Saturday, January 03, 2009

Strange Vindication

My 27 year-old son was just visiting. He was here for a week. Of course, I talked about Islamic supremacism quite a bit, and being 27 (and from Southern California), my son was trying to find every way he could to not believe it. I could tell from his responses that he was thinking, "This can't be true; Dad must be exaggerating or reading only a small fringe source of information or something."

One night as we were talking, he got on my laptop and asked me, "How do you spell Mohammad?" And then, "How do you spell Qur'an?" I didn't know what he was doing, but then he said, "I'll be damned."

He was looking on Osho's web site. He is a big fan of Osho, a spiritual teacher from India who writes on every religion, revealing the shared, universal, spiritual nature at the core of every religion (or as we found out, almost every religion).

My son assumed that since Osho has written a book on every religion (and praised the core teachings of every one of them), Osho must have written one on Islam, and my son was going to read it and get "the other side of the story." But what he found was that Osho has not written about Islam, and not only that, he explained why he hasn't. Here is what Osho said:

Mohammed was an absolutely illiterate man, and the Koran, in which his sayings are collected, is ninety-nine percent rubbish. You can just open the book anywhere and read it, and you will be convinced of what I am saying. I am not saying on a certain page — anywhere. You just open the book accidentally, read the page and you will be convinced of what I am saying.

Whatsoever one percent truth there is here and there in the Koran is not Mohammed's. It is just ordinary, ancient wisdom that uneducated people collect easily — more easily than the educated people, because educated people have far better sources of information — books, libraries, universities, scholars. The uneducated, simply by hearing the old people, collect a few words of wisdom here and there. And those words are significant, because for thousands of years they have been tested and found somehow true. So it is the wisdom of the ages that is scattered here and there; otherwise, it is the most ordinary book possible in the world.

Muslims have been asking me, "Why don't you speak on the Koran? You have spoken on The Bible, on the Gita, this and that." I could not say to them that it is all rubbish; I simply went on postponing. Even just before I went into silence, a Muslim scholar sent the latest English version of the Koran, praying me to speak on it. But now I have to say that it is all rubbish, that is why I have not spoken on it — because why unnecessarily waste time?

- From Unconciousness to Consciousness
Chapter 5 by Osho

To those of us who study Islam, this is very mild criticism, but coming from Osho, it is severe and harsh, and made an impression on my son.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo-hoo! You do know that "Osho" is the late Bhagwhan Shree Rajneesh -- he of the fleet of Rolls-Royce limos and the New Age commune of Rajneeshpuram in Oregon back in the 1980s. Since his death in 1990 he's been recycled and repackaged by his latest band of followers, who at least seem to have more common sense than the first lot did.

Nice to see the old scoundrel, oops I mean wise guru, had a chunk of common sense in his makeup after all! Too bad he's not still around in his old Rajneeshpuram incarnation. The mullahs would put a fatwa on him and then they'd have to deal with his red/orange/pink-clad zonked out followers, some of whom once poisoned the salad bars at a couple of restaurants in Oregon in a bid to rig an election.

Pastorius said...

I thought the Baghwan's books were good. I never got into his cult of personality.

This is great stuff, CW.

WC said...

Beautiful CW.

Damien said...

Citizen Warrior,

This is an interesting story.

Anonymous said...

Useful and timely . . .thanks.

Citizen Warrior said...

Yes, I knew he had a commune, not too far from where I live but before my time.

I have never really liked that my son relied so much on Osho's writings, but I definitely liked it that night. It definitely changed his mind about Islam.

I could tell he was afraid I might be accurate, but he was hoping against hope that all I said was not true. Now he seems to be coming to grips with the possibility that it's true and it's real and we'd better do something about it.

Pastorius said...

I'm actually a fan of Rajneesh's. I know that's a strange thing to say, because, he was a strange dude. However, his teachings on meditation were inspiring. And, I liked his worldview, or at least what I remember reading in The Book of the Secrets.

