As a way to exonerate Islam of the violence habitually committed in its name, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb—the grand imam of Al Azhar University—recently engaged in some interesting sophistry. According to published statements on Arabic media, Tayeb said that “It is extremely regrettable that some heads of churches in the United States conduct [homosexual] marriages. I wonder how little of the Gospel [Injil] is left to them and how they will face our Lord Isa [Islam’s version of Jesus]?”
One of the grand imam’s points was that Christian normalization of homosexuality is an expression of “radicalization” and a distortion of Christianity no less than when Muslims commit violence in the name of Islam. This clever argument is being picked up by several in the Muslim world.
After a moderate Egyptian talk show host referenced Tayeb’s comments, he was quick to add, “Of course when we speak about Western churches, we don’t attribute them to churches or Christian men.” He then proceeded to gently admonish Egypt’s Christians with Tayeb’s logic: If Muslims are to accept that just because some “Christians” normalize homosexuality, this does not mean that Christianity normalizes it, then Christians must accept that just because some Muslims normalize discrimination and violence against Christians, this does not mean that Islam normalizes it.
Left unsaid in this latest apologia is that the Bible—Old and New Testaments—unequivocally condemns homosexuality, whereas the Koran calls for violence against “infidels.”

Dov Berrol says
The Torah does not unequivocally condemn homosexuality. It prohibits anal intercourse which was thought to be physically dangerous to the recipient of the activity. The relevant verse in Vayikra can be translated as “If a man penetrates another man, death may result due to bleeding.” The ancient Israelite leadership which wrote the Tanach had no concept of the modern understanding of homosexual attraction. Just like they had no concept of the modern understanding of space travel or x-rays or anti-biotics. In fact, the primary Israelite notion of “love your friend as you would love yourself” is a key to understanding the presence of same gender love and attraction in our world. Gay people are created in the image of Hashem to remind humanity that love between people is important even when it is not being used to create children.
mortimer says
A superb summary of the essence of gay theology: we are on earth to treat others with kindness, rather than to dominate, enslave and hurt them, as is the case with Islam. In the Bronze Age, there was little psychology. There were as many Gay people then as now (about 3%). There were as many left-handed people then as now (about 15%). At one time, left-handedness was considered to be ‘sinister’ or bewitched. BUT…they were PRE-psychological and PRE-rational, though there were some rational people back then as shown by their writings. The stigma is mostly gone now, though not in Islam, which still maintains the stigma. There should be no stigma attached to the Gay orientation in this ‘post-psychological’ world.
Islam remains PRE-rational and PRE-psychological. An equivalent of the European Enlightenment will completely demolish Islam forever…and it is coming to all Muslims countries soon…at most within two or three decades.
Andy says
When studying the Holy Bible (KJV for me), clear-cut verses which are easily understood without “helps” should ALWAYS be taken as 100% truth. Verses that are vague in meaning and which need “helps” in order to properly understand them should be treated as less important than the clear-cut ones. One of them (there are hundreds) is about HOMOSEXUAL activity. Another is– in spite of Roman Catholic theology– the bowing down by human beings in front of statues and icons.
Annie says
Dov, I don’t know where you get your Jewish theology. I love Gays, and treat all people with respect. However, the proscription against gay sex is about LIFE. God wanted above all for every “seed” that was to emanate from a man, not be wasted. And it sure as heck would be wasted in another man’s behind.
Andy says
If the Creator God of the Holy Bible (KJV for me) had wanted homosexual activity among humans and animals, He would never have prohibited the PRACTICE. In fact He pronounced eternal hell-fire for practicing homosexuals.
Practicing homos will have to pay a heavy price after they die. God said this:
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use [of their bodies] into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind,
As a result of being “given over,” they will never see the error of their sinful behaviour. They will not seek forgiveness from the Creator-God. Thus, they will die in their sins and face God’s righteous condemnation.
Carol says
Actually the Torah does condemn homosexuality. In Vayikra 18:22 It says “You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is an abomination. The word “toevet”, also means “abhorrent”. This is because men belong with women, not men to men physically. Homosexuality hasn’t changed over the years. Hillel’s golden rule (love your neighbor as yourself), as also said by Yeshua later in the 1st century, still applies today. People haven’t changed in their behavior toward each other. Civilization hasn’t made them better people, as we see by all these wars, murders etc. They just find more evil ways to hurt each other. God still loves all people even those who are drawn to being same sex attracted.
kEPHA says
Good comment, Carol. I also know enough of the Hebrew and Greek languages to know that King James’ team of translators (and many of their successors) did a fairly decent job; and I am not alone in this assessment. As for Dov’s interpretation,I can only note that the Jewish Publication Society’s translation of the Holy Scriptures and that of Isaac Leeser (a German immigrant Melamed who produced the first major Jewish translation into English back in the early 1800’s) agree with the overwhelming majority of Christian translators–as does the Greek Septuagint, a Jewish translation mad ca. 200 B.C.
