Its all in the interpretation

Whether it be the Bible, Koran, or any other religious text, what it says is not as important as how the reader interprets it. How the reader interprets the text is dependent on the cultural influences that have formed the reader's paradigm, or world view. Our brains readily absorb data that is consistent with our paradigms. Data that does not fit may not be acknowledged or, if it does, will be quickly dismissed.

Then we come to those who may lack the education that enables them to read, or interpret, for themselves. We all have our authority figures, whether they be priests, imans, doctors of theology, politicians or football coaches. Then it will be their interpretation that counts, not the text itself.

I will never presume to tell others what the Koran says or how it should be interpreted. I have seen interpretations of the Bible that I believe just do not add up, and I am offended when others who hold these interpretations tell what I should believe because of their interpretation.

Rather than focus on those things that divide, I will continue to try and find common ground and build better understandings from that starting point. People of good will must join together to defeat this world's evils, including Islamic State.