Yeah, I had the same reaction. Actually, we’re among the first generations where it’s become socially acceptable to swing in pairs and fuck other couples- as long as we don’t discuss this in public, of course.

That’s the thing, though. Some do. And what happens to those that do allow for metaphorical and divergent interpretations? They get criticized, outcast, slandered, and sometimes even murdered for it. Because they’re pushing back against the very ideas that keep certain groups in power. Of course they’re not going to…

They’re too busy soothing their consciences after fucking little boys and “thighing” little girls to care about the queers. It's a rotten religion.

Instead, far from merely “not letting” these interpretations, gays are beheaded, hanged, flogged, beaten and murdered.

Yeah, good luck with that... You can’t build love and tolerance on the shifting sands of religious dogma.

As a Muslim my view has been that a schism is not going to take place in our lifetimes. It’s still too easy for us to compartmentalize, to distance ourselves from the extremists while not distancing ourselves from their rhetoric. It’s truly unfortunate. I wish more Muslims would speak out, even about the facets of…

Yeah, stop outlawing homosexuals in Muslim countries.

It acknowledges the uncertainty inherent in interpretation, argues against literalism, and serves as a reminder to use our judgment.

This is excellent! If Imams in Muslim countries allowed and encouraged these types of metaphorical interpretations to the Koran, you would see the dramatic growth of LGBT and women’s rights. We can only hope.

Counterpoint (and no disrespect intended): Like other “holy” books, the Quran is made up (by man) and should be understood in the context of the time and culture it was written in. Not saying it does not have a lot of beauty and truth about life, but to consider a book the inerrant word of God is how troubles start.

I guess. But then I can’t believe there isn’t someone in the Qatari government saying “Hey guys, we’re getting some bad press over the whole ‘using slaves to build stadiums no one will ever use again’ thing. How ‘bout we DON’T imprison foreign rape victims? Or at least not ones from countries that will likely be a…

Working hard to secure contracts and obtain visas for Shell Oil?

No insult taken! I was referring to the former type of troll, who were particularly plentiful in this comment section. I generally like to have civil discussions with the latter type. And you bring up an interesting point regarding athletics, one on which I don’t yet have a personal stance.

There are no excuses for what this guy did. We simply don’t know if he killed her because he hates women, or he hates Italians, or he hates celebrities. It was a horrible crime. My only point is that we cannot yet technically call it a “hate crime” if we don’t know the motives.

I do see what you mean, these things often target a specific person. What makes this a gender issue is that it is almost exclusively men killing women, usually women they want to be/have been in a relationship with. These men may not realise that it is misogyny, but it is. Misogyny is feeling so absolutely entitled to…

.........................defend men?????? I’m not defending anyone. This was a horrendous crime.

This is not an argument and it is not fascism. Binary gender identification serves important social and legal objectives. Civil rights, employment, education, criminal justice, etc. are shaped and influenced by gender identification. They would be impossible to administer if one’s gender changes based on the…

We don’t deserve to be classified improperly against our will.”

No, in fact most American Jews would prefer to see the settlers move to the Negev. What Lerner is saying isn’t exactly some kind of a game changer. I suppose those who don’t know much about the region think it is.

I mean it’s not a new or even particularly uncommon phenomenon for a rabbi to both believe in Israel’s right to exist AND want justice for the Palestinians. And it certainly is not an uncommon position for American Jews to hold. It has simply probably never gotten coverage like this. Strange, that.