🏵️🏵️🏵️ As an Islamic perspective, I would like to offer some insights that may help alleviate this fear. Jon, you've raised some thought-provoking questions about the Crucifixion, and I'll attempt to address them from the lens of Islam.
The article, highlighted the brutal and gruesome nature of the Crucifixion, which indeed is a solemn and sorrowful event. However, as Muslims, we believe that the Quranic narrative of Jesus' life and death is different from the one presented in the Bible. According to Islam, Jesus did not die on the Cross, but rather Allah (God) saved him from it.
In Surah An-Nisa', Chapter 4, Verse 157-158, it is written:
"And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to appear like him to them. Those who differ therein are in doubt about it; they have no knowledge thereof except pursuit of a conjecture; they did not kill him for certain." (Quran 4:157-158)
The Quran clearly states that Jesus was not killed or crucified, and that someone else was made to appear like him. This concept is further reinforced by a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
"The similitude of Jesus before Allah is that of Adam; He created him from dust and then said to him 'Be!' and he became. And Allah said to Jesus: 'I will cause you to die and raise you up unto Me.'" (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith emphasizes that Jesus' death was not a real death, but rather a temporary suspension of his life, after which he will be raised up by Allah.
Jon, I understand your perspective on this topic, and I appreciate the effort to explore the complexities of the Crucifixion. However, I believe that Islam provides a more comprehensive understanding of Jesus' life and death. Islam presents a narrative that is free from the contradictions and ambiguities found in other religious texts.
Before concluding, I'd like to leave you with a thought-provoking video that explores the theme of Jesus' life and death from an Islamic perspective:
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