When put into the hands of fanatics and fools, the Quran - like any book of religious scripture - can say anything. If suicide bombers wanted, they could even go into the Old Testament, cite to Sampson, and justify their heinous acts.
The original Arabic may be pretty, but in terms of providing a clear message to its followers the Koran is extremely badly written. For every message of peace and tolerance there is one of wrath and violence. The fact that people can read into it what they want is a reflection of its bipolar author.
Personally whenever I hear a Muslim argue 'We've already condemned the violence, why should we have to go on condemning it?" I want to reply, "Because it hasn't stopped yet, that's why! Quakers condemned violence over three hundred years ago, but because it continues we go on condemning it, sometimes at great personal cost, and we'll continue to do so until it stops. Why should you get off any more lightly?" If you really believe in something, why do you tire so quickly?
The original Arabic may be pretty, but in terms of providing a clear message to its followers the Koran is extremely badly written. For every message of peace and tolerance there is one of wrath and violence. The fact that people can read into it what they want is a reflection of its bipolar author.
Personally whenever I hear a Muslim argue 'We've already condemned the violence, why should we have to go on condemning it?" I want to reply, "Because it hasn't stopped yet, that's why! Quakers condemned violence over three hundred years ago, but because it continues we go on condemning it, sometimes at great personal cost, and we'll continue to do so until it stops. Why should you get off any more lightly?" If you really believe in something, why do you tire so quickly?