the Salafi scholar Muhummad Nasir al-din Al-Albani forbade Muslims from saying the traditional al-salamu alaykum greeting. For him this, saying one of the names of God is only reserved for Muslims.

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Elsewhere in this essay various methods of Albanis method of criticism is provided with examples of his engagement with medieval scholars and his use of analogy.

#hadith #methods @IslamicOrigins do you have this book it’s excellent!

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@PeeplesRichard @RichJohnsonNFL Bro this is a parody page

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

@KameronMazurek Who knows maybe this next year really will be the Cowboys year haha. I’m looking forward to Jaguars vs Cowboys and I may go to the game we shall see.

[Chris Haynes @cdhtrigger]

Can devotion to NFL football be considered a form of religion? Football fans have their own rituals, stories, traditions, and communities, leading some scholars to argue that sports can function in ways similar to religion. In this post, I examine NFL fandom through Ninian Smart's dimensions of religion and the concept of civil religion to explore whether football is more than just a game.

https://t.co/Zszc6ydIEl