*Ask runner if he would like to see a return to blasphemy laws and I think you will get a truer picture of intent.*

Ah Csteele, but of course Jesus said "turn the other cheek, whilst
Muhammed said "off with their heads", as he led his army. So
Runner would have to follow his gurus advice, unless he wanted
to become a muslim :)

csteel: New Living Translation (©2007)5:17
"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The KJB is the given recognized standard. These others like the NLT have been done by these American Christian TV Evangelists who like to do their own interpretations on things to suit their own agendas, like making people part with their money & give it to them.

The interpretation I grew up with is somewhat different to what you are making it out to be.

Jesus in saying that meant that what the Law & the Prophets had said was correct, so he couldn't destroy that, because HE is the fulfilment of what they said.

In the NLT the phrase, "No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
could be interpreted as HE was there to continue the old Law on.

Now you see the problem we have with American Evangelists. They are rewriting the scriptures to serve their own ends.

As the Old Law & the Prophets predictions had been fulfilled by HIS coming then that was finished & a new Law was created. Love the lord thy God with all the heart etc. & Love thy neighbour as thy self.

Now it's interesting to note that the first record of the,” love thy neighbour,” bit was from Confucius, then Guatemala Batavia (The Budda or enlightened one) then some guy in Babylon, long before it came to be written into the Bible. Then Joshua (Jesus) said it. There is also a tradition that Joshua travelled to India in the 21 years he disappeared, & studied Buddhism & Hinduism. There was also a large Buddhist Temple in Capernaum, within a few hours walking distance of Nazareth. The Romans had a habit of accommodating the religions of all their lands, Buddhism was just one of them that had been brought to the West by Alexander. Alexander had a Buddhist Monk for an Advisor, because he knew that the Monk wouldn't flatter him like his normal countrymen did. Hence the term Grand Visor in that part of the world.
Sorry I just love History.

Dear Steele,

Whilst Israel under fundamentalist Judaism would not be a fun place to live, I don't think it would be quite like fundamentalist Islam.

There are three factors, possibly more, which should be considered.

The High Court would retain its independence. This organ is sober, fair and impartial.

Scientific and high-technological innovation is the bedrock of Israel's economy. These areas could not withstand an exodus overseas of firms, nor indeed of specialist Israelis, Arab, Jew or other. This is an economic reality.

Progressive (liberal) Judaism is gaining traction and attracting concessions. This changes the face of 'who is a Jew'.

I think a convulsive backlash against fundamentalism by other Israelis would occur before this group gained too much ascension. There are already rumblings ...

The situation will be interesting to watch.

Dear Jayb,

I have a great deal of affection for the King James Bible but to call it definitive is just silly. There are far more accurate translations but all without the poetry of the magnificent KJB.

In any event you are wrong as any reading of the chapter will illustrate. Jesus was about putting the law on steroids not casting it aside.

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

“Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

He was actually pretty typical of the faith and the era.

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

and

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
But he answered and said, “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.”

Even the best efforts of Paul can not disguise the fact that Jesus thought the Gentiles (us) were dogs.

We seem able to put that aside but refuse to do the same for Muhammad's words?

The difference between the Bible and the Koran is that adherents of the Bible see it as descriptive, whilst those of the Koran see it as prescriptive. Not all, but enough to be a "worry".

Below are a few extracts from an interesting article regarding blasphemy/religious defamation written by Raymond Ibrahim (a Muslim apostate to Christianity). All his references are linked. The article in its entirety can be read online.

How 'Religious Defamation' Laws Would Ban Islam by Raymond Ibrahim (September 26, 2012)
http://www.meforum.org/3345/islam-religious-defamation-laws

“What, then, do we do with Islam's core religious texts—beginning with the Quran itself, which slanders, denigrates and blackens the reputation of other religions? Consider Christianity alone: Quran 5:73 declares that "Infidels are they who say Allah is one of three," a reference to the Christian Trinity; Quran 5:72 says "Infidels are they who say Allah is the Christ, [Jesus] son of Mary"; and Quran 9:30 complains that "the Christians say the Christ is the son of Allah … may Allah's curse be upon them!" …

“Similarly, consider how the Christian Cross, venerated among millions, is depicted — is defamed —in Islam: according to canonical hadiths, when he returns, Jesus supposedly will destroy all crosses; and Muhammad, who never allowed the cross in his presence, ordered someone wearing a cross to "take off that piece of idolatry." …

“Here is a particularly odious form of defamation against Christian sentiment, especially to the millions of Catholic and Orthodox Christians. According to Islam's most authoritative Quranic exegetes, including the revered Ibn Kathir, Muhammad is in paradise married to and having sex with the Virgin Mary.”