I've also studied Buddhism.

Here's the thing, for most Buddhists, Ramakrishna Hindus, and others sects of Hinduism and Buddhism who are more mystical, and less adherent to the religions of the common people, one of the things that they like about their idea of their religion is that it is peaceful. It's very hard to come to grips with the idea that there are things which actually elicit disgust. Especially for a Buddhist or a Hindu who believes that all things are part of the dance of the silent Oneness.

Here's another interesting tidbit; Huston Smith, who wrote the book World's Great Religions, which was a pretty damned earnest attempt to show the best sides of all the world's oldest religions, was hard put to find anything nice to say about Islam. I remember, the one word he seemed to settle on which was somewhat positive was that Islam was "austere".

But, even he had to admit it was violent.

Citizen Warrior said...

I read somewhere that the guy who wrote the Chronicals of Narnia, C.S. Lewis, wrote something that showed that the same principle could be found at the core of every religion: The golden rule.

And he published quotes from every religion, each quote saying in one way or another, that one should treat others as one would like to be treated.

Every religion except Islam. The golden rule does not exist in Islam. One should treat one's fellow Muslims as one would like to be treated. Kafirs, however, should be subjugated.

Pastorius said...

That's interesting, but hard to believe. It could be true. However, C.S. Lewis was one of the staunchest Christian apologists of the 20th century.

Damien said...

Citizen Warrior,

I think you might have read that about C.S Lewis in The_Politically_Incorrect_Guide_To_Islam,
I think I first read about it there. That book has a wealth of accurate information, unlike some later books in the series.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least we know we have Osho's people on our side. That's not to sneeze at. They can help to wise up a lot of people in New Age circles.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least we know we have Osho's people on our side. That's not to sneeze at. They can help to wise up a lot of people in New Age circles.

Citizen Warrior said...

I've been listening to the excellent audio program from CSPI.com called Thirteen Lessons on Islam, and it said the same thing: There is actually no golden rule in Islam.

The golden rule is apparently a basic principle in every religion and spiritual tradition EXCEPT Islam.

Pastorius said...

CW,
Oops.

I misread your comment about C.S. Lewis. I thought you were saying Lewis did promote the notion that there is a golden rule in Islam.

I see you're saying that opposite.

There is no doubt that other religions have their versions of the Golden Rule. Islam is peculiar in that it does not.

Just Cause said...

You've actually illustrated a weapon we have that I've been meaning to blog about but haven't got around to it yet.

Our children.

I'm not talking about strapping explosives to them Hamas stylee, I'm talking about educating them about the dangers of Islam and the tactics used to subvert our culture.

I have three children, 2 of them at Catholic school. Recently my eldest had to learn about world religions, including Islam. The text provided by the school was as vague as it comes but I made a point of filling in some gaps and explaining that Islam is not tolerant of other faiths etc etc

The intention wasn't to scaremonger or to instill religious hatred but to lay the foundations.

I don't let my kids watch the news but with the extent of the coverage we are seeing regarding Gaza it's difficult to prevent it entirely. The additional information I gave them has helped them make sense of what's happening there in that Israel are making a stand againt a the religion that wants to kill them.

What's amusing is that the notion of good and evil is simple enough for kids to understand so why do so many so called grown ups don't get it?

The point is, if we educate our kids correctly they'll grow up with the same values and the truth wont be lost over time.

Pastorius said...

Considering what I do with this website and the radio show, it's hard for my kids not to get it through osmosis. But, I expect they will rebel against me at some point.

My daughter will probably start dating Adam Gadahn.

LOL

But seriously, I agree that it's important to teach your kids. My daughter loves Paris. She talks about it all the time. So, I show her photographs of what the Muslims do to Paris. I show her photos of women in burqas. (I don't think a girl could be other than repulsed by that image).

Etc.

Anonymous said...

principle of the Golden Rule is challenging al-walaa we al-baraa, Loyalty [to the Ummah only] and Enmity [toward everyone else].. . it cannot exist in islam

Mayank Sharma said...

