A majority of Israelis want to give up the West Bank for peace, and obviously the same thing is desired by the Palestinians. The strong voice of the president of the United States will have a major impact on public opinion, not only in this country, but also in Israel and also in Palestine.
Reza AslanThe way you confront an organization like that is twofold. No. 1, you kill their militants. There is no room for discussion or negotiation when it comes to an ISIS or an Al Qaeda militant. They donโt want anything concrete. And if you want nothing thatโs measurable or concrete, there is nothing to talk about. You must be destroyed.
Reza AslanThere is absolutely no difference between religion and politics at all in Jesus' time. In other words, every seemingly religious word that came out of Jesus' mouth had very clear and unmistakable political connotations to it.
Reza AslanMy biography of Jesus is probably the first popular biography that does not use the New Testament as its primary source material.
Reza AslanA majority of Israelis want to give up the West Bank for peace, and obviously the same thing is desired by the Palestinians. The strong voice of the president of the United States will have a major impact on public opinion, not only in this country, but also in Israel and also in Palestine.
Reza AslanBut perhaps the most important innovation in the doctrine of jihad was its outright prohibition of all but strictly defensive wars. โFight in the way of God those who fight you,โ the Quran says, โbut do not begin hostilities; God does not like the aggressorโ (2:190). Elsewhere the Quran is more explicit: โPermission to fight is given only to those who have been oppressed ... who have been driven from their homes for saying, 'God is our Lord' โ (22:39; emphasis added).
Reza Aslan