Several days after the shootings at Fort Hood a Muslim woman appeared on a news program. In response to questions she said, “We are taught that ‘To take one life is as if to kill all of mankind, and to save one life is as if to save all of mankind’” as proof that Islam is a religion of peace.

That statement is indeed in the Koran. You can find it at 5:32. But there is one glaring problem. That statement was taken very much out-of-context. When you read the verse in context, you will first notice that it is directed at the Israelites. “That is why we decreed for the Israelites that whosoever taketh a life …”

As you continue to read the verse you will see an “exception,” which is “for other than manslaughter or spreading corruption in the earth.” Do you have a guess as to who spreads corruption in the earth? The unbelievers (Christians and Jews) are those who spread corruption or villainy, according to the Koran.

So the true meaning of the verse that woman quoted is entirely different than what she would have you believe.

(At this point I will add that 5:32 in the Koran may very well have been lifted from the Jewish Mishnah Sanhedrin, 4:5, which far predates the Koranic verse. I would also add that this Jewish tract does not contain “exceptions” as the Koranic verse does.)

Reading further at 5.33, “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his apostle and strive to make mischief in the land (corruption) is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides …”

Now some may wonder if that woman doesn’t know her own religion or holy book. Well, it’s hard to imagine that a spokesperson for an organization or religion wouldn’t be well-versed in their beliefs. Maybe the reason for her out-of-context statement lies in taqiyya or kitman.

Taqiyya is the denial of beliefs to protect oneself and is used in disguising one’s beliefs, intentions, ideas, feelings, opinions or strategies. Kitman is secrecy, concealment or deception. Originally, taqiyya was used by Shia to protect themselves from the Sunni. However, according to many former and present Muslims I have read and listened to, the use of taqiyya and kitman can be found throughout Islam.

I take no joy in writing this piece. But I ask everyone, regardless of who you are or what you believe, to look at what is going on in this country, the world, the Middle East. Read your book of faith whether it’s the Koran, the Bible or Torah. Then ask yourself what a real, loving, true God would ask of you — and would do for you — out of pure unadulterated love. Then ask yourself if your book, your God, is the real deal.

Tom Jacobson

Albert Lea