Ooh dear revereridesagain, You are seem to be influenced by certain Faith, I don't know the name of that faith, it might be Islam or anything. Tell me one thing that have you ever read the Quran...
Truth is not dependent on Fatwa. Despite a fatwa a truth can exist. If you ever read any book of the Osho. ...You could feel the light, but for that you need to put off the specs of your deep rooted faith. I do believe that Prophet Mohammad was a great spiritual but it is evenly accepted that here are many prophets Starting earlier the arrival of Krishna ( Hindu Prophet, or God)to the modern age of Osho. And in my belief Osho was as great as Mohammad Sahab. He posses that divine. And what he told is in consistent with history also that then He was not very much literate but being illiterate doesn't mean being unholy. OSHO have not criticize to the holiness of the prophet.
As per my knowledge there is a book ' Mohammad Meri Drashti me' means ' Mohammad in my view' And in this book he admired Mohammed. I am aware of the Hindi version of this but not sure about other languages, English version would be may be exists. You can reach to the book.

Citizen Warrior said...

Just Cause, about your children's textbooks: according to Bill Warner of CSPI.com, all textbooks in the United States that mention Islam have to be approved by some committee of Muslims. I don't know much more than that yet, but it shocks the hell out of me.

Can you imagine the same thing being set up for Christians? Every mention of Christianity or the Crusades would have to be approved by a committee of Christians?

Muslims are organized and pushy, and they have been getting their way for a long time.

The tide is turning, however, and their hard-won territory is going to be re-captured by the free world.

Anonymous said...

Just Cause and Citizen Warrior,

It's that sort of quiet, institutional Jihad that is most concerning. The Stealth Jihadists do the same thing that Commies have been doing, i.e., the Gramscian long march through the institutions. By infiltrating and quietly taking over a society's institutions, in which the society's power is vested, they gain control over the majority population without firing a shot. The Jihad on education (messing with the minds of your children) attacks the foundation of a society by sowing confusion and ignorance that weaken and slowly wipe out its cultural and historical roots.

Damien said...

Citizen Warrior,

you said,
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just Cause, about your children's textbooks: according to Bill Warner of CSPI.com, all textbooks in the United States that mention Islam have to be approved by some committee of Muslims. I don't know much more than that yet, but it shocks the hell out of me.
-----------------------------------------------------------

I find that shocking as well.

you asked,
-----------------------------------------------------------
Can you imagine the same thing being set up for Christians? Every mention of Christianity or the Crusades would have to be approved by a committee of Christians?
-----------------------------------------------------------

Ask a secular progressive, who supports the separation of Church and State, but also fears Islamophobia, and thinks anyone critical of Islam is a bigot, the same question. Than ask him how they are not violating the principal of the separation of church and state by having Muslims do something no christian group would even be allowed to do when it comes to their religion. Point out the logical inconstancy in his own thinking.

Damien said...

Abu Abdullah,

I have to agree with you. If it is not stopped, in the long run, the stealth jihad maybe far more dangerous.

Anonymous said...

Whatever is written in those books by OSHO's name is quite

irrelevent, I dont understand what source does the writer have,

supporting his statement about Islam/Mohamed. The history with a

record is not believed & is belied while the latest-lamest rumour

without any record is believed & with held. What to say of the

intelligent generation by human-race, finally.
Perhaps the writer does'nt need a proper/sincre source, its easy to

write anything because one dog can lead a many sheep, due to the

difference in intelligence.
The condition of Human race is such, that the hell they await is

carried by the people themselves. This is hell already.
No one needs to wait any longer.
If you hate anyone of those people like Jesus,Mohamed, Budha or

anyone of them. You should know what you are/ where you stand.

Because all of those people atleast spoke of humanity.
& any of those high levels are judged by such biased people of today.

What a shame.
Now you people dont worry about Mohamed, worry about yourself.

