Many discuss, argue and berate the contents of the big three religious texts: the Quran, The Old Testament and The New Testament. Discussions have been going on for millenia about what is contained therein. I’ve been more interested, indeed dismayed, by what is missing. These books are held to be the writ word of God by the adherents of their respective faiths. Now, if God be the author of these texts, I wonder how it was possible to omit some critical information.
Slavery: All the aforementioned texts allow slavery. Sure, they may put limits on it. They may even dictate humane ways to treat your slaves, but slaves be they just the same. It was humans, noble humans at least, that put a stop to the practice only not so long ago. All of humanity has been enriched by the emancipation. Wouldn’t God know that?
Environment: “Be fruitful and multiply” the Lord of the Old and New Testament declares boldly. But what of population control? What of greenhouse gasses? The Old Testament contains passages urging the ancient Israelites to bury their excrement outside of the camp to keep the place clean. But what of the future generations? Religious texts are supposed to be written for all generations. Otherwise why should we at a later generation be compelled to abide by them? So true, at the time of their writing, there was no concern for population control or emission of greenhouse gasses, but there would be for future generations. Wouldn’t God know that?
Democracy: Democracy isn’t the perfect solution; far from it. Just the same it’s far better than any other system that’s come along so far. Moreover democracies are largely peaceful compared to their predecessors. So why then is there no mention of it in any of the religious texts? Why is it a Hellenic invention? Centuries of warfare might have been averted had democracy taken an earlier hold which it certainly would have if it were sanctioned by the big three religious texts. Wouldn’t God know that?
Health: The big three religious texts go to excruciating details into what can and cannot be eaten. Restrictions of shellfish, rules for butchering methods and the like go on and on for pages and pages. Yet on those pages we find narry a mention of things which are currently obvious. How about a few words about high fat, high cholesterol diets? How about a few words about not smoking? Now this knowledge may not have been accessible to the people of the day but wouldn’t God know that?
Finance: All religions have prohibitions against usury. However, readers must be careful in that when they read these prohibitions they must realize that these prohibitions apply to lending with interest to someone of the same faith. Lending to others, outside the faith is allowed. So then what about financial disasters we’ve faced? They were caused by manipulation of currency and powerful bankers taking control of our financial system. How about some laws defining a fair monetary system? How about laws preventing partial reserve banking ( a current system where banks lend money they don’t actually have on reserve )? How about laws prohibiting the artificial contraction and expansion of the money supply which caused the Great Depression, the Great Inflation of the 70’s and now plays a major part in the current recession of 2008? Now the people of the day may not have understood these concepts but wouldn’t God know that?