I think a general point about most religions is that one cannot precisely tie practice to sacred text for the simple reason that the vast majority of the adherents haven't actually read or studied them.
I can still recall times when we looked at the bible at my Catholic primary school because it was such a rare event, our version of Catholicism was what our teachers taught us. Mostly it was a dim witty* Irish spinster version in which rubbish like plenary indulgences and how you should say your confession prayers was more important than what Christ supposedly said.
From a Times article I gather Pakistani Madrassas make students learn the Qu'ran by heart in Arabic, they don't have a clue what it means.
What we don't appreciate in this supposedly literate age is that few people read much and most religion is still imparted by word of mouth. That is what makes it so dangerous when you allow the radicals a free rein, whether Mullahs or loony fundamentalist Christians.
* Being part Irish I am allowed to say that.
I can still recall times when we looked at the bible at my Catholic primary school because it was such a rare event, our version of Catholicism was what our teachers taught us. Mostly it was a dim witty* Irish spinster version in which rubbish like plenary indulgences and how you should say your confession prayers was more important than what Christ supposedly said.
From a Times article I gather Pakistani Madrassas make students learn the Qu'ran by heart in Arabic, they don't have a clue what it means.
What we don't appreciate in this supposedly literate age is that few people read much and most religion is still imparted by word of mouth. That is what makes it so dangerous when you allow the radicals a free rein, whether Mullahs or loony fundamentalist Christians.
* Being part Irish I am allowed to say that.
)and I've both lived and worked in a Wahhabist state where Islam is absolutely on the doorstep, 24/7.
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