Because Mohamed is gone. He has left a histroy of wisdom & good

doing.. which I witness reading too.
While you are making your own history & following a rumour.

By the way if the Army of Mohamed ever ruled by the sword. Then the

Islamic rule was stretched upto spain. Do you wonder how the

Christians & their churches survived in the shadows of the "Killer

Army". It could've been the same as Sweden today they have churches &

Christianity all over sweden. That was done by sword because swedish

were never Christians, either they had to Convert or die.
But still its irrelevant to what Jesus or his teachings.

"The ink of a scholar is holier than the blood of a martyr", said

Mohamed. & according to history the "killer Army" was acutally

spreading the knowledge of fields like Math/Science.

Where Muhamed was asked to "read", In OSHO's book is written "Write"
& then this paragraph which is already on fire, speaks of the

consious/unconcious of Mohamed.

As I said, one dog can lead a many sheep, due to the difference of

intelligence.


Yes perhaps Islam doesnt have a golden rule but u can only know it

when u verify it.

"There are different races in Islam, an Arab is not superior to a

foreigner, nor a white man superior to a black"
The reason why the people of Mecca themselves were against Mohamed

was because of this, He was finishing Slavery & the collection of

Money/power for no reason. No superiority among people, automatically

there will be no inferiority either.

the other reason
"Women are as equal as men"

"Unless you desire for your neighbour what you desire for your self,

you dont have faith", said Mohamed.

"A man who goes to bed with his belly full, while his neighbour is

hungry? He isnt a muslim", Mohamed.

so on... but did anyone of you ever knew it?
I knew it, because I have "READ".. the command "read" came 1432 years

back. Those who read are ahead. & the lowest of the people come from

nowhere & talk about just anything. So "Read" !! After those days

came the age of reading. Mohamed didnt go to school. nor did anyone

in those days.
& in OSHO's book its written about Muhamed not going to school or

college, I dont believe OSHO would say all that but then the book is just loosing its credits.

"If one sheep leaps over the ditch, all the rest will follow"

Peace
Peacemaker066

Peacemaker said...

For the "An Infidel Message
To Moderate Muslims"

The very "erotic dream"

Volume 5, Book 58, Number 238:
Narrated 'Aisha:
That the prophet said to her,
"You have been shown to me twice in my dream. I saw you pictured on a piece of silk & someone said(to me), 'This is your wife, when I uncovered the picture, I saw that it was yours. I said, "if this is from Allah, it will be done"

Not to be forgotten, this conversation took place between a man & his wife.
This is whats written in Quran about him & this is what is recorded in Hadith as his words.

People object on marriage of a 3 yr old. What have they to say of a rape of a 3 yrs old, it has taken place already in the East & in the West. Why not a marriage of a 3 yrs old?
What the problem is?
It might be just ones own heart creating problem even when the situation is not bad alot.


Despite the misconceptions & the allegations that the "atheist" makes on the "modern muslim".
He does pass one sensible message, The muslims are responsible, the muslims need to cut down the roots of those who picture & play ISLAM as to their desire.
Even though its Muslims who are dying by other religions & above that they're also being blamed & burdened with allgations. Muslims actually need to cut it down. To make a stand.
From my side, my sincre thanks to that "atheist" for the good side of the message in his/her video of
"An Infidel Message
To Moderate Muslims
"

Peace to all
Peacemaker066

Anonymous said...

Salam alaykoum

Just for your information There is a Golden Age in ISLAM.

And this golden age will be under the rule of Jesus (peace be on him) for 40 years.

It is sad to see how hatred and ignorance can mislead people so easyly. Next time learn then speak or write

wissam

P-S : forgive my poor english i am french

Anonymous said...

i doubt you will leave this post but there is THE PROOF ABOUT THE GOLDEN AGE IN ISLAM, so get educated and dont speak without knowledge. A muslim saint said : knowledge without wisdom is the mark of the devil.