In the New Testament, Paul says that homosexuality is the corrupt fruit of idolatry in Romans One. Here, Paul pokes in the eye a common practice in the Gentile culture of his time, even though he was calling Gentiles to convert to Christ.
As for the Bible writers “not knowing” what our wonderful modern researchers think they know about “3%” of the population harboring homosexual tendencies, my guess is that the Bible translators thought ALL of us have the potentiality to commit ANY and ALL sins against which they wrote; and if we’re less prone to some sins than others, we ought to thank the merciful influences and providence of the Almighty that he’s restrained at least some of our sinful tendencies–and we should seek his grace to see the rest restrained as well.
خَليفة says
Like all Muslims his logic is flawed and fallacious.
“Islamic logic” is an oxymoron.
Using “Islamic logic”:
All pigs have 2 eyes and 2 ears.
Mohammed had 2 eyes and 2 ears.
Therefore Mohammed is a pig.
Pigs follow the smartest pig in the herd.
All Muslims have 2 eyes and 2 ears and follow
Mohammed, who them believe to be the best example of one to follow and
who has just been proven to be a pig…
Therefore all Muslims are pigs.
Aside from using “Islamic logic” I think the cnclution still holds.
mortimer says
The flaw of Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb is to compare kindness to homosexuals with the wanton and sadistic cruelty of ISIS.
Appalling. Morally offensive. Stupid.
That beastly comparison of kindness with sadism comes from the BEST THINKER in Islam.
خَليفة says
… Yes, this should be a blazing red flag to the real dangers of Islam. Yet, due to those leftists, so many in our country are delusional, ignorant, complacent and view anything anti-Christian thru rose coloured utopian beer goggles; and that includes Islam.
I recently received The 5 volume set “The Black Book of the American Left” as a gift from a friend. I have not had enough time to do much reading of them, but just a few random sections in book 1 were eye-opening. I plan to read them all.
Andy says
Here’s the biggest difference between what Jesus Christ taught the Christians and what Mohammed taught the Muslims: Islam depends on HUMAN LOGIC for its belief system. Christianity DEPENDS on FAITH. For example: In the Holy Bible one (God the Father) plus one (God the Son Jesus Christ) plus one (the Holy Spirit of Almighty God) are still ONE (Godhead).
No Muslim will ever understand this truth. Why? Because human logic hates such conclusions. Besides, they do not have the Holy Spirit of the Creator God to teach them truth. The Bible states that the TRUE TEACHER of Christianity is the Holy Spirit. Here it is:
John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Nehemiah 9:20
“You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,
Matthew 10:19-20
“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Mark 13:11
“When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:12
for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
mortimer says
More of the ‘tu quoque’ fallacy: Christians are ‘just as bad’ as the jihadists. He cannot just condemn the deviant Muslims. He has to show the Muslim world that he hates Christians, but at the same time he doesn’t hate them. This is a virtuosic performance of insincerity.
The main point, though, is that Islam in fact DOES normalize discrimination and violence against disbelievers. There is an entire doctrine about it called ‘Al Walaa wal Baraa’ which has been called ‘the second most important essential doctrine’ and also ‘the best supported doctrine’ in Islam…supported by the Koran and hadiths. To hate kafirs is part of being a ‘good Muslim’. Loving kafirs means resembling them. Muslims have no obligation to be ‘nice’ to kafirs, but if they do, it is not an obligation, but mere ‘good manners’ or condescension. There is no Universal Code of Reciprocity (the Golden Rule) in Islam.
pumbar says
Photo Caption:
You’re not *really* gonna make me wear this are you?
linnte says
Hahahahaha! That’s what went through my head too! A Muslim Santa? Hahahaha!
Pumbar says
Lol, comes with free, halal reindeer.
Mo says
“It is extremely regrettable that some heads of churches in the United States conduct [homosexual] marriages. I wonder how little of the Gospel [Injil] is left to them and how they will face our Lord Isa [Islam’s version of Jesus]?”
Well, on this he is absolutely right. The bible does not condone homosexuality. Those who claim to be followers of Christ will one day stand before Him and give account for their support of this behavior. That is especially true of any leaders of churches who perform these ceremonies and claim the bible is in support of this sinful behavior.
However, the bible does not mandate nor does it condone any violence toward homosexuals. That’s the distinction here.
celticwarriorcanada says
SADLY !!! This Imams Perception of The Apostate Condition of Some of Western Christianity is PROVEN to Often to be true !! But to compare them to the Jihades is ABSURD !!! WHY ? Because the truth is : THAT JIHADES UNFORTUNATELY ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN THEIR iSLAMIC CAUSE and are willing TO DIE FOR IT !!! WHILE SOME SO CALLED WESTERN CHRISTIANS have either ABANDONED the JUDAEO CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES and HISTORIC CREEDS ;OR SIMPLY PAY A TOKEN RESPECT TO WHAT THEY NOW VIEW AS OUTMODED AND IRRELEVANT FOR MODERN HUMANITY ! A Better comparison would have been BETWEEN JIHADES And the more RADICAL LEANING PROTESTANT REFORMERS . I.E ULRICH ZWINGLI , THE SWISS MAGISTERIAL REFORMER died in battle for the REFORMATION CAUSE : WHILE RADICAL ANABAPTISTS were DIVIDED , SOME GROUPS REFEREED to as STABLERS ( BARRERS of the STAFF ) Who Were Pacifists and SCWARTLERS ( BARRES of the SWORD ) WHO were ARMED and READY FOR ACTION !! P.S. AS RAYMOND has SO WELL EXPLAINED ISIS ARE THE REFORMERS OF iSLAM !!! WHY? BECAUSE they ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN THE iSLAMIC SCRIPTURES AND CREEDS AND ACTUALLY PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT THEY DEMAND . I.E. War Against The Infidels , Stonings , Rape , Enslavement ETC.
Liam1304 says
We may be going down a rabbit hole here, but: The same passage in Leviticus that calls homosexual relations (penetrative sex or not) an “abomination” also includes in the list incest. If acting out on homosexual impulses is OK then is acting out on sexual impulses with close family members OK too?
Yes in the Old Testament is deserved the death penalty, but in the New Testament there is power to be freed from this vice (and the term is well chosen – a power that has you in its grip and refuses to release you – ask me how I know).
And for our less well read friends: No, Chrisianity of course does not teach thta acting out on homosexual tendencies deserves stoning to death.
Aren’t we all glad?
nothosaur says
The Prophet Muhammad distorts Islam.
There — the way things are trending, it was only a matter of time until somebody said that.
Andy says
the so-called PROPHET of Islam was one time frightened that he was demon possessed while praying in a cave. He runs home and tells his wife Khadijah who was very much older thsan him, that he thinks he’s demon possessed. K says…not so husband…you have been made a PROPHET by the god you worship. Now Mohammed believes it and starts his “prophetic-work.” The strange thing about this even is this: The Koran states that one woman’s WITNESS is good only for the garbage bin. (I’m paraphrasing here)! And yet, one woman Kadijah’s witness was ample for Mohammed to be called a prophet. How come?
Ciudadano says
“Muslims are to accept that just because some “Christians” normalize homosexuality, this does not mean that Christianity normalizes it”
That part of his proposition is true
“then Christians must accept that just because some Muslims normalize discrimination and violence against Christians, this does not mean that Islam normalizes it”
That part of his proposition is false, so from a logical point of view the whole proposition is false (is p->q true? q is false, then p->q is false, even if p is true).
The truth is that Islam does normalize discrimination against non-believers, even if some muslims don’t discriminate you can not take a part for the whole.
In conclusion this guy is talking using sofistry to deceive. The truth is Christian teachings and teology doesnt support gay marriage as evidenced by christian texts and history, and islam teachings do support discrimination and prosecution towards non believers as clearly commanded in thier hholy books, and put in practice by muslims all over the world for hundreds of years until present in countries like Saudi Arabia.
linnte says
Excellent use of Logic. Thanks!
Jerry in Minneapolis says
When homosexuals start mass murdering and torturing heterosexuals for their sexuality then his analogy might work. Until then clean up your own house muslims, your people and faith are destroying the world’s peace.
Champ ✞ says
Raymond Ibrahim wrote:
Left unsaid in this latest apologia is that the Bible—Old and New Testaments—unequivocally condemns homosexuality, whereas the Koran calls for violence against “infidels.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Precisely!!! ‘Nuff said …
خَليفة says
Islam needs no external force to corrupt itself – islam is the epitome of stupidity, evil and corruption – Islam is what comes out of a pig’s colon.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6gzCLcdTHaY
By the same precedent as the “allowing a mujahideen access to your colon”, a Muslim could do anything in the name of jihad – in other words, there is absolutely no moral foundation in Islam – if you are doing Satan’s work, any and every thing is allowed.