Hadith Regarding the Prophet Jesus (as) Bringing Peace and Love to the World and Putting an End to Killing, Oppression and War:

I swear that Jesus (as), son of Maryam will descend as a just ruler... And all HOSTILITIES, QUARRELS, ENVY WILL ABSOLUTELY VANISH... (Death – Doomsday – Hereafter, p. 498)

Jesus (as), son of Maryam will be a just judge and a just ruler, ... abolish the jizya (from the non-Muslims), FILL THE EARTH WITH PEACE just as the water fills the pot. There will also be unity in religion and noone other than Allah will be worshipped anymore. (Sunan Ibn Majah, 10/334)

The Prophet Jesus (as) exists in my community as a just ruler... ALL HOSTILITY AND HATRED VANISH... Earth becomes like a silver plate and grows the plants in abundance just like in the time of the Prophet Adam (as) ... (Death – Doomsday – Hereafter, p. 496)

EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH PEACE just like water fills the pot. NO HOSTILITY WILL REMAIN AND ALL HOSTILITIES, QUARRELS, ENVY WILL ABSOLUTELY VANISH. (Sahih Muslim, 1/136)

Then he will live for 40 years. Noone will die at his time. One will call on to his animals (to be out at grass); they will go and although they pass through the crop not even an anther they will taste. Snakes and scorpions will not harm anyone. Beasts will stand before the doors and will not harm anyone... (Imam Suyuti, Portents of Doomsday, Death and Resurrection, p. 1699, p 184)

ENMITY AND GRUDGE among people will disappear. Scorpions and snakes will be without poison; even a child will play with a snake with bare hands without getting a snakebite. A girl will try to drive a lion but that lion will not touch her. A wolf will remain among sheep as if it were a shepherd dog. As a bowl fills with water, the Earth will fill with the unity of religion. People will worship no being other than Allah. NOTHING IN THE NAME OF WARS, STRIFE WILL REMAIN... The Earth will be like a silver table. It will give off its plantations as it were in the time of Prophet Adam (as). A bunch of grapes will suffice a private. A group of people will be full with a single pomegranate. The price of an ox will be that much and a horse will be purchased in return for a dirham.
They said:
“The Messenger of Allah! Why will a horse be so cheap?”
“BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO WAR, PEOPLE WILL NOT NEED IT MUCH!”
“Why will an ox will be so expensive?”
“Because the entire Earth will be planted, it will be of great demand...” (Ibn Majah reported a similar one from Umama; Great Hadith Collection, Rudani, Volume 5, p. 370-371-372)

Jesus (as) remains among the people as a just judge, an absolute judicious imam (religious leader) – ruler... ALL ENMITIES, GRUDGE DISAPPEAR, the poison of each poisonous animal is drawn. Furthermore, a child puts his hand in the mouth of a snake but that snake does not give harm to it. A girl annoys a lion while caressing it but that lion does not give harm to the girl. A wolf becomes like a shepherd dog among a sheep herd. THE EARTH IS FILLED WITH PEACE AND SECURITY AS IF A BOWL IS FILLED WITH WATER. (At that time) a single word (the word of tawhid) remains and people worship only Allah. Warriors LEAVE THEIR WEIGHT (THAT IS THEIR ARMS, WEAPONS ETC.) (Death, Doomsday, the Hereafter, p.496-497)


wissam

Anonymous said...

and the rest


[(Jesus (as)] will then live for forty years. AT HIS TIME NO ONE WILL DIE. A person will tell his sheep and animals to go and graze, they will go and although they will pass through crops, they will take not a single ear of grain into their mouths. Snakes and scorpions will not give harm to anyone. Predatory animals will lie at people’s doorsteps but they will not give harm to anyone. A person will take a scale of wheat and plant it [in a field] without ox and catapult, but he will still take seven hundred scales of wheat in return. (Imam Suyuti, Portents of Doomsday, Death and Resurrection, p. 184)

“For seven years NO ONE WILL BE ENEMIES TO ONE ANOTHER.” (264- Ibn Manda, a.e II 958-9, el-Mukhaddas, a.E. Vr. 136-a 137-b)

In his [Jesus’ (as)] time soil brings out its treasures in its depths. People do not demand any possessions. Envy and grudge disappear. Allah clears off the poison of each poisonous being. Thus children play with snakes and scorpions, but they are not harmed. Wolves do not give harm to sheep. PEOPLE DO NOT KILL ONE ANOTHER. PEACE DOMINATES THE EARTH. Soil gives plenty of crops as it were in its initial days. (265- see. Musnad, II, 409, 437; al-Safarini, Lavami, II 95) (Dr. Zeki Sarıtoprak, Jesus’ Descend from the Point of Islam, CaÄŸlayan Press, Izmir, 1997, p.96)

THERE WILL BE NO PLACE FOR GRUDGE AND ENMITY AMONG PEOPLE since the reasons disappeared... (Signs of the Doomsday, pp. 242-243)

“Jesus (as), son of Maryam, will descend no matter what.”... “ENMITY, GETTING CROSS WITH EACH OTHER AND JEALOUSY WILL BE REMOVED.” (Abu Huraira (ra), Great Hadith Collection, Rudani, Vol. 5, p. 379)

wissam

p-s : And the servants of Allah are those who walked on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say 'Peace' [Qur'an 25:63] ”

so PEACE to you, salam alaykoum

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the writing a big story on the osho, I am one small fan of osho....

I hope you have read lot about osho but few books have remained untouched....

take a look on Dipak Bara Naam ka, and u will get the answer of your question.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the writing a big story on the osho, I am one small fan of osho....

I hope you have read lot about osho but few books have remained untouched....

take a look on Dipak Bara Naam ka, and u will get the answer of your question.

Anandras said...

So what everything? You all bunch of idiots!

God is beyond religion. All the ways can reach, ultimately, to god. If islamic way is not genuine, then drop to another one, like sufism.

At the end, because the very nature of truth, you will have to drop all your identifications with your path. In God you can enter only "naked".

You guys dont get hurt your religiuos-egos and focus your visions on being one with God, whatever God means for you; it can be love, it can be bliss, it can be devotion, it can be happines, it can be freedom, it can be no-separation... Trust that and have happy journey... to me... is inevitable...

Anandras said...

Liten carefully, it is Osho again...

" These two traditions in the world have created the most enlightened people: one is Zen, born out of Buddha's insight, and another is Sufism, born out of Mohammed's insight. These two traditions have created the greatest light in the world"

Pastorius said...

Sufism does seem like a relatively enlightened tradition.

I agree with you. I studied it back in college. I like Sufism.

However, many of the greatest Sufi scholars called for waging violent Jihad against Infidels. So, to the extent that that is true, and it is, then Sufism is also violent.

Anonymous said...

I just heard:
From Unconciousness to Consciousness
Chapter 5 by Osho

And in no place does he say the above which is stated.

sehjta (a) yahoo.com

i will like to know more from where you got that quote.

Anonymous said...

Islam is bullshit as every religion... Osho is cool. He just says: "live spontaneusly in the moment that surrounds you with no-mind (with no dreaming -god, religion, angels, hell, heaven, flying unicorns-) and you will be living in reality". That was all hes teaching: meditation, wich means the cessation of the mind. Just to live the mistery of life with clean eyes and sincere heart (as buddha said). =P

Mehmet / Turkey said...

Hello,

You can visit this web sites:

http://www.questionsonislam.com
http://en.fgulen.com
http://www.harunyahya.com

thanks :)

Anonymous said...

Everybody knows that Osho was against Islam.

In Sweden there is a Osho commune called Baravara.
Some of the member of Baravara like Anibadh tried to open a Osho meditation center in the center of Marrakech (Morocco).

They posted a picture of the anti islamic guru Osho on the wall of their meditation center Dar al Rumi in the medina.

Many people believer and non believer protested against this provocation

It seems to me very dangerous to do that… What do you think